Site Updates

Broken link? Feature request? Anything related to the Spectrum Computing website here.
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pavero
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Re: Site Updates

Post by pavero »

[Addictive + Matra inlays]
AmethystDaggerThe(MatraComputerAutomations).jpg (Cassette inlay)
BeingLeftisNotRight(MatraComputerAutomations).jpg (Cassette inlay)
ElonMwithJetpack(MatraComputerAutomations).jpg (Cassette inlay)
FootballManager-WorldCupEdition.jpg (Cassette inlay)
FootballManager-WorldCupEdition_Back.jpg (Cassette inlay - Back)
FootballManager-WorldCupEdition_Front.jpg (Cassette inlay - Front)
FootballManager-WorldCupEdition_Poster.jpg (Poster)
FootballManager.jpg (Cassette inlay)
FootballManager2.jpg (Cassette inlay)
FootballManager2ExpansionKit.jpg (Cassette inlay)
FootballManager2ExpansionKit_Back.jpg (Cassette inlay - Back)
FootballManager2ExpansionKit_Front.jpg (Cassette inlay - Front)
FootballManager2FM2ExpansionKit_Back.jpg (Cassette inlay - Back)
FootballManager2FM2ExpansionKit_Front.jpg (Cassette inlay - Front)
FootballManager2_2.jpg (Cassette inlay)
FootballManager3_Back.jpg (Cassette inlay - Back)
FootballManager3_Front.jpg (Cassette inlay - Front)
FootballManager_2.jpg (Cassette inlay)
FootballManager_3.jpg (Cassette inlay)
FootballManager_4.jpg (Cassette inlay)
GeneracióDigital(MatraComputerAutomations).jpg (Cassette inlay)
Headcoach.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Hotshot.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Hotshot_2.jpg (Cassette inlay)
Kirel.jpg (Cassette inlay)
ManicPietro(MatraComputerAutomations).jpg (Cassette inlay)
Metaplex.jpg (Cassette inlay)
MiniExplorerXXXI(MatraComputerAutomations).jpg (Cassette inlay)
MisifulaGatita(MatraComputerAutomations).jpg (Cassette inlay)
President.jpg (Cassette inlay)
SoccerMania_Back.jpg (Cassette inlay - Back)
SoccerMania_Front.jpg (Cassette inlay - Front)
SoftwareStar.jpg (Cassette inlay)
TIKITACA(MatraComputerAutomations).jpg (Cassette inlay)

https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/inlays_ ... 388&kind=1
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/inlays_ ... 398&kind=1
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R-Tape
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Re: Site Updates

Post by R-Tape »

pavero wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2019 7:25 pm @R-Tape : And what about Bruce Lee RX? Is it still ignored. ;-)
It's a graphics crack isn't it? Do you think it should have its own ID? Ralf's Renegade MODs never did.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by R-Tape »

And an additional thing I forgot to mention: Matt Jackson gave permission for Astroblaster, so the file is there now.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by Ralf »

@R-Tape : And what about Bruce Lee RX? Is it still ignored. ;-)

It's a graphics crack isn't it? Do you think it should have its own ID? Ralf's Renegade MODs never did.
So a mod which changes level design (think of all these crappy Jet Set Willy mods) is worth uploading but a mod which replaces the graphics isn't? ;)
In such case we shouldn't have stuff like this Barbarian mod here:
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.p ... 6&id=26556

I suppose it's hard to make a rule working in 100% of cases here. It's about making decisions in particular cases.

Speaking of my mods, I'm always ready to upload them here :)
I believe we had some discussion about it in the past but we decided nothing then.
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Rorthron
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Re: Site Updates

Post by Rorthron »

Ralf wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2019 9:03 pm So a mod which changes level design (think of all these crappy Jet Set Willy mods) is worth uploading but a mod which replaces the graphics isn't? ;)
Unless the graphics mod is by Harry S Price. ;)

There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the classifications in ZXDB (or WoS.). I can see there will always be an element of judgement and subjectivity, but there should be some guidelines to avoid the worst of the current inconsistencies.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by PeterJ »

Just to throw in my thoughts, and I don't know if this is possible, but I would not create new entries for any mods (sorry). Instead I think they should be listed under the main game entry.

Obviously, part of ZXDB was copied from WoS so mods like the one [mention]Ralf[/mention] highlighted will appear.

I agree with [mention]Rorthron[/mention] that some guidelines need to be produced, although do remember that unless we change the data imported from WoS, there will always be inconsistencies.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by R-Tape »

I didn't mean to say that it shouldn't have an ID. I was originally going to add it, but didn't when I realised we hadn't got around to sorting Ralf's yet (which I think are more deserving as gameplay changes were made), and there were plenty of other things to do.

These are the rules I've been trying working to for cracks:

-Graphics + gameplay changes + 'a work of note' (including infamy) = should have an ID (e.g. Ralf's MODs, and Harry S)
-Graphics only + a work of note = should have an ID (e.g. Bruce Lee RX)
-Graphics only, a very throwaway effort = should not have an ID.
-Did it somehow bypass these rules? Leave it alone and move on :?

Agree? Disagree?
Rorthron wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2019 9:20 pm I can see there will always be an element of judgement and subjectivity, but there should be some guidelines to avoid the worst of the current inconsistencies.
I suppose the 'work of note' part is the tricky judgement and subjectivity thing. Can you give some examples of the worst of current inconsistencies?
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Re: Site Updates

Post by R-Tape »

PeterJ wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2019 9:52 pm Just to throw in my thoughts, and I don't know if this is possible, but I would not create new entries for any mods (sorry). Instead I think they should be listed under the main game entry.
ARGH! CODE RED PETER! CODE RED! :mrgreen:

(Kidding)

I think that'd be a logistic nightmare, especially as there are so many JSW mods, but I also think it would be the wrong thing to do. IMO any MOD that is a 'work of note' should have it's own ID. The Harry S Price ones are a good example, it's the kind of thing people would specifically search for.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by PeterJ »

Hi [mention]R-Tape[/mention]

I was sort of hoping that with my preferred solution they would still be searchable via the 'include mods' option on advanced search, but then take you to the main game page with a new section for mods, in the same way we have other groupings.

We also have the issue of what counts as a mod with significant effort. I suppose we would need some form of voting?

Anyway, these are just my thoughts and I'm very happy to go with whatever the rest of you guys agree on.

Sorry, I caused a code red.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by Ralf »

We also have the issue of what counts as a mod with significant effort.
Okay, I'll try:

- new levels: yes
- new graphics: yes
- AY music added: hhmm, borderline case ;)

- cracktro ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crack_intro ) added: no
- new loader: no
- new loading screen: no
- translated to another language: no

Would you agree ?
I believe a mod should also have a short description what was changed.

Of course it all applies to mods which are games changed unofficially (yes, mod is a better version of crack but we avoid this bad word ;) )
If some game was altered and then sold commercially (for example Sweevo's World and Sweevo's Whirled) then it always has an entry in the database.
But these cases were already covered yet on WOS, I believe.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by 4thRock »

Don't think we should judge merit/effort, it's highly subjective.
A translation might take more effort than new graphics and bring the game to a large audience (ex: russian » english).
On this case it would be almost like an unofficial release....

So I'd give each mod its entry regardless of what was changed or quality.
After all we have entries for unreleased games (ex: Toki), some with almost no information that show up on searches, and nobody complains.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by Ralf »

So I'd give each mod its entry regardless of what was changed or quality.
In such case there are thousands of Italian cracks waiting for us. And lots of Russian translations as well.

I wouldn't like to be selfish but would really suggest starting from Bruce Lee RX and my mods ;) I'm regularly I'm asked about
them by people who would like to play them by cannot as old links aren't working.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by PeterJ »

I think my issue is, imagine I am newbie trying to bring back nice memories of my childhood and I search for Manic Miner using the main search. The original release is number 10 in the results. I think I may be put off. We could always adjust the results sorting again I suppose.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by 4thRock »

Point taken. The original release should always come up first.
Also thinking a bit also about remakes and new versions like the latest Mario or Bruce Lee.

Sorting be release date solves these problems I think, perhaps by filtering "modern" (post 1992?) entries by default.
Something like "show classic era only" / "show modern era only" / "show all eras" :D
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Einar Saukas
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Re: Site Updates

Post by Einar Saukas »

Listing original titles before mods is probably a good idea.

For everything else, most users would probably be complaining that alphabetical sorting is broken.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by Einar Saukas »

Try now :)
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Re: Site Updates

Post by Juan F. Ramirez »

Einar Saukas wrote: Fri Nov 22, 2019 1:34 pm Try now :)
Tried and it works!!!

An old dream of mine comes true! :)
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Re: Site Updates

Post by PeterJ »

Einar Saukas wrote: Fri Nov 22, 2019 1:34 pm Try now :)
Nicely done Sir.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by R-Tape »

Einar Saukas wrote: Fri Nov 22, 2019 1:34 pm Try now :)
Thumbs up to the elegant solution.

Buuut I have to say, that MODs are not being respected here guys, especially JSW MODs. Ralf says every JSW MOD is "crappy", which is just not fair or true. And while I agree that the original title should be the most prominent in such a search (really glad it's sorted, as finding the original MM has been annoying in the past), let's also consider the MMJSW community member—of which there are many—that have been dedicated to the speccy scene for years and years! And *still* contribute to ZXDB and SC!
Rorthron wrote: Thu Nov 21, 2019 9:20 pm Unless the graphics mod is by Harry S Price. ;)

There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the classifications in ZXDB (or WoS.). I can see there will always be an element of judgement and subjectivity, but there should be some guidelines to avoid the worst of the current inconsistencies.
It's like the species concept—not perfect but serviceable. I'll ask again where the major failings are, or what would you'd like to see done differently. Specifically. Maybe it can be addressed, but please bear in mind that ruthless consistency might not be the best solution for the archive, or its users.

Regarding Bruce LeeRX and Ralf's MODs. I'll make IDs for these in the next update, though not every one can have a game file with it. Same for Bruce Lee.
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Re: Site Updates

Post by PeterJ »

Evening,

Latest update from the 1 December.

Many thanks everyone!

New entries:
Black and White
Paracaidista Kerl!
Mini Battle Tank
Dirty Dozer
Bruce Lee RX
Super Enquiry Simulator Thanks to insane genius [mention]DaveW[/mention]
New entries—Spectrum Next games! At the moment, these are just information. No screenshots yet, as we're deciding format, and no files as we need to look into permissions. Massive thanks to [mention]PROSM[/mention] for collating them!
Bubblegum Bros.
DeltaStar - Earth Defense
Dungeonette
Dweebs Drop
Evil Clown's Circus Games - Hanoi
Farmer Sam's Dog Day
Foreign Cabinet
Montana Mike
Nextoid!
Night Knight
Q*Bee
uMIA thanks [mention]Ivanzx[/mention]
The Skeleton
Files/other:
SCL and TRD for Antartida. Thanks Nat!
Various disk files for Cobra’s Arc, and some file improvements, and game map. Thanks Nat!
TZX and label for Programa Computado. This is the Spectrum program on the vinyl record by the band "La Mode". Thanks [mention]Ivanzx[/mention] for bringing it to our attention, and thanks to Iceknight for making it public.
TZX for Battle on Hoth. Thanks Peejay!
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Re: Site Updates

Post by R-Tape »

Thanks Peter.

Just to add that Ralf's MODs still need to be added—next time.

[mention]Ralf[/mention]: it's Mr Heli, Renegade 3, Target Renegade and Goody isn't it?
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Re: Site Updates

Post by Ralf »

@Ralf: it's Mr Heli, Renegade 3, Target Renegade and Goody isn't it?
It's much more. Some are unfinished like Outrun Europa but demo versions/unfinished project also go to the database, if they were
released in this form, am I right?

I could send you info, screenshots, files etc. What would you need?
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Re: Site Updates

Post by pavero »

[Instructions]
CyrusII(EN).txt (Instructions)
Deathscape(EN).txt (Instructions)
DukesOfHazzardThe(EN).txt (Instructions)
EuropeanChampions(EN).txt (Instructions)
EuropeanTrophy(EN).pdf (Instructions)
FootballManager2ExpansionKit(EN).txt (Instructions)
Games-SummerEditionThe(EN).txt (Instructions)
GamesDesigner(EN).txt (Instructions)
Greyfell(EN).txt (Instructions)
Headcoach(EN).txt (Instructions)
Hotshot(EN).txt (Instructions)
Hybrid(EN).txt (Instructions)
Italy1990-WinnersEdition(EN).txt (Instructions)
JudgeDredd(EN).txt (Instructions)
Metaplex(EN).txt (Instructions)
MikeReadsPopQuiz(EN).txt (Instructions)
PremierLeague(EN).pdf (Instructions)
President(EN).txt (Instructions)
RockNRoll(EN).txt (Instructions)
SaintAndGreavsie(EN).txt (Instructions)
Wanderer(EN).txt (Instructions)
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Re: Site Updates

Post by PeterJ »

Christmas is not complete without WOOT!

Merry Christmas to everyone who has contributed to ZXDB, the site and the forums over the last year. You are all amazing! Thank you.

The WOOT! Tape Magazine is here!
WOOT! Tape Magazine issue #3 - ZXMAS 2019 Edition
Desert Island SCREEN$
Jeremy ZXMan's speccy quiz
5 rings (If the tap file loads then it should run)...yes that IS the full name.
Cheesy chase: Moritz and the mildewed moon
CHRISMAGIC DOT
CracFac
Jet Set Willy – 12 room minigame
Joe Blob
English translation of Papa Noel
Sploids
Sprouty
The day before the day the Earth stood still
New Entries:
Ad Lunam*
Moon and The Pirates
The Hair-Raising Adventures of Mr Hair
The Legend of the Frog Prince (needs screenshots & TAP, but I couldn't find the download)
New Entries from The Yandex Retrogames Battle 2019:
Valley of Rains
Space Monsters meet THE HARDY
Yazzie
Drift!
Hunt Buck: Nuclear Defence
Just a Gal
RoboBro Episode 1
Ernesto's Adventures
The Order of Sleeping Dragon
Automated Cave Explorer
Quest for Elements
Pre-ZU
Mantra Kill
Robo-stalker
Alone in dark maze
Yanga
Little Mouse Adventure
Sochi Nights
Interceptor 2020
Apologies to [mention]Frankie[/mention] [mention]jpnz[/mention] [mention]WhatHoSnorkers[/mention] and anyone else missing. This was a big update at a busy time. Your stuff will be in the next update.
*@Alessandro - if you update this file again before 2020 we will have to destroy you :-p
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Re: Site Updates

Post by PeterJ »

Latest update. Thanks [mention]Einar Saukas[/mention], [mention]R-Tape[/mention] and all who contributed.

The server timed out whilst I was importing the DB this evening. I you notice anything odd let me know:

New entries
LAFIX 2
Dragon Tale Fantasy
Space Sludge
The Snowman
Stipple ATTR Art Tool
Spy School 2
Motte and Bailey Castle
7E4
ZHL and ZHL (earlier text only version, and later text/illustrated)
ZX Parachute
Anillos de Saturno
Charade Engine Demo
Mini Pancho Bros
War Stars

uMIA
Radiation Run thanks [mention]Juan F. Ramirez[/mention]
Monster thanks [mention]Frankie[/mention]
Matematik - Program
Coup D'etat
Tool Disk-Disk+ thanks [mention]jpnz[/mention]
MIA
Mira Fortran thanks [mention]jpnz[/mention]
Junior Arithmetic thanks [mention]badbud65[/mention]
Slither thanks [mention]Rzeznik[/mention]
ZX81 titles thanks [mention]kolbeck[/mention]
Firefighter
RUB-1K
Weedkiller
Dodgems
Highway
Painter
Solitaire
Startrip
Wiwo Dido's mapped maze
Chernobyl Bomber
Lingo
W-rotator
1 KARAT
Lunar Corps
Highwayman
Tug of War
Nohzdyve
Tut-Tut
Ghostbusters
Itsy Bitsy Spider
Goat and wolves
Monkeyboard
Mission Impossible: Bombsquare
MAX VERSTAPPEN FORMULA ONE PITSTOP SIMULATOR
Game of Tron
Sleigh Ride
Father time
Elfbayne
Type-ins thanks [mention]WhatHoSnorkers[/mention]
Crash!
Everyday Adventure
Pearl Diver
Ring of Power
School's Out
The Seven Keys of Tarkus
Type-in bundles for these books (see "additional file downloads")
adventures for your spectrum thanks [mention]WhatHoSnorkers[/mention]
Write your own fantasy games
ZX-Spectrum explored thanks [mention]PROSM[/mention]
Added/updated files
Plumbers don't wear ties thanks [mention]PROSM[/mention]
Steamed hams
Aquanoids thanks [mention]Neil Parsons[/mention]
Legend of the Frog Prince
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