Nato C64 Blog

Why C64?

2007-07-22T09:50:00.001+01:00

I recently acquired thousands of C64 games that I run on an emulator. Why? Many modern games are too complex for a five year old child to just start playing. A lot of C64 platform games are intuitive and therefore easy to play. Also, in time, my son shall learn to appreciate the evolution of knowledge systems. It is odd that I should still remember the antiquated 65xx assembly language.

C64 Emulators

2007-07-22T09:50:00.000+01:00

The C64 emulator that I am using can be found at computerbrains.com

Cracks

2007-05-02T08:55:00.001+01:00

Members of Nato C64 have mixed views on software piracy. This might not have been the case in the past but it now. Therefore, it is not our intention to post cracked software on this site. Indeed, you shall not find any cracked software through any Nato C64 site. This is not say that such items are not freely available elsewhere on the web.

Interviews

2007-05-01T13:45:00.001+01:00

About here

Profiles

2007-05-01T13:41:00.000+01:00

Drax
Megasnail
Tiger

Magazines

2007-05-01T13:38:00.001+01:00

Copies of Smasher might be located at cupid.de

Profile - Tiger

2007-04-30T12:44:00.000+01:00

Arguably the only photograph of Tiger

About C64

2007-04-30T12:42:00.000+01:00

An odd perspective on the C64 might be found at yrad.com, for fans of Umberto Eco

Profile - Drax

2007-04-30T12:34:00.000+01:00

Found at Emucamp.com

You might want to read an interview with Drax at C64.com

Scandal

2007-04-27T13:38:00.000+01:00

Some scandal at aysec.com and 209.85.129.104

About Us

2007-04-27T13:35:00.000+01:00

A little history might be found at C64.org

There is another perspective at Exotica.org.uk

Recommendations

2007-04-27T13:29:00.000+01:00

Testimonials to be found at C64-hof.com and at 64apocalypse.com

Take a look at lemon64.com, arguably NATO was one of the best!

C64.com tells that Maduplec was one of this chap's heros.

History

2007-04-27T13:25:00.000+01:00

A little scene history can be found at Artscene and here, and even here

Glossary

2007-04-26T13:42:00.000+01:00

Photo diode [...] Diode which is controlled by light.

An excellent dictionary of C64 technical terms at MJK

Demos

2007-04-26T13:19:00.000+01:00

The French wikipedia.org has a little to say on C64 Demos.

In the period summer 1989 to summer 1992 the BUDS (Brain Using Demo section) produced 8 demos for NATO. Starting with Wraxirmer 5, later came Twister, Catcher, Wriggler, Tripler, Matcher, Dodger and finally the BUDS demo.

BUDS started with Overall and Maduplec as members, but after the first demo "Wraxirmer 5", Overall stopped his activities. Maduplec then coded the rest of the demos with graphics from friends and exclusive sound-tracks supplied by the Vibrants. However, in the last couple of demos, all graphics and music was made by Maduplec.

Available from zimmers.net

Available in geek format here

Lots more at pouet.net

Reviews of Dodger

Compunet demos can be found at binaryzone.org and here

More demos at xaraya.hu

Intros

2007-04-26T13:12:00.000+01:00

VIDEO GAME CULTURE HAS LONG RELIED ON "CRACKERS," THE FEARLESS GEEKS WHO REMOVE A GAME'S COPY PROTECTION THROUGH BRUTE FORCE. CRACKERS OFTEN LEAVE BEHIND MODIFIED START-UP SCREENS AS EVIDENCE OF THEIR TRADE. THIS SPECIAL CRACKER GRAFFITI BOTH DOCUMENTS THE INTRUSION AND PROVIDES A PLATFORM TO SHOWCASE THE CRACKER'S SKILLS.

Available at Low Level All Stars

More intros available at C64.org and here

Interview with Image

2007-04-20T17:19:00.000+01:00

Interview

Handle:MUNCH: Early C64 (demos graphics and a few cracks - group was Quadrant)IMAGE: C64 & Early Amiga Before BustThe Undertaker :After Bust to Present Day AMIGA/C64/PC

How did you come up with your alias ?Image came about after getting Tee-Shirts of a Software house called Imageworks. I opened an amiga bbs call "imageWorks" and Used the handle ImageThe Undertaker came about after deciding to change handles after the bust and re-open the bbs under the name "The Graveyard" so "The Undertaker" seemed pretty apt. Plus WWF was popular at the time :)

City / Country:North East , England

Born year:March 1970

What was your first computer, and when did you get it?1st Computer was C64 with tape deck :) hmm bout 13-14 years ago I think.

How did you get into the scene and what groups have you been a member of ?Well when i first got into mail trading there wasnt really too big a scene it was mainly individuals just trading stuff. Things just progressed from there by seeing others peoples addresses on disks etc.

Groups started with Quadrant mainly Demo stuff and using Compunet many moons ago then started NATO with megasnail and started releasing stuff in competition with Ikari,Zenith,SCS etc.

then onto amiga Nato+TEW (the electric warriors) , Quoram (formaly Kent Team) , Eclipse then Quartex , MAD (mutual assured destruction) then i was busted the following morning :(( , after returning to the scene was in Agile (had a bunch of Swedish Lamers hehe) then back to Quartex. ( i think thats it on amiga anywayz )

Pc basically started with Hybrid thru some ill feelings and bullshit from certain members i left for razor 1911 , also in Rapier/Malice trading group.

What was the proudest moment in your career ?Being Part of the Begining of the sceneLooking back and knowing i was around in the main C64 days. And knowing wot a lot of people today have missed out on.

For what specific reason(s) do you think that you are remembered ?Knew a lot of people around the globe.

What would you like to be remembered for ?Input to the scene ( 13-14 years of Service )

What made you stop the scene activity ? (and do you remember when?)Still at it

Thinking back on the good old days, is there anything you regret? Loosing contact with a few old friends :)

What was your favoriteGAME(S)C64 = MostAmiga= Kick Off 2PC = Doom Games and C&C

DEMO(S)Too Long Ago

CRACKER(S) (OR CRACKING GROUP(S))Mr.Z , Triad , ESI

COMPOSER(S)Rob Hubbard , Whitiker(?) , Ben Dalglish

DRINK ?Alcohol :) SnakeBite Rulez!! and Whisky i guess , and i guess Diet Coke!

What are you doing nowadays ?Work in the Computer Industry

What are you doing on your spare time?Spare Time ?. hmm Vids,Reading, many other things

Is there anything you'd like to say to the public (read: admires)Have phun on the scene , dont treat it like a Business.

What is the meaning of life?Enjoy the scene and computers, but dont let it rule your life hehe, Those that r in the Scene for Money Sake r the Killers! Phun Rules! Business Sux!

Profile - Megasnail

2007-04-20T16:02:00.000+01:00

Handlestory : Snail of Sysfinders changed his handle from Snail to Megasnail in January 1985, when he discovered that his handle was not unqiue। Apparently, when he obtained a cracked copy of Moon Cresta, he noticed there was a cracker in WYCS (West Yorkshire Cracking Service) with the handle Snail.

Trivia : He did an interview for Magic News back in October 1989; His first groups were Sysfinders and Radius; As a proud Northumbrian, many of the trainers he did would request the use of "a" and "n" instead of "y" and "n".

Other handles used by this scener : Snail (1984 - January 1985)

Cracks listed at Pirates Portal

More here