CPCWiki - THE Amstrad CPC encyclopedia! - User contributions [en]

Zap't'Balls

2006-09-23T10:33:08Z

84.137.165.68: typo

[[Image:ZaptBalls.gif|right|frame|Screenshot of ''Zap't'Balls'']]
[[Image:ZaptBallsTheAdvancedEdition-TheWorldOfIce.gif|right|frame|Screenshot of The World of Ice, from ''Zap't'Balls: The Advanced Edition'']]

''Zap't'Balls'' was released by [[EGS|Elmsoft]] (Elmar Krieger) in 1992, and is a conversion of the arcade game ''[[Pang]]'', which was only ever released by [[Ocean]] in cartridge format for the Plus machines. Elmsoft, who was an experienced demo coder, used a lot of effects and tricks from the CPC demoscene to polish up this game. According to an interview in the April 1994 issue of ''[[Amstrad Action]]'' (issue 103), he offered to convert ''Pang'' to the normal CPC machines, but Ocean refused. However, he had spent too much time working on his conversion to abandon the project.

The game itself is available in two versions: ''Zap't'Balls'', which was originally released as a 29-level 'demo' on the coverdisc of the German CPC magazine [[CPCAI|CPC Amstrad International]] and could be freely copied, and as ''Zap't'Balls: The Advanced Edition'', the complete version with many more levels, which was released commercially. ''The Advanced Edition'' also contained an intro that was originally planned as Elmsoft's part for the [[Cuddly Demo]]. Both versions require 128K of memory.

It has been said that Elmsoft promised a sequel, but only if nobody would crack his game. However, only a few weeks after the release of ''Zap't'Balls'', the French cracker [[Chany]] of [[NPS]] cracked it and distributed his crack widely.

== ''Amstrad Action'' review controversy ==

[[Simon Forrester]] reviewed ''Zap't'Balls: The Advanced Edition'' in the February 1993 issue of ''Amstrad Action'' (issue 89) and gave the game an overall rating of 85%, with 90% for graphics and 80% for sound. Although he remarked that "it has amazing graphics and real gameplay," and "you'll be playing it 'til you drop," many CPC scene members felt that it deserved a much higher rating. [[Odiesoft]] wrote a letter, which appeared in the October 1993 issue of ''AA'' (issue 97), complaining that Simon's review was "totally amateurish" and that "this game is worth at least 95 per cent, not just 85 per cent." ''AA'''s editor at the time, Dave Golder, responded that "''Zap't'Balls''... looked like <nowiki>[a]</nowiki> poor rip-off of ''Pang''", and he thought that "Simon was a bit too generous giving ''Zap'' 85 per cent."

In his interview with ''AA'', Elmar Krieger said that "the review itself was simply a major disappointment, and it would seem that many people share that opinion," and "in many magazines, 85 per cent is a really good mark, but in ''AA'' so many games which, in my opinion, were dreadful, got over 85 per cent, that it seemed somehow ridiculous."

== Links ==

* [http://www.cpczone.net/index.php?game=2168 Entry for Zap't'Balls in the CPC Zone Gamebase]

[[Category:Games]]

!CPCemu

2006-09-06T20:22:06Z

84.137.178.91: typo

'''!CPCemu''' is an [[Amstrad]] CPC emulator written by [[Face Hugger|Andreas Stroiczek]] for Acorn RISC OS.

[[Category:Emulator]]
[[Category:Stub]]

Ready Made Machine Language Routines for the Amstrad

2006-09-04T18:10:23Z

84.137.169.120: typo

[[Image:readymade frontpage.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Frontpage]]

A book with useful programs written in Z80 assembly language.

Author: Joe Pritchard

Publisher: Melbourne House

1985

179 pages

ISBN: '''0-86161-198-5'''

== Contents ==

<pre>
Introduction

1. Machine Language on the Amstrad

The Routines in this Book
Memory Use on the Amstrad
CALLing Machine Language Programs
Integer Variables of Numbers
Variables Prefixed with @
Passing Strings
Use of the ROM calls
The Jumpblock

2. Text Output Routines

3. Graphics Routines

4. Scrolling the Screen

5. More Screen Routines

Clearing the Screen
Fill Routines
Moving Characters
Multicolored Characters

6. Keyboard Operations

7. Sound Routines

The Programmable Sound Generator
MC Sound Register
Register
Sound Techniques

8. Cassette Handling Routines

Motor Control

9. Basic and Machine Code

Cleaning up
BASIC Line Structure
Resident System Extensions
The Jump Table
The Name Table

Appendix 1. Control Code Effects
Appendix 2. Instructions and Op-codes
Appendix 3. Flag Operation Summary

</pre>

[[Category:Books]]

Kio

2006-09-04T18:03:12Z

84.137.169.120: typo

[[Image:kio.jpg|thumb|Kio today]]

'''Kio''' (Günter Woigk) was a coder, book author and editor from Germany. His most known production was [[Das Schneider CPC Systembuch]], one of the best technical CPC documentations ever released in German language.

== Productions ==

* [[Das Schneider CPC Systembuch]] (book)
* [[KIO-Fox-Assembler]] (assembler)

== Web links ==

* [http://little-bat.de/ Kio's website]

[[Category:CPC scene members]]

KIO-Fox-Assembler

2006-09-04T18:01:43Z

84.137.169.120: phrasing, added link

The '''KIO-Fox-Assembler''' was an assembler written completely in [[BASIC]] language by [[Günter Woigk]]. It was published in the [[CPC Schneider Magazin]] 4/1987 as a type-in listing.

== Features ==

This is a list of some of its features:
* unlimited source file size
* unlimited number of source files
* support of undocumented and illegal opcodes
* several predefined macros (like LD HL,DE)
* nested conditions

Das Schneider CPC Systembuch

2006-09-04T17:57:38Z

84.137.169.120: phrasing

[[Image:systembuch-cover.jpg|thumb|Das Schneider CPC Systembuch - Cover]]
[[Image:systembuch-rear.jpg|thumb|Das Schneider CPC Systembuch - Rear]]

'''Das Schneider CPC Systembuch''' by [[Günter Woigk]] was one of the most comprehensive and sought-after technical references of the Amstrad CPC in German language, often called the "CPC bible for programmers". In addition to explaining the operating system functions and how to call and use them, the book describes the different hardware components and how to access and program them.

== Information ==

* Author: [[Günter Woigk]]
* Publisher: [[Sybex]]
* Release year: 1987
* ISBN: 3-88745-606-8
* ? Pages

== Content ==

* Einleitung
* Grundlagen
* Das Innenleben der CPC-Rechner
* Das Betriebssystem des Schneider CPC
* Die Abteilungen des Betriebssystems
* Die Firmware des Schneider CPC
* Anhang

== Web links ==

* [http://little-bat.de/cpc/index.html Online version of "Das Schneider CPC Systembuch" including some extensions]

[[Category:Books]]

Das Maschinensprachebuch zum CPC464

2006-09-04T17:50:30Z

84.137.169.120: typo

[[Image:Mashinensprach frontpage.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Front page]]

In-depth assembly programming tutorial.

Authors: Holger Dullin, Hardy Straßenburg

Publisher: [[Data Becker]]

1985

330 pages

ISBN: '''3-89011-070-3'''

== Contents ==

<pre>
KAPITEL I : EINFÜHRUNG
KAPITEL II : DER Z80 PROCESSOR
KAPITEL III : DER BEFEHLSSATZ DES Z80
KAPITEL V : PROGRAMMIERUNG DES Z80
KAPITEL VI : BENUTZUNG VON SYSTEMROUTINEN
KAPITEL VII : PERSPEKTIVEN
ANHANG
</pre>

[[Category:Books]]

Das Maschinensprachebuch zum CPC464

2006-09-04T17:49:46Z

84.137.169.120: typos

[[Image:Mashinensprach frontpage.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Frontpage]]

In-depth assembly programming tutorial.

Authors: Holger Dullin, Hardy Straßenburg

Publisher: [[Data Becker]]

1985

330 pages

ISBN: '''3 89011 070 3'''

== Contents ==

<pre>
KAPITEL I : EINFÜHRUNG
KAPITEL II : DER Z80 PROCESSOR
KAPITEL III : DER BEFEHLSSATZ DES Z80
KAPITEL V : PROGRAMMIERUNG DES Z80
KAPITEL VI : BENUTZUNG VON SYSTEMROUTINEN
KAPITEL VII : PERSPEKTIVEN
ANHANG
</pre>

[[Category:Books]]

CPC464 Tips & Tricks

2006-09-04T17:47:04Z

84.137.169.120: typos

[[Image:CPC464 tips tricks frontpage.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Frontpage]]

A book with tips and tricks for the CPC464. Mostly utilising BASIC and assembler using the [[firmware]].
Inside the book is an example of connecting a CPC464 with the C64 (CPC printerport <-> C64 userport)

Authors: Englisch, Germer, Scheuse, Thrun

Publisher: [[Data Becker]]

1985

271 pages

ISBN: '''3-89011-039-8'''

== Contents ==

<pre>
KAPITEL 1 VORWORT

KAPITEL 2 GRAPHIK

2.1 Einführung
2.2 Die Graphikauflösung
2.2.1 Graphiken zum Anschauen
2.2.2 Lissajous-Figuren
2.3 Graphikeditor
2.3.1 Editor in Multicolor
2.4 Funktionsplotter
2.5 Farben und Zeichen
2.6 Leistungsfähige Graphikbefehle
2.7 Window-Technologie
2.8 Selbstdefinierte Zeichen
2.8.1 Komfortabler Zeichengenerator
2.8.2 Deutsche Umlaute für den CPC464
2.9 Graphikzeichen
2.10 Der Bildschirmspeicher
2.10.1 Mode 2
2.10.2 Mode 1
2.10.3 Mode 0
2.10.4 Position eines Zeichens
2.11 Alternative Zeichen einmal anders

KAPITEL 3 SOUND

3.1 Einleitung
3.2 Anschluß des CPC an eine Stereoanlage
3.3 Grundlagen des Sounds
3.4 Soundbefehle
3.5 Der ENV Befehl und die Lautstärkehüllkurve
3.6 Der ENT und die Tonhüllkurve
3.7 Soundeditor
3.8 Beispielsprogramme
3.8.1 Soundwecker

KAPITEL 4 MACHINENSPRACHE

4.1 Einführung in die Machinensprache
4.2 Das hexadezimale Zahlensystem
4.3 Programmierungstechniken
4.4 Der Speicher des CPC464
4.4.1 Die Belegung des Speichers durch Basic und Betriebssystem
4.5 Die RST-Befehle
4.6 Mini-Monitor

KAPITEL 5 ABLAGE VON BASIC-ZEILEN, VARIABLEN UND TOKENS

5.1 Ablage einer Basiczeile
5.2 Tokens
5.3 Ablage von Variablen

KAPITEL 6 NÜTZLICHE ROUTINEN

6.1 Der Joystick als Maus
6.2 Kassettenmotorsteuerung
6.3 Einfacher Kopierschutz
6.4 Abspeichern eines Speicherbereiches
6.5 Sinnvolle Tastenbelegung
6.6 Sprungadressen
6.6.1 Bereich einfärben
6.6.2 Bildschirm Bank wechseln
6.6.3 Warten auf Taste
6.6.4 Scrolling
6.6.5 Scrolling von Bildschirmteilen
6.6.6 Mode anwählen
6.6.7 Invertieren eines Zeichens
6.6.8 Horizontale Bildschirmverschiebung
6.6.9 Cursor positionieren
6.6.10 Spaltenpositionierung des Cursors
6.6.11 Zeilenpositionierung des Cursors
6.6.12 Joystick abfragen
6.6.13 Invers ein- und ausschalten
6.7 Randomize - dem Zufall auf der Spur
6.8 Der CPC als Rechenmaschine
6.8.1 Rechengenauigkeit
6.8.2 Rechengeschwindigkeit
6.9 Bildschirmbegungen
6.10 Sortieren von Daten
6.11 Datenübertragung zu anderen Computern
6.12 Hintergrund-Drucken

KAPTITEL 7 ANWENDERPROGRAMME

7.1 Einleitung
7.2 Dateiverwaltungsprogramm
7.3 Textverarbeitung
7.4 Fang die Bombe
7.5 Schiffe versenken
</pre>

[[Category:Books]]

CPC464 Intern

2006-09-04T17:42:21Z

84.137.169.120: typo

[[Image:cpc464 intern frontpage.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Front page]]

An in-depth book about the inner working of the CPC 464, containing a partly commented disassembly listing of both the BASIC ROM and the [[firmware]].
Considered by many to be the technical "bible" for the CPC.

Authors: Brückmann, Englisch, Gerits

Publisher: [[Data Becker]]

1985

548 pages

ISBN: '''3-89011-080-0'''

== Contents ==

<pre>

Einleitung

1. HARDWARE
1.1 Das sollten Sie von Ihrem Gerät wissen
1.1.1 Die Speicheraufteilung
1.1.2 Die RSTs

1.2 Der Prozessor
1.2.1 Die Anschlüsse des Z80
1.2.2 Registerbeschreibung des Z80
1.2.3 Besonderheiten des Z80 im CPC

1.3 Das Gate Array
1.3.1 Die Anschlüsse des GA
1.3.2 Registerbeschreibung des GA

1.4 Der Video-Controller
1.4.1 Pinout des CRTC
1.4.2 Registerbeschreibung des CRTC

1.5 Das RAM im CPC

1.6 Video-RAM zwischen Z80 und 6845

1.7 8255
1.7.1 Die Anschlüsse des 8255
1.7.2 Die Betriebsarten des 8255
1.7.3 Registerbeschreibung des 8255
1.7.4 Besonderheiten des 8255 im CPC

1.8 Der Sound-Chip
1.8.1 Die Anschlüsse des 8912
1.8.2 Registerbeschreibung des 8912
1.8.3 Besonderheiten des 8912 im CPC

1.9 Schnittstellen
1.9.1 Die Tastatur
1.9.2 Der Monitoranschluß
1.9.3 Der Recorder
1.9.4 Der Printer-Port
1.9.5 Der Joystick-Port
1.9.6 Der Expansion-Connector

2 BETRIEBSSYSTEM
2.1 Die Betriebssystem-Vektoren
2.2 Das Betriebssysten-RAM
2.3 Nutzung von Routinen am Beispiel Hardcopy
2.4 Die Behandlung von Interrupts im Betriebssystem

2.5 Das Betriebssystem-ROM-Listing
2.5.1 Kernel
2.5.2 Machine Pack
2.5.3 Jump Restore
2.5.4 Screen Pack
2.5.5 Text Screen
2.5.6 Graphics Screen
2.5.7 Keyboard Manager
2.5.8 Sound Manager
2.5.9 Cassette Manager
2.5.10 Screen Editor
2.6 Der Character-Generator

3 BASIC
3.1 Interpreter
3.2 Der BASIC-Stack
3.3 Die BASIC-Vektoren
3.4 Das BASIC-RAM

3.5 BASIC und Maschinensprache
3.5.1 Der CALL-Befehl
3.5.2 RSX-Erweiterungen

3.6 Das BASIC-ROM-Listing
3.6.1 Die Fließkomma-Arithmetik
3.6.2 Die Integer-Arithmetik
3.6.3 Der BASIC-Interpreter

4 ANHANG
4.1 Die Betriebssystem-Routinen
4.2 Referenzen zum System-RAM
4.3 Die BASIC-ROM-Routinen
4.4 Die BASIC-Tokens

Schaltpläne
</pre>

[[Category:Books]]

CPC464 Intern

2006-09-04T17:40:40Z

84.137.169.120: typos, phrasing

[[Image:cpc464 intern frontpage.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Frontpage]]

An in-depth book about the inner working of the CPC 464.
It contains a partly commented disassembly listing of both the BASIC ROM and the [[firmware]].
Considered by many to be the technical "bible" for the CPC.

Authors: Brückmann, Englisch, Gerits

Publisher: [[Data Becker]]

1985

548 pages

ISBN: '''3-89011-080-0'''

== Contents ==

<pre>

Einleitung

1. HARDWARE
1.1 Das sollten Sie von Ihrem Gerät wissen
1.1.1 Die Speicheraufteilung
1.1.2 Die RSTs

1.2 Der Prozessor
1.2.1 Die Anschlüsse des Z80
1.2.2 Registerbeschreibung des Z80
1.2.3 Besonderheiten des Z80 im CPC

1.3 Das Gate Array
1.3.1 Die Anschlüsse des GA
1.3.2 Registerbeschreibung des GA

1.4 Der Video-Controller
1.4.1 Pinout des CRTC
1.4.2 Registerbeschreibung des CRTC

1.5 Das RAM im CPC

1.6 Video-RAM zwischen Z80 und 6845

1.7 8255
1.7.1 Die Anschlüsse des 8255
1.7.2 Die Betriebsarten des 8255
1.7.3 Registerbeschreibung des 8255
1.7.4 Besonderheiten des 8255 im CPC

1.8 Der Sound-Chip
1.8.1 Die Anschlüsse des 8912
1.8.2 Registerbeschreibung des 8912
1.8.3 Besonderheiten des 8912 im CPC

1.9 Schnittstellen
1.9.1 Die Tastatur
1.9.2 Der Monitoranschluß
1.9.3 Der Recorder
1.9.4 Der Printer-Port
1.9.5 Der Joystick-Port
1.9.6 Der Expansion-Connector

2 BETRIEBSSYSTEM
2.1 Die Betriebssystem-Vektoren
2.2 Das Betriebssysten-RAM
2.3 Nutzung von Routinen am Beispiel Hardcopy
2.4 Die Behandlung von Interrupts im Betriebssystem

2.5 Das Betriebssystem-ROM-Listing
2.5.1 Kernel
2.5.2 Machine Pack
2.5.3 Jump Restore
2.5.4 Screen Pack
2.5.5 Text Screen
2.5.6 Graphics Screen
2.5.7 Keyboard Manager
2.5.8 Sound Manager
2.5.9 Cassette Manager
2.5.10 Screen Editor
2.6 Der Character-Generator

3 BASIC
3.1 Interpreter
3.2 Der BASIC-Stack
3.3 Die BASIC-Vektoren
3.4 Das BASIC-RAM

3.5 BASIC und Maschinensprache
3.5.1 Der CALL-Befehl
3.5.2 RSX-Erweiterungen

3.6 Das BASIC-ROM-Listing
3.6.1 Die Fließkomma-Arithmetik
3.6.2 Die Integer-Arithmetik
3.6.3 Der BASIC-Interpreter

4 ANHANG
4.1 Die Betriebssystem-Routinen
4.2 Referenzen zum System-RAM
4.3 Die BASIC-ROM-Routinen
4.4 Die BASIC-Tokens

Schaltpläne
</pre>

[[Category:Books]]

TMPI speech synthesizer

2006-09-04T17:08:22Z

84.137.169.120: typo

A speech synthesizer

Not much is known about this device.

== Technical Specs. ==

Based on the [[MEA8000]] speech chip.

I/O ports unknown.

== Pictures ==
<gallery caption="TMPI speech synthetizer">
Image:TMPI 1.jpg|
Image:TMPI 2.jpg|
Image:TMPI 3.jpg|Disassembling
Image:TMPI 4.jpg|Inside
Image:TMPI 5.jpg|Inside
</gallery>

== Weblinks ==

[http://cpcrulez.free.fr/ For more information (French)]

[[Category:Peripherals]]

Digiblaster

2006-09-04T17:06:12Z

84.137.169.120: typo

'''Digiblaster''' is a small hardware device plugged into the CPC's printer port to play 8-bit mono sound samples. It was designed by [[Face Hugger]] and printed in the German magazine [[CPC Amstrad International]] in issue 8-9/1991. In 1995(?) [[Joshua]] made a redesign for better sound quality.

* [[Digiblaster howto]]

== Software supporting Digiblaster ==
* '''Demos'''
** [[Bordelik Demo 4]] (1995)
** [[Digital Orgasm]] (by [[Prodatron]]) (1994)
* '''Utilities'''
** [[Cocoon Player]] (by [[One]]) (1995)
** [[Digitracker]] (by [[Prodatron]]) (1993)
** [[Protracker]] (by [[Crown]]) (1993)

== Pictures ==

<gallery caption="Digiblaster pictures">
Image:soundplayer 2.JPG|The digiblaster (for classic CPCs)
Image:soundplayer 3.JPG|The digiblaster (for CPC+)
</gallery>

== Weblinks ==
* [http://andercheran.upv.es/~amstrad/docs/digibl.html Schematics and additional information]

[[Category:Peripherals]]

Arnold (Emulator)

2006-09-04T16:55:49Z

84.137.169.120: typo

Arnold is a CPC emulator originally written and maintained by [[Kevin Thacker]].

Conversions for Apple Macintosh and Linux were made by [[Richard Bannister]] and [[Nurgle|Andreas Micklei]], respectively.

Arnold aims for maximum emulation accuracy across the whole CPC and CPC+ range, as well as the [[KC Compact]]. Different [[CRTC]] types can be selected as well as various other aspects of the emulated machine.

While early versions of Arnold were written using x86 assembly, more recent versions are written in portable C. This resulted in ports for MacOS, MacOS X, Linux, Unix and other platforms. While every port of Arnold has its own native user interface, the emulation core remains the same across the different versions.

== Web links ==

* [http://arnold.emuunlim.com Arnold for Windows]
* [http://www.bannister.org/software/arnold.htm Arnold for Macintosh]
* [http://arnold.berlios.de Arnold for Linux]

[[Category:Emulator]]

3D Construction Kit

2006-09-04T15:43:27Z

84.137.169.120: typo

3D Construction Kit was a utility developed by [[Incentive]], enabling end-users to develop games using the same [[Freescape]] system they had employed in games such as [[Driller]], [[Dark Side]] and [[Total Eclipse]]. The utility was marketed by [[Domark]].

== Video ==

A video tutorial was distributed in the package, on a gold VHS tape. The video tutorial demonstrated construction of the Freescape environment (Atari ST and ZX Spectrum).

== Manual ==

<gallery caption="3D Construction Kit (English)">
Image:construction kit frontpage.jpg|Frontpage
Image:construction kit content.jpg|Contents
Image:construction kit p2-3.jpg|Page 2-3
Image:construction kit p4-5.jpg|Page 4-5
Image:construction kit p6-7.jpg|Page 6-7
Image:construction kit p8-9.jpg|Page 8-9
Image:construction kit p10-11.jpg|Page 10-11
Image:construction kit p12-13.jpg|Page 12-13
Image:construction kit p14-15.jpg|Page 14-15
Image:construction kit p16-17.jpg|Page 16-17
Image:construction kit p18-19.jpg|Page 18-19
Image:construction kit p20-21.jpg|Page 20-21
Image:construction kit p22-23.jpg|Page 22-23
Image:construction kit p24-25.jpg|Page 24-25
Image:construction kit p26-27.jpg|Page 26-27
Image:construction kit p28-29.jpg|Page 28-29
Image:construction kit p30-31.jpg|Page 30-31
Image:construction kit p32-33.jpg|Page 32-33
Image:construction kit p34-35.jpg|Page 34-35
Image:construction kit p36-37.jpg|Page 36-37
Image:construction kit p38-39.jpg|Page 38-39
Image:construction kit p40-41.jpg|Page 40-41
Image:construction kit p42-43.jpg|Page 42-43
Image:construction kit p44-45.jpg|Page 44-45
Image:construction kit p46-47.jpg|Page 46-47
Image:construction kit p48-49.jpg|Page 48-49
</gallery>

Reflection of software cracking

2006-09-04T15:41:28Z

84.137.169.120: phrasing, punctuation

''This article is just a draft. Please improve it where you think it makes sense.''

Commercial software has to be paid for by the user who wants to use it on his computer. As it is usually possible to copy software from disc to disc or in another way, the user has the possibility of not paying for the software he uses but just copy it from a special source instead. To prevent this behaviour, software companies started to introduce copy protections during the 1980's.

'''Crackers''' are persons who are illegally disabling these copy protection mechanisms in order to make commercial software copy-able again. In this way, users are again able to get commercial software for free. As commercial software houses have a lot of costs and have to pay the programmers' wages, they are not very happy about these crackers, as they are losing money due to them.

== Arguments pro crackers ==

* Crackers are like modern "Robin Hoods": They steal software from the "bad rich capitalistic companies" and distribute it to the "good poor people".
* People who are using cracked software don't have the money to buy commercial software anyway - so it doesn't matter at all.
* As software is spread more widely after it has been cracked, it becomes much more popular. This is also an advantage for the software company.

== Arguments contra crackers ==

* Software companies have a lot of costs, their work is not for free. If people are using cracked software, the company is losing money and can't keep the amount of employees and the level of quality.
* Why should some people pay money for software while other people are getting it for free? At the end it means that a few customers are paying so that other illegal guys can use things for free.
* In any way according to the law using "stolen" software is as illegal as using stolen material productions.

== Consequences of software cracks for the CPC ==

[...]

XOR (CPC scene member)

2006-09-04T15:24:19Z

84.137.169.120: case, typo

[[Image:Xor.jpg|thumb|XOR in the early 90s]]

'''XOR''' was a very famous and active cracker of the French CPC scene. As he also cracked commercial productions from (ex-)sceners, he was not always favoured.

== Cracks ==

* [[Super Cauldron]]
* [[Prehistorik II]]
(and many more...)

== See also ==

* [[Reflection of software cracking]]

[[Category:CPC scene members]]

CPC Schneider International

2006-09-04T01:14:12Z

84.137.131.123: case, diction and some phrasing

[[Image:Schneiderint8610.jpg|right|thumb|CPC Schneider International, issue 10/1986]]
[[Image:CPCAI-1992-12.jpg|right|thumb|CPC Amstrad International, issue 12/01 1992/1993 (last issue)]]

Magazine name: CPC Schneider International 
Publisher: [[DMV]], Eschwege, Germany 
Language: German 
Schedule: monthly/bi-monthly 
Price: 6 DM (3.07 €) 
First issue: 03/1985 
Last issue: 12/01 1992/1993 

== Target market ==

The CPC Schneider International originally aimed at the semi-professional CPC user.
It contained market news, game and software tests, hardware modification tips (8th printer bit, [[CP/M]] switch, and similar), software listings and much more. In late issues there were even reviews of scene demos.

== Its names ==

During its lifetime, the magazine changed its name quite a few times:

The first rename took place after Schneider started to sell the PCW/Joyce and PC-1512/PC-1640 computers in Germany. The CPC Schneider International was renamed to "PC Schneider International" (with "CPC" written vertically inside the "P" in PC, which was going to last until they should rename to CPC again) to reflect the fact that it also covered the PCW/PC models.

The second and third rename happened after Schneider Computer Division stopped distributing the CPC computers in Germany, and Amstrad stepped in. The magazine was named "PC Amstrad/Schneider International" for a short time and to "PC Amstrad International" later.

As of 10/1991, the publisher decided to drop the PC section and concentrate on the CPCs and PCWs/Joyces only, so the magazine was renamed a fourth and last time: "CPC Amstrad International".

== The early years ==

The magazine started in 03/1985 as '''CPC Schneider International'''. ''Schneider'' because the Amstrad CPCs were sold as Schneider CPCs in Germany and ''International'' because the magazine had contacts to other publishers abroad.

The early years also were the best in the magazine's lifetime: The CPC was selling quite well in Germany and as the magazine lived from readers participating (all listings printed were sent in by readers before) there was enough content to print. The hardware and software test sections were well supported by the hardware vendors and software distributors and there were enough advertisers to ensure the magazine earned money.

== Adding PC coverage ==

The magazine was renamed to '''PC Schneider International''' to reflect the additional PC coverage inside.

The PC coverage was limited to the Schneider PC-1512/PC-1640 models (and their matching portables) as well as the PCW/Joyce. The editors were concentrating on the features unique to the Amstrad PCs, e.g. the included GEM and DOS plus.
At this time, the CPCs and the magazine were still going strong.

== The Schneider -> Amstrad change ==

To reflect the changeover from Schneider to Amstrad, the magazine was renamed to '''PC Amstrad/Schneider International''' first and '''PC Amstrad International''' later.

The history behind this was that in 1988, ''Schneider Computer Division'' dropped the distribution of all Amstrad computers in Germany, and Amstrad opened a German branch.

Sadly Amstrad couldn't keep the change seamless: After about half a year, the supply in Germany was interrupted and the shops went out of stock. This was less of a problem if you already owned a CPC, because the supply with games was widely not depending on Schneider/Amstrad and furthermore, many add-ons were imported by the shops themselves.
However, original Amstrad parts like the CPCs themselves, monitors, disk drives and so on became harder to get.

As at about the same time new, more powerful home computers like the Amiga and Atari ST were announced or even became available, this was the beginning of the end for the CPC in Germany.

== The last years ==

The magazine was renamed "back" to '''CPC Amstrad International''' again.

In order to keep the magazine up, DMV tried a lot of things. For example, the printing technology was changed to a cheaper one (two colours instead of four), the magazine no longer appeared monthly but only every second month and as last resort, they no longer sold it at every newsstand but only at railway station bookstores and via subscription in order to reduce the amount of magazines returned.
With the PC-1512 and PC-1640 becoming more and more outdated and more and more magazines coming up covering PCs only, the editors decided to drop the PC section in favor of the CPC/PCW again.

[[Category:Magazines]]

Electric Monk

2006-09-04T01:02:10Z

84.137.131.123: typo, case

[[Image:electricmonk.jpg|thumb|At least a part of Electric Monk in 1995 ;-)]]

'''Electric Monk''' (Ulrich Schreitmüller) was a coder of the German CPC scene.

== Productions ==

* [[The Sandman: Love and Magic]] (game)
* [[The Hitchhiker's Guide to Praha]] (game)
* [[The Hitchhiker's Guide to Praha Part II]] (game)
* [[The Hitchhiker's Guide to London]] (game)
* [[Blowaway Bob]] (game)

== Web links ==

* [http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Alley/1842/ Electric Monk's homepage]

== Groups ==

* [[TGS]]

[[Category:CPC scene members]]

WinCPC

2006-09-04T01:00:34Z

84.137.131.123: typo, case

[[Image:wincpc.jpg|thumb|WinCPC screenshot]]

'''WinCPC''' is an emulator for the range of old-generation Amstrad CPC computers. It has been developed by [[Flynn]] and runs under MS Windows.

== Features ==

* Z80 emulation including all undocumented opcodes
* µPD765-A FDC support for two floppy drives
* RAM banking for up to 576kb RAM
* Expansion ROMs
* HD6845 CRT-Controller (type 0)
* AY-3-8912 PSG
* Supports DSK and EDSK disc images
* Supports CDT and TZX tape-images incl. WAV-converter
* Joystick support
* integrated powerful debugger and peripheral monitor
* integrated Z80 assembler
* integrated 8080 assembler
* Printer output
* Digiblaster
* Sound recorder
* Colour, green and greyscale monitor simulation with brightness and contrast control
* VDU emulation
* GUI in English, German and French language
* 2-layer keyboard mapping
* window or fullscreen mode
* Drag'n'drop for DSK, CDT and ZIP files

== Web links ==

* [http://www.wincpc.ch/ WinCPC homepage]

Flynn

2006-09-04T00:58:21Z

84.137.131.123: case, typo

[[Image:flynn.jpg|thumb|Flynn]]

'''Flynn''' is a coder of the Swiss CPC scene. His most known production is [[WinCPC]], an Amstrad CPC emulator for MS Windows.

== Productions ==

* [[H.E.R.O.]] (game)
* [[WinCPC]] (emulator)

== Web links ==

* [http://www.dataline.ch/portrait/team/pwi.html Much interesting data about Flynn]
* [http://www.wincpc.ch WinCPC homepage]

[[Category:CPC scene members]]

XOR (CPC scene member)

2006-09-04T00:55:52Z

84.137.131.123: case

[[Image:Xor.jpg|thumb|XOR in the early 90s]]

Famous (and hated by the German scene) French cracker, who cracked [[Super Cauldron]] and [[Prehistorik II]] from [[EGS]]

[[Category:CPC scene members]]

Fraggle

2006-09-04T00:53:42Z

84.137.131.123: added real name

'''Fraggle''' of MOPS (Patrick Hinrichs), a coder from Hannover, Germany.

== Membership ==
* [[MOPS]]

== Releases ==
* [[Atomic]] (1992)
* [[Crazy Snake]]
* [[Jumpmania]]

[[Category:CPC scene members]]

MOPS

2006-09-04T00:50:44Z

84.137.131.123: case

'''MOPS''' ("Moving Pixels") has been founded in 1993 by three German guys living around Paderborn and Hannover.

== MOPS members ==

* [[Ablaze]]
* [[Duck]] (graphics)
* [[Face Hugger]] (code, music)
* [[Fraggle]] (basic code)
* [[Jaysoft]]
* [[MOD]]

[[Category:Scene group]]

Face Hugger

2006-09-04T00:47:28Z

84.137.131.123: typo, added web link

[[Image:Facehugger-symbosrelease2005.jpg|thumb|Face Hugger on the [[SymbOS Preview party]] 2005]]

'''Face Hugger''' (Andreas Stroiczek), a German coder. He also composed/converted some [[Soundtrakker]] tunes.

== Releases ==
* [[!CPCemu]] (CPC emulator for Acorn RISC OS)
* [[Crystal Mission]]
* [[DosCopy]]
* [[Ultimate Megademo]] (1992)
* [[IFFCon]]
* [[Power Tetris]]
* [[Space Duel]]

== Groups ==

* [[MOPS]]

== Web links ==

* [http://www.huggers-world.de/ Andreas Stroiczek's home page]

[[Category:CPC scene members]]

Weeske

2006-09-04T00:41:33Z

84.137.131.123: typo, case, phrasing

[[Image:Weeske-team-1992.gif|thumb|The Weeske team (as pictured in an [[CPCAI]] issue from 1992)]]

Weeske Computer in Backnang, Germany, was one of the most known [[Schneider]] / [[Amstrad]] [[CPC]] dealers in Germany.
The small company also sold the CPC+ models, which they imported from the UK. Weeske also specialized in Amstrad PCW, Atari ST and Commodore Amiga computers. In the mid-90's, they switched their name to "Computerstudio Backnang".

== Contact Information ==
Computer Studio GmbH 
(Datenverarbeitungsanlagen und -systeme) 

Sulzbacher Str. 128/1 
71522 Backnang 

Tel.: +49-(0)7191 1527 

[[Category: Computer and video game companies]]