SoundTrack: COMP. BY DJ.DARKMAN/SSG OF COZ
Interview with PROGRESS
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Based on video materials from ENLIGHT'97 Interviewed by Mikhail Akimov, LOGROS studio Video film authors - DIGITAL REALITY
M.A.: Hello.
ROM: Hello.
M.A.: I am Mikhail Akimov from LOGROS studio. Please introduce yourselves.
ROM: We are two members of PROGRESS. FUX - coder, I - organizer. The others are running around somewhere, maybe they'll join us.
M.A.: On which platform are you working?
ROM: Now, mainly for the soul, we are engaged in demo making on the Spectrum. Including right now we presented at the compo for ZX in all 3 nominations: DEMO, GFX, and MUSIC. Our wonderful musician MIC supports us. We are gradually gathering, not making lame works, as soon as we learn and feel strong enough to engage in demo making on AMIG.
M.A.: And which editors do you work with?
ROM: In what sense? Music ones?
M.A.: Yes.
ROM: On the Spectrum, MIC writes in everything, he is our all-rounder, and on PC he prefers Fast Tracker.
FUX: And I dabble a bit in music on AMIG, I write in Pro Tracker!
ROM: We actually have a musical education!
FUX: But our main musician is MIC, of course!
ROM: Yes!
M.A.: Why specifically on AMIG, why not on IBM?
ROM: Oh! Well...!
FUX: It just happened!
ROM: We like this computer..!
FUX: A more creative machine!
ROM: If you need super performance, office work - then, of course, you need a PC! If you are engaged in creativity; creating for yourself, for the soul; making some things, then, of course, you need this home computer.
M.A.: But it is expensive, around $1500.
ROM: No! Why? I believe that now you can easily get in for $1000.
FUX: Well, that's if you don't set yourself a forty processor!
ROM: Moreover, it may be a banality, but it serves as insurance in the future, from those notorious upgrades. On PC you won't escape, but on AMIG - you invest money and can feel calm for a fairly long time.
M.A.: How is the situation with Spectrum in Moscow?
FUX: Quite good!
ROM: We mainly have the "fountain" around ZX-NET. There people communicate, try to create, although everything is still at the initial stage - a new generation is developing! And among experienced people - we (without false modesty) do something from time to time, then ANTARES - a decent beginner team. Unfortunately, with SPECTROFON everything is declining now, i.e. enthusiasm is leaving Matveev!
M.A.: What is this connected with? With the obsolescence of the platform?
ROM: No! People are just tired, I believe - some unclear technical reasons. For some reason, in Moscow it (Spectrum) is much less alive compared to St. Petersburg!
M.A.: Today you saw how our St. Petersburg company PETERS presented Sprinter'97. What is your opinion about this computer?
ROM: Our feedback is positive, actually! We talked to the director and as soon as they release this computer, we will contact them and discuss everything! And the plans - to support with software, they will provide the computer. Then, we have already agreed on the financial side, but that's not so important. The main thing is enthusiasm, and there is a desire because with the attitude... the price proportion... It's interesting!
M.A.: Well, they also said they would release a sound card!
ROM: This is, of course, necessary and if you look at the things they implemented in Sprinter, there is hope that they won't miss here either! In general, a good project! We liked it!
M.A.: What do you think about the organization of this Enlight?
ROM: Terrible!
M.A.: What did you not like?
FUX: The equipment.
ROM: The technical side. Some soulless approach! And also just awful - 100 Hz refresh rate on the monitors and the screen on the Spectrum is updated twice as slowly as on these monitors! And we get a beam-section of the image in the center of the screen and all in two interruptions! It's okay on PC, they breathe evenly to this, but on AMMY and on the Spectrum - this is fundamental! It is considered class when everything works in interruptions! Among themselves at the compo, Spectrumists will be equal, but in general, the Spectrum will look worse, a step back. This is bad! But in principle, the place is better than last year. The technical side is just terrible! They should have at least set up 1-2 Spectrum monitors to see the original - how it should be!
M.A.: What is your attitude towards St. Petersburg programmers?
ROM: Great! Things are going well in St. Petersburg with these matters. Of course, some come, some go, but the average class is high! And the attitude towards work, and professionalism!
M.A.: Tell us more about how BBS are developed in Moscow?
FUX: There is quite an extensive network in Moscow!
ROM: The "iron" source is the C-DOS modem, which runs at a speed of 2400 baud and a gateway system for transmitting correspondence to the external network. A structure similar to FIDO - everything is clear, everything works. Alex (R) - the father of all this! He deserves credit! He organized all this and still keeps it. Well done! This is almost 100 percent what keeps Spectrum in Moscow.
M.A.: And what about author programs? Do they get onto BBS?
ROM: Author programs rarely get onto BBS and when they do, they are cracked. There used to be more! But now there is a trend towards a decrease, as respect for authors is emerging and the level of piracy is declining.
M.A.: After E'96, Spectrofon 20 was released. Did you like it?
ROM: It was OLDMAN who joined the team, and he always approached work with soul and professionalism!
FUX: The technical level has risen!
M.A.: What will you be doing in the near future?
ROM: Of course, demo making! And if we agree with Peters, we will engage in system programming. For the soul, of course (it's already like a disease, we can't free ourselves from it, we start to have withdrawal symptoms), we need to make demos. This year, between the two Enlights, we released after Influence (our first attempt, in my opinion unsuccessful) two demos - BRAIN CRASH & POROXIZM and now we released the third one (SHIT 4 BRANS, ed. note). In this spirit, without particularly relaxing, we will continue to work! Such are our plans.
M.A.: Are there many guys from Moscow here at E'97?
ROM: Yes! Much more from Moscow! That is, all the SUB scenes we saw at the assembly are more or less bright people!
M.A.: What influenced this? BBS?
ROM: Yes, due to the network, information reaches clearly and promptly. Well, of course, this is also due to the fact that the name of Enlight is growing. That is, even the third one, and already the Baltics and Eastern Europe are coming - Czechs and Poles. Therefore, we also want the organizers to take it more seriously!
M.A.: And how would you feel about paid entry?
ROM: This is good! Because commercial parties, as seen by the level of Europe, this is right!
M.A.: So, is it all commercial there?
ROM: Yes! Europe considers this a fairly serious art. This is in full swing in all Western European countries. Just the main thing in this matter is not to "overdo it"! The entry price must be realistic.
M.A.: Thank you very much!
ROM: And thank you!
Contents of the publication: Deja Vu #05
- Аперативчик - Max
Detailed instructions on managing the DEJA VU interface, highlighting different input methods and navigation commands. Explanation of the new and old interfaces for enhanced user experience. Discussion on additional features like frame scrolling and music management.
- Аперативчик - Max
Discussion on supporting machines with more than 128k memory, leading to separate shells for 128k and 256k systems. Testing was mainly done on Scorpion and Profi, with functionality on other models anticipated. Article includes guidance on unpacking source files and insights on using improved algorithms.
- Тема - M.M.A
This article explores the theory behind digitizing sound on ZX Spectrum, focusing on sampling and quantization processes. It provides practical insights into converting sound files using specific hardware and software. Additionally, it offers methods to enhance sound quality while working within the hardware limitations.
- Theme
The article discusses the Save Our Scene initiative aimed at uniting Spectrum users and developers to promote software distribution and enhance the scene's development.
- Charter of the Amazing Soft Making Association
Discussion of the founding charter of the Amazing Soft Making association, detailing its goals, membership criteria, and operational principles.
- Theory of Magazine Creation
The article provides a detailed guide for aspiring magazine creators, focusing on technical aspects such as interface design, memory management, text formatting, and music integration for ZX Spectrum publications.
- Solder Drop
The article provides a personal account of purchasing and using the General Sound device for ZX Spectrum, detailing installation and sound performance. It discusses the initial issues encountered and praises the enhanced audio experience in compatible games. The author encourages further software adaptation for the device and reflects on multimedia capabilities with simultaneous hardware use.
- Solder Drop
The article discusses the capabilities of Sound Forge 4.0c for professional audio processing on PCs, highlighting its extensive features such as sound editing, effects, and restoration tools.
- SOFTWARE
The article reviews the latest software developments for the ZX Spectrum from Samara, including updates to MAXSOFT SCREEN PACKER, File Commander, and new applications like S-Terminal.
- SOFTWARE - Card!nal
Review and walkthrough of the logical graphic adventure game 'Operation R.R.' with detailed level instructions. Discussion on game elements like music choice and graphic design. Mentions new coder MAX/CYBERAX/BINARY DIMENSION's involvement.
- SOFTWARE
Discussion on the current state and evolution of the demoscene, highlighting the rise of 4K intros and upcoming competitions like FUNTOP'98.
- CODING
Article discusses assembly language coding techniques for optimizing screen scrolling on ZX Spectrum, featuring example code and performance analysis.
- CODING - RLA
The article explores stack manipulation techniques during second type interrupts for graphical effects on ZX Spectrum. It discusses solutions for preserving data integrity when interrupts disrupt graphical operations. Practical examples are provided to handle stack issues efficiently.
- CODING
The article describes the MS-PACK packer and its DEPACKER, detailing usage scenarios and providing BASIC and assembly code examples for handling packed files. It emphasizes optimizing performance by allowing unpacking with interrupts enabled and separating the DEPACKER from packed files. Additionally, it includes insights on programming techniques for loading and executing BASIC files on ZX Spectrum.
- CODING
The article discusses various coding techniques for ZX Spectrum, focusing on sprite rendering, rotation algorithms, and optimization methods to enhance performance.
- ANOTHER WORLD
Discussion on the evolution of multimedia technologies and their impact on various fields, including education and entertainment. It covers advances in computer hardware and software that have facilitated the integration of audio, video, and text. The article reflects on past developments and speculates on the future of multimedia systems.
- ANOTHER WORLD
Comparison of PC and Amiga systems highlighting performance, software costs, and user experience with multimedia capabilities.
- Honor Roll
Interview with PROGRESS discusses their creative journey on ZX Spectrum and AMIGA, addressing challenges in demomaking and the current state of the scene.
- Honor Roll
The article details the activities and future projects of the Eternity Industry team, based in Kovrov, including successful releases and collaborations with other groups.
- Honor Roll
Discussion of the Artcomp'98 festival, focusing on its mail-in format and guidelines for various competitions, including demo, graphics, and music categories.
- Honor Roll
The article provides a glossary of terms used in the demo scene, explaining roles such as musician, coder, and graphician, as well as different types of demos and effects. It serves as a useful resource for understanding the terminology and dynamics of the community. This is a descriptive piece aimed at educating readers about the jargon of the demo scene.
- Honor Roll
The article discusses the issues with mouse support in various ZX Spectrum magazines and the frustrations of users when encountering compatibility problems. It critiques developers for not adhering to standards, leading to poor user experiences. The author expresses the importance of consistent improvements in software for the ZX Spectrum community.
- Honor Board
The article discusses the process of creating tricolor images for ZX Spectrum using Photoshop and a simplified approach. It outlines how to divide an image into RGB channels and convert them for use on the Spectrum. Additionally, it provides tips on how to manage the files for optimal results.
- Honor Roll
The article discusses the comparison and perspectives on various computer systems, particularly emphasizing the strengths of AMIGA over PC and advocating for appreciation of all machines.
- Seven and a Half
Article discusses the humorous absurdities and peculiarities of military training and academia, blending satire with real anecdotes and witty observations.
- Seven and a Half
The article provides a satirical manual on programming methodologies, mocking the rigidity of formal programming practices and advocating for a more creative approach to coding.
- Seven and a Half
Instructions on safe sex practices, including guidelines on eligibility, preparation, and actions during and after the sexual session, along with handling emergency situations.
- Seven and a Half
The article discusses a call for a talented artist in Krasnodar for a ZX Spectrum group, raises concerns about the unethical practices of Scorpion regarding software rights, and critiques a video review of E'97.
- Seven and a Half
The article 'Семь и 1/2' narrates a humorous picnic adventure involving the editorial team of Deja Vu, highlighting their camaraderie and mishaps while preparing a barbecue.
- Trial of the Pen
The article is a humorous take on the fictional adventures of Winnie the Pooh as he interacts with computers and friends, discussing the absurdities of technology and daily life.
- First Pen
The article discusses the new section in Deja Vu dedicated to fantasy and science fiction literature, featuring book reviews and reader participation in content creation.
- Advertisement
The article is an advertisement section from Deja Vu #05, promoting collaborations with designers and musicians for future issues, and offering various software and hardware for ZX Spectrum.
- News
The article announces the launch of a new magazine, AMIGA RULES, focused on the AMIGA computer, addressing the lack of quality Russian-language publications. It aims to provide information on programming, hardware, software, and gaming, while fostering a community among AMIGA enthusiasts. The magazine will include contributions from readers and regular updates on the AMIGA scene.
