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OTD / JEDI 2001
Added on October 13th, 2005 (9876 views)
www.c64.com?type=3&id=178
Tell us something about yourself.
Oliver T. Dietz a.k.a. OTD, 42 years old, Stuttgart, 26.12.1962, now living in Dreieich, still working with computers as a freelancer, currently Storage Area Networks at T-Systems. Interests? Relaxing.
What handle(s) did you use and how did you come up with it/them?
Love handles.
What group(s) were you in?
My synonym was OTD and I was in a group called JEDI 2001 formed out of Oliver Joppich (J, also known as 1103 (his birthday)), Oliver Eickemeier (E, also known as Oleander, one was in his "Kinderzimmer")
and Oliver Dietz (DI). 2001 seems to be some data from far into the future... We were thinking of a name that more represented our identical names O3 or Ozone, but the force was with us, and it still is. I have no contact with the others.
What roles have you fulfilled?
I coded a lot: a software floppy-speeder called C64 DOS which became Listing of the Month in C64:er, a floppy-speeder with hardware called Prologic DOS, a game called Scanner released by Markt & Technik, a copy utility called Dubber, a packing utility called Packer, plus another utility called Linker that I’ve forgot what it was good for. ;-)
How long were you active for?
Approx 1977-87.
Tell us about those years and how you got into the scene in the first place.
There was a computer room in my school with a CBM 3032 and an Olivetti p6060 computer. I stayed there for hours after school just programming away. That was the start of everything. I then bought a C64 and later a 1541 and started to study physics at the University, but stayed at home to program the various floppy speeders and utilities instead.
Describe a typical day for you in front of the computer.
I got up at 7 o’clock when my mum left home. I then coded for eight hours straight. When she came back, I had to change clothes really fast because I was still often wearing my pyjama. I was supposed to go to the University to study physics. At least that’s what I told her…
Did you personally invent any special techniques or tools to make things easier for you?
I de-coded a hole block in real-time during reading and writing. Not first read in the buffer and then de-code.
When you look at what you did back then, what are you most proud of?
Programming assembler.
Who were your heroes on the scene and why?
I had no heroes, but in the early days of computing, there were a lot of good programmers.
What, for you, was the coolest thing ever invented on the C64?
A game called M.U.L.E.
Did you go to any copy-parties, meetings or tradeshows?
CeBIT and a few copy-parties, but mostly local meetings in Frankfurt.
In your opinion, what was the scene all about?
Having a good time.
What were the particular highlights for you?
Waiting for the release of Zaxxon (like Duke Nukem Forever).
Any cool stories to share with us?
I had no girlfriend during my C64 days and I didn’t spend my time watching TV, and that was cool. Actually, everything was very cool because it was so new and every day was a new experience.
Are you still in contact with any old C64 people today?
I’m in contact with Thomas Tempelmann and a few others, but that's about it.
When did you get your C64 and do you still have it lying around somewhere?
Yes I have and I will never give it away!
Was the C64 really as special as we like to think it was?
Yes, because it was a great beginning for many things to come. Even the games companies were cool. Everyone who was involved tried to be as productive as he could.
When can we expect to see some new C64 output from you? :)
Sorry, no. My last project is a son called Marvi Jan taking all the free time that I have (and that's good).
Do you have a message for your old contacts and/or anyone reading this?
Free your mind and the rest will follow!
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