Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!hao!hplabs!sri-unix!Tyson@SRI-AI.ARPA
From: Tyson@SRI-AI.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Commodore 64 problems
Message-ID: <2650@sri-arpa.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 29-Jun-83 16:13:48 EDT
Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.2650
Posted: Wed Jun 29 16:13:48 1983
Date-Received: Sat, 2-Jul-83 07:17:54 EDT
Lines: 36

From:  Mabry Tyson 

A few days ago I reported a problem I was having using different colors for
text on a new C-64.  One person reported having had the problem but not
having it after getting a replacement.  Another person indicated he has
the problem.  A couple of others reported they did not have the problem.

I went to a Commodore Computer Center today and asked the person on duty.
He didn't seem to be technically proficient (ie, a salesman probably) but
he said, yes, they do have the problem and there is nothing I can do about
it!  He demonstrated it on a Hitatchi TV and a color monitor.  As he says,
there is something in the programmers manual (available for separate
purchase only) that indicates this problem - but of course they say it
is the TV's fault.

I am quite disappointed in this misfeature, nay, BUG.  I feel I was misled
by advertising that the C-64 has 16 colors of text.  It may, but only a few
(2?) are usable as continuous text.  I suppose I could complain and get my
money refunded.  However I wanted to warn other potential C64 buyers.

A couple of other gripes I have:  The manual that comes with the machine
does not even acknowledge the existence of any plotting (hi res) ability.
It only indicates that you can put text on the screen.
	The demo programs are all without spaces.  Now maybe in some
time or space critical program this is necessary (it isn't on the Atari)
but in an introductory user's manual???!!!  (eg, 10 FORT=ATOM)
	I typed in 3 demo programs (from the section on sound).  All 3 had
typos!

(P.S.  I have never seen this problem with any of the 128 colors possible
on my Atari 800 although I doubt I have tried every one for text.  Specifically,
I don't know if the colors that give the problems on the C64 are colors
available on the Atari.  Unfortunately, the Atari doesn't show more than
4 colors of text on the screen at once without some hacking.  Even then,
more than 4 colors on any scan line requires a lot of hacking.)
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