• Tag Archives Amstrad

  • Amstrad Computer User (January 1990)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source:

    While the Amstrad CPC was virtually unheard of in the U.S., it was a popular computer in the U.K. from the mid 1980s into the early 1990s. While there were several variants, they were all based on a 4 MHz Z80 processor and most commonly had 64KB to 12KB of RAM and a built-in cassette or 3-inch disk drive. Amstrad Computer User was one of the magazines dedicated to these machines. The January 1990 issue includes:

    Regulars

    • Letters – Letters from readers about splitting the screen into two modes, fractal landscapes, typing in programs, building a robot, and more.
    • News – Sexism in software; Darius+; the new Delta 2000 joystick; Page Publisher, a new desktop publishing package released; Verran AC Datalink; and more.
    • Competition – Win several Ghostbusters themed items by answering a few simple questions about the movies.
    • Combat Zone – A look at upcoming arcade games including Exterminator (Gotlieb), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Konami), Special Criminal Investigations (Taito), Mechanized Attack (SNK), and Line of Fire (Sega).
    • 10 Liners – Short type-in programs to create a TV static effect, a robot race, a disk management program, and a morse code converter.
    • Microscope – Capturing and printing out images with the CPC.
    • Gameplan – Reviews of games including Ghouls ‘N’ Ghosts, Dynamite Dux, After the War, Sporting Triangles, Star Wars Trilogy, Mutant Fortress, and Spaceghost.
    • Hints and Tips – Tips, tricks, and cheats for License to Kill, APB, Shinobi, Bards Tale, Archon, Skate or Die, Arctic Fox, Total Eclipse, Dizzy II, and much more.
    • Auntie John – A technique for reducing a 16K image to only 8K.
    • Comms – An introduction to the world of the BBS.

    Features

    • Sprites Alive – A review of a software package that allows you to generate your own sprites.
    • Ledger – A review to an update of General Ledger 6128, a computerized book-keeping program for the Amstrad CPC from SD Microsystems.
    • Fractals – The final part of a three part series on fractals. This part relates to generating landscapes.

    …and more!


    📂This entry was posted in Computer Arcana 📎and tagged

  • Amstrad Computer User (January 1992)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Amstrad Computer User – January 1992

    The Amstrad CPC line of computers was Z80 base and could run AMDOS or CP/M. It was popular in the U.K. and some other parts of Europe. Amstrad Computer User is a magazine that was published in the U.K. dedicated to these machines. 1992 was near end of life for these computers as well as this magazine. The January 1992 issue includes:

    Regulars

    • News – New formula one racing game with Nigel Mansell’s name on it; new Foot Pedal controller; results of a computer fair survey; and more.
    • Letters – Letters from readers about troubleshooting CPC 6128 problems, creating a loading screen, Amstrad related books, CPC production questions, the FD-1 disk drive, and more.
    • 10-Liners – Short type-in programs for making the CPC play Auld Lang Syne, testing your piano skills, converting between hex, decimal and binary, displaying a clock on your screen, and more.
    • PD Scene – A look at some of the latest devolpments in public domain software for the CPC including the fact that some titles now cost money. Also, a look at various libraries of public domain software.
    • Adventure – A look at some of the latest adventure related products available for the CPC including some books on the subject as well as a review for Crispin Crunchy, tips and hints for Scrolls of Wisdom, request for help from readers, and more.
    • Bomb Alley – Reviews of some of the latest games including Space Crusade, Final Fight, Movie Premiere (includes four games: Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles, Back to the Future 2, Days of Thunder, and Gremlins 2), Super Sega (a compilation including Shinobi, Crackdown, Golden Axe, E-SWAT, and Super Monaco GP), G-Loc, and Capcom Collection (includes US Squadron, LED Storm, Strider and Strider II). Also, reviews of budget games (usuall re-releases) including Batman, Turrican, Heroes of the Lance, and X-Out.
    • Hairy Hacker – Hacks for various games including Fast Food, Shinobi, R-Type, Combat School, and Elite. These POKEs and short program provide things line infinite lives, infinite credist indestructibility, etc.
    • Easydraw – Additional modules for a continuing series that provides a type-in art program. This month modules for erasing and creating shapes are included.
    • Listing – A type-in Pac-Man clone called, creatively, Paclone.
    • Applications – Advice on transferring data from the CPC to a PC, printer problems, using OCP Art Studio, and more.
    • Comms – A how-to guide for electronic mail on the CPC.

    Features

    • Stick up – Part 2 of a joystick round-up. This part includes a look at the Sureshot Supreme, the Terminator, the Cruiser, the Zipstick Super Pro, the Sureshot Command Module, and the Sureshot Standard.
    • Moving Parts – A guide to using BASIC on the CPC to create animation.
    • Kitting Out – A do-it-yourself guide for building your own joystick.

    …and more!


    📂This entry was posted in Computer Arcana 📎and tagged