Megalextoria

Source: Family Computing – Issue Number 7 – March 1984

Family Computing was an early, family oriented computer magazine. Many magazines of the time were oriented towards more technical users. This one had more mainstream appeal, especially for younger computer users. The March 1984 issue includes:

Features

• The Computer: A New Tool for the Garden – A seasoned backyard gardener shares his foolproof technique that could increase your garden’s productivity. Plus: Some time and task managers for your computer.
• Soup’s On-Line – A harvest of healthy software to bring order and nutritional awareness to your kitchen.
• Users’ Groups: Strength in Numbers – Where to find answers to your computer questions? There are hundreds of machine-specific users’ groups throughout the country to guide you.
• Rendevous With A Robot – With rapid advancements in robotics, your dream ‘droid may become a part of your family sooner than you think. Find out what it’s like to live with a ‘droid of your own.
• The World Is Your Oyster – Used together, your computer, a phone line, and a modem can connect you with an extraordinary range of services, games, and information. It’s called telecomputing.
• Buyers’ Guide to Modems

– An update of direct-connect modems and acoustic couplers, and capsule reviews of popular modems. Plus: Telecommunications software – three ways to get it.

• She Just Keeps Scrolling Along – Carol Shaw, the creator of the best-selling game River Raid, has more on the way. She discusses the ups and downs of game design.
• How to Build a Computer Carrel – Solve your where-to-put-it problem. Follow our 15 step-by-step instructions on how to build a “Murphy Bed” for your computer.

Programming

• The Programmer – For enthusiasts of all levels.
• Spring Programs – Play a game of Musical Chairs, create the First Bloom of spring while snow’s still on the ground, plan your savings and purchases with the Kids’ Allowance Planner with programs for ADAM, Apple, Atari, Commodore 64 and VIC-20, IBM, TI, Timex, and TRS-80 computers.
• Reader-Written Program – Test your logic and patience with this game of balance.

Products

• What’s In Store – A dozen pages of product announcements and reviews.
• New Hardware Announcements – The latest in the field: the Apricot computer; Apple’s new direct-connect modem; Wico’s joystick; Alphacom, Canon and Smith-Corona printers; and more.
• Novelties and Notions – A compendium of computer-related items including a microchip jigsaw puzzle, a classy disk filer, Computer Buff bumperstickers and pins, and more.
• Software Guide – Quick takes on two dozen new and noteworthy programs
• Software Reviews

Departments

• Home School Connection – To become computer-literate you need to master some basic skills – one of these is typing. Plus: A Guide to Typing Programs
• Games – Adventure, strategy, hybrid, and arcade games: To shoot-’em-up or not to shoot-’em-up?
• Home Business – A father-son computer repair team sets up shop in the Rockies.
• Computing Clinic – Questions from readers are answered.

…and more!