• Tag Archives Apple II

  • Compute! (March 1982)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Compute! – March 1982

    Compute! was an early multi-format computer magazine that prospered from the early 1980s until the early 1990s. In 1982, computers such as the Commodore PET, VIC-20, Atari 400/800 and Apple II were covered among others. The March 1982 issue includes:

    Features

    • The Winter of Our Content: A Report on the January Consumer Electronics Show – There was an impressive line-up of new products revealed at this CES including the Commodore Ultimax, Commodore 64, Bally Astrocade plus the official home version of Pac-Man was released among many other items.
    • Twenty Questions Revisited – A type-in program for a computerized version of twenty questions.
    • Energy Workbook – A type-in program to help you determine the best improvements you can make to your home to increase energy efficiency.
    • Two Short Programs of CAI for Teaching BASIC – I was trying to work out what CAI even stands for. Computer Aided Intelligence maybe?
    • Infinite Precision Multiply – Normally, the Commodore PET has 9 digits of precision for mathematical operations. This program gets around that limitation.
    • More About Numbers – Proving Ulam’s Conjecture and the 6174 problem.
    • Word Hunt – A type in program to generate word hunt games in a 10 by 10 letter matrix.
    • Count the Hearts – A type-in counting game for kids for the VIC-20.

    Education and Recreation

    • Family: A Simulation in Genetics – A type-in program for the PET that demonstrates heredity with a hypothetical Martian couple.
    • Large Alphabet for the VIC – Generating a double size character set on the VIC-20.
    • Concentration – A type-in game based on the classic card game, Concentration.
    • Comment Your Catalog – A program to add comments to disk directory listings on you Atari 8-bit computer.
    • Starfight3 – Involves Klingons and the Enterprise. Sounds suspiciously like Star Trek to me? For the VIC-20.
    • Swirl and Scribble Two type-in Atari programs. The first generates various swirl patterns on the screen. The second is a simple drawing program that can be used with a joystick.
    • WEBS – A type-in game for the PET.

    Reviews

    • Votrax Type ‘N Talk: TNT – A simple to program speech synthesizer that works with various computers via an RS-232 interface…for $375.
    • Olympia’s ES 100 KRO Typewriter/Printer – An typewriter that also works as a printer (or is it the other way around?). It isn’t cheap though at $1680.
    • RPL: A FORTH Sequel? – RPL is a FORTH-like computer programming language. Versions for PET/CBM machines are looked at here.
    • Ricochet – An odd combo of checkers and pool by Automated Simulations (which would later become Epyx) for the Apple II, Atari 8-bit and TRS-80.
    • Atari Microsoft BASIC (Part I) – The first part of a three part review of Microsoft BASIC for Atari 8-bit computers.

    Columns/Departments

    • The Editor’s Notes – Editorial commentary on the new format of the magazine, the importance of reader feedback, and more.
    • Ask The Readers – Various question and answers about Atari BASIC, support for the 6502 processor, programming, and more.
    • Computers And Society – The merging of technology and art from lasers, to cameras to computers.
    • The Beginner’s Page: How Computers Remember – A discussion of computer memory and how it works.
    • Basically Useful BASIC: Tabulation – A subroutine for justifying text the way you want in BASIC.
    • Learning With Computers: Word Processing In The Classroom – Even as early as 1982 computers were being used in the classroom and word processing was one of the first truly useful applications. This article discusses using word processors to make the physical act of writing easier so more attention can be paid to the creative aspects.
    • Friends Of The Turtle – Drawing using Atari PILOT.
    • Telecommunications: MODEM Applications – A discussion of Computerized Bulletin Boards (BBS), multiuser systems (time-share computer systems), and more.
    • Machine Language: Loops and Quality – Creating efficient and reliable loops in machine language.
    • Insight: Atari – Using interrupts on Atari 8-bit computers.

    The Journal

    • Disk Checkout For 2040, 4040, and 8050 Disks – Part 1 of 2. This part discusses manipulating disks/disk drives via machine language.
    • Organizing Data Storage – Sequential vs. Random files.
    • Machine Language Sort Utility – An efficient, machine language sorting routine. Why machine language? The fastest BASIC sort of 200 records in this test was 8 minutes but only 3 seconds for Machine Language.
    • Dynamic Renumber – A program to renumber your BASIC programs.
    • Disk Data Structures: An Interactive Tutorial – The details on how data is structured on a disk.
    • Apple Addresses – Addressing memory in machine language, BASIC floating point and BASIC integer on Apple II computers.
    • More VIC Maps – A discussion on VIC-20 memory maps continued from the previous issue.
    • EPROM Reliability – A detailed analysis for determining EPROM reliability focusing on the 2708 EPROM.
    • Random Music Composition On The PET – A type-in program for generating random music on the PET with various parameters that can be easily changed.
    • Ghost Programming – A method for running many BASIC programs that normally require 24 or 32K of RAM on an Atari with only 16K.
    • BASIC 4.0 To Upgrade Conversion Kit – Converting BASIC 4.0 programs to run on PETs that have been upgraded.
    • Screen Save Routine – A type in program routine for capturing a screen and saving it to disk.
    • A Superboard II Monitor (Part I) – An improved, faster monitor for the Superboard II.
    • New Products – New products mentioned include the VICMODEM, a 300 baud modem for the VIC-20 for $109.95; MatheMagic which turns your computer into a programmable calculator; Scratchpad, mailing list software for Commodore computers; Dragon’s Eye, a fantasy role-playing game for the Atari 400/800 by Epyx; several new Atari 8-bit games and applications including Pac-Man, Centipede, Caverns of Mars, The Bookkeeper and The Home Filing Manager; and more.

    …and more!


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  • Compute! (April 1983)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Computer & Video Game Magazines – Compute! – Issue Number 35 – April 1983

    Compute! was one of the most popular multi-format computer magazines of the 1980s. It covered mostly the popular 8-bit home computers of the time including the VIC-20, Commodore 64, TRS-80 Color Computer, Apple II, Atari 400/800, TI-99/4A, etc. Compute! also produced the very popular Commodore specific Compute!’s Gazette and a number of other computer specific publications. At more than 288 pages, the April 1983 issue of Compute! had a LOT in it, including:

    Features

    • Selecting The Right Word Processor – An overview of what a word processor is and what features you should look for. Some of these features include things like Block Move, Headers/Footers and Page-Numbering among other things. There are no actual product reviews in this article.
    • Air Defense – A type in program for a game similar to Missile Command. It is in BASIC and was designed to work with the VIC-20, Atari 400/800, TRS-80 Color Computer, Apple II, TI-99/4A, and PET/CBM.
    • VIC Editype: A Text Editing And Storage Program – A type-in program for the VIC-20. VIC Editype is basically a mini word processing program. Word processing seems to be the theme in this month’s issue.
    • Scriptor: An Atari Word Processor – A somewhat more advanced type-in word processor for the Atari 400/800 written in both BASIC and machine language.
    • Retirement Planner – This type-in program asks you a few questions and then helps you determine how much you should save/invest for retirement each year. There are versions here for the VIC-20, Apple II, Atari 400/800, TI-99/4A, and TRS-80 Color Computer.

    Education and Recreation

    • Typing Teacher – A type-in program to (ironically) teach you typing. Basically it measures your character speed and word speed by presenting random characters for you to type. There are versions here for the Atari 400/800, VIC-20, TI-99/4A and Apple II.
    • Chutes for Atari – A type in program for the Atari 400/800 that uses 3D graphics or what passed for them then. It reminds me of a very, very primitive Star Fox.
    • Cash Flow Manager – This article consists of instructions to create a monthly cash report and forecast spreadsheet that can be printed in VisiCalc.
    • TI-99 Match-Em – A type-in program for the TI-99/4A for a matching game. This is one of those games where you have to select a square to see what is under it and then guess (or remember) where its match is. Milton Bradley produced a board game version creatively titled “Memory” that was a popular kids game in the 1980s but there have been endless variations.
    • Atari Math Fun – A type-in educational math program for the Atari 400/800. It provides six categories and six skill levels. Honestly doesn’t sound like much fun to me.

    Reviews

    • VIC-20/C64 World Processor: The Quick Brown Fox – A very simple and easy to use word processor for the VIC-20 and Commodore 64 that came in cartridge format.
    • Atari Data Perfect – A database program for the Atari 400/800 described as the most powerful yet for that computer. It was compatible with Letter Perfect (a word processor) making it easy to generate form letters and various record formats.
    • VIC Practi-Calc – Essentially a much cheaper version of VisiCalc but for the VIC-20 and with fewer features.
    • Paperclip Word Processor For PET/CBM – The PET/CBM were more business oriented but this was a popular word processor that was ported to several other computers.
    • Silicon Office for PET – A combination of two applications, a word processing program and a database program. This was a relational database but with its own programming language.
    • Turbocharger For Apple – A program for speeding up DOS commands for the Apple II. It also added the capability of date stamping files.
    • Pathfinder for Atari – A game with a rather bizarre concept. You make your way through a multi-screen maze collecting nuclear waste which gives you energy. Another entity is trying to do the same thing. You must beat him while avoiding his mine-laying friend and phantoms.
    • ZX-81 Home Computer Package For Sinclair/Timex – A package of four programs for the ZX-81/TS-1000. It includes titles that are mostly self explanatory including Etch-A-Screen, Music Composer, Checkbook Balancer and Billboard (scrolls messages across the screen).

    Columns and Departments

    • The Editor’s Notes – This month’s editorial discusses the rapidly falling prices of computers.
    • Readers’ Feedback – Questions and comments from readers about using a TV as a monitor, incompatibilities with Atari’s “Revision B” of their OS, and translating programs to the TI-99/4A among other things.
    • The Beginner’s Page – A column for computer beginners, this month starting a series discussing the various categories of software (music and graphics are covered here).
    • Computers And Society – The best and worst of the Winter CES. The worst was the introduction of x-rated software including games for the Atari 2600, the best (at least according to this article) were games with unique goals. One example given is Choplifter in which you get points for rescuing people as opposed to blowing things up.
    • Questions Beginners Ask – Questions answered about typing in programs and the differences between a TV and a monitor among other topics.
    • Micros With The Handicapped: Developing A Communications Program – Yes, “handicapped” was the politically correct term then even if it isn’t now. Anyway, this is part 4 of a continuing series with type-in programs included for making communication easier.
    • Machine Language: Numeric Input, Part II – The second part of a Jim Butterfield article on inputing decimal numbers with machine language programs.
    • The World Inside the Computer: Children, Computers, And Values – An article that contemplates a child becoming friends with a computer.
    • Friends of the Turtle – Sounds like some kind of secret organization, but no, this is just an article on programming in PILOT, a Logo derivative, on the Atari. Recursion in particular is discussed.
    • Programming the TI: Secondary Education – An article about the secondary education software available for the TI-99/4A.
    • Insight: Atari – Atari 8-bit computer discussion including news about Atari COBOL and a few programming tricks.
    • Extrapolations – A type-in program that lets Apple II users load BASIC programs for PET/CBM computers from tape.

    The Journal

    • Dr. Video – A type-in program for adding additional capabilities to the screen editing abilities of the PET/CBM including the ability to clear the screen above or below the cursor and sending the cursor “home” (to the bottom left of the screen).
    • Atari Filefixer – A type-in program that serves as a tool for editing data files for machine language programs. At least that’s what I think it is for.
    • Using the Atari Word Processor With An Epson Printer – This article describes how to add Epson MX-80 compatibility to the Atari World Processor.
    • Commodore 64 Video – A Guided Tour, Part III – Part 3 of a Jim Butterfield series on the Commodore 64’s video capabilities. This one discusses creating and moving sprites.
    • Update On Sinclair/Times Sound – An update and fixes to a previously published sound program for the Timex 1000/Sinclair ZX-81.
    • Computer Literacy And The Three R’s On The Sinclair/Timex – A series of small type-in programs for the Timex/Sinclair that teach some simple computer literacy and math.
    • Center The VIC Screen – Apparently the VIC-20 screen would sometimes not be centered when displayed on a TV. This small program helps you to center the screen and can be added to your own programs.
    • Applesoft Printer Control – This is a type-in program for making the selection printer mode (typeface, etc.) simpler.
    • Video 80: 80 Columns For The Atari – By default, the Atari 8-bit computers could only display 40 columns of text. This is a type-in program that works as a software solution to increase that to 80. This doesn’t actually increase resolution so the quality won’t be as good as a hardware solution but it was still quite useful.
    • VICword – A type-in program that gives you shortcuts for 52 BASIC commands. For example, it lets you hold down SHIFT and press ‘L’ to type LOAD instead of having to type the whole command.
    • CRAB (Cross Reference For Atari BASIC) – A very short type-in utility that will print a list of all the variable used in a given BASIC program and on which line numbers they appear on.
    • Programming Characters On An Expanded VIC-20 – Defining and using a custom character set on the VIC-20. Memory expansion is needed.
    • Magic Commodore BASIC – BASIC programming tricks for the PET/CBM, VIC-20 and Commodore 64, including invisible lines, backward line numbers, highlighting REM statements and more.
    • Rainbow Atari Graphics – Various techniques for using colors in games on Atari 8-bit computers.
    • VIC Automatic BASIC – A type-in program for creating text animation and prompts that can be used in your own programs.
    • Tester – A simple program for the TRS-80 that can be used for testing. Essentially, it asks a series of questions and gives multiple choice answers then grades you. It can easily modified with your own questions.
    • Estimating TI-99 Memory – Memory was highly constrained in old 8-bit computers and it was easy to run out of it. This article gives you some techniques to estimate the array sizes you can use.
    • Commodore Structure-BASIC – A program for simulating structured programming on Commodore computers.
    • Hexedit: A BASIC Hex Editor For The VIC – A type-in program that lets you do hexadecimal-decimal conversion and to create machine language programs on your VIC-20.
    • PET Searcher – A type-in program for searching random access files for a string on your PET/CBM computer.
    • The Atari Return Key Mode – A program that lets you write self modifying code on your Atari 8-bit computer.
    • Apple II Bar Charts – A type-in program that serves as a tool for creating bar charts on the Apple II. Up to 30 bars can be created in one chart. It also provides options for printing.
    • Major & Minor: VIC Music Theory – A music type-in program for the VIC-20. It is an educational program that teaches keys, signatures and scales.
    • Atari Digitizer – A type-in program for drawing with your joystick on Atari 8-bit computers.

    …and LOTS more!


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  • Computer Entertainment (June 1985)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Computer Entertainment – June 1985

    Computer Entertainment was not a magazine that I bought at the time it was on the shelves. I didn’t even have a computer yet and my only video game system at the time was the Atari 2600. However, I would have definitely have loved it. Computer Entertainment was the (sadly short-lived) successor to the original Electronic Games magazine. Game systems were not doing so well at the time though that would soon change with the introduction of the NES. In the mean time, home computers and gaming on them was really taking off. Computer Entertainment covers gaming of course but also other potential entertainment uses such as music, graphics and even desktop publishing among other things. The June 1985 issue includes:

      • On-Line – The monthly editorial column, this month discussing the demise of the PCjr and its implications on home computing and computer gaming in general.
      • Bulletin Board – News of the month including a new ‘pet’ project by Nolan Bushnell (creator of Atari and Chuck E Cheese), an update on software piracy, the release of Bounty Bob Strikes Back, new adventure games from Infocom and DataSoft, free Atari 2600 games, new games for the Coleco Adam and more.
      • Line Feed – Letters from readers asking about new Commodore computers, MSX, laserdisc games and more.
      • Do-It-Yourself-Software – An overview of various game construction sets that let you build your own games without knowing how to program. Titles mentioned include The Arcade Machine, Pinball Construction Set, Music Construction Set, Adventure Creator, Adventure Construction Set, Adventure Master, Adventure Writer, and more. This article also covers games that let you create your own levels or design other aspects of the game such as Lode Runner, Racing Destruction Set and Mail Order Monsters among others.
      • Building A Better Zork – Infocom may have been the king of text adventure games but they weren’t the only player. This article mostly covers Mindwheel and its creator who named the text parser he created ‘BTZ’ for ‘Better Than Zork’.
      • Compose Yourself – An overview of how to compose music for home computers including coverage of books and software. There were many choices as far as software including Moondust, Musicalc, 3001 Sound Odyssey, Music Processor, Simply Music, Music Studio, and Music Shop for the Commodore 64 and MacMusic, ConcertWare and MusicWorks for the Macintosh.
      • Electronic Gutenberg – An overview of various desktop publishing software for creating newsletters, banners, cards and much more. Software covered includes Koala’s Graphic Editor, Springboard’s Mask Parade, DMP Utilities (Apple II), The Print Shop (Atari, Apple II, Commodore 64) plus various add-ons, Fontrix (DOS, Apple II), and more.
      • ASCII And You Shall Receive – An article about BBSes including coverage of several specific ones. I would loved to have known about the existence of such things earlier but as it was I didn’t call my first BBS until the early 1990s, a few years before the Internet took over.
      • “I Though You Brought The Torches” – General hints and strategy for fantasy role-playing games. Several specific games are mentioned including Beneath Apple Manor, Wizardry, Ultimat III, Xyphus, Galactic Adventures and more.
      • Boot & Shoot – Early video editing on computers. Well, not really video editing but capture still images from video cameras (and scanners) and editing those. This article includes an overview of software and hardware that you need to accomplish this. Products covered include Computereyes for the Commodore 64 and Apple II, MacVision for the Macintosh and Thunderscan also for the Mac.

    Table of Contents from the June 1985 issue of Computer Entertainment

      • Load & Run – Reviews of new software. Covered this month:
        • Incunabula – A strategy game by Avalon Hill for the IBM PC and PCjr.
        • Chipwits – An educational puzzle game of sorts by Brainpower Inc. for the Macintosh.
        • Adventure Master – A design tool for creating text and graphic adventures by CBS Software for the Commodore 64.
        • Adventure Writer – A construction set for creating text adventures by Codewriter for the Commodore 64.
        • Beserker Raids – An action/strategy game based on Fred Saberhagen’s Berserkers by Baen Software for the IBM PC, Commodore 64, Apple II and Atari 8-bit.
        • Wizard Expansion Set – A sequel to Wizard using levels submitted by players using the construction set for the Commodore 64.
        • Rock ‘N Bolt – an arcade/puzzle game by Activision for the Commodore 64
        • Psychedelia – A Jeff Minter game for the Commodore 64.
        • Stunt Flyer – A flight simulator involving aerial stunts for the Commodore 64.
        • Spitfire Ace – A World War II flight simulator by MicroProse for the Commodore 64, IBM PC and Apple II.
        • Trolls and Tribulations – An arcade game featuring you as the troll by Creative Software for the Commodore 64, Apple II and Atari 8-bit.
        • Mind Control – What sounds like a not very good arcade type game with a couple of different screens by Mastertronic for the Commodore 64.
        • Heroism in the Modern Age: Project Contact – A role-playing game for the PC with a “modern” day mission impossible type scenario.
        • Kik Start – A motorcycle racing game that can be played split screen with two players by Mastertronic for the Commodore 64. I had a blast with this game and Kik Start II.
        • The Quest for the Holy Grail – An adventure game based on the Monty Python classic by Mastertronic for the Commodore 64.
        • Mind Castle I – A confusing puzzle game for the Apple II.
        • Station Five – Actually four different arcade games for the Apple II.
        • The Ancient Art of War – Strategy/war game set in fifth-century China for the IBM PC/PCjr/PC XT.
        • Bank Street Story Book – Educational program for the Apple II, Commodore 64 and IBM PC that allows kids to complete stories by adding text, pictures and even animation.
        • GATO – World War II submarine simulation for the IBM PC/PCjr.
        • The Alpine Encounter – A graphical/text adventure with a secret agent theme for the Apple II, Commodore 64 and IBM PC.
        • Swiss Family Robinson – A graphical adventure that follows the plot of the book for the Commodore 64 and Apple II.
      • Arcadia – Covering the latest games in the arcade including Karate Champ II, Kung-Fu Master, Chinese Hero, Yie Ar Kung-Fu (one of my favorites), All-American Football, Demolition Derby, Paperboy (another favorite) and more.
      • Hard Copy – Computer related book reviews, this month featuring “Zappers for the Commodore 64”. It’s a book full of type-in programs (games) for the Commodore 64. The games themselves are at best mediocre but it does teach you a bit about programming. Plus reviews of “The Plain English Guide for Home Computers”, “MacGuide: The Complete Handbook to the Macintosh”, and “The Adventure Companion”.
      • Q&A – Questions answered about games that use the Mockingboard sound card on the Apple II, Infocom’s Infidel, new Commodore computers, programming on the Atari 800, King’s Quest II, the VIC-20, Star Fleet I, cleaning your computer and more.
    • New Products – An overview of new and upcoming products including the TMS-1A 300-baud modem, G.E. computer peripherals, and an LCD for the Apple IIc.

    …and more!


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