• Tag Archives Apple IIgs

  • Instant Music

    Posted on by Azrael Comment


    Instant Music (Commodore 64, Amiga, Apple IIgs)

    http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/182467275814/thedoteaters-even-a-tone-deaf-nit-wit-can-make

    Instant Music is a rather unique music making program that was initially developed for the Amiga and then ported to the Apple IIgs and Commodore 64 in 1986. Instant Music came with a variety of songs pre-loaded and allowed the operator to vary the individual tones creating new music.

     

    Amiga
    Instant Music was among one of the first programs released by Electronic Arts for the Amiga. It received very good reviews from both computer magazines and music magazines alike. Even the Commodore 64 version was very well done. It offered a number of sophisticated features for the time including:

    • creating singe, double or triple notes in multiple ways
    • cutting/pasting blocks of music
    • modifying the tempo
    • zooming in and out to edit a piece of a tune
    • editing available instruments
    • transposing pitch

     

    Commodore 64
    It also has features that can ensure everything you do is in key and melodic (though those features can be turned off if you prefer).

     

    Apple IIgs
    Instant Music was a neat piece of software that allowed anyone to create unique music. I’m not sure what is out there today that can accomplish the same thing with as much ease though there is certainly more sophisticated music software these days. However, if you want to play around with creating music on your Amiga, Commodore 64 or Apple IIgs, this is a good place to start.

     

     


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  • Omega

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    video-games-computer-entertainment-issue-11-december-1989-page-180

    Source: VideoGames & Computer Entertainment – December 1989

    Omega (not to be confused with Omega Race) by Origin was really a game ahead of its time given that it was released in 1989. The goal was to build a tank with a certain budget, program it, and then pit your tank against others. As you win battles, your budget increases and you can build better tanks for more difficult challenges. You could even create your own battlefields.

    Omega was ahead of its time in a couple of ways. Part of the game involved actually programming your tank. There were various AI script commands that could be used that were reminiscent of BASIC. There were instructions that allowed control of various functions of the tanks as well as others that allowed communication and coordination between tanks. The code used to program the tanks was cross-platform so Omega players from different platforms could still compete with each other. For a while there was even an official Omega BBS to facilitate this.

    Omega was available for several platforms including the Amiga, Apple II, Apple IIgs, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS and Macintosh. The ad above mentions all of these with the Apple IIgs and Macintosh versions “coming soon”. This game has never had a sequel or been remade but I think it would be an excellent candidate to remake today. I’m not aware of anything quite like it. If you want to give this one a try, any of the versions are pretty good and there really isn’t a significant difference in terms of game play. The 16-bit versions will have somewhat better graphics in most cases but it isn’t a big deal for this game. Pick your favorite platform and give it a try.

    The above ad is from the December 1989 issue of VideoGames & Computer Entertainment.


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  • Compute! (October 1988)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    compute_issue_101_1988_oct-001

    Source: Compute! – Issue Number 101 – October 1988

    In 1988, PCs were already starting to dominate but Apple IIs were still popular in schools, the Commodore 64 still popular in the home and 16-bit computers like the Amiga and Atari ST were still competing. Compute! was still covering all of these machines in 1988. The October 1988 issue includes:

    Features

      • Measuring Up on the Machine: How Does Your School Rate? – Are your children getting the computer education they deserve and need? Find out by taking this fascinating 15-question test.
      • All for One, and One for All – Integrated software puts it all together – word processor, spreadsheet, database, and more. We evaluate four packages perfect for the home and office.
      • Closet Computers – Put that old computer to work! Guard your home, run robots, scan the shortwave, make money, and do more.
      • Buyer’s Guide – Science Fiction Games: These 64 out-of-this-world games zip you into the future. Have aliens taken control of your computer?

    Reviews

    • Fast Looks
    • Jam Session
    • PaperClip Publisher
    • Sons of Liberty
    • Jumping Math Flash
    • Thunderchopper
    • Apple II GEOS
    • The Music Studio 2.0
    • Pit of a Thousand Screams
    • New World Combo

    Columns

      • Editorial License – Put a computer in every classroom – on the teacher’s desk – if you want to really get results.
      • News & Note – Tandy touts its new computers, RAM price rampage may be over, and software that simulates the brain.
      • Gameplay – The best adventure games have characters that treat you just like you treat them.
      • Impact – A computer paradox: The weaker the computer, the more you have to be a techno-wiz.
      • Discoveries – We’ve done it. We’ve put computers on kids’ desks and have gotten teachers excited about technology. What’s next?
      • Levitations – Our columnist goes digging – in his own office. Will he return from the junk-mail jungle?
      • Letters – You opine on our opinions.
    • New Products! – Ghost blows bubbles, Amazon arcade acts contrary, kids turn to publishing, and more new products.

    Compute! Specific

    • MS-DOS
    • 64 & 128
    • Apple II
    • Amiga
    • Macintosh
    • Atari ST

    …and more!


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