Hi,
I'm hoping to start making videos of the UK and European CPC Disczines in the near future and I'd like any recommendations from members.
Best for content?
Best for graphics?
Best for lies, libel and general scene gossip? :o
Any thoughts are welcome.
Cheers,
Peter
Link:
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Category:Disczine (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Category:Disczine)
Um, why aren't Ovation on that list?
https://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=7689
Is there any difference between a diskmag and a disczine?
Take a look at Bad Mag and Scoop Poop.
Quote from: villain on 18:34, 21 January 20
Take a look at Bad Mag and Scoop Poop.
Yea, I remember liking Bad Mag quite a lot.
....why don't we have a running diskmag anymore? :(
Quote from: villain on 18:34, 21 January 20
Take a look at Bad Mag and Scoop Poop.
Which is which? And what's the difference?
Quote from: mr_lou on 18:35, 21 January 20
....why don't we have a running diskmag anymore? :(
Cause..... people are too lazy to write texts for them. :(
To be honest, I don't have time for anything, having a 6 year old kid.
That's the same reason to not listen to podcasts or watch youtube and twitch streams.
I do appreciate the work behind every single one, but for me is either listening/watching or doing assembly programming, and have almost no time for that either...
Quote from: robcfg on 20:15, 21 January 20
To be honest, I don't have time for anything, having a 6 year old kid.
I can relate.
But one gotta prioritize. :)
And diskmags is something I'd choose - if there were any.
Definitely!
I just wanted to share my reasons for not being into them ;)
Quote from: mr_lou on 18:35, 21 January 20
Yea, I remember liking Bad Mag quite a lot.
....why don't we have a running diskmag anymore? :(
Probably because it's 2020. :laugh:
Quote from: Shaun M. Neary on 22:03, 21 January 20
Probably because it's 2020. :laugh:
It's 2020, and we're all playing Pinball Dreams on our Amstrad CPC.
Diskmags are nostalgic and cosy. We should have diskmags in 2020.
Quote from: mr_lou on 22:40, 21 January 20
It's 2020, and we're all playing Pinball Dreams on our Amstrad CPC.
PD has a purpose. It's addictive and entertaining as hell.
QuoteDiskmags are nostalgic and cosy. We should have diskmags in 2020.
Guess that's your cue to get cracking on the next 8BM then, eh? ;)
Quote from: Shaun M. Neary on 22:53, 21 January 20Guess that's your cue to get cracking on the next 8BM then, eh? ;)
8-bit Memoirs isn't technically a diskmag. It just looks like one. And hopefully has the same feel.
But it's an eBook, written by a single person.
I wouldn't mind using the engine for an actual diskmag though, if I could find 2-3 other people who'd jump on board.
I could look into porting it to web too, so we'd have a disc version and an online web version.
Disc version for those who loves physical media and prefer watching 50fps videos on a 50hz-compatibel screen.
Online version for those who just wanna read on their PC or tablet and don't care about a proper match between framerate and refreshrate.
But wouldn't it be more proper if it ran on the CPC? Then it would be @Optimus (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=39) we should lure into reviving the Ovation engine instead.
Of course, the advantage with a non-CPC version is that we could include videos.
We could even include DSK files that you could load on your CPC using M4 card straight from the disc or webserver.
Quote from: robcfg on 20:15, 21 January 20
I do appreciate the work behind every single one, but for me is either listening/watching or doing assembly programming, and have almost no time for that either...
Same here. :) :) :)
However some guys have plenty of time, but they can't code/paint/compose - so they could at least contribute to disc mags (or similar).
Quote from: mr_lou on 20:21, 21 January 20
And diskmags is something I'd choose - if there were any.
Still working on some tools I do need to create the 5th issue of FutureView. Shall be released probably in one year. Articles are welcome every time, but nothing which gets outdated. So issue V will come - one day. :)
Quote from: GUNHED on 10:18, 22 January 20
However some guys have plenty of time, but they can't code/paint/compose - so they could at least contribute to disc mags (or similar). However, they often use their time to bitch at others productions instead.
(http://www.quickmeme.com/img/df/df75447b232ee9556f55be07cb320f3863ed3282ec5bbb03390025780ccac6b4.jpg)
Quote from: GUNHED on 10:22, 22 January 20
Still working on some tools I do need to create the 5th issue of FutureView. Shall be released probably in one year. Articles are welcome every time, but nothing which gets outdated. So issue V will come - one day. :)
My hat off to you for being the only one in the CPC community who's working on anything diskmag related.
But FutureView needs a few important elements to be a proper diskmag in my opinion.
For one thing, a diskmag must absolutely have cosy relaxing background music. And it must also have some warm cosy colours.
The current white on black with nothing but silence just isn't inviting.
I don't mean to sound offensive.
We need to have an atmosphere similar to what Bad Mag and Ovation has.
The design must be attractive and appealing. And the topics also gotta be about more than just the technical stuff. It's gotta have some social aspects too. Many different kinds of topics related to our generation.
Quote from: mr_lou on 13:38, 22 January 20
My hat off to you for being the only one in the CPC community who's working on anything diskmag related.
But FutureView needs a few important elements to be a proper diskmag in my opinion.
For one thing, a diskmag must absolutely have cosy relaxing background music. And it must also have some warm cosy colours.
... And the topics also gotta be about more than just the technical stuff. It's gotta have some social aspects too. Many different kinds of topics related to our generation.
Playing songs is planned to be.
Colors? Need sombody helping with that, but shall be doable.
Topics? Yes, that's the problem as we know. I always had plenty of meeting reports, but anything else needs to come from the community. Can't write even more by myself. Don't want to be it a one man text collection ;-)
Post above edited to remove baiting. Calm down.
Quote from: mr_lou on 06:46, 22 January 20
We could even include DSK files that you could load on your CPC using M4 card straight from the disc
I don't want to be picky, but you can now also use XMASS + Symbiface 3 to use DSK-files :D
Quote from: SOS on 10:35, 23 January 20
I don't want to be picky, but you can now also use XMASS + Symbiface 3 to use DSK-files :D
Must admit I have no experience with XMASS, so not sure we're talking about the same thing.
What I mean is that M4 can load files via HTTP, as far as I know.
So if a diskmag was on a blu-ray disc, and both the blu-ray player and the M4 was connected to the same LAN, then you could load these files directly onto your CPC from the disc in the blu-ray player.
And the same of course goes if it was an online solution.
Quote from: mr_lou on 11:26, 23 January 20
What I mean is that M4 can load files via HTTP, as far as I know.
So if a diskmag was on a blu-ray disc, and both the blu-ray player and the M4 was connected to the same LAN, then you could load these files directly onto your CPC from the disc in the blu-ray player.
Okidoki ::)
At the moment ( ;) ) you need to put the DSK's on the storage-medium of your SF3.
and "not" at the moment, the same for XMASS.
Quote from: TotO on 11:37, 23 January 20
:o
What?
It makes a lot of sense to use a platform like that, to be able to keep and preserve it. Physical media that gives options for smooth video.
ISO file can be played with software media players, or hardware media centers, and players like the gaming consoles.
But as I also said, a webversion could also be made.
Quote from: Gunhed
However, they often use their time to bitch at others productions instead.
Dude, have you SEEN discmags? They are 50% demoscene-level coding, 20% news & gossip, and 30% bitching about other discmag people. :D
In all seriousness though, I've been considering making a discmag for quite a while now; just to see if I could. Maybe I'll take this thread as the kick up the backside I needed to actually get on with it.
Quote from: Zoe Robinson on 15:29, 23 January 20
Dude, have you SEEN discmags? They are 50% demoscene-level coding, 20% news & gossip, and 30% bitching about other discmag people. :D
Only bad diskmags. ;)
Good diskmags are cosy and pleasent to read.
Quote from: Zoe Robinson on 15:29, 23 January 20
In all seriousness though, I've been considering making a discmag for quite a while now; just to see if I could. Maybe I'll take this thread as the kick up the backside I needed to actually get on with it.
I've been pondering about doing one in BASIC too. But nah....
I wish we could make a diskmag project as a community, instead of having multiple people doing their own thing. But I guess that will always be a consequence of having different opinions on how it should be done.
Quote from: mr_lou on 15:48, 23 January 20
I wish we could make a diskmag project as a community, instead of having multiple people doing their own thing. But I guess that will always be a consequence of having different opinions on how it should be done.
That's always going to be the problem though. I have ideas of how I want to make my discmag (basically I'm going to resurrect my old Teletext simulator code and work from that) which will be wholly incompatible with how you want to do yours. It's like having our own websites, really.
I'd be happy to contribute to other magazines, and to have contributors send stuff in, but I think that's as close to a full-community thing you're going to get because we won't all agree on everything.
Quote from: Zoe Robinson on 15:59, 23 January 20
That's always going to be the problem though. I have ideas of how I want to make my discmag (basically I'm going to resurrect my old Teletext simulator code and work from that) which will be wholly incompatible with how you want to do yours. It's like having our own websites, really.
Hm, I dunno. 8-bit Memoirs works in a similar way: You press a 3-digit number to go to a page.
Quote from: Zoe Robinson on 15:59, 23 January 20
I'd be happy to contribute to other magazines, and to have contributors send stuff in, but I think that's as close to a full-community thing you're going to get because we won't all agree on everything.
Well we could start by expressing wishes and see when we disagree.
I've always expressed my preferences: Diskmags like Bad Mag and Ovation is a good example of how I think a CPC diskmag should be.
And obviously, if it should be another platform, 8-bit Memoirs is a good example of how I think it should be.
How does those differ from what you want?
Damn man, I wish I could pull up a copy of Sector Nine right now. That was my disczine from back in the day and it would make describing what I'm going for so much easier.
Basically, I'm looking to emulate almost the entire look & feel of Ceefax/Teletext. I liked what I saw of 8-Bit Memoirs (and I must order a copy when I have some spare cash one of these days) but the resolution is too great for what I'm going for and you've got multiple columns of text; which doesn't work with the aesthetic I really want from my design. I can see the influence of Bad Mag on 8-Bit Memoirs and I have to say you've captured the style perfectly. It's just not what I'm going for.
I do like the use of background music, that's great. I also like the reminiscing thing, plus the inclusion of graphics and images are lovely. However, I can't see me including either in my disczine because it goes against the Teletext aesthetic. What I'm really looking to do is make the magazine seem like it could be something you loaded up on your TV using the Teletext button.
Quote from: Zoe Robinson on 15:29, 23 January 20
... and 30% bitching about other discmag people. :D
In all seriousness though, I've been considering making a discmag for quite a while now; just to see if I could. Maybe I'll take this thread as the kick up the backside I needed to actually get on with it.
Yes, that may be true for some mags, but won't happen (an never happend) for any mag I did contribute. Good luck with yours. Would be great!
Quote from: Zoe Robinson on 16:12, 23 January 20
I liked what I saw of 8-Bit Memoirs (and I must order a copy when I have some spare cash one of these days) but the resolution is too great for what I'm going for and you've got multiple columns of text; which doesn't work with the aesthetic I really want from my design. I can see the influence of Bad Mag on 8-Bit Memoirs and I have to say you've captured the style perfectly. It's just not what I'm going for.
Thanks!
Quote from: Zoe Robinson on 16:12, 23 January 20What I'm really looking to do is make the magazine seem like it could be something you loaded up on your TV using the Teletext button.
Maybe this is useful then?
https://edit.tf/
That's a cool site. Thanks for the link. :)
Just a quick demo of the Block Nine disk 'zine, displaying the formatted text routine for printing the editorial stuff to the screen. It's written entirely in BASIC and this new routine (which I am so using in my future text adventures) makes sure words don't run across multiple lines on the screen while also coping with pen colour changes via the CHR$ special commands. :)
This is very early stuff, as you can imagine. The code does not yet support images (which it will by the time I'm ready for the first issue to be published) and I've yet to decide whether to include music (and whether there will be multiple tracks to choose from, if I do).
So I decided to add a couple of coloured lines to the bottom of the screen, where additional information can be run. If I decide to go with music, this will include the controls to change the track and start/stop the music. :)
ETA on the release date? :)
This test issue will hopefully be ready by the end of the month, as I want to get it out there to gauge interest. :)
Quote from: Zoe Robinson on 19:40, 24 January 20
This test issue will hopefully be ready by the end of the month, as I want to get it out there to gauge interest. :)
Then you'll need some music coded with BASIC? To keep it "clean". Or will you use STarKos music?
I'll probably go with using trakker music and start/stop it with a CALL command, yeah. :)
Okay, the layout is starting to take shape. I'm going to take a break and then code in the navigation script; which will let you flick through the magazine using "previous" and "next" buttons, as well as jump back to the main menu or move to a distinct page by typing in its page number. Once that's done, the bulk of the coding will be over with because that's basically how the 'zine's engine will work.
I'm planning to save this core as a separate file and MERGE in all the individual pages as and when needed. This will make it simpler to produce future issues; because I won't have to take code out of issue 1 to produce them. :)
How can people contribute with content?Just mail you an ascii file?
Nice! But... Mode 2?
I considered Mode 2 for text and may well end up switching to it for the main body of the screen but I really like the chunky look of the top and bottom bars in Mode 1.
With regard to contributions, either drop me a private message on here; or email me the ASCII text (include ASCII art if you fancy it and I'll do my best to incorporate that, too) at zoe@zoerobinson.com.
My favorite mode for a CPC diskmag is MODE 1 but with 4x8 pixel 4-color characters, to put a shadow on the font. Looks awesome. :)
Can be done with BASIC too.
Quote from: mr_lou on 11:28, 25 January 20
My favorite mode for a CPC diskmag is MODE 1 but with 4x8 pixel 4-color characters, to put a shadow on the font. Looks awesome. :)
Can be done with BASIC too.
That sounds nice, got an example?
@Zoe Robinson (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=983) , yes, like that too, but it's text after all!
I also love the mode 2 font, to be honest.
4x8 pixel, 4-colour characters? That sounds like quite a challenge. I'll have to look into it...
Quote from: Gryzor on 12:26, 25 January 20
That sounds nice, got an example?
Quote from: Zoe Robinson on 12:30, 25 January 204x8 pixel, 4-colour characters? That sounds like quite a challenge. I'll have to look into it...
It was in that BASIC thread, posted by @ZbyniuR (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=840)
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/programming/basic-programming-tips/msg117620/#msg117620 (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/programming/basic-programming-tips/msg117620/#msg117620)
EDIT: That is how I imagined making a BASIC Diskmag myself. The font can be made with SYMBOL commands (or the equivalent PRINT commands).
And then add some BASIC Music too, just to keep it all straight BASIC.
Holy mother of crap, that font is amazing!
Yeah, had totally forgotten about that thread. That's awesomeness.
It really is, I use that also in some of my projects ( like : https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/programming/displaying-'readable'-text-in-mode-0/msg178199/#msg178199 )
BUT, if you flood the screen with text, it´s really hard to focus on it after some time, personally I would use it maybe for menu or short texts and for the articles go back to normal font ...
Quote from: SkulleateR on 12:54, 25 January 20
It really is, I use that also in some of my projects ( like : https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/programming/displaying-'readable'-text-in-mode-0/msg178199/#msg178199 (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/programming/displaying-'readable'-text-in-mode-0/msg178199/#msg178199) )
BUT, if you flood the screen with text, it´s really hard to focus on it after some time, personally I would use it maybe for menu or short texts and for the articles go back to normal font ...
Not a normal font. But yes, the 4x8 pixel font should be a
plain color + shadow.
Not 2 colors + shadow. That'll just hard on the eyes.
The font should be 1 plain color + shadow.
For example, white font + black shadow on a dark red background. Then you have one color to spare for other stuff.
I would also suggest/advise to make it possible for the user to change colors.
There's a quick update on the 'zine code, with a video showing how it currently works, on the Amstrad CPC 464 Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/5357712057/permalink/10157175798592058/). :)
Quote from: Zoe Robinson on 16:15, 25 January 20
There's a quick update on the 'zine code, with a video showing how it currently works, on the Amstrad CPC 464 Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/5357712057/permalink/10157175798592058/). :)
I don't use Facebook.......
I can't upload the video here and I crashed Twitter when I tried to send it there, which is why I stuffed it on Facebook.
Quote from: Zoe Robinson on 16:19, 25 January 20
I can't upload the video here and I crashed Twitter when I tried to send it there, which is why I stuffed it on Facebook.
But you posted it in a closed group. :(
I've now managed to get the video onto Twitter; by cutting off the final portion where I mentioned that sound support isn't coded yet.
Here's a link to the video (https://twitter.com/ZoeKirkRobinson/status/1221108639622144001). :)
Quote from: Zoe Robinson on 17:34, 25 January 20
I've now managed to get the video onto Twitter; by cutting off the final portion where I mentioned that sound support isn't coded yet.
Here's a link to the video (https://twitter.com/ZoeKirkRobinson/status/1221108639622144001). :)
Nice! That does give a teletext vibe indeed!
All it needs is some chillin' relaxing music to go with it. :)
I'm thinking of coding more of an ear worm than relaxing music. None of that "pages from Ceefax" crap for me, I want people humming that bastard forever!! Mwahahahaha!
*ahem*
Yeah, I'll probably go for something relaxing that doesn't take away from the experience. :)
So what topics will it have?
Are you taking suggestions?
Or are you gonna write all the content yourself?
I'm absolutely taking suggestions. Right now the content I have planned (most of which I'll write myself unless someone else wants to step in) is:
1. Editorial
2. News
3. Recent game reviews
4. Retro game reviews (hidden gems, overlooked oddities, etc)
5. A Comic (mostly because I want to see what I can manage using just internal symbols)
6. Letters page
There should probably be an "Off topic" one, for other non-CPC topics. Could be about other tech for example. Or a joke collection. Anything non-serious.
And then maybe another off-topic category for more personal / serious topics, about everyday stuff. Relevant to our generation who grew up with the CPC.
Not sure what to call it. Maybe "Everyday life".
Could be something that lets us get to know each other better.
It should never be about religion or politics though of course.
Okay, work on the 'zine slowed down a little because I've been so very, very ill ('flu jabs don't make you immune to all 'flu, which is really annoying). Here's the layout of the title screen so far. This menu may end up becoming two pages at this rate; just to fit the name of the games in!
There is now an off-topic page; which is in the 'regulars' section after the comic. Feel free to send in anything you fancy seeing in the 'zine, of course. For the most part, I'm hopeful of still hitting the target of releasing by the end of this week.
Block 9 issue 1 is nearing completion. All the reviews are finished and the 'zine will launch with a small, free game ('Virgo 1') to go with it.
As you can see from the screenshot, there will be a links section; which I'm hoping to fill with really cool URLs for really cool CPC stuff. If you know of a great CPC website or YouTube page, please let me know and I'll see about putting it into the 'zine. :)
Also, there's still space on the letters page and the Off Topic section if anyone fancies writing in! :D
I know of a great CPC site!😄
Lovely, looking forward to it!
I kind of already had CPCWiki in the list...
On a related note, I'm considering writing my own tune for the diskzine but then I started down the whole rabbit hole of MOD files from when I was into soundtracker and all that. I pulled out an old copy of Airdance by The Wizard (from sometime around 1992-3, as I recall so it was from very early after I jumped to the PC from the CPC) and my goodness, doesn't this sound great when converted to the CPC on Arkos Tracker? I'm constantly amazed at how versatile the AY chip is.
Well, your song uses 4 channels, it's a lot :). But the included player allows only 3 channels. Don't forget the CPC limitation :).
Gah, I uploaded the wrong version. I noticed the 4 channel thing and converted it down to 3 channels but it sounds damn good just the same.
The Disczine, Block 9, is almost complete. I'm just coding the comic now; then I've got maybe one more thing to add in before I'm done. Then I'll release it tomorrow, if I get the pack-in game finished. :)
In the mean time, here's the first panel of the comic, to keep you amused while you wait...
You certainly are a very productive person!!
I try :)
Quote from: Targhan on 00:38, 01 February 20You certainly are a very productive person!!
I was gonna post something along those lines too.
Here I have been complaining about a criminal lack of diskmags for over a decade. And then you go ahead and make one in just a couple of weeks.
It looks good and promising and it's been a while since a thread here was this interesting to me.
I do fear though that it might be a bit too rushed. And that it results in too many grammar and spelling errors, and not enough content from 3rd party authors. And that the music will feel a bit sloppy. That could ruin the whole feel.
I'd love to see this become more of a community project than a single-person project. Like, hook up with @Skunkfish (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=348) for example, and get some music and content from various community members.
But I know perfectly well from personal experience that'll result in a lot of wait time for people to deliver something, so.... a single-person it is!
I would probably have done that too if I'd had the time.
But I still hope that when people see this first issue, they'll send you some content for future issues. (There'll be future issues, right?) :)
Yes, I would love other people to get involved but you've hit the nail on the head with the wait time issue. I'm very much of the opinion that having an issue or two out and available will spur others on to submit items far better than "hey, this is coming - please contribute!" would. I'm pushing forward so that the zine is here and ready to receive submissions.
Issue 1 of the Disk Zine is now available on the wiki from http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Block_9 (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Block_9)
The pack-in game, Virgo 1, is not yet complete as I've been laid up for the last few days with a really bad 'flu. It will get released ASAP and then join the 'zine on the disk.
Reading the letters right now and going through it, a great distraction for the work break :) :)
Love how Virgo 1, once completed, can be launched from within the 'zine!
I also like how navigation is done like teletext, but is it slightly buggy? If I press a number this number should be automatically passed to the selector. Instead the first keypress is ignored...?
Thanks for your work :)
Yes, the keypress thing for dialing a page is annoying but I couldn't work out a way to sort it. Maybe it's because I was ill. It'll be solved for issue 2.
I'm glad you enjoyed the 'zine though. :)
I see. Then how about maybe making it a four-digit number, beginning with zero? That way you could catch and then ignore the first keypress!
But then it wouldn't be like Teletext! :D
Eh, similar problem now. Difference is it'll be more functional 😉
Just read the whole. Very enjoyable! Even though I read all in about 10 minutes. But I think the texts were good and the tone refreshing.
The interface could be improved in very simple ways:
- Please allow space/left/right to scroll through the texts
- Why needing to type a number to reach a topic? A simple letter could be enough.
- The ever changing color on each page is maybe not the best of idea. Idea, let the user choose them via "C" for example.
- No music, but in fact it didn't bother me much.
I even liked the cartoon :).
So all in all, it's a great effort you did, in such a short time, congrats!
Thanks for the tips; I'll see what I can do.
And yeah, no music. I ran out of memory. Going to have to work out a much smaller footprint for the text and code next time!
What I really liked about this is how pure and 'old' it looks and feels, really helps bring back memories of sitting down on my original CPC and mucking around with it... =)
QuoteGoing to have to work out a much smaller footprint for the text and code next time!
No, I think you should simply load texts from the disk! Or run sub-Basic code for each topic.
Loading the text from disk is something I've definitely considered doing. I could also severely reduce the footprint of the comics pages by not having them drawn step by step (something I did mostly because I was essentially drawing each item in turn). Issue 2 is definitely going to be more refined, let's put it that way. :)
Finally had some time to read.
I must agree with everything Targhan said.
I feel that it has exactly the vibe it should have: A nice relaxing positive feel. :) Definitely worth taking your time to read, rather than rushing through it (like I know most of us have a tendency of doing, because we don't have enough time in daily life).
Well done Zoe! Much respect for your constant energy and CPC creativity!
Will read it again later, and look forward to next issue. :)
Aww, thank you. :D