Source: RUN – Issue Number 23 – November 1985

RUN was one of the top Commodore 8-bit magazines, mostly covering the Commodore 64. 1985 was probably nearing the height of the Commodore 64’s popularity but it would live on for a long time to come. The November 1985 issue includes:

Features

• Commodore to the Rescue – An article about CASIE (Computer-Assisted Search Information Exchange), Commodore 64 software used by rescuers to locate missing people.

• Communications Software: A Vital Link – An overview of available terminal software, including HomePak, SkiWRiter II, The SMART 64 Terminal, Sixth Sense, and VIP XL. Prices range from $40 to $70.

• Print Screen Plus – A type-in program that can make a screen dump to a printer, including text, lo-res and hi-res graphics.

• Sprite Control in C-128 Mode – Using sprites in BASIC 7 on the Commodore 128 with type-in code examples.

• Make a Little Music – A type-in program that turns sheet music into Commodore 64 music.

• Bach to Basic – Techniques for creating music on the Commodore 64 along with code examples.

• Datafile Restructure Utility – This type-in program allows you to modify the structure of files created with Datafiles, including changing the length of a title, changing the length of a field, adding additional fields, and deleting existing fields.

• Brainstorming – Type-in software to help organize brainstorming sessions.

• Hardware Buyer’s Guide – 1985 – A look at some of the best Commodore related hardware released in 1985, including the Aprospand-64 Expander, ALD-6412 A/D Converter, Aprotek 1000 EPROM Programmer, Computereyes, 80-Column Video Board, Ramdisk, The Spartan, the Commodore 128, BCD5-25 Disk Drive, SFD-1001, Commodore 1571 Disk Drive, Enhancer 2000, Lt. Kernal, MIDI Magic, Commodore 1660 and 1670 modems, and much more.

• Easy Assembly VI – Part of a continuing series on assembly progamming. This part introduces the X and Y registers and how to print source code.

• Telecommunications…Online with QuantumLink – An introduction to QuantumLink, the new Commodore specific online service, as well as information on Delphi’s new Commodore content.

• A Cure for the Data Statement Blues – Tips for entering data statements correctly.

• CP/M and the C-128 – A guide to the CP/M operating system on the Commodore 128.

• Instant Recall – A very short type-in program to create a mini-database.

• Wedgemaker – A type-in program to help you add custom commands to BASIC.

• Block Busters – A type-in Breakout style game.

Departments

• RUNning Ruminations – Highlights of the current issue, results of a Micro-Novel contest, and more.

• Magic – Short programming tricks including several sprite demos, converting addresses to decimal, an improved INT function, and more.

• Software Gallery – Reviews of Telemessage, a customizable BBS program; Better Working Spreadsheet, Eureka!, an adventure game; Beach Head II, a World War II themed action game sequel; PlayWriter/Adventures in Space, and educational story book creation software.

• Commodore Clinic – Questions answered about cleaning keyboards, the Commodore 64 vs. the VIC-20 user ports, using a PCjr monitor with a Commodore 128, 80 columns on the Commodore 64, printing with Print Shop, using the 1541 disk drive with the Commodore 128, and much more.

• Book Gallery – Reviews of books including Graphics for the Commodore 64 Computer, 1541 Single Drive Floppy Disk Maintenance Manual, and Using & Programming the Commodore 64.

• Hardware Gallery – A look at new hardware including Reset Master (a Commodore 64 reset switch) and G-Wiz (a Commodore 64 printer interface).

• Commodore Service Network Updates – An updated list of Commodore service centers.

• Mail RUN – Letters from readers about Ham software, BASIC 4.5, Commodore 128 monitors, and more.

• New Products – A quick look at new products, including Lights! Camera! Action!, Stardos, Learning Guitar Overnight, Mr. Pixel’s Game Maker, Printmaster/S, Peace of Mind, C-128/80, Colonial Conquest, Peek A Byte 64 Version 2.0, Dr. Seuss Fix-up, 1541 Disk Manager, and more.

…and more!

Source: Commodore Magazine – July 1988

You could always find tons of ads in Commodore (and other computer) related magazines from places that sold Commodore hardware and software. Some stuck around and others came and went. The above ad is from a place called S&S Wholesalers, Inc. and was located in Miami Beach. It is from the July 1988 issue of Commodore Magazine (which I think was a month before I bought my first issue). I don’t recall this one so I’m inclined to believe it didn’t stick around very long.

Their advertising also is a little misleading as most of the prices listed require purchasing additional items. You could get blank disks for 19 cents each but only if you also bought something to hold them in. The next item advertised is a “Commodore C64 Computer” for $99. The picture looks like a Commodore 64C which was a newer (though functionally the same) model. It was a good price for the time as a C64C was more typically in the $140 to $160 range. But were you really getting a C64C or the older model? Plus, it required the purchase of a software package and exactly what software packages qualified and how much they cost is not mentioned.

The pattern continues with a printer for $99 but only with purchase of a printer stand…a Commodore 128D computer for $499 but only with the purchase of a software package…and a 12″ color monitor (brand and specs not mentioned) for $139 but only with the purchase of a monitor cable. There were a couple of items that appear not to have required additional purchases. One was a joystick (an “arcade quality super joystick” no less) for $12.90 and a 300 Baud Modem for $19.90 which wasn’t a bad price but 300 baud was slow, even for the time (1200 was probably more common by then).

To be fair, I’m sure it was a perfectly legitimate company. I just doubt the prices were as good as they seemed after making the additional required purchases.