zx spectrum
Graphics : 8 colours, including cyan and magenta. These two colours, part of the CMYK professional printing colour model, were presumably included to promote the use of the machine as a serious desktop publishing workhorse. Could not deal with more than two colours in any 8x8 "character" area of screen.
Sounds : sounds were made using the BEEP command, specifying pitch and duration. Basically a monophonic mobile phone. Best use of this method remains Manic Miner's rendition of "In The Hall Of The Mountain King".
Magazine : Crash
Main rival, and why it was shit : The Commodore 64. How people argued that the Spectrum was better - and they did - was beyond me. Both computers were shit; the Spectrum was shitter.
Sounds : sounds were made using the BEEP command, specifying pitch and duration. Basically a monophonic mobile phone. Best use of this method remains Manic Miner's rendition of "In The Hall Of The Mountain King".
Magazine : Crash
Main rival, and why it was shit : The Commodore 64. How people argued that the Spectrum was better - and they did - was beyond me. Both computers were shit; the Spectrum was shitter.
written by Jo* Bly*h, approved by Phil
The Spectrum was better than the C64 precisely because it had the horrid colour palette. Because it devoted a pittance of its memory to graphics, the Spectrum was all about getting the most out of the underlying program, and in fact had more processing power than the C64 even though it had 16k less memory.
In summary: C64 games looked nicer, but Spectrum games had more substance to them. Style vs substance is an argument that continues to this very day, and is entirely fuelled by disgruntled Spectrum owners who have yet to relive the glory days of JetPac.
In summary: C64 games looked nicer, but Spectrum games had more substance to them. Style vs substance is an argument that continues to this very day, and is entirely fuelled by disgruntled Spectrum owners who have yet to relive the glory days of JetPac.
written by Ph*l Gla*sv*le, approved by Log
Phil, I love you dearly for trying, but you're talking out of your arse. Style over substance is the classic bleat of the loser. I use it today to defend my Gamecube, and I know I'm lying.
The theme music to C64 classics Monty Mole : Impossamole, Metrocross and Bounder alone are sufficient cause to ditch your rubber keyboards. And I don't care if the first spaceships actually had less processing power than a ZX Spectrum - that's as effective a defence as Atari ST owners bleating about their built-in MIDI ports, and saying that KLF used one once.
Just as I never became a famous musician, I doubt many Spectrum owners ever became fucking astronauts.
The theme music to C64 classics Monty Mole : Impossamole, Metrocross and Bounder alone are sufficient cause to ditch your rubber keyboards. And I don't care if the first spaceships actually had less processing power than a ZX Spectrum - that's as effective a defence as Atari ST owners bleating about their built-in MIDI ports, and saying that KLF used one once.
Just as I never became a famous musician, I doubt many Spectrum owners ever became fucking astronauts.
written by Jo* Blyt*, approved by Susan
Guys, if you carry on like this we'll end up with discussions of Blue Peter versus Magpie. Ask yourself if we really want that.
Anyway the BBC B was better than both of them put together.
Anyway the BBC B was better than both of them put together.
written by Ju*ia* Burn*ll, approved by Susan
This is exactly the kind of blinkered toss that us C64 owners had to listen to all the fucking time... Stop me if I'm wrong. The only reason why people had Spectrums in the first place is because their parents bought them one as soon as it came out, which was before the Commodore did.
Not being allowed to have another (better)computer,(ie. a C64) AS WELL. I mean that would be greedy. And I mean what's wrong with your other computer any way young man. We only got it for you last Christmas, you ungrateful little wretch.
Not being allowed to have another (better)computer,(ie. a C64) AS WELL. I mean that would be greedy. And I mean what's wrong with your other computer any way young man. We only got it for you last Christmas, you ungrateful little wretch.
written by Po*ky Po*k, approved by Log
Sorry to be an anal twat, but the reason that cyan and magenta were there is that they are just combinations of green and blue, and red and blue, respectively. Basically each of red, green and blue could be on or off for each pixel, allowing for 8 possible combinations.
God, this is dull. Still, it's nothing to do with publishing.
God, this is dull. Still, it's nothing to do with publishing.
written by excluded pupil, approved by Log
My brother and I were bought a ZX80, ZX81, A ZX spectrum and a C64. He is now an enormously well paid computer programmer, whereas the best I can do is submit my pointless meanderings to Playground Law and lament the pathetic excuse that is my so-called career.
You have the valid excuse of being deprived. I simply couldn't be fucked.
You have the valid excuse of being deprived. I simply couldn't be fucked.
written by An*y Ma*sh, approved by Phil
The BBC Micro was better. Much better. Just a shame that everyone who owned one went on to either appear on Countdown or cultivate an interest in women's clothing.
written by Ja*min* S*ro*g, approved by Susan
Alternatively, some of us had parents who both:
You bickering cows with your Spectrums and C64s would put aside your differences briefly to laugh at me, wouldn't you? Yeah, you would.
- had no fucking idea
- thought they had some fucking idea
You bickering cows with your Spectrums and C64s would put aside your differences briefly to laugh at me, wouldn't you? Yeah, you would.
written by Ri*har* C*aw*ey, approved by Susan
The spectrum had Jet Set Willy.
(SO DID THE COMMODORE 64, CHECK YOUR FACTS, LIKE I ALWAYS DO - LOG)
Also, regarding the Atari - it was, and still is considered a serious music making machine. Still to this very day, it has the fastest MIDI clock, meaning MIDI sequencing is flawless. Many big producers still use their ST for sequencing. Including Norman Cook.
(I refer you to the previous arguments, and the fact that your argument contained Norman Cook as a positive. - Log)
(SO DID THE COMMODORE 64, CHECK YOUR FACTS, LIKE I ALWAYS DO - LOG)
Also, regarding the Atari - it was, and still is considered a serious music making machine. Still to this very day, it has the fastest MIDI clock, meaning MIDI sequencing is flawless. Many big producers still use their ST for sequencing. Including Norman Cook.
(I refer you to the previous arguments, and the fact that your argument contained Norman Cook as a positive. - Log)
written by Mi*ey*B, approved by Susan
Oi, Crawley, I had an Amstrad CPC464, and I loved it. Roland On The Ropes is a winner. I could never get....
Yeah. Blah blah fucking blah. This is 'Law Of The Playground', not 'Law Of The Fucking Never Had Sex With Another Person And Not Fucking Likely To, As I Spend My Entire Life In Fucking Maplins', you know.
Yeah. Blah blah fucking blah. This is 'Law Of The Playground', not 'Law Of The Fucking Never Had Sex With Another Person And Not Fucking Likely To, As I Spend My Entire Life In Fucking Maplins', you know.
written by excluded pupil, approved by Mansh