This is probably your first real SAM newbie in around 7 years. Well I confess Im not a total newbie I used a SAM for 4 years writing simple assembly language programs using a cross compiler and dropping them on the SAM. I then discovered the wonders of high level languages like C,C++ and OAK ( an early Java ) when I started at a large corporation ( IBM ) and bought myself a 'Nix workstation. Anyway - why all the rambling. I finally managed to use a search engine that returned results on my old favourite the Sam which has been gathering dust for nearly 6 years. I was never involved in anything that resembled a "Scene" so I was pleasantly amazed there were people still using it.
To cut a long story short Ive missed using the wee beastie and am back to see if there are more than three people using the machine who might appreciate a few up to date utilities and games being dropped on it now I only program in my leisure time on machines I want to ( rather than working late on work software ). So what are the tools. Ive long since lost all the disks I had for SAM apart from Prince of Persia ( which I never managed to get out of one room on ). I had: Flash GamesMaster some sound thing Prince of Persia Some vertical scrolling Mode 2 shoot em up An assembler on the spectrum ( Hisoft rings a bell but I might just be thinking of DevPac ) 101 games I had dissassembled, modified and ported the graphics for ( my own amusement ) including. Carrier Command ( ZX ), Head Over Heels ( Amiga graphics ), A sub thing from Hewson Software I think, Jet Pac, Renegade. If I had known there was a scene magazine ( I had never heard of Fred can you believe it ) I might have asked if people wanted to see these but I was a little cautious because I had clearly infringed copyright even if for my own amusement. Ive got a great idea from the game engine up ( rather than starting on the graphics ;-) ) and am drafting it at the moment in C on my Amiga ( sitting to the right of the PC and to the left of the RS6000 ). Im making sure the gaming window works in 192x192 and has a 32x192 panel to the right for status, inventory and the like. If any of you has an Amiga emulator I should be able to send a binary before I start on the SAM version ( I need to get the wee beastie working again! ). Anyway Im going to dig the old machine out this weekend and see if I can find some development utilities online to help me get started. It should be in perfect condition with the mouse, parrallel and serial interface and the like. I may even be able to get it working with a SCART monitor if I can lay my hands on one. Ideally I would not like to go back to Z80 assembler although Blinky has already helped me out by sending me a link to COMET which looks rather excellent. If there is a C compiler that produces the goods ( even in cross compiler mode ) that would be ideal. I remember playing around with something called GamesMaster and the Sound Machine but they both seemed a little slow. So, is there interest? Or would I be writing for my self ( not a problem )? Are the ulitilities someone can point me at? I call myself a newbie as I have long since forgotten how to drive the machine. I remember something about F9 but thats it. All the best, Dave.
