Zx Spectrum Demoscene

ZX Spectrum Demoscene

This book describes three phenomena in digital media. Firstly, it concerns the 8-bit personal computer ZX Spectrum produced by the British company Sinclair Research since 1982. As a publication about a specific platform, it falls into the mainstream category of platform studies and it pays special attention to how the computer was used for creative purposes. Secondly, the story about the platform will also be presented from the perspective of the community that flocked around it. Therefore, it is mainly a book about people who identify with the ZX Spectrum. We do not describe all the users of the platform here (players, people using apps), rather we adopt the demoscene criterion (which we explain below). And the last and third phenomenon discussed in our book deals with the decentering of digital media or discovering digital phenomena from beyond the hegemonic center. Therefore, even though the ZX Spectrum was created in Great Britain the use of the computer in the country of its birth will not interest us. Thanks to its creator, Sir Clive Sinclair, the ZX Spectrum was designed as a computer primarily for educational purposes. As it often happens, the work detached itself from its creator and took on a life of its own. In our narrative, we will focus on the acquisition (cloning) and creative use of the computer in Eastern and Central Europe.

The Sinclair ZX Spectrum

The ZX Spectrum on Your PC

Thirty years on from its original release, the best selling Sinclair ZX Spectrum is now one of the most emulated computers in the world. Far from dead and forgotten, a thriving community of enthusiasts has kept the spirit of this little machine alive through an enormous range of emulators for just about every modern computer platform there is. For the PC in particular, the complexity of these emulators is simply amazing. Focusing primarily on the two most user-friendly Windows emulators, Spectaculator and ZX SPIN, The ZX Spectrum on Your PC explains all the main features of these applications. Illustrated walk-throughs will teach you everything from how cassettes are emulated to how to print from your virtual Spectrum. In no time at all, you'll find yourself enjoying all the old games and activities of your youth... on your PC! New revised Second Edition includes emulating the Spectrum on your mobile device.