8-bit Software Disc Magazine (c) Duncan Webster 1991
Issue 13 June 1991
NEWS
I am afraid I am (yet again) going to have to start by having a moan.
It has been brought to my attention by some members that the issue 12
programs Space Pods and Prommer were NOT in fact PD. Subsequent
checks made by myself have borne these allegations out. I would
therefore ask any persons innocently holding the above software in the
belief that it is PD to get rid of it as soon as possible.
The reason that these titles found their way onto an issue disc in the
first place is the fact that the coding had deliberatly been altered
and REM statements inserted to deliberatley fool anyone into thinking
that the prog. is of PD status. This is not the first time this has
happened and I suppose it will not be the last either.
To be frank I am getting a little sick and tired of having to take
this kind of action month after month because of the selfish stupid
(not to mention illegal) actions of a few persons. In an effort to
curb these actions I have informed the correct authors of these
programs about their misuse in the PD world who will take action if
they feel it is necessary. A few members have sent (c) software in
that they obtained from other PD libraries. I have no axe to grind
against these members, but obviously I cannot issue the software. If
you are going to submit copyrighted software, then make sure it is
YOUR OWN copyright message and that you give me permission to issue
the software in an accompanying letter.
I will say no more on the matter as it is not what 8BS was set up to
discuss or get involved in. The members concerned know who they are
and they can consider their knuckles well and truly rapped. Please do
not send (c) software that is not your own to me - you will regret it.
MARTIN WATSON PD
On a ligher note, I have received the latest catalogue from MWPD,
which as you may know is one of the newer PD libraries to recently
come into existence. The catalogue unfortunately is too large to
include on an issue disc, but MWPD could do with a few more PD
programs, demos, utils etc. If you would like more information on the
PD software available, and how to submit your own software, then
please write in for details to this address ...
MWPD
21 Whitehorse Street
Hereford
HR4 0EP
Any software will be acceptable (PD software that is), be it games,
utils, small routines, text files, articles etc. MWPD also has a
selction of second hand disc software for sale at very reasonable
prices. A full list appears in the adverts section of this magazine.
ISSUE 12 DISC
I have to apologise for the late arrival of issue 12 for a lot of
members. Unfortunately I was using my 5.25" drive with the Acorn
A3000 when a power failure corrupted the issue 12 master disc and for
the umpteenth time I had to learn the hard way about making regular
backups. A million apologies for the delay, and a million thanks to
Martin Watson who supplied his copy for me to duplicate at such short
notice.
ADVENTURE GAME
The adventure game by Gary Davies on the issue 12 disc didn't appear
to work for 99% of members. Ths was due to an error in the !Menu
program from the issue 12 disc. The Replies to Help section of this
magazine informs you of how to fix this. Apologies go to the author
and any member who had to do without.
HIGH SCORES
Not been too popular this, since I published high scores way back
(about issue 9 time). However, Alex Savvides has managed to score
109400 at the Skirmish game. Anyone beaten that? - How about 8BS
compiling an all time high score table. Format would be much the same
as others except I would mark whether the score attained was CLAIMED
or PROVEN. Any camera pointed at the screen will take a good enough
picture (although you will have to look quite hard on some pictures).
COMPETITION
A competition has been suggested to me about designing a logo for 8BS.
Sounds like a good idea? - The only conditions I would attach is that
the coding must either be in mode 7, or any other mode provided it is
a separate program then then CHAINs a file called "!menu" on drive 0
in the $ (root) directory. I leave it all up to you. No closing date
set and no prize offered - well the prize will be seeing your logo at
the forefront of each future 8BS magazine & disc - what more could you
possibly want?
TECH TIPS
From the comments on the members return sheets (oops, discs) it
appears that the tech tips section run by Andy Nibbs has gone down
extremely well indeed. Virtually every member has commented upon the
Tech Tips and would all like to see much more of the same. I have to
report that I have not received any more such items from Andy at
present, but hopefully after reading this he will DO SOME MORE (get
the hint?)