• Tag Archives Commodore 128

  • Info (November/December 1989)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Info – Issue Number 29 – November/December 1989

    Info was a magazine that covered Commodore computers, primarily the Commodore 64, Commodore 128 and Amiga. It wasn’t as popular as a few others but still had a significant presence. The November/December 1989 issue includes:

    Features

    • Info Top Ten – Info’s first annual top ten game list. The top 10 games of all time as selected by the editors of Info in a variety of categories. Top Arcade Games: Arkanoid (Amiga), The Sentry (C64). Top Simulations Games: Starglider II (Amiga), Pinball Construction Set (C64). Top Adventure Games: Dungeon Master (Amiga), Zork Series (C64). Top Traditional Games: Blockout (Amiga), Risk (C64). Plus each of the editors pick their own personal top 10.
    • Interview: Chris Crawford – Chris Crawford developed a number of influential games such as Balance of Power. It’s interesting to read some of his predictions here. Some were spot on while others were way off.
    • Adventure Road – The best adventure games of 1989 are discussed including The Magic Candle, Might and Magic II, Tangled Tales, Neuromancer, Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders, King’s Quest IV, Space Quest III, and more. Adventure Road was a regular column published in Commodore Magazine but they ceased publication it moved over to Info. RUN magazine received much of Commodore Magazine’s other Commodore 64 content.

    Departments

    • INFOtorial – A look at European game development philosophy vs. U.S. game development philosophy.
    • Reader Mail – Readers write in about the C64 vs. NES, reviews of application software, Amiga sales, rumors of the “64GS”, Project: Firestart, QLink and Club Caribe, and more.
    • New Products – A brief look at 5100 C128 Questions: Answered (book), The Diamond Text and Diamond BASIC Editors, Fortran-80 (C-128 CP/M), MIDI Delay Processor, Digitalker 128, Fractal Navigator, Icon Magic 1.0, and lots more.
    • News & Views – Software sales for the Commodore 64 drop 26% in the second quarter of 1989 from the previous year (to $15 million), Commodore adds more dealers for MS-DOS machines and Amigas, Epyx reorganizes to become software developer an will no longer be a publisher and will concentrate on games for the NES and Lynx, Apple opens television studio called Apple TV, and more.
    • Games for Amiga – Reviews of Amiga games including The Jetsons, Blockout, Space Quest III, Jigsaw (preview), Beyond Dark Castle (preview), Space Ace (preview), Shufflepuck Cafe (preview), The Kristal, Planet of Lust, Times of Lore, Spherical, Sim City Terrain Editor (unrated), Jinks, Axe of Rage, Mickey Mouse, Tom & Jerry, Balance of Power: 1990 Edition, The President is Missing, Red Lightning, Project Neptune, Wayne Gretzky Hockey, F40 Pursuit Simulator, Dr. Doom’s revenge, Shoot ‘Em Up Construction Kit, War In Middle Earth, and Omega.
    • Games for C64 – Dr. Doom’s Revenge, Shoot ‘Em Up Construction Kit, War In Middle Earth, Omega, Speedball, Metal Blocks, Gauntlet II, Arkanoid II, Dark Side, Revenge of Defender, Might & Magic II, Presumed Guilty, Where in Europe is Carmen Sandiego, AD&D Curse of the Azure Bonds, Eliminator, Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade, Rambo III, Chessmaster 2100, Kings of the Beach, Snow Strike, Apache Strike, Shinobi, Afterburner (preview), Fire King, Jordan Vs. Bird: One On One, and Omni-Play Basketball.
    • Public Domain – A look at recent public domain titles including a bunch of Commodore 64 and Commodore 128 software available via Quantum Link and both Commodore 8-bit and Amiga software available via PeopleLink.

    Reviews

    • SFX Sound Expander – A plug-in cartridge for the Commodore 64 than includes a nine-voice FM synthesizer chip and an interface for an optional 61-key keyboard from Philips.
    • The Write Stuff 128 – An excellent word processor for the Commodore 128.
    • The Amiga Companion – A book with tons of useful information on the Amiga.
    • Toshiba ExpressWriter 301 – A portable thermal printer for $489.
    • RawCopy – A disk copy program for the Amiga that can reproduce copy protection schemes.
    • Mac-2-Dos – Software that can convert Macintosh text and graphic files for use with Amiga programs and vice versa.

    Etc.

    • INFO Update – A look at recent software (and other) updates including Sim City 1.1, Muscle Cars and European Challenge add-ons for Test Drive II, an updated version of Pen Pal, an updated support disk for the Super Snapshot cartridge, Professional page 1.3, PixelScript 1.1, and more.
    • BRYCE – Bryce’s 3D Adventure comic.
    • INFO Mania – Tips from readers for tons of games including Batman, Robbeary, Aaargh!, Sinbad, Double Dragon, Crystal Hammer, Mindroll, Marble Madness, Dragon’s Lair, Pacmania, Karnov, Neuromancer, Ghosts ‘N Goblins, Guerrilla War, Heavy Metal, Robocop, John Elway’s Quarterback, Pirates, and Zak McKracken.
    • Show Reports – An overview of AmiEXPO in Chicago. New products shown their for the Amiga include Elan Performer, Interactor, TV*SHOW, Mideo System, Mac-2-DOS, Professional Page 1.3, Space Ace, Fiendish Freddy’s Big Top O’ Fun, Gauntlet II, Tom and Jerry, the SupraModem 2400zi, 150 MB Streaming Tape Backup and 32 MHz 68030 card from GVP, A1000 Rejuvinator, and much more.
    • Real World – Lamenting the fact that standalone electronic spell checkers seem to be better than what you can get in software.

    …and more!


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  • RUN (October 1986)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: RUN – issue Number 34 – October 1986

    RUN wasn’t the first Commodore related magazine I ever bought but it was the last. I was buying and reading it sometime in 1989 until it died off at the end of 1992. I think I started picking it up after Commodore Magazine stopped being published and some of the Commodore 64 coverage they used to have was incorporated into RUN. The October 1986 issue includes:

    Features

    • Big Software For Small Business – A look at some of the business related software available for the Commodore 128. Software covered here includes Vizawrite and Vizastar (word processing and database), Business Pro-Pak (statistics software that works in CP/M mode), Chartpak 128 (creates charts and graphics), The Consultant (database), Data Manager 128 (database/report writing/label-making), dfile128 (database), Fleet System 3 (word processor), Ghost Writer 128 (word processor), Jane 2.0 (word processor, spreadsheet, and database), Microsoft Multiplan (budgeting software), Paperback Writer/Planner/Filer 128 (word processing/database/spreadsheet), PaperClip II (word processor), Partner 128 (cartridge-based desktop accessory package), Swiftcalc 128 (spreadsheet), WordPro 128 (word processor), Word Writer 128 (word processor), Superbase 128 (database), and CMS General Accounting System (accounting).
    • Software to Improve Your Business Picture – A look at available Computer Aided Design packages including Flexidraw, CADPAK, CAD-3D, CAD GEM, GEOS (specifically GeoPaint), and CADPIC 64.
    • Computer Creativity – A sort of case study of someone who uses a Commodore 64 for his art related business. Hardware used includes a Commodore 64, 1541 disk drive, Cardco CSD-1 disk drive, 1702 color monitor and Okimate-10 color printer. Software includes Word Writer, Sylvia Porter’s Your Financial Planner, Movie Maker, KoalaPainter, and Design Lab.
    • Commodore Power – Another case study in the use of Commodore computers. In this case, a power plant in Fort Pierce, Florida is using Commodore 64s for word processing, recording in plant meter readings, and generating summaries, calculations and reports for plant activities. Software used includes Multiplan, VizaStar, Superbase64, Speedscript and The Print Shop. The VIC-20 is also being used as a data collection instrument that reads gas and watt meters then generates various calculations.
    • 64 Personal Ledger – A type-in book keeping program for the Commodore 64 to help with things like home business or club finances.
    • High-Resolution Revolution – A type-in hi-res drawing application for the Commodore 64.
    • As The Word Turns – The latest revision of a type-in program that creates word searches.
    • Making a Pointer – A type-in program designed to incorporate into your own programs that creates a joystick controlled pointer.
    • Jim Butterfield: The Guru of Commodore Computing – An interview with Jim Butterfield, someone who probably had more technical knowledge regarding the Commodore 64 than anyone else.
    • Double Vision – A type-in drawing program for the Commodore 64.

    Departments

    • RUNning Ruminations – A summary of the results of a recent reader survey.
    • Magic – Short programs that perform various “magic”. Included this month are some tips for using function keys, a program that highlights REM statements, a graph paper generator, sound effects when printing, a simple hi-res sketch program, a tip to append programs, a two-line Basic 4.5 quick loader, and more.
    • Mega-Magic – Like Magic above but slightly longer programs. This month are some routines for scrolling text in various directions.
    • Software Gallery – Reviews of The Music Studio (music composer from Activision), Gato (World War II submarine sim), Your Financial Planner (finance program for the C128), Fleet System 3 (C128 word processor), Infiltrator (action game from Mindscape), Jet (combat flights sim), Personal Inventory/Personal Account/Time Manager (CP/M based software for the C128), Solo Flight (flight sim from MicroProse), GBA Championship Basketball: Two-on-Two (basketball game from Activision), Super Boulder Dash (arcade sequel from Electronic Arts), and more.
    • Basically Speaking – A technique in BASIC for loading one program from another.
    • Telecomputing Workshop – Questions answered about modems and online services for the Plus/4, recommendations for modems and terminal programs, terminal software for the Commodore 128, and PunterNet.
    • Q-Link Happenings – Q-Link was a Commodore specific online service. Eventually, it became AOL. Updates noted here include improved Free Software Library, new casino games, music news and more.
    • The Resource Center – A initiative at a Massachusetts public library to provide computer access (via a Commodore 64) and freeware library.
    • Commodore Clinic – Questions answered about using a computer specifically for telecommunications, daisy wheel printers and graphics, IBM-PC and Commodore 128 interoperability, 1541 and 1571 compatibility, Adventure Construction Set with a 1571 drive, configuring printers with Easy Calc and more.
    • Mail RUN – Letters from readers about astronomy software, Ultra Hi-Res, Fontmaster II, GEOS hardware compatibility, finding a Commodore 64C, Paperback Writer 128, and more.
    • New Products RUNdown – A brief look at new products including real-estate software, Cyber-Farmer 64 (accounting system), Cobol-64, a CP/M user’s guide for the C128, Mind Game (from Datasoft), the Diconix 150 portable ink jet printer, dfile, Bodylink, BobsTerm Pro-128, The Intelligent Talking Terminal, Rings of Ziflin, Hallmark Color Mail, and more.
    • Coming Attractions – Coming next month, The Power of Spreadsheets, Printer Interfaces Explained, CP/M Software, Math Challenge, and more.


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  • Compute!’s Gazette (November 1987)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Compute!’s Gazette – Issue Number 53 – November 1987

    There were a few big Commodore 64 related magazines in the U.S. Compute!’s Gazette was one of them. For whatever reason, it’s not one that I saw at the stores I normally went to for such things (for me it was RUN and Commodore Magazine I saw frequently). However, Compute!’s Gazette was a long running magazine that was published well into the 1990s. The November 1987 issue would have been out near the height of the popularity of the Commodore 64. This issue includes:

    Features

    • Computers at Work – Examples of how people use there Commodore 64s and Commodore 128s in the real world. Examples here include publishing periodicals, monitoring log production for log homes, farm management, running an antique business, managing a thoroughbred horse boarding and training farm, customer database for a water filtration equipment company, and more.

    Reviews

    • Lt. Kernal Hard Disk Drives – Hard drives were expensive luxuries in for the Commodore 64/128. The Lt. Kernal was one of the more popular options and included an external 20 MB drive for $900. Hard drives on Commodore 8-bit computers seem to have been used mostly by BBS operators.
    • Jeremy Silman’s Guide to Chess Openings and 50 Classic Chess Games – A computerized chess tutorial system focusing on opening moves plus an analysis of 50 chess games from the past.
    • Maniac Mansion – One of the best point and click adventure games for the Commodore 64…or any system.
    • Three Action Games for the 64 – Reviews of three different games including Bazooka Bill, Sanxion, and Delta Patrol.

    Games

    • Litterbug – A type-in game in which you must collect trash and avoid giant insects.
    • The Gumball Rally – A type-in two-player game for the Commodore 128 in which you must make more money than your opponent by buying and selling gumballs.

    Education / Home Applications

    • Sketch Pad – A type-in drawing program for the Commodore 64.
    • Computing for Families: Holding a Hi-Tech Yard Sale – Tips for selling your old computer hardware and software at a yard sale.
    • Fraction Practice II – A type-in educational program that teaches fraction multiplication and division.
    • Poster Printer – A type-in program to help you print posters and banners. Mostly this involved printing giant letters.

    Programming

    • Subprograms for the 64 – A type-in program that helps you create “subprograms” in BASIC. Basically, these are standalone BASIC programs that act as subroutines.
    • SpeedScript 128 Date and Time Stamper – A type-in program in enhance the SpeedScript 128 word processor by adding date and time stamps to your documents.
    • Renumber – A type-in program that will renumber your BASIC programs.
    • Sprite Monitor – A type-in program that will search for sprites in memory and save them to disk.
    • Barricade Buster: Accessing the 128’s 80-Column Screen – A type-in program designed to help you use the Commodore 128’s 80-column screen in your own programs. Includes an example game.
    • Top Secret – A type-in program designed to encrypt your BASIC programs.
    • BASIC for Beginners: The MID$ Function – Part of an ongoing BASIC tutorial series. This part focuses on the MID$ function which is used for extracting a substring from a string.
    • Power BASIC: Crystal Clear – A more advanced BASIC tutorial series. This month, various ways of screen clearing are discussed along with exampels.

    Departments

    • The Editor’s Notes – An overview of the current issue along with the introduction of two new assistant editors.
    • Gazette Feedback – Letters from readers about joysticks produced by Amiga, a calculated GOTO routine for the Commodore 128, collision detection of sprites, loading programs from within other programs, searching for prime numbers, keeping time in BASIC, and more.
    • Horizons: The Beast with Two Brains – A look at using CP/M on the Commodore 128 on its second CPU which is a Z80. The primary CPU used for Commodore compatible stuff on the Commodore 128 is the 8502 (a 6502/6510 derivative).
    • The GEOS Column: GeoPuzzle, Part 2 – An example of writing a GEOS applications, in this case a puzzle game.

    …and more!


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