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Calypso / Sound and Vision,
Eternal,
Fantastic 4 Cracking Group,
Crystal,
Topaz Beerline,
Amnesia,
Alpha Flight 1970
Added on January 10th, 2004 (7939 views)
www.c64.com?type=3&id=98
Tell us something about yourself.
My real name is Terry. I was born 30 years ago in Arnhem/Holland where I still live only now together with my girlfriend Manuela. I've been working as an electric motor engineer for the past eight years. Concerning computing, I'm not doing anything fancy these days. Just a game once a while, surf the net, and that's it basically. Besides that I teach a martial art called Shaolin Kempo. I have a small Kempo school of my own.
What handle(s) did you use and how did you come up with it/them?
Through the years I had a few handles, but I can't remember the all. A few that come up are: Crazysoft (like in those days, everyone had a handle ending with 'soft' ;-)), EAS (Extacy Art System) and then Calypso, which I used over the biggest part in my scene career. The name was taken from the French Sea-explorer Jacques Cousteau ship with the same name.
What group(s) were you in?
There were several, but I can't recall them all and in correct order, but here's the list: Sound And Vision, Eternal (built by ex-members of SAV), F4CG, Crystal, Topaz Beerline, Amnesia and Alpha Flight 1970.
What roles have you fulfilled?
My main task, as most know, was mega swapper. At the top I was swapping with over 325 people worldwide. Besides that I did some intro coding, cracking, logo painting and NTSC fixing. Oh, and I was a guest editor for the Gamer's Guide, a task to be proud of really!
How long were you active for?
Pff... Those years... What were they!? I really can't recall. But they sure were the best ever!
Tell us about those years and how you got into the scene in the first place.
Starting was hard in those days I think. You needed to bring something special to the scene to get accepted. I used to be in a small unknown group with some local friends. One day I went to a copy-party in Nijmegen, a city nearby. There I met Wizvis (later Prophecy/Amnesia) and we started talking and came to the conclusion that he was in need of a graphic artist for his crew Sound and Vision. I did some test graphics for the group, and I got accepted in the crew. So after I did some graphics, and Wizvis coded some intros, I started contacting people. Not much replies at first, but later on some people actually did send back! Wow! Later I met many people at the well known Venlo meetings and so the ball started rolling.
Describe a typical day for you in front of the computer.
Very different. In the beginning I spent a lot of time painting and later on the swapping part obviously took over. I used to reply the same day, so that took the biggest part of the daily C64 activities. Still, I always managed to find some time to do some cracking, fixing or whatever. I suppose I spent way too much time behind the C64 every day, but I would do it the exact same way again if I could do it all over again!
Did you personally invent any special techniques or tools to make things easier for you?
Not that I can remember.
When you look at what you did back then, what are you most proud of?
Keeping a true and close friendship with many people worldwide. Some close friends these days come from the C64 scene. Activity wise: that I managed to be active in many parts of the scene, being it swapping, cracking, painting etc.
Who were your heroes on the scene and why?
I never had any real heroes. I did and still have deep respect for many of the sceners that actually were coding a great styled demo, painting great graphics or doing fabulous music. In all these parts, there are true masters to be found among the C64 scene.
What, for you, was the coolest thing ever invented on the C64?
Every new invention was a great one, and made a difference. But if to mention one tool: Turbo Assembler.
Did you go to any copy-parties, meetings or tradeshows?
Yes I did. As mentioned earlier, I was a regular visitor of the Venlo meetings, but I went to The Party in Denmark three times. I was also present at several Silicon Ltd parties.
In your opinion, what was the scene all about?
Having a great time with your friends. Not just on the screen, but also in real life!
What were the particular highlights for you?
Personal parties with the Amnesia gang, the parties in Denmark and getting the first place in the swapper charts for the very first time. Man, that was a blast! ;-) Demo wise there have been too many but I never did like those record breaking demos, with absolutely no style. A demo should look styled, and taken care of, not just that one routine. The perfect example was of course Dutch Breeze by Black Mail.
Any cool stories to share with us?
Pff, too many... We all have our own, but they live inside our minds.
Are you still in contact with any old C64 people today?
Not really, just a few personal friends. Besides them, I occasionally speak to some old sceners on IRC.
When did you get your C64 and do you still have it lying around somewhere?
When I got it is really impossible for me to remember. I've had it nearly as long as I can remember, and yes, I still have it!
Was the C64 really as special as we like to think it was?
We all made it that special. So yes, it was.
When can we expect to see some new C64 output from you? :)
Sorry, but I don't see that happening again.
Do you have a message for your old contacts and/or anyone reading this?
Thanks to everyone out there for giving me a number of great years in the best possible place to be! Greets to all of you out there who used to be in contact with me. Be sure to meet me on the IRC channel #c-64. Cheers!
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