Over on World Of Heaven Aeroplane you can now download the new version (newer than the one released a couple days ago) of SpecView SE. The main change, aside from a couple bugfixes, in v2.1.9 is support for .TRD files. Now you can view pictures from TR-DOS disk images. Nice.

Okay. Two sites have changed, one I noticed myself, and the other one I managed to completely miss. Hehe. I've lumped them both in here because... well one of the doesn't seem to have changed much at all!
First I need to mention the new, and frankly sweet-as-hell, design over on ZX Banner Network. The reason I'd missed this was due to pages being renamed, but enough of the excuses. Go check this place out, if you've not seen it already.
Next, I saw that Sinclair Tech Info Library has changed. But I've looked, and all I can find is a corrected email address. Perhaps there's something hidden in one of the many tech-files on the site. Best go read them all thoroughly, eh?

Got a mail from MacBuster today stating that he's put an updated version of his Pentagon FAQ online. Now, I can't, I'm afraid, give you a rundown of what's new in this release, as I've not actually been monitoring this beast. But it's definately a worthwhile download. I've learned a lot from it, and that's after only reading a couple of the questions ;]
So if you're new to the Pentagon machine, or if you just want to find out something you didn't know, then check this out.

Thought I'd fit all the DB stuff into one post. Just a couple things, really. First I'll mention that over on Speccy4Ever you can now find some photos of the +3e HD System in the hardware section.
I was also told of a rumour regarding a PSX emulator for the Spectrum. Yes, you read it right. Not a Speccy emulator on the PSX! It's an interesting thought, and I've been assured this isn't a joke. But hey, it's a good read either way:

" This emulator requires 128k of memory and SIX disks to emulate PSX RAM and one for saving rendered pictures on it. Sure you can not play PSX games because Speccy has no CD-ROM drive, but it shows PSX start-up logo. But it really emulates all PSX chips and CPU. Rendering of single frame takes over 30 minutes. "

Hmm. Well, if anyone finds this crazy beast, it'll be worth checking out, I think. Maybe there's now a good reason for Ramsoft to put a "go-faster stripes" option into RealSpectrum <g>.

Well, just a short post to say that I've added some more parties to the list over on the right. At the moment I think they all have Speccy stuff in them, but if not, they'll be removed as soon as I find out (probably after the event, hehe).
Also, I saw a post on CSS about a "gathering" in America, named Classic Computer and Gaming 2001. Now I'm guessing that few people who read this page will be in America at the time of the meet (June 29th), but in case you are, I've cut the post into a neat little text file, which you can grab here

Last for today is another release of emulator z80Stealth. This version is mainly a bugfix, but here's a rundown of the changes:

• Emulation of Profi hi-res (512x240) video mode has been added.
• Added a CP/M switch for Profi emulation.
• Fixed mouse handling code.
• Fixed some bugs in the video-mode code.
• Fixed a bug with screenshot saving.

That should keep a few of you happy.

After looking at a recent update on Demotopia, it occurred to me that, although I've mentioned this year's CC1 party, I've not really covered it in much detail. Heh, and it was announced ages ago!
There's not really a huge amount to say, tho'. If you've seen reports on last years party, you know pretty much what to expect. It's being held in August, although the partyplace is undecided so far, and there will be all the usual parties from Spectrum (music, graphics, intro, demo, and wild).
Of course, for full details you should check this file located over at Chaosite.

Yeah, time to get this news down a little:

• Congratulations go to WOS for getting thier 1,000,000<font size="-2">^th</font> visitor. Perhaps. Check the news site for details.
• Virtual TR-DOS has had a couple updates with a couple more 'zines (ZX Format #6/7), and some additions to the General Sound section.
• Added a link to ZX, a Spectrum 'zine that's worth checking out. And I'll be monitoring this one for news, too.
• Despite closing down for a month-or-so, DJ Hooligan has been updating his site some more, with a few additional games, and more importantly, v2.41 of Burial Graphics Editor. There's also some news about the release of the game Pussy, and a download for RIP#12.
• Power Of Sound announced they have a new download of Iris Ultrademo, by Flash Inc. I think. Alas, I can't translate this site due to fonts or something. Arse!
• Noticed that the World Of Heaven Aeroplane has been updated, with a new version of SpecView. v2.18 brings with it a couple new features, and I recommend this to be added to anyone's download list.

Hoorah! Another lump done!

Okay. Still not feeling "up-to-scratch", so I'm just going to cover the really important stuff tonight.
Another demoparty has been announced. The follow-up to last years party, this year sees Millennium Demoparty'1901. Being held in Minsk, on May 5th to May 6th, it's pretty much your standard affair. You know the score with parties by now. Platforms supported at M1901 are PeeCee, Amiga, and of coz ZX Spectrum. Competitions for the Speccy are 4k, 16k, and 640k demo, hand-drawn graphics, and AY Music. There's also a category for game programmers, and a "Wild Compo". Also, as usual with a lot of competitions these days, your work must pass the pre-selection Committee, which I know a few people have had... "problems" with in the past.
Also, I'm going to stick my neck out and say I'm not too happy with the voting system. Check out the rules, and you'll see that "rare marks will be ignored", and also that if less than 20 people vote for something, it won't be included. Ehm... but what if these 19 people gave it top marks. It would probably win the averages, but wouldn't be counted! Not sure what's meant by the "rare marks" thing either.
Okay, perhaps I'm being silly, and I certainly don't mean to sound like I'm picking on Millennium Demoparty'1901. It's just that we often see strange rules in competitions, and this can be the downfall of some really good work. What's wrong with simply taking all of the votes, and counting them up. The winner would be the one with the highest vote-count.
Well, rant over I suppose. Blame it on me being ill. I always get grumpy when I'm ill. Things will be back to normal before you know it.

Well, it's not much of a change, but after waking up at around 1pm today, I decided to play about with the layout of raww.org. Things are now, I think, a little tidier, and fit much nicer onto a "bigger screen". Of course, some playing still needs to be done, and I'm working on that too.
I've also added a couple more screenshots to those on the left (for those who have Javascript, anyway), of the raww arse entries into ZX-Party.
That's it for now I think. If anyone has any problems with the altered layout, mail me.
See. Sick days do have their bonuses <g>.