General Probe - a living archive of the Polish PC demoscene

Problem

The history of the Polish PC demoscene remains scattered across catalogues, files and participants' memories. Young audiences may see an old computer without seeing the collaboration among programmers, graphic artists, musicians and organisers. The local story of General Probe in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski needs an accessible account.

Goal

Preserve the history of General Probe from 1995-1997 and share it as a living creative practice.

Solution

With a museum, cultural centre or school, we will create a small room featuring a loop of the intro Why and a General Probe invitation, a timeline of the three gatherings, and credits for Adrar Design and Absence. An accompanying conversation will explain how original productions were made and how teams worked within hardware limits.

How it works

map[items:[We verify sources, authorship and screening permissions. We prepare a loop of Why and one General Probe invitation. We add a timeline, credits and local context. We host a conversation about teamwork and creators' gatherings.] title:How it works]

Your role

• Scene witness and oral-history contributor
• Computing, graphics or music educator
• Exhibition and screening host
• Archive and documentation volunteer
• Institutional partner providing a room

General Probe is a living archive of three creators’ gatherings held in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski from 1995 to 1997. The exhibition combines archived intros and invitations with a timeline, group credits and a conversation about how code, graphics, music and event organisation met in one production.

The first module includes the intro Why, one General Probe invitation and catalogue sources from Demozoo and pouët.net. We do not offer binaries for download. Every public screening requires verified rights and permissions.

The project connects with Living Memory and Digital Heritage 3D: a local story gains sources, witnesses and a format that can be shared with another generation.