Interviews
Interview with Nightwriter & Count Zero
Published in Domination #15
Performed by Jazzcat
Most of the boards callers from the 90s definitely had a connect with the BBS called Forplay.
In the chapter, Domination managed to discuss these old times with the SYSOP and COSYSOP of the Forplay BBS. During this time, both Nightwriter and Count Zero were members of Red Sector Inc.
Nightwriter
J)
Welcome to the Domination magazine guys, this special edition of the mag we will be focusing on the cracking and BBS scenes only. Please introduce yourself to the audience out there.
N)
BBS baby sitter
C)
Cracker, Fixer, Coder, Bugger
J)
As a caller to Forplay, I really did experience a nice BBS. Cool graphics, user list and I loved the Villain-modded version of C*Base that was used - where you could choose between C*Base and UCBBS modes. If possible can you tell the audience what groups you have both been in and some things concerning the BBS.
N)
I don't even remember how many groups I was in. Here are some: RSI, FBR, Intense, ATC, Action...
I would say the highlight of my career was 4Play with Count Zero finally getting it worldwide recognition.
C)
Concerning the BBS, for the UC and C*Base part, Villain has to be given credit mostly. Basically it was just two sets of C/G files making up UC or C*Base...
I did some further mods, as you know, but we never made it to the 2 gig streamer with 64 warez, which Nightwriter had in the basement. Nevertheless it was fun modding the slight bits we had there...
Count Zero
J)
What are some of the other boards you called and which ones did you dislike and which ones did you respect?
N)
Downtown which is in Holland and sysop was Bambam. I never phreaked... always paid for my calls.
J)
BBS gfx artists are something that has faded away from the scene, I remember Chameleon and some others, who do you remember and who was your favourite?
N)
My favourite artist was David Hartman from St. Louis, MO. He won a lot of awards from USA magazines for his art.
J)
What are your activities these days?
N)
I am trying to get a site together now with Burglar... but I am interested in anyone that has software to be run and tested as a site.
J)
Any regrets in the scene ever?
N)
No, not really... had a good time meeting a lot of people.
J)
Most old-school sceners from the cracking scene have been involved in a war. What were some of the bigger wars you witnessed or were involved in and what were they like?
N)
I know Gene of Illusion... he was voted most hated and most liked in the same month. Gene is a war in himself. He was a blast.
J)
What is your definition of lame and elite?
N)
LAME- no respect
ELITE - respect
J)
What impressed you most about the 64?
N)
Such an inexpensive computer could do so much.
Nightwriter's favourites on C64
Demo group: Contex
Coder: Probably again Cyclerburner
Musician: Vibrants - Laxity "The Alibi"
Graphician: Again, David Hartman
Game: Mr. Do
Cracking Group: ATC
Cracker: Pudwerx
Importing Group: ATC with ILLUSION
BBS: The Forum (Pudwerx's UCbbs)
NTSC Fixer: Again, Pudwerx did fine on that... but Zsolt of North East Crackers has to be mentioned even though it always the competition.
J)
What’s your view on the internet?
N)
I really think people need a BBS so they have a safe haven to share files, good times, and to talk about today's happenings.
J)
How would you describe the differences between the scene personalities of USA and EUROPE?
N)
USA are more loaners and generally spend more money on the scene. I'd like to say EUROS seem to work better and spend less, but have more.
J)
What’s your view on the hacking and phreaking scene in the 80s and 90s and how did it affect your BBS or even personal life?
N)
Many times AT&T, Sprint, and MCI called wondering about why so many Euros called my system... I just told them that as far I knew all calls were paid for and no, I didn't keep logs on times the system was called.
J)
Do you still own a C64 and your disks stashed away some where?
N)
Yes, I have 5 C64's, some old SFD drives, and about 50 kilo of C64 disks.
J)
Please feel free to say hello to everybody you know...
N)
I'd just like to say hi to everybody that called my BBS.
J)
Thanks for your time George and Andreas! Any last comments for the readers?
N)
When taking a bow, be careful not to expose your backside!!!
Nightwriter & Count Zero
Published in Domination #15
Performed by Jazzcat
Most of the boards callers from the 90s definitely had a connect with the BBS called Forplay.
In the chapter, Domination managed to discuss these old times with the SYSOP and COSYSOP of the Forplay BBS. During this time, both Nightwriter and Count Zero were members of Red Sector Inc.
Nightwriter
Welcome to the Domination magazine guys, this special edition of the mag we will be focusing on the cracking and BBS scenes only. Please introduce yourself to the audience out there.
N)
BBS baby sitter
C)
Cracker, Fixer, Coder, Bugger
J)
As a caller to Forplay, I really did experience a nice BBS. Cool graphics, user list and I loved the Villain-modded version of C*Base that was used - where you could choose between C*Base and UCBBS modes. If possible can you tell the audience what groups you have both been in and some things concerning the BBS.
N)
I don't even remember how many groups I was in. Here are some: RSI, FBR, Intense, ATC, Action...
I would say the highlight of my career was 4Play with Count Zero finally getting it worldwide recognition.
C)
Concerning the BBS, for the UC and C*Base part, Villain has to be given credit mostly. Basically it was just two sets of C/G files making up UC or C*Base...
I did some further mods, as you know, but we never made it to the 2 gig streamer with 64 warez, which Nightwriter had in the basement. Nevertheless it was fun modding the slight bits we had there...
Count Zero
What are some of the other boards you called and which ones did you dislike and which ones did you respect?
N)
Downtown which is in Holland and sysop was Bambam. I never phreaked... always paid for my calls.
J)
BBS gfx artists are something that has faded away from the scene, I remember Chameleon and some others, who do you remember and who was your favourite?
N)
My favourite artist was David Hartman from St. Louis, MO. He won a lot of awards from USA magazines for his art.
J)
What are your activities these days?
N)
I am trying to get a site together now with Burglar... but I am interested in anyone that has software to be run and tested as a site.
J)
Any regrets in the scene ever?
N)
No, not really... had a good time meeting a lot of people.
J)
Most old-school sceners from the cracking scene have been involved in a war. What were some of the bigger wars you witnessed or were involved in and what were they like?
N)
I know Gene of Illusion... he was voted most hated and most liked in the same month. Gene is a war in himself. He was a blast.
J)
What is your definition of lame and elite?
N)
LAME- no respect
ELITE - respect
J)
What impressed you most about the 64?
N)
Such an inexpensive computer could do so much.
Nightwriter's favourites on C64
Demo group: Contex
Coder: Probably again Cyclerburner
Musician: Vibrants - Laxity "The Alibi"
Graphician: Again, David Hartman
Game: Mr. Do
Cracking Group: ATC
Cracker: Pudwerx
Importing Group: ATC with ILLUSION
BBS: The Forum (Pudwerx's UCbbs)
NTSC Fixer: Again, Pudwerx did fine on that... but Zsolt of North East Crackers has to be mentioned even though it always the competition.
J)
What’s your view on the internet?
N)
I really think people need a BBS so they have a safe haven to share files, good times, and to talk about today's happenings.
J)
How would you describe the differences between the scene personalities of USA and EUROPE?
N)
USA are more loaners and generally spend more money on the scene. I'd like to say EUROS seem to work better and spend less, but have more.
J)
What’s your view on the hacking and phreaking scene in the 80s and 90s and how did it affect your BBS or even personal life?
N)
Many times AT&T, Sprint, and MCI called wondering about why so many Euros called my system... I just told them that as far I knew all calls were paid for and no, I didn't keep logs on times the system was called.
J)
Do you still own a C64 and your disks stashed away some where?
N)
Yes, I have 5 C64's, some old SFD drives, and about 50 kilo of C64 disks.
J)
Please feel free to say hello to everybody you know...
N)
I'd just like to say hi to everybody that called my BBS.
J)
Thanks for your time George and Andreas! Any last comments for the readers?
N)
When taking a bow, be careful not to expose your backside!!!
Nightwriter & Count Zero