Zap!
01-17-2009, 06:39 PM
As many of you know, starting in 1991 (with the September/October issue), I was the editor of a classic gaming fanzine called Zap! The last "official" issue was issue #7, the the November/December issue, but there was a "prototype" of issue #8 saved on an Atari ST floppy disk, about 60% completed. Anyway, all of the issues were printed on a dot matrix printer, and the program I used had no spelling check (and I was an awful speller then). The exciting news I have is that I am pulling a George Lucas - digitally remastering every issue! However, unlike what Lucas did to Star Wars by adding in extras, I'm keeping the original intact, right down to my old address and opinions that I had as an 18 year old.
It was no easy task. Although I found a PC program that uses the same .DTP files I saved on floppy disk, the translation was far from perfect. I had to move things from here to there, re-fit many words, etc. In hopes of keeping it true to form, I left it all the same. The only difference is that I corrected all the spelling and grammar errors, and each issue looks far-superior due to the fact it was now printed on my Epson Artisan 800 printer. When Zap! started, 7 issues went out, although issue #7 appears to be rare. Many people tell me they only have the first 6. Now, back to the unfinished issue number 8. I found a collection of stuff I had written in the 90's, and added it to complete it. Besides that, I just copied the Classified Ads section from issue #7. It is a very good issue, it just has less clip art than other issues.
I am in the final stages of tweeking. It essentially is ready now, I'm just going over everything because I am a perfectionist.
I will be offering all 8 issues in the coming days. I certainly won't charge anyone, just something to cover shipping and ink (the new printer eats ink faster than the dot matrix!) I will also be down to the DP store some time next week to give Joe the issues personally. If any of my old subscribers remember Zap!, let me know. I'm looking for old subscribers and pen pals from the past.
It was no easy task. Although I found a PC program that uses the same .DTP files I saved on floppy disk, the translation was far from perfect. I had to move things from here to there, re-fit many words, etc. In hopes of keeping it true to form, I left it all the same. The only difference is that I corrected all the spelling and grammar errors, and each issue looks far-superior due to the fact it was now printed on my Epson Artisan 800 printer. When Zap! started, 7 issues went out, although issue #7 appears to be rare. Many people tell me they only have the first 6. Now, back to the unfinished issue number 8. I found a collection of stuff I had written in the 90's, and added it to complete it. Besides that, I just copied the Classified Ads section from issue #7. It is a very good issue, it just has less clip art than other issues.
I am in the final stages of tweeking. It essentially is ready now, I'm just going over everything because I am a perfectionist.
I will be offering all 8 issues in the coming days. I certainly won't charge anyone, just something to cover shipping and ink (the new printer eats ink faster than the dot matrix!) I will also be down to the DP store some time next week to give Joe the issues personally. If any of my old subscribers remember Zap!, let me know. I'm looking for old subscribers and pen pals from the past.