A86: More Reminisces
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A86: More Reminisces
I've been on this list since it was created, and I've been on the
assembly-85 list since february of 1996 (over two and a half years),
although at that time it was called list-zshell (there was only one shell
then, and it's still the shell I prefer) I was around before there was a
ticalc.org, and the only web page was Magnus's Zshell Page. This was only
four months after ZShell 4.0 was released, and that was when it hit my
school. The only program Jimmy had released was Labby (you guys probably
have never seen it) and the coolest program was Andreas's XC-1701, also
his first program, I think. Anyways, that's my perspective.
Now to the present...
I haven't programmed a calc for a year, due to my senior year and the
stealing of my 85 and 86 at the end of my senior year. I've stayed on the
list, though, but have never had the time to do programs.
Your generation theory is not right, though. Mine probably won't be
either, because the authoritative voice would be Dan Eble or David Boozer,
David Ellsworth or Magnus possibly. Henrik Edlund too, I don't know. Dan
Eble created zshell versions 1 to 3.1. David Boozer had something to do
with that too. David Ellsworth also hacked the 85 to run user assembly,
although after he figured it, he discovered zshell was being made.
Magnus, however awesome you think he is, did not come to the scene until
he did most of zshell 4.0. Same with Rob Taylor. (I'm not putting down
Magnus, he is still a great programmer and individual) That would
comprise the "first generation" if you want to try to divide the plethora
of TI programmers into generations.
The "second generation" would be people like Andreas, Jimmy, Dines
Justesen, Sam Davies, and me (although I didn't do quite as much -
3dviewer, zterm) Basically these were the people that took the 85 to its
potential through new types of games and interesting programs. The coolest
thing then (for me) was sound through the link port.
Anyways, after that, new calculators were coming into the scene, like the
92, 83, and 82, and later the 86, and people split apart.
Then, if you just consider the 86 scene (which was much easier to program
for, because there was already assembly information and TI support), then
your theories are pretty valid.
On the topic of the lack of great programmers, people today are
spoiled and out of ideas. They are spoiled because there's already a lot
of help from TI and ticalc.org, and thus there is less desire to delve
further into the calculators. They are out of ideas because a whole ton
of stuff has already been written for all different calcs. Also, there
are a lot more programmers now then there were in the beginning. It's
harder for people to make an image with such a great amount of people.
Anyways, sorry about this long ramble. I hope someone benefited from it.
Later,
Alan Bailey
awbailey@uiuc.edu
http://www.iit.edu/~bailela/
On Fri, 4 Sep 1998, Robby Gutmann wrote:
> Actually, the way I remember it, I asked a question on one of the TI
> channels on Efnet the first night I got my 86 (a long-ass time ago),
> because I kept trying to put a game on my calc (Lunoid, if i recall
> correctly), and it kept crashing. Anyway, I aksed about how to resset, cuz
> it wouldn't, and it finally spilled over to the A86 list.
>
> In addition, I want to add my two cents to the "lack of great programmers"
> thing people have been talking about. I have been on this list (and the
> A85) a really long time. It's actually kind of mind-boggling how much HD
> space my A86 mailbox takes up. Anyway, when I fisrt got on the list,
> people like Dan Eble, Andreas Ess, Jimmy Mardell, Grant Stockley and a
> whole bunch of the other really legendary people used to talk on this list,
> a lot. I used to too. I used to be like #3 on the "most messages sent"
> thingie. And it seems to me that most of these type of people stopped
> because of the off-topic thread thing. Except for Jimmy Mardell, who had
> to go serve in the army, most just couldn't take this list anymore. Mr.
> Eble contributes every once in awhile, but mostly not. Grant moved on to
> do harware stuff. I don't really know what happened to Andreas. Then
> there was Kirk Meyer, who dropped off the list. I count him among the
> second generation of great TI programmers. Same with ScaBBy, Dux (possible
> first generation, I can't really remember, it's been a really long time),
> Matt Johnson, and Ahmed (who I still talk to sometimes on ICQ). Most of
> them don't contribute much, or at all, anymore. I never counted myslef
> among any of the lists of really good programmers, I only really released a
> cuppla things, and I was never really that interested, but i know that
> compared with how the list used to be, I think the state of affairs now is
> shameful. I first started on assembly for this calc, and I aksed a few
> questions, and I would get like 6 really helpful responses. Never got
> flames, never started any wars (except for possible the battery thing).
> I've seen about 6 Mac/PC, windows/unix, etc. wars and flame-wars since
> then. I think turnover is a really good thing, but I bet less than 10% of
> the people who actively participate (not just signed on) knew what happened
> to Jimmy. I mean, there used to be real community. I don't know what
> exaclt to do about what I think is wrong with the list, or if really it
> needs to be changed, but maybe I want to start a "Reminisces" thread.
> actually, i think I will change the subject now. Maybe this isn't the most
> topical thing in the world, but I want to hear what people have to say.
>
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