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Text File | 2003-01-26 | 26.1 KB | 438 lines

<head> <title="...forever..."> <font=monaco10.fnt> <font=newy36.fnt> <font=time24.fnt> <image=back.raw w=256 h=256 t=-1> <buf=6650> <bgcolor=-1> <background=0> <link_color=000> <module=console.mod> <pal=back.pal> colors: 251 - black </head> <body> <frame x=0 y=0 w=640 h=6650 b=-1 c=-1> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- F A C E T O F A C E W I T H F A M O U S S C E N E R S ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ::: ::::::: ::::::: :::::: ::::::: ::: ::: ::: :::::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: :::::::: ::::::: ::: ::: ::: :::::::: ::: : ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: :::: :::: ::: ::: ::: ::: :::::: ::: ::: :::::: ::: :::::: ::: ::: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V A N E I J K / Q U A S T C l U B ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- a person with huge merits for the polish atari scene became interviewed in our columns! interview and translation: grey / mystic bytes ----------------------------------------------------------------- -- - --- ---- Grey: Welcome the <link=g12.scr>legend</l> of the polish scene :o) Van Eijk: I welcome as well the still living and active legend of the polish swapping... Grey: It's time for a small introduction of yourself - boast about yourself giving your amount of springs, what are you doing nowadays behind the scene.. etc etc.. Van Eijk: Biggest part of these springs I've spent sitting in front of my Atari and I wasn't counting them - so the answer wouldn't be too objective... Currently I am managing the middle-size firm (publicity agency, tradesman of internet service (e.g. access to the Internet), computer club and touristic portal www.mierzeja.com - in the nearest future I am going to open the photographic service and from 2003 year I'll start to arrange affairs concerned with castings organization... From not material capture - I have a great wife and daughter Natalia - even more greater... Grey: When did you join with Atari? And why exactly did THIS computer grab your attention? Van Eijk: The history of my first Atari was simple. All begun in 1991 year. My sister has got a hamster, I was willing to get something "more intelligent" - the choice fell on Atari 65 XE without a tape-recorder, cartridges, not too mention about a floppy drive - which was quite a useful thing as it turned out later! This choice was intended however accidental. A man who was selling Atari was going to buy... Commodore 64... His room was in yellow colour so Atari didn't fit to it... Well, that's a weird mentality of Commodore users... Grey: Your first contact with the so called demo-scene... Maybe you could throw some words also about your own crew? When did you bring it into being? Any details about Your releases? Van Eijk: My first contact wasn't related to the demo scene. In 1993 I've sold my "small" Atari (even if it was " growin' up" with coming new demos) to... I even don't remember who it was - vision of Atari STe (which cost exactly 690.00zl - I remember this till today) dimmed a memory about these days. When I've been in Olsztyn city to buy new software for ST my hands reached the disk with QuaST magazine edited by QuaST Club - the short of Club Uzytkownikow Atari ST (atari st users club). The quality of stuff attached to the magazine was lower than things done by myself in GFA basic so I wrote a letter to the editor of that time Ryszard Lusiak from Naklo (near the Bydgoszcz city) willing to co-operate. I've started to lead a couple of columns in QuaST mag. Sometime by an accident being visiting my friend in Bydgoszcz (I have my family there) I've met Ryszard Lusiak. Ryszard (also known as "Duck") has got an offer of new job in Torun (attention! strong words! - work in editorship of Radio Maryja! - Catholic but controversial Radio in Poland). He has sent me about 100 letters from QuaST members he wasn't able to reply, stuff to the new magazine and nothing else.. I don't remember the exact day but it was around 1993 year. I was excited taking over the job of being the chef of QuaST club and I've decided to organize a meeting gathering members of this club. 34 people came up at the party what brought new acquaintances which part of them I am keeping till today. I've adjoined with the demo scene one year later... I've met Paskud, Wachu and many others exciters. While I am here I would like to greet Mr Gmurowski from Steszewo city! In the same time I was learning the assembler language, editing next QuaST issues itd... I was coding demos (even if i never did anything worth the attention) between 94-96 year.. Most of that stuff were short intros, coding lessons, unfinished games and Van Eijk collection demo (1st effect isn't the rotation of the colours as many people thought!)... Grey: In the years of 90s, ST scene was quite active however our friends abroad learned about our existence a short while ago... What could be a reason of such situation? The language barrier? Where comes from this scenish-nazism? :) Van Eijk: The lack of good swapper. Small amount of Atari users, lack of instructions and publications about hardware, limited form of communication and overall lack of accepted definition of "scene" word... Language barrier... heh assembler in every country was the same :) Grey: Could you tell us a story about QuaST Club since beginning 'til the end of activity? How many Atarians gathered? And what was the main reason to found this club? Van Eijk: Even if you didn't set any limits for answers (you will probably cut a half of the txt anyway, heh) I will jump to the most important points. QuaST Club was founded in 1992 year. His 1st president was Ryszard Lusiak, his follower, the 2nd and (unfortunately the last one) - me. In the best time this club was gathering about 280 members - mainly users of the Atari ST/E/TT and Falcon later. Target? Intervention in contacts between Atarians, help in finding the software (now it's crime), development and first of all "friendship". To attain this target in years of 93-98 were organized QuaST parties and published QuaST magazine. Grey: QuaST Party was the most famous and probably biggest Atari party in Poland, gathering a HUGE amount of people. Let me remind you that one of the editions was attended by over 200 ppl! I am wondering if there was anyone in history of Polish Atari parties who could beat such a result? :o) Could you describe every single edition giving general infos about it (I would like to ask for a year as well)? How many ppl came up, what was the main attraction of each edition? Van Eijk: Forgive but currently I can mix up some facts anyway I will do my best... ### QuaST Copy Party - Orneta '93 - 34 persons, first contact with a Falcon, outstanding sound, first guest of QuaST party - Piotr Kowalczyk (from Jelenia Gora, his nick was Jet), visit of Atar System (atari seller in Poland, add note: grey). Initiation in crowd of Adam Klobukowski (ex. Maskotka/CONFUSIONS - add note: grey) and announcement of Acid Maker demo - no frames, module, vectors, 512 colours - even if there was a Falcon with 1st demos this release was bringing everyone low... ### QuaST Copy Party - Orneta '94 - about 90-100 persons, meeting with real coders, first contact with Jaguar, no air-conditioning, no toilets (yup, everyone was mainly shittin' being hidden deeply (more or less) in bushes in front of the door of party place. That was a great view seeing someone's fat haired ass farting so loud! add note: grey). But we could be proud about a place anyway - it was a town hall of Orneta! First game in bottle-ball, I've fallen asleep listening to the msx compo. First QuaST party with competitions. Atar system came up again. ### QuaST Copy Party - Orneta '95 - probably the most successful party in my opinion - about 200 persons, CET (Consumer Electronic Trade known before as Atar System - add note: Grey) brought a lot of Atari-related equipment, attendance of women (1st party in Poland where this sex has had an entrance for free!), no big screen... 1st crazy compo, 1st t-shirts with QuaST party logo and overall... great mood! Many Atari releases, a 1st real-time txt with disk attached to the brick... Events: not too many, except new games for Jaguar and Lynx, half of party attendees was playing in Pinball Obsession on the STe. Buffet at the party-place (some ppl seemed to like the food there...), sleeping rooms in the school placed quite close to the party... ### QuaST Copy Party - Orneta '96 - the biggest party - exactly 238 persons, big screen, first drinking bouts of the Shadows members (esp. Cedyn and his "denaturat" - the bottle of low quality mentholated spirit with death's head moth on the label used mainly to clean windows - add note: Grey) - that's what I can't forget till these days. The most successful crazy compo. Presence of a real 8-bit Atari scene and very high quality of the demos on this machine. Personally this party wasn't too much successful for me - just before the party my girlfriend reminded herself she doesn't want to be with my anymore... hehe, that's her loss - as it turned out later - 1st guests from abroad came up - Atarians from Slovakia... broken chairs... Sleeping in school as well (someone did a shit inside the desk...). ### QuaST Copy Party - Orneta '97 - the last but one edition - about 180 persons. Excellent quality of sharpness, one minute of the silence in memory of 8-bit Atari musician, great mood, walls in sleeping rooms covered in ketchup, arranged camp-fire supported by broken chairs from the party by Winio, Grey, Krazio and Cedyn... It makes me laugh just now, heheheh, superb ST demo released. Prize: Atari Falcon 030 (won by Sqward!! add note: Grey). ### QuaST Multi Copy Party - Orneta '98 - planned to be an excellent party - unfortunately it pasted all the bounds... after this party I didn't believe in the scene and ppl - I couldn't find a sense to organize another editions of the QuaST parties. Organization failed (mainly help) thanks to the team from Olsztyn city (Eros, MacGyver and Spirit) which was very quarrelled 'coz of free food - who deserves it and who doesn't. They simply pissed off all the rest things they were asked for. So in fact I didn't have any time for anything. Maybe it was too much commercial, but... I've always seen big move around computers connected to the internet from sponsors, the same as telephone - you could call for free wherever you wanted. At this party I was pushed to give back my Falcon (Sqward won a 2nd Falcon!!), I've lost a lot of cash, I was quarrelling with C-64 attendees... bleeee.... That was enough for me. In respect to this interview I won't mention about other worthless things... Grey: Could you dig out the funniest situation of the party? Van Eijk: Oh, there was a lot of them. The most funniest things are too hard to describe... It was a cool view to see Winio/COBRA weird sleeping near the balcony of the party place, also funny was (but I see it like that after a very long time) was to throw water-melon in councillor of Orneta! Funny action was with a question given by someone to the gathered ppl who they choose to count the points from votesheets - Shadows (which were suspected by Slight group for cheating at their own party) or Van Eijk? Compliments for girls responsible for party-service were also nice... After the question "What do you think about our girls?" - a whole room of gathered ppl replied: "They are fuckin' cool!", and after another question "How much?" - another reply: "Very fuckin'!". Well, maybe you don't like this sense of humour and maybe you you think I am stupid or something, but... it's simply impossible to write about everything what happened in details! I could write books about it... heh. Grey: And the worst memory of the party...? What do you think about drinking alcohol at the parties? Is it truth that polish Atari scene isn't able to have good fun without such liquors? Van Eijk: Is able. Drinking is understandable - in that time it was "this age" - far away from parents, almost no limits in anything, friends - nearest shops in these days did a special promotions during the time of QuaST party. Personally I am still not drinking, I didn't like it seeing as other do it, but... Atari parties without it couldn't exist - I've had to bargain with it...! Grey: Quite a big part of the atari community blames you for the commercial feeling of the parties, esp. the last one in 1998. There were even rumours spread around in the scene world (not only the atari one) that "Van Eijk grew rich on the Atarians shoulders to buy his new car :o) Maybe it's a final time to overthrow this myth? You have a great opportunity to do it now... Van Eijk: Heh. With this rumoured "new car" I've lost any wishes to organize another QuaST edition. People started to slag me at various parties, even in demos. Only people who never organized any party, who didn't take this huge responsibility and general were coming only to show "how cool they are" destroying everything around can tell such bullshit about earning money on it. People who always took a part in compos never blamed me for anything. I didn't find any sense to justify myself... But sometimes I was wondering if ppl didn't fall a victim of the "SYSTEM HALTED!" commend known from Amiga system. You were organizing Atari party so you know how it is - what about your Swiss bank account ??? Hehehe... I've got driver licence this year and I've bought my 1st car in May 2002!!!! Commercial feeling - unfortunately it was more intense in 1998 year, but - something for something - Maybe it was a bad idea to have that many sponsors if I remind how ppl were hissing during TP S.A. presentation (polish telecommunication). I've had a lot of difficulties after that... Grey: What do you think, where does it comes from-this distrust regarding your person? After all, (let's not hide it) if it wasn't for the QuaST parties there would be NOTHING like the Polish ST/Falcon scene at all... Without any doubts, you have huge merits in creating this scene. QuaST party was a first place where we could see such excellent releases for each atari system. Who doesn't know the "AssKicker" demo from Shadows on the 8-Bit Atari?! - with groundbreakin' effects and design, or "Firestarter" demo from the same group which was the 1st polish demo released for the Falcon?! Both releases were very crucial for the scene - 8-bit Atari got an injection of new quality and since this moment a new generation of XL/XE demos, and thanks to the 1st Shadows release for the Falcon we could see more ppl from 8-bit Atari choosing a Falcon instead of PC for example that brought quite large fruits in the future (releases from Cobra or Pandemonium). Besides, QuaST party was also a 1st place that helped to integrate the environment of Atari community from 8-bit Atari up to the Falcon. Van Eijk: I am so happy that you've formulated these words in that way. In fact the mentioned distrust to my person never wasn't disturbing me. There was many people who knew the truth and they have seen "my snake in the pocket" (as we say in Poland). Why these people who were that JEALOUS about "earning money in that easy way" never managed to organize ANY party? It's so easy to blame someone for something. I think it was caused mainly by the people who came at the party for doing everything unrelated with the scene and mentality of their "leaders" who (in fact) never had their own opinion. It's nice of you to notice about this "integration" affair which (as you wrote in the question) was partly my merit. If there would be no chance for such kind of meeting - there would be simply no sense to reply all these questions. Grey: Everyone seemed nicely surprised to hear about the possibility to organize another QuaST party edition next year. The response from the Atari community was quite "large" who between two Atari parties (QuaST and Lato Ludzikow organized y ear-by-year by Vasco) much often voted for Your party. What induced you to have such plans? Maybe another edition would be a some kind of "purgatory" of Your person? No sponsors, no entrance fee and only for Atarians again? Do you want to leave nice memories behind your final quit from the scene and throw away everything for what you was blamed before? Van Eijk: First of all I am wondering what's up with everyone I've ever met (and if their abdomens are growing as much as mine is). BTW - I am still in contact with some people from the scene. And I also notice that everything is still "alive"... people are meeting at the parties, new productions are released, for few days all these people become "irresponsible, childish and amusing) - that's a whole truth. Organizing the party reminds me driving on bike. After few years you are going to the cellar and you see a bike on which you were spending a lot of interesting whiles - you are sitting on it and even for a short while and you back to the past. Atari was always big on the QuaST parties - the time has changed faster and stronger than I would even expect. Internet, PC - I have exceptionally enough of it - I want the same what was in the past... nostalgia... Party organization entailed huge expenses, nowadays - almost zero. I will get a party-hall in MDK for free (my friend became a director), I have my own projector, t-shirts would be done in my publicity agency... All I have to do is to pay girls for party-service and prizes. My idea is following - everyone would make token payment at the entrance fee for a cash for these "party-service" girls! If competitions become a reality everyone could throw some coins if he accepts this way of awarding a prize to each other. Every rule will be clear so we'll see what's left from the scene, if 5-20zl (1DM c.a. 2ZL) for the prizes will be too much for a prize for anyone who spent a lot of hours coding new effect or composing few minutes of music. And finally people who decide to support the scene with their releases will know if it's worth to LIVE for it! If anyone would like to remember the QuaST party as a nice memory then better go through a "sexual initiation" - it's much more interesting... Grey: Could you tell us today if another QuaST edition next year is 100% sure yet? Are you going to join forces with organizer of Lato Ludzikow? Otherwise we could be witnesses of dividing the scene to two groups... Van Eijk: QuaST Party should take place between 1st and 3rd day of August 2003 - exactly the same date as 10 years ago - the 1st edition. I don't know what think the others of organizers. If they are true Atarians they should be reasonable as well. DoesnÆt matter who decide to organize a party - the most important point is the amount of attendees and releases. I am not going to call in question the attractive of the parties organized by Vasco or Mr Gmurowski. QuaST party's date is already known. I don't know anything about others till now! Grey: Are you going to join the ST or Falcon once again? Is there any chance for resurrection of QuaST magazine for ST or Falcon? And what about such unfinished projects like AddSub or Xtris? Van Eijk: Currently I am working on the son 'coz I am the last from the Borowski's family! I started to code AddSub and Xtris games too late. Jack Trammiel also did a lot of things too late - and we can't change this state of affairs. Yes, I am hunting for the Atari STe (Wings of Death :) hehehe). QuaST or ex-QuaST won't resurrect for sure - not from my initiative. But if someone wants to do something with legacy of QuaST activity (the only organization of this kind in Poland) - I will offer my help in form of experience and collected stuff. Grey: Are you still in contact with people who were creating the image of polish ST scene in the past? Van Eijk: Yup. One worker from my firm is die-hard Atarian. Grey: Are you still feeling a fondness to the kindly STefan? Van Eijk: Yes. Grey: Can we count on the Van Eijk's come back in the not too far future? Van Eijk: Yup, but probably only as an organizer of another QuaST editions and a person really interested in new productions for various ATARI machines. Grey: Maybe a couple words to our readers? Greetings etc? Van Eijk: May amount of all you will be hundreds. Thousands of your children. Millions of your grandchildren... May Atari become visible on the computer covers, not only on the game boxes! - in other words I am greeting everyone heartily. Grey: Thanx for all Your answers :o) Van Eijk: Thanx for such a chance to express my opinions :o) -- - --- -- ------------------------------------------------------------------- CHOSNECK team contact us: growin' up with atari community greymsb@poczta.fm ----------------------------------------------------------------- -- - --- ---- </frame> </body>