• Tag Archives computers

  • PC World (October 1990)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    If you were a PC user in the 1980s and 1990s and wanted a good PC specific magazine, it was hard to go wrong with PC World. The October 1990 issue includes:

    Previews

    • Paradox Muscles Up – An early look at Borland’s Paradox 3.5.
    • A New Kind of Home PC – A preview of the Tandy 1000RL. Here the editors compare it favorably with the PS/1. It had lower end hardware (a 9.54MHz 8086 CPU, 512K of RAM, CGA graphics, 720K disk drive) but was quiet, ready to go out of the box, and already came with all the software most users would need, including DeskMate which made DOS easier to use.

    Reviews

    • Laptops With the Light Stuff – A look at the latest “small and light” laptops. Reviewed here are the Compaq LTE, Toshiba T1000XE, Zenith Data Systems MiniPort HD, Compaq LTE/286 Model 20, Sharp PC-6220, Texas Instruments TravelMate 2000, and Toshiba T1200XE. They all include either an 80C86 or 80C286 CPU, 1MB RAM, 2400-bps modem, and floppy drive for prices ranging from $2348 to $3657.
    • Four SQL Data Bases: Mainframe Muscle in a PC Package – A look at four SQL database servers for OS/2 including IBM Database Manager, Oracle Server for OS/2 1.0, SQLBase SErver for OS/2 4.0.1, and SQL Server 1.0.
    • Data Base Alternatives: Client-Server Computing Without OS/2 – OS/2 was the primary choice for high end database software but there were also servers available for DOS and Netware including Informix-Online 4.0, NetWare SQL 2.10, XDB-Server, and Emerald Bay Database Server 2.1.
    • Printer Power: NetWare Pop-Up Utilities – A look at some NetWare utilities that provide file and printer sharing functionality including LANSmart/NV2.0, LANSpool 2.0, PS-Print 2,3, Printer Assist 3.0, and Q Assist 4.0.

    News

    • Top of the News – Microsoft LAN MAN 2.0 released, IBM creates printer division, computer prices fall, Compaq systems to include EISA, new VGA card, 2.88 MB floppies, and more.
    • Industry Outlook – New Windows presentation software for Windows 3.0 like Microsoft’s PowerPoint and Micrografx’s Charisma challenge existing DOS software, vendors improve dot matrix printers as the face challenges from laser printers, fax boards spread slowly, dBASE IV 1.1 ships, and more.
    • Product Outlook – A look at new products including a PostScript cartridge for LaserJet printers, AutoWord (file conversion program), the Epson LQ860 (a color dot matrix printer), the NCR PC486/MC33 and AST Premium 486/33 (high end desktop PCs), QMS PS 410 (laser printer), DataEase SQL (SQL data base front end), Sharp PC-4741 and PC-5741 (portable computers), ReadRight (OCR software), IRMAtrac Token Ring Adapter/Convertible (4 or 16mbps network adapter), QEMM 5.1 and Deskqview 2.3 (memory management), and more.

    Features

    • The Readers’ Choice: 1990 World Class Awards – Readers pick the best products of 1990 in a wide variety of categories both in hardware and software.
    • Who Pays for Tech Support? – What to expect in regards to support when you buy a new PC.
    • WordPerfect Sets a Lofty (and Costly) Standard for Service – WordPerfect spent an average of $9 per sale on technical support.
    • Can You Depend on Your Dealer for Technical Support – A look at the quality of PC dealer technical support.
    • Buyer’s Guide: The Best of Shareware 1990 – Some shareware mentioned here includes PKZIP and PKUNZIP, Procomm 2.4.3, Qmodem 4.2, PC-Write 3.03, QEdit Advanced 2.1, and much more.

    How To

    • Painless Programming With BASICA – A guide to using BASICA including with an example in the form of a DOS menu system.
    • Words Into Print – Word processor tips including spell checking in WordPerfect, customizing work dictionaries, and automating WordPerfect passwords.
    • Spreadsheets (A..Z) – Using Lotus 1-2-3’s Data Query Extract command to extract records from a database.
    • Data Basics – Explaining database indexes.
    • Art of Persuasion – Choosing the right type for your documents and presentations and customizing Ventura headers and footers.
    • The Information Edge – Finding special interest newsletters with NewsNet and simplifying stock analysis with MetaStock.

    Departments

    • Richard Landry – The world of software copyrights and interface patents.
    • Letters – Letters from readers about using Windows 3.0, the best math coprocessors, making backups, and more.
    • The Help Screen – Wild cards in Windows 3.0, running programs automatically, swapping printer ports, and more.
    • Network Q&A – Questions answered about using a database remotely. High speed options are discussed including using a T1 line (and all of the associated costs).
    • Consumer Watch – Alternative solutions to vendor tech support, including online services.
    • Developer’s Toolbox – Tips for programming TSRs.
    • Taking It Home – Things you can do with a modem and online services such as Prodigy, CompuServe, and Dialog.

    …and more!


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  • PC World (February 1993)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    By 1993, PC World was pretty ubiquitous. You could find it in grocery stores, book stores, etc. It was probably the most popular magazine dedicated to PC compatible computers. I bought my first PC in 1993 several months after this issue hit the stands. The February 1993 issue of PC World includes:

    Cover Story

    • 25 New 486s: The Quest for the Best PC – Reviews of 25 486 based computers. Models range from 486 SX 25 based machines to 486 DX2 66 based machines plus the 486SLC, Cyrix 486DLC-33, and IBM 486SLC2. The following models are included: AST Bravo 4/66D Model 123B, Compaq Deskpro 4/66i, DEC DECpc 466d2 LP, Dell 486D/66, AcerPower 486e DX2/50 Model 5557, Tangent Model 450lx, Hewlett Packard Vectra 486/66N PC Model 170, ZEOS 486DX-33, NEC PowerMate 486/50l-DX2, USA Flex 486/33 Cache, Acma 486DX2/50, Blackship BLK 486/33 ISA, Eltech Research Model 4330, Insight 486-33 ISA Cache, ALR Flyer 32 LCT, CompuAdd 433DLC, Micro Express ME 486DLC, Austin 486/DLC-33, ATronics Int’l ATI-486SX/25, Reply Model 16 486SLC2, Swan 486SX/25DB, Copam 486SXB/25, CompuTrend Premio 486SX/25, CompuAdd Express 425CX, and PC Brand Leader 486/DLC.

    Top of the News

    • Dell’s Performance Explosion – Dell’s latest machines includes local bus video and upgradability to Intel’s forthcoming Pentium Overdrive.
    • Apple’s Cross-Platform Printing – Apple’s new LaserWriter Pro 630 and 600.
    • Windows Printing System – An add-on for HP LaserJet printers that speeds up printing.
    • Intel’s Pentium Processor – Some details about the forthcoming Pentium.
    • VL-Bus Boards Offer Better Graphics – A look at a bunch of new VL-Bus video cards including the ATI Graphics Ultra Pro VLB, Diamon Stealth 24 VLB, Hercules Graphite VL, Matrox MGA Impression, Number Nine 9GXE, STB PowerGraph VL-24, and others. VL-Bus was short lived, existing primarily in late 486 systems. Early 486 systems used ISA and Pentiums used PCI.
    • Pointers for Portable Users – A look at pointing devices being used on laptops at the time including Apple’s integrated trackball on the PowerBook, the TrackPoint II on IBM’s ThinkPad, and others.

    Systems

    • Are Upgrades Worth It? – Businesses find that upgrades often aren’t worth it since more than the CPU usually needs to be upgraded. On the other hand, users looking for a quick speed bump can get it with a CPU upgrade at significantly less than a new PC.

    Word Processing

    • 75 Hot Word Processing Tips – Tips and tricks for common word processors of the time including World Perfect 5.1, Microsoft Word for Windows 2.0, and others.

    Windows

    • Windows for Workgroups: Operation Rogue – Setting up your own network with Windows for Workgroups 3.11.
    • OS/2 Versus Windows NT – A comparison of these two next generation operating systems.

    Communications

    • Windows Fax Software – A comparison of available fax software for Windows including Bit Software BitFax/OCR for Windows 2.05, Caere Fax Master 1.01, Delrina WinFax Pro 3.0, Eclipse Fax 1.2, Intel Faxability Plus/OCR 1.0, Sofnet FaxIt 2.15e, and ZSoft Ultrafax for Windows 1.0.

    New Products

    • Orchid Fahrenheit VA, Sigma Designs WinStorm audio/video boards – These video cards also offer audio input and output.
    • Hercules Graphite Card – The first mainstream graphics card from Hercules in a while.
    • Panasonic CF-1000 notebook PC – This notebook features an AMD 386SXLV CPU, 4MB of RAM and a 60 or 120MB hard drive for $2299 to $2699.
    • Hyundai and Gecco VL-Bus 486 PCs – Hyundai’s new VL-Bus PCs include models from a 25-MHZ 486SX for $1799 up to a 66-MHz 486DX2 for $2995. Geccos models include a 66-MHz VL-bus tower system ($2995) and a desktop 33-MHz 486 EISA system ($2290).
    • NEC Ready 325, 425, and 433 PCs – The NEC Ready 235 includes a 386SX CPU, 120MB hard drive, and 2 MB of RAM for $1199. The NEC Ready 425 includes a 486SX CPU, 170MB hard drive, and 4 MB of RAM. The NEC Ready 433 includes a 486DX, 170MB hard drive, and 4MB RAM.
    • Alphatronix Inspire II optical drives – Two magneto-optical drives, one featuring 650MB cartridges for $4495 and the other 1GB cartridges for $4995.
    • America Online for Windows – The first version of America Online for Windows. Soon they would be sending free disks everywhere.
    • Caere PageKeeper – A Windows based information manager to help you manage your files.
    • HP NewWave 4.1 – An object-oriented desktop manager for Windows.
    • TyIN 2000 modem-fax-voice add-on board – A 2400bps data / 9600bps fax modem.
    • MicroPhone Pro for Windows – Fax and communications software for Windows.
    • Port-Folio 550 I/O board – This I/O card features four serial, four floppy, two parallel, one game, and two IDE ports.

    Here’s How

    • Help Line – Questions answered about speaker magnets and disks, DOS RAM usage, laptops and radiation, and more.
    • Spreadsheets – Tips for protecting spreadsheet formulas, Lotus 1-2-3 macros, degrees in Excel, and more.
    • Word Processing – Tips for placeholder boxes in WordPerfect, printing macro code in Word Perfect 5.1, fonts in WordPerfect for Windows, and more.
    • Windows – Tips for swap files, multiple windows in file manager, Norton Desktop, DOS boxes, and more.

    Departments

    • Letters – Letters from readers about 486 upgrades, MIS Computer Systems, software reviews, multitasking operating systems, the CUBE 433 ATX, and more.
    • Consumer Watch – Computer vision syndrome and other VDT-related vision problems.
    • Real Problems, Real Solutions – A 35 PC business analyzes upgrading existing machines vs. buying new ones.
    • What’s Next – All about the latest parallel port upgrades including ECC and ECP.

    …and more!


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  • Byte (August 1982)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    If you were looking for technical coverage of a variety of computers in the 1980s then Byte was the magazine for you. The August 1982 issue of Byte includes:

    Features

    • High-Resolution Sprite-Oriented Color Graphics – Building a custom sprite-based graphics board for use with Logo using the TMS9918A video display processor.
    • A Beginner’s Guide to Logo – Logo was all the rage for a little while in the early 1980s. Some thought it would replace BASIC as a language for beginners and to teach kids to program. However, it seemed to disappear as fast as it appeared. Here is an introduction.
    • Logo in the Schools – Some results from putting Logo in schools.
    • Designing Computer-Based Microworlds – Methods for teaching children using computers and Logo.
    • Why Logo? – How Logo is designed to encourage development of problem-solving skills.
    • Introducing Logo to Children – Adapting Logo instruction to different learning styles.
    • Logo – A Cultural Glossary – Definitions and important concepts in Logo.
    • Logo for the Apple II, the TI-99/4A, and the TRS-80 Color Computer – These different versions of Logo for different machines each suit different audiences.
    • A General-Purpose I/O Board for the TRS-80 Models I and III – A design for an interface board with 24 lines of discrete input/output.
    • The Logo Journal, News and Views of the Logo Community – Various articles about logo on physics, music, Turtle graphics, and much more.
    • User’s Column: Semidisk, Software Tools, the BDOS Blues, Power, and LISPs – Semidisk is a ramdrive software/hardware system for CP/M based systems, Software Tools is a book about learning to program, and more.

    Reviews

    • Program Generators – A look at software designed to generate programs for you based on plain language descriptions. These include The Last One and Quic-N-Easi.
    • The Commodore 8032 Business System – The CBM 8032 was basically another machine in the PET line. The 8032 was intorduced with an improved operating system and two new dual disk drive systems, the 4040 and 8050.
    • The Heath/Zenith Model 47 Dual Floppy-Disk System – A dual 8-inch floppy drive for the H-47-BA, Z-47-BA, H-8, and Z-89 computers. It would set you back $3k to $4k depending on whether you wanted it assembled or not.
    • Assisted Instructional Development System – Software for the Apple to that lets teachers create computer assisted lessons.

    Nucleus

    • Editorial: Keeping Our Technological Edge – France’s World Computing Center.
    • Letters – A letter from Commodore about its keyboards plus letters from readers about Unix vs. CP/M, human factors, the Videotex standard, and more.
    • Technical Forum: Let the MC68701 Program Itself – A look at the MC68701 CPU’s ability to self program.
    • Ask BYTE – Questions answered about homebrew computers, BASIC in ROM, composite video from Commodore PETs, voice recognition with the Zilog Z8, and more.
    • System Notes: Usig the LOOKUP Function in Visicalc – A tutorial of the LOOKUP function in Visicalc using an income tax example.

    …and more!


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