🚀 go-pugleaf

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.

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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
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tombaker@world.std.com