SPARKEE - An honest-to-goodness *USE* of the Emulator? Before I post my "disk in" program, "DSK_IN", I thought I'd post an example of its use. File by file, I XMODEMed Sparkee over to the IBM, then imported them into a .DSK file. You know, my favorite question has been "Does anyone USE this platform for anything?" The answers have been "I play old Apple games" and "Nah, I play with this to learn the Apple". (One guy said he uses the Unix-Apple emulator to run AppleWorks.) Well, one thing I have wanted was another "screen saver" for my IBM. Sparkee is not a bad one at all, and only costs seven dollars. Try it, and if you like it, send in the money to them. It is Shareware, or, as they called it, "Personal Domain Software". On the disk, the authors stated: ``As of late summer, 1983, "sparkee" was migrated over to the realm of personal domain software. ``Personal domain software works like this: Anyone and everyone is welcome and in fact encouraged to make and distribute copies. Those who receive copies are entitled to give the software a "trial run", in order to determine whether you like it. ``Should you decide not to continue to use the software, you owe the author nothing. ``However, if you wish to continue to use the software, your share of the deal is to pay the author a small fee.'' How I Made Sparkee.dsk . ------------------------ 1) I took the Sparkee disk, which is shareware, and XMODEMed all the files over. 2) On the IBM, I have a booting .DSK file which I made by taking another application .DSK and deleting the files in it. I made that DISK6A.DSK . 3) One-by-one, I used DSK_IN to import the files (there are something like a dozen). 4) All done. How it runs. ------------ I can't say anything about the speed; that depends a lot on your IBM. But it can look pretty nice, even if you run off a Hercules card with a CGA simulator. The "I" pattern can calm you down a lot; I guess it's my favorite. Appendix -------- You will want to print out some of the on-disk documentation, but I don't know if you can do that from your emulator. So I'll include some of the liner notes, from the file "@LINER NOTES" here. ----------- 8< ---- CUT HERE ---- >8 -------------------- The Scores: ---------- Some of these scores are included with the purchase of CEEMAC (language of Fire Organ). A few others have appeared in the CEEMAC newsletter. Key-A 'Moondawning' by Brooke Boering (expanded from a score by Mike) was inspired by the record 'Moondawn' by Klaus Schulze. It really flows. Key-B 'Diamond Dazzler' (also by Brooke) continually plays the faces of the figure inward, then outward at a pace most suited to heavily 'beated' music. Key-C 'Punk' by Mike Bendik, captures the spirit of 'new wave' rock. Its pulsating, often hypnotic, effects are most apparent with the contrast knob set to maximum iridescence (says Mike). Key-D 'Decor' (by Brooke). This one is designed to be 'played' with paddle-1 which will lengthen or shorten the intertwining patterns. If it isn't art, at least its fun! Key-E 'Rose of Heaven' is by one of our new composers, Tom Little. Its 'endlessly changing patterns' will fascinate you far past bedtime. Key-F 'Parameter play' by ken sherwood explores the infinite possibilities of interplaying colors with full screen lines. (Keys G, H and I are by Brooke) Key-G 'Tweed'. Against a white background, a variety of textured patterns unfold. Key-H 'Oct-a-clok' is a simple kaleidoscopic effect for casual viewing. Key-I 'Spleves' is a favorite of spline lovers and CEEMAC composers worldwide. Key-J 'Pulsar', by Mike Bendik, is designed to rhythmically beat with hard rock. However, other music might work equally well. For sure, get some high contrast on your screen for this one. Key-K 'Slippy', another by Mike, presents opposing spline patterns playfully circling one another in a dance of serene beauty. Key-L 'Crazy' (Mikei again) is almost magical in its movements and variety. Be sure to allow crazy enuf time to show off its full repertoire. Key-M 'Box flow', courtesy of jp mcmillan, tends to develop its message in subtle fashion. For all its simplicity, the color effects against a starry sky are striking. Key-N 'Tones of our sines' (by Brooke) contains its own sound effects! This score introduces the principle of 'common source' for sound and visuals. Both effects are produced by a single interleaving theme, an important new concept of 'one art' composition. Also, an unusual technique is utilized to insure the complete forming of the special sine waves. It is based on the idea that 'primes and powers of two are wrap-around complementary'. Those mathematically inclined might enjoy seeking a proof for this. Key-O 'The avenue' is an exercise in simple grid graphics. Fanciful cityscapes of glass and steel buildings evolve randomly. Key-P 'Fast', another of Mike's rapid jewels, will keep up with all but the most frantic music. Mix well with wild parties to keep things hopping. Key-Q 'Black Latice' (from Brooke), is an unpretentous little score showing off some vivid backgrounds. Key-R 'Flyer' by Mike Bendik, gives you a chance to match music that changes tempo frequently. Use the number keys 1 thru 5 to alter the pace. Key-S Brooke says that 'The Boxworks' will eventually create all possible rectangles. Clearly not true but absorbing anyway. Key-T 'Shine', from Mike. Fun and glitter time. Key-U 'Ellipsed', by Terry Bowman, is an outstanding example of the interplay of sine waves and elipses. CEEMAC newsletter subscribers were recently treated to an incisive thesis by terry on this subject. Intriguing sounds accompany the easy geometries. Key-V Primarily a variation on 'Moire Circles' (by Terry Bowman), Brooke shows us how periodic patterning can be more than 'just' decoration. Key-W 'Wings' by Brooke Boering. Why bother with words when you can watch? Key-X Richard Hibbits has provided us with an extravaganza of sight. And some sounds, too. Give this one plenty of time as there are lots goodies to see. A super score! Key-Y 'Cosmic Egg Revisited' is by JP McMillan. Fascinating viewing with apple hires colors interacting in the nite sky. Mesmerizing, to say the least. Key-Z 'Spin' (by Mike), winds up this album in delightful style. This one blooms when you go to extremes with brightness and contrast adjustments to your screen. CEEMAC: ------ All the 'scores' on sparkee were created with CEEMAC, the visual composition language by vagabondo enterprises. If you'd like to know more about it, get to DOS mode and 'BRUN' the '@CEEMAC' file. Finally: ------- We, the composers of this album wish to thank you for buying sparkee. Our dream is that visual composition will one day take its place as a major new art form. December, 1982 ----------- 8< ---- CUT HERE ---- >8 -------------------- tombaker@world.std.com