A United Demoscene
by zYX/a51

[alan@a51.org.uk - http://www.a51.org.uk]


Ever noticed how sceners tend to find their particular 
"niche" and then become oblivious to the world around 
them. Well, when I say niche I'm really talking about the 
machine they use. There has always seemed to be an unwritten 
rule that if you belong to a specific scene then you shouldn't 
have anything to do with other scenes. Even to the point of 
actively slagging off other sceners if you are that narrow minded,
and there are still a lot of those people about!

Thankfully, most demosceners are relatively mature and intelligent 
people so that isn't so much of a problem as on the warez and 
cracking scene. I would even go as far as to say that this 
situation is resolving itself in a small way, in that the gap
between the PC and Amiga demoscenes is closing. The reason for 
this could be accounted for by the massive influx of Amiga scene 
guys moving onto the PC. Not so much because they now "hate" the 
Amiga - they still love their girlfriend but need a mistress with 
some impressive new bits to play with! ;p

Groups such as Haujobb are actively producing on both Amiga and PC. 
This is exactly, in my opinion, how the demoscene should be evolving.

It's a start though, and that's ALL it is! There is more to the 
global demoscene than the Amiga and PC. The C64 demoscene? Yeah, 
a very good example! There is also the ZX demoscene (ie. ZX Spectrum). 
Most Amiga and PC guys seem to be totally unaware of this scene. 
It may be tiny compared to the more popular machines but there 
are some very impressive demos being produced. For those seeking
proof and enlightenment visit: http://www.zxdemo.org

The point I'm making is that there are many demoscenes that are 
largely being ignored by all but those that are involved within 
them. Demo parties are currently the only "scene media" that 
transcends platform. Guys from just about every popular scene 
converge on a location and raise hell (in a good way!) and have 
fun! So why shouldn't that philosophy be applied to the whole 
demoscene:-

* Swappers/traders can distribute productions for ANY machine.
* Article writers can make texts for diskmagazines on ANY machine.
* Coders may only code for one machine but they can greet ANY demoscene groups!


It goes on! Even if you don't have the time to contribute to 
another scene at least acknowledge it's existence.

It may be an ancient slogan but it's message is as important 
today as it was fifteen years ago....

"FRIENDSHIP RULEZ!"