• Tag Archives Compute!

  • Compute! (October 1983)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Compute! was perhaps the first magazine for home computer users. Not just hobbyists building or putting together their own computers but those wanting to by computers and use commercial software. It concentrated on 6502 based computers in its early days but eventually covered most popular home computers. The October 1983 issue includes:

    Features

    • Telegames: Computer Games By Phone – Online games were a thing even in these early days. There were a few games around that you could play vs. another player via modem and online services such as Compuserve had multiplayer games. Compuserve had perhaps the first online game with Space Wars.
    • Nonviolent Games – Violence in games isn’t as controversial as it once was. However, throughout the 1980s, there was a lot of discussion about it. This summarizes some of that discussion in the early days.
    • Coupon File – This type-in program for multiple systems is designed to allow you to file and search for coupons. However, it can be adapted to a variety of purposes.

    Education and Recreation

    • Dragonmaster – A type-in action/adventure game for the VIC-20, Commodore 64 and Atari 400/800 in which you must battle dragons and escape a wizard in order to save a princess.
    • Moving Maze – A type-in game for the VIC-20, Atari 400/800, and Commodore 64 in which you must make your way through moving walls before time runs out while evading a relentless pursuer.
    • Mosaic Puzzle – A type-in sliding tile game in which you must get all of the tiles in order for the VIC-20, Commodore 64, Atari 400/800, and TI-99/4A.
    • Spelling Quiz – A type-in spelling program for the Atari 400/800 and VIC-20 that allows you to provide a list of up to 20 words at a time to be tested on.

    Reviews

    • Jumpman – A now classic 8-bit computer game reviewed here for the Commodore 64, Atari 400/800, and Apple II.
    • Synthy 64 – A music creation program for the Commodore 64.
    • VICFORTH – An implementation of the FORTH language on cassette for the VIC-20.
    • Flower Power Math Fun – An educational math game for the Commodore 64 and Apple II.
    • Mothership For Timex/Sinclair – An action game for the Timex/Sinclair 1000 in which you must battle through a trench somewhat like in Star Wars only there are no 3D graphics here.
    • Turmoil For VIC, 64, And Atari – A fast action game in which you must destroy the aliens before they destroy you.
    • The Commander – A Command Extension Utility – A 4K ROM for PET/CBM computers that extends the functionality of BASIC 4.0.
    • Picnic Paranoia For Atari – Defend your picnic from various insects in this classic game for the Atari 400/800.

    Columns And Departments

    • The Editor’s Notes – The results of a previous subscriber survey.
    • Readers’ Feedback – Letters from readers about using an electric typewriter as a printer, adjusting VIC-20 audio and video, TRS-80 Model I equipment for charity, transferring BASIC programs from the PET to VIC-20 and Commodore 64, sprites on the Commodore 64, and more.
    • Computers and Society – Simulations vs. games, VisiCalc as a language, and more.
    • The Beginner’s Page: Your First Useful Program – A useful type-in program for storing data in various ways.
    • Questions Beginners Ask – Questions answered about 8- vs. 16-bit computers.
    • On The Road With Fred D’Ignazio – A report on trips to the West Coast Computer Faire, Florida Instructional Computing Conference, Children’s Computer Workshop, and more.
    • Friends Of The Turtle: Ed Emberley’s Drawing Procedures – Drawing squares, houses, and more with turtle graphics.
    • The World Inside The Computer: Islands Of Learning – Using computers to teach children to read.
    • INSIGHT: Atari – Some technical details on how Atari’s new 1050 disk drives work plus info on new graphics modes provided by the GTIA.
    • 64 Explorer – The first of a two part series on using the STATUS variable in Commodore 64 BASIC.
    • Machine Language: Bagel Break, Part 3 – The third part in a series on creating a machine language game called ‘Bagels’ on Commodore computers.
    • Programming The TI: Playing Music On The TI – A type-in program for the TI-99/4A called TI Music Maker that allows you to create and play music.

    The Journal

    • Merging BASIC Programs From Commodore Disk – A program for merging two BASIC programs on disk.
    • Spiralizer – A type-in program for creating high resolution spiral graphics on the VIC-20, Commodore 64, Atari 400/800, and Color Computer.
    • Commodore EXEC – A technique for accessing subroutines from a disk file.
    • Atari Master Disk Directory – A disk menu program that let you update the directory, search the disk, search a file, print labels, and more.
    • Runway 180: Using Sprites In TI Extended BASIC – A type-in game that demonstrates using sprites in TI Extended BASIC.
    • How To Create A Data Filing System, Part 4: The Main Program – The final part in a series on creating a database like filing system.
    • Invisible Disk Directory For VIC And 64 – A type-in program that will allow you to display a disk directory while retaining your current program in memory.
    • A Multicolor Atari Character Editor – A type-in program called ‘ANTIC Aerobics’ that allows you to animate characters.
    • High Speed Mazer – A maze generating program for the PET, VIC-20, and Commodore 64 as well as an action/strategy game that makes use of this for the PET and Commodore 64.
    • Apple Sounds – From Beeps To Music, Part 1 – The first in a two part series on creating sound and music on the Apple II. Includes a variety of sample programs.
    • Extra Instructions – A technique for combining opcodes on 6502 based computers.
    • Commodore DOS Wedges: An Overview – What a DOS Wedge does and how to use it.
    • Protector For VIC-20 – A type-in program that demonstrates how to disable the SAVE, RESTORE, STOP, and LIST commands in order to protect your programs.
    • USR Sort – Using the Atari’s USR function to create subroutines that implement new commands.
    • Working With SID – Treating the SID like a music synthesizer.
    • Atari Safe RAM – A type-in programming for managing memory more efficiently on the Atari 400/800.
    • VIC Scaling Bar Graphs – A type-in program for creating bar graphs on the VIC-20.
    • 64 Character Creator – A type-in menu-driven program for creating, modifying, and saving custom characters on the Commodore 64.

    …and more!


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  • Compute! (Fall 1979)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    The Fall 1979 issue of Compute! was the very first issue. I descended from The PET Gazette which exclusively covered the Commodore PET. With the transition to Compute!, it added coverage of other 6502 based computers. You may not think many people had computers in 1979 but the Apple II and Atari 400/800 were already mainstream choices based on the 6502 CPU. This issue of Gazette includes:

    • Selecting and Developing Small Business Systems – A guide to selecting the appropriate hardware and software for a small business.
    • Sorting Sorts: A Programming Notebook – Evaluating different sorting routines including selection sort, bubble sort, and shell sort with BASIC examples.
    • Len Lindsay Reviews Three Word Processors – A look at three word processors for the Commodore PET including Commodore Word Pro II, Programma, and Connecticut Microcomputer WPP.
    • Microcomputers for Nuclear Instrumentation – An excerpt from a paper about using Commodore PET computers to solve nuclear instrumentation problems at the Savannah River Laboratory.
    • Tokens Aren’t Just For Subways – An article explaining tokens and a method to list them in BASIC.
    • Universal 6502 Memory Test – A memory test program that works with various 6502 based computers.
    • Microcomputers in Educations – Excerpts from The Microcomputer and the School Library Media Specialist.
    • Flying With PET Pilot – A look at the usage of computers at Peninsula School in the San Francisco Bay area and the software used.
    • Teachers, Computers and The Classroom – A look at the future of computers in the classroom.
    • Atari Computers: The Ultimate Teaching Machines? – Comparing the Atari 400/800 to other similar computers for the purposes of classroom use. Ultimately, Atari never did very well in the classroom as far as I know. Commodore had some success but it was Apple with the Apple II that dominated throughout most of the 1980s. This was more of a marketing and sales success than necessarily being better for the purpose.
    • The Evolution Of A Magazine – A look at how Compute! evolved from The Pet Gazette.
    • A Commodore Perspective – A history of the Commodore PET.
    • Retrofitting ROMs – A guide to upgrading the ROMs in your Commodore PET.
    • PET Screen Print Routine – A type-in program for printing the contents of the screen to a printer.
    • TRACE For The Pet – A type-in program that will display each line of a BASIC program as it is executing.
    • 32K Programs Arrive – A look at Temple of Apshai for the Commodore PET.
    • Using Direct Access Files With The Commodore 2040 Dual Disk Drive – Apparently these drives only supported sequential access via the built-in DOs. However, utilities were provided that allowed pseudo-random access by indexing via a separate sequential file.
    • Mastering The Ohio Scientific Challenger 1P – Some examples of using and programming this single board computer.

    Reviews

    • D.C. Hayes Micro Modem – A 300bps modem for the Apple II for $395.
    • PET SET 1a – This equipment allows you to collect analog data from several instruments directly with your PET.
    • Petunia & Petunia Player – A system for creating and playing music with the PET.
    • Corvus 11A Disk Drive – This 9.6 Megabyte hard drive for the Apple II would have set you back $5300 in 1979. That may sound like a lot but it’s even more when you factor in inflation. Adjusted for inflation, that was equivalent to about $23,040 today.
    • Macro Assembler And Text Editor: Sym Version – A look at the SYM version of a 6502 Macro Assembler and Text Editor. Versions are also available for the PET, Apple II, and other 6502 machines.
    • Challenger 1P – A review of this relatively inexpensive single board computer designed with BASIC programming in mind.
    • Aim 65 – This single board computer from Rockwell International includes a full size keyboard and built-in printer.

    …and more!


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  • Compute! (February 1983)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Compute! was a popular computer magazine for home computer users in the 1980s. In 1983 it was subtitled “The Leading Magazine Of Home, Educational, And Recreational Computing”. It covered various popular home computer systems and even had spinoffs dedicated to particular systems such as the Commodore 64 and Apple II. The February 1983 issue of Compute! includes:

    Features

    • How The Pros Write Computer Games – Software developers weigh in on the process of creating a game.
    • A Day At The RAces – A type-in racetrack simulation for the VIC-20 and Atari that is also meant to help teach you programming.
    • Spectra Video’s New Home Computer – A look at the upcoming SpectraVideo SV-318 computer. It was based on a Z80 CPU and similar to MSX machines though not fully compliant with that standard (a later SpectraVideo machine would be).
    • Computer Talk Show – An article on an hour long radio talk show called Computer Talk in Dayton, Ohio.
    • Writing Transportable BASIC Part II – Part two of a guide to writing BASIC programs that can be easily adapted to multiple machine types.
    • Games We’d Like to See – Some tongue-in-cheek suggestions for new games.

    Education and Recreation

    • Copy Cat – A type-in matching game for the VIC-20, Atari 400/800, TRS-80 Color Computer, Apple II, and PET/CBM.
    • Slalom – A type-in skiing game for the Atari 400/800 and PET/CBM.
    • Writing Effective Educational Programs – Factors to consider when using computers for education. Includes a type-in geometry-teaching program for the TI-99/4A, VIC-20, and TRS-80 Color Computer.
    • MASTERMAZE: Mazing In Three Dimensions – A multi-level maze type-in game for the VIC-20, Commodore 64, PET/CBM, and other Microsoft BASIC computers.
    • Making Change – A type-in educational game for the TRS-80 Color Computer, PET/CBM, Apple II, Atari 400/800 and VIC-20 that teaches about money and giving the correct change.
    • The Joy Of Joysticks – A round-up of controllers for Atari and Commodore computers. Some joysticks covered here include the Atari Joystick, Slik Stik, Starfighter, Baylis Big Stick, WICO Command Control, Pointmaster, Quick Shot, Le Stick, Starplex Video Game Controller, Fingertip Controller, Command Control Trackball, and more.

    Reviews

    • Five VIC Games From Nufekop – This review includes Krazy Kong, Anti-Matter Splatter, 3-D Man, Exterminator, and Defender on Tri.
    • Apple Game Animation Package – Software for creating backgrounds and animated graphics on the Apple II.
    • Mazogs For Sinclair/Timex – A maze game for the Timex TS-1000, Sinclair ZX-81, and Sinclair ZX-80 in which you must collect the treasure.
    • Andromeda For Atari – A game for the Atari 400/800 in which you control a virus that you must manage to keep alive in a host body.
    • Shamus For Atari – I had a lot of fun with this action game from Synapse though I played it on the Commodore 64. I think the Atari 400/800 version was nearly identical though.
    • Maptown – Educational Games For Apple – A collection of educational games for the Apple II.

    Columns And Departments

    • The Editor’s Notes – Atari introduces the 1200XL, Atari video game sales decrease, Compute!’s Gazette announced.
    • Ask The Readers – Questions answered about function keys on the VIC-20, add-ons for the Commodore 64, the Atari 825 printer, various disk drives for Commodore computers, upgrading the PET, and more.
    • Questions Beginners Ask – Questions answered about player/missile graphics on the Atari 400/800 and sprites on the Commodore 64, and RAM amounts on the VIC-20 and Atari 400.
    • Computers and Society: Artificial Reality – Metaplay and creating an artificial reality.
    • The Beginner’s Page: Writing An Arcade Game – An introduction to creating an arcade style game with some demonstration code.
    • Learning With Computers – Information on directories of educational software, programs for preschoolers, Children’s Television Workshop Software for the Apple II, and more.
    • The World Inside The Computer: A Computer Language For Kids – An introduction to a theoretical programming language for kids.
    • Programming The TI: Write Your Own Games – Some tips for writing games in the TI-99/4A.
    • Insight Atari – A default drive number under DOS and initializing DOS disks from BASIC.
    • Machine Language: The New 6500 Chips – A look at a couple of new chips in the 6500 series (of which the 6502 is most notable). These include the 6510 (used in the Commodore 64) and the 6509.
    • Telecommunications: Communication Errors Part I – The first in a two part series on error-detection methods.

    Journal

    • VIC Searcher – A type-in program designed to allow you to search through your code.
    • SuperFont Plus – A type-in program that gives you an ANTIC version of SuperFont.
    • Creating Graphics On The Expanded VIC – A type-in program that simplifies creating new character sets and graphics on a VIC-20 with at least 8K of RAM.
    • Vehicle Cost Performance – A type-in program for the Radio Shack Color Computer that helps you to analyze vehicle cost and performance.
    • Joysticks And Sprites On The Commodore 64 – A guide to reading joystick inputs in BASIC and moving sprites with the joystick.
    • Assembly Language And The PET – A beginner’s guide to assembly language on the PET using a program that computes factorials as an example.
    • Simple OSI Graphics – A tutorial on memory mapped graphics on OSI computers.
    • Commodore 64 Video – A Guided Tour: Part I – The first part of a series on the Commodore 64 VIC chip.
    • Bi-Directional VIC Scrolling – A type-in program that allows you to scroll back and forth in your code.
    • PET Dynamic Bookkeeping – A type in bookkeeping program for the PET that serves to illustrate a tape based system.
    • VIC High-res Plotter – A type-in program for plotting mathematical equations on the VIC-20.
    • The Atari Cruncher – A type-in program for the Atari 400/800 that compresses your programs with DATA statements.
    • Super Shell Sort For PET/CBM – An implementation of a shell sort for the PET/CBM.
    • Atari Line Range Manipulator – A type-in program that enhances the BASIC editor by allowing you to copy, delete, and move entire line ranges.
    • Easy Apple Editing – A type-in editor for the Apple II that allows the ability to modify BASIC program lines.
    • “Stringing” Atari Machine Code – A type-in utility for the Atari 400/800 that helps you to transfer machine code bytes from data statements to strings.
    • The Expanded/Unexpanded VIC – A guide to writing programs on the VIC-20 that work with and without expanded memory.
    • Left-handed Atari Joysticks – How to adjust your joystick for easier left-handed use.
    • UFO Pilot: VIC Custom Characters For Game Graphics – A type-in game that illustrates the use of the VIC multicolor mode.
    • Comets – A type in program for the Apple II that simulates the motion of a comet.

    …and more!


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