• Tag Archives computers

  • Compute! (February 1985)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Compute! – Issue Number 57 – February 1985

    Compute! was a great magazine for those with home computer in the 1980s, at least if you had one that it covered. In 1985 that meant the Commodore 64, VIC-20, Atari 8-bit, Apple II, and IBM PC. Many computer magazines were more technically oriented this one but if you were just looking for more typical articles and reviews then it was very solid. It still had type-in programs which was a great way to get software for almost free (minus the cost of the magazine and your time of course). The February 1985 issue includes:

    Features

    • The New Atari: Q & A With Sigmund Hartmann – An interview with Sigmund Hartmann, President of Atari Software, about Atari’s future. On the immediate horizon were new machines including two new Atari 8-bit computers (the Atari 65XE and Atari 130XE) as well as their new 16-bit Atari ST.

    • Fame Games – A look at games using the names of famous authors and stars. Some of these include Amazon (Michael Crichton), Fahrenheit 451, Rendezvous With Rama, Ghostbusters, and many others.

    • Michael Crichton: Reflections Of A New Designer – Michael Crichton discusses the creation of his adventure game Amazon.

    • Birth Of A Computer Game – Game designers Chris Crawford, Jon Freeman, Bill Budge, Bruce Carver, and Dan Bunten discuss their creation process.

    Reviews

    • Dinosaurs – An educational game for preschoolers featuring dinosaurs for the Apple II and Commodore 64.

    • The Syn Series For Atari – A look at SynCalc, SynTrend, and SynFile+ for the Atari 8-bit. SynCalc is a spreadsheet program, SynTrend is a statistics and graphing program, and SynFile+ is a database program.

    • PC-Write Word Processors For PC & PCjr – A low cost shareware word processor capable of running in only 64K on the PC/PCjr.

    Columns And Departments

    • The Editor’s Notes – Reflections on the attributes of the perfect computer.

    • Readers’ Feedback – Readers write in about DOS, the need for two disk drives, memory on the Atari 800XL, transferring/translating BASIC programs between Sinclair computers, POKE and PEEK (or the lack thereof) in TI BASIC, and more.

    • The Beginner’s Page – Conditional logic and IF-THEN statements.

    • Programming The TI: Programming Without A Math Background – Knowing a little math is, of course, useful when programming but an advanced degree in mathematics should hardly be a pre-requisite.

    • Machine Language: Multiplication, Part 2 – The second part in a series on multiplying numbers in machine language.

    • Computers And Society – Word processors and their effect on writing.

    • IBM Personal Computing: Inside King’s Quest – A look at how King’s Quest was made. Incidentally, this game was created as a result of IBM asking Sierra to develop a game that would show off the color graphics of the PCjr.

    • INSIGHT: Atari – A BASIC benchmark for the Atari.

    • Telecomputing Today – Using a “lap computer” with a modem while traveling for business and pleasure, the latest updates on information services including CompuServe, Dow Jones News/Retrieval, and The Source, as well as a look at two new services, People/Link and Play/Net.

    The Journal

    • Acrobat – A type-in game for the Atari, Commodore 64 and VIC-20 in which you must use various acrobatic moves to make your way through various environments and obstacles.

    • Plus/Term For VIC & 64 – A type-in terminal program for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20 with 1200bps support.

    • Adding Sound Effects To Atari – Five short type-in programs for generating various sounds on the Atari.

    • How TurboTape Works – TurboTape is a program that speeds up loading programs from tape that was published in the previous issue. This article explains how it works.

    • IBM Rebound: All Machine Language Game For PC & PCjr – A type-in game for the IBM PC and PCjr that is similar to breakout.

    • Apple Bowling Champ – A type-in bowling game for the Apple II for up to four players.

    • Advanced Sound Effects On The 64 – Includes a type-in program for experimenting with different sounds without programming.

    • News & Products – New printers including the Riteman LQ and Riteman Plus; Work Force II home applications package for the Apple II; new games for Atari and Commodore including Market Forces, Break Street, and more; memory expansion for the Atari 600XL; and more.

    …and more!


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  • Byte (January 1985)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Byte – January 1985

    Byte covered a wide variety of systems and tended to be more technically oriented than most PC specific magazines. It has some very large issues in the 1980s including this one from January 1985 weighing it at more than 500 pages. Contents include:

    Features

    • Ciarcia’s Circuit Cellar: Understanding Linear Power Supplies – How poor power supply design wrecked a project as well as info on how to properly design a linear power supply.
    • The Visual Mind and the Macintosh – Using MacPaint as a tool for thinking and the easy to use nature of the Macintosh.
    • A Glimpse Into Future Television – HDTV was being discussed at least as far back as the early 1980s. In this article it is mentioned that the next generation of television receivers would most likely have a large display area with a wider aspect ratio (5.33:3 is discussed as a proposal here), flexibility and interactivity, approximately twice the perceived horizontal resolution and vertical resolution of NTSC TV (which would only put it at about DVD resolution…not what is considered hi-def today), no artifacts, and more.
    • Microsoft Macintosh BASIC Version 2.0 – A preview of the features of the latest version of Microsoft BASIC for the Macintosh.
    • The Apple Story, Part 2: More history and the Apple III – Part 2 of an interview with Steve Wozniac on the history of Apple (which was only about 10 years old at this time). The Apple III and the Apple II disk drive are discussed here among other things.
    • Uninterruptible Power Supplies – A comparison of uninterruptible power supplies including those from Cuesta Systems, Electronic Protections Devices, General Power Systems, Kalglo Electronics Co., Meirick Inc., and PTI Inc.
    • An Introduction to Fiber Optics, part 2: Connections and Networks – How this relatively new technology is being used in computer communication.
    • Algorithms For A Variable-Precision Calculator – This article provides pseudocode for creating a variable-precision calculator.
    • Audio-Frequency Analyzer – A guide to building accessories for your IBM PC that will allow you to analyze your stereo or other audio input.
    • Font Design For Personal Workstations – Better font design for increased legibility and productivity.
    • Expert Systems – Myth Or Reality? – As far back as 1984 at least, the Department of Defense identified AI as one of the 10 most critical technologies to pursue. Expert Systems were among the first types of AI implementation.

    Reviews

    • The HP 110 Portable Computer – This small portable machine includes an 80C86 CPU @ 5.33MHz, 272KB static RAM, a 300 bps modem, an 80-column by 12 or 16 LCD, and more. All for $2995…plus another $795 if you want a disk drive.
    • Gifford’s MP/M 8-16 – A typical MP/M 8-16 system includes a 20-slot mainframe cabinet, dual Qume 842 double-density double-sided 8-inch floppy-disk drives, and a Winchester hard-disk drive (a 21 MB drive in this review). The test configuration is a four user system (plus modem line) with 448K RAM. Depending on the exact configuration, prices can range from $5330 to $19925.
    • Lotus’s Symphony – Basically this is Lotus’s sequel to Lotus 1-2-3. However, it adds database functionality in addition to spreadsheet functions.
    • MagicPrint – Software that allows printing with true proportional spacing.
    • The Hewlett-Packard ThinkJet Printer – An early and popular inkjet printer. This one would have set you back $495.
    • The TI Omni 800/Model 855 Printer – The most unique aspect of this printer is that you could plug in different cartridges for different fonts.

    Kernel

    • Computing At Chaos Manor: The Fast Lane – Discussion of numerous products including Aris, the CompuPro 8/16 System, dBASE III, Elsinore, Safari, Magic Keyboard, MI-286 Processor Board, PCTurbo 186 Expansion Board, and more.
    • Byte U.K.: The Amstrad CPC 464 – A look at this Z80 based computer that was popular in the U.K.
    • Byte West Coast: Light Touches – Details on the proposed Macintosh network at Reed College. Plus higher resolution mice and using laser discs for databases.
    • Mathematical Recreations: The Fundamental Counting Principle – Math shortcuts. Includes BASIC listings for generating nonsquare numbers, factoring a number into products of primes, and more.
    • Byte Japan: The New And The Old – Mitsubishi develops smaller transistors, a new 68000 handheld computer from NEC, a look at the Fujitsu FM-11BS computer, and more.
    • Editorial: Autonomous Weapons and Human Responsibility – The ethics of AI based warfare.
    • Microbytes – Information Storage Inc. plans optical drive with 100 megabyte cartridges, several companies announce products using a standard CD as a read-only memory device for computer, new notebooks from Mitsubishi (Tredia) and Quadram (DataVue), Sony announces new multicolor display tech called Currentron, and more.
    • What’s New – TI introduces Pro-Lite briefcase sized computer, Okidata introduces $286 color computer, new Seequa Cobra computer featuring 8086 CPU @ 8 MHz, Juki announces $299 daisy-wheel printer, and more.
    • Ask Byte – Questions answered about using 80-column cards in the Apple IIe, creating high resolution graphics, using Shugart SA400 drives with Apple computers, screen modes on the PCjr, the 80186 and 80286 CPUs, and more.
    • Book Reviews – Reviews of The SEcond Self: Computers and the Human Spirit by Sherry Turkle, Information Systems Security by Royal P. Fisher, and Microprocessors: Hardware, Software, and Design Applications by Wunnava V. Subbarao.

    …and more!


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  • Computer Shopper (October 2000)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Computer Shopper – October 2000

    Computer Shopper was a phone book sized magazine that peaked in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Though it was perhaps best known for being an excellent resource for ordering computer systems or parts, it also had plenty of great content in the form of articles and reviews. The October 2000 issue includes:

    Features

    • Light Makes Right – A look at five lightweight notebooks including the Compaq Armada M300 (Pentium III 600 MHz, 64MB RAM, ATI Rage LT Pro w/ 4MB, 12GB hard drive), Dell Latitude LS H400ST (400MHz Pentium III, NeoMagic MagicMedia256AV w/ 2.5MB, 6GB hard drive), HP OmniBook 900 (450MHz Pentium III, 64MB RAM, ATI Rage Mobility w/ 4MB, 6GB hard drive), IBM ThinkPad 570E 64U (500MHz Pentium III, 128MB Ram, NeoMagic MagicMedia 256AV2 w/ 2.5MB, 12GB hard drive), Toshiba Portege 3440CT (500MHz Pentium III, 64MB RAM, S3 Savage IX w/ 8MB, 6GB hard drive).
    • Scanning for Savings – A look at five low-cost flatbed scanners including the Acer 640BU, HP ScanJet 3400C, Umax Astra 3400, MicroTek ScanMaker 3700, and Visioneer 6200 USB.
    • Picking the Perfect PC – PC recommendations for different types of buyers. Some systems covered here include the Dell Dimension XPS B1000r, IBM NetVista, and HP Pavilion 9790C.
    • Sign On Once, Surf Often – A look at single sign-on services designed to manage all your web logins. Services looked at here include Microsoft Passport, digitalme, and v-Go 2.0.
    • Dialing Without Dollars – An article on making cheap or even free phone calls via the Internet.
    • Home Home on the Web – A guide to searching for a new home via the Internet.
    • Best Buys – A guide to new products that are best buys in their respective categories. Products here include the Dell Dimension 4100, Compaq Armada M300, Creative Nomad II MG, Dell Inspiron 5000e, and more.

    News

    • Net Now – A look at Windows ME. I honestly don’t think I ever touched this OS.
    • B2B Buzz – A look at e-Commerce sales and the upcoming Holiday 2000 season.
    • Hot Gear – A first look at some of the latest tech gear including the I-Jam Win-Jam Digital Audio Player, Sony DCR-PC5 Handycam, Minds@Work Digital Wallet, Wild Planet Spy Detectors, and SportBrain Starter Kit.

    Web Buyer

    • Site Reviews for Online Shopping – Reviews of tons of online shopping sites including PC shopping sites, Internet service providers, financial service, software sites, online auctions, cameras, books, music, and more. Plus, a look at 20 Halloween sites.

    Business Buyer

    • Is Rent-a-LAN Right for You? – A look at subscription-based computing services for outsourcing acquisitions, maintenance, and support.
    • e-Services and Tools – A look at unified messaging services that let you retrieve e-mail, voice messages, and faxes from one place.
    • Building Your Business – Eight tips for designing a web site that will help your sales.
    • Linux for Business – A look at various Linux distributions for business use, including Caldera OpenLinux, Corel Linux, Red Hat Linux, SuSE Linux, TurboLinux, and others.

    Help & How To

    • Building a PC from Scratch – A guide to building your own PC. This tutorial used an Enlight EN-7237 midtower case with 300 watt power supply ($78.99), Abit VT6X4 Slot I board with 733 MHz Pentium III and fan ($449), 128MB 133MHz Corsair SDRAM module ($159.99), 3.5″ floppy drive ($12.99), 40 GB Maxtor DiamondMax Plus ($280), Creative Labs PC-DVD 8x DVD-ROM drive ($146.99), and Hercules Guillemot 3D Prophet II GTS graphics card ($299.99).
    • The Hard Edge – Virgin Atlantic announces cell phone service from airplanes, a look at AMD’s new Thunderbird and Duron CPUs, and more.
    • Alfred Poor’s Computer Cures – Questions answered about mail merge, control panel issues, scan disk, Outlook mail purge, and more.
    • Buying Advisor – Finding an affordable web cam, software, and net connection for linking a language instructor in Honolulu with students in Tokyo.

    Opinions

    • John Blackford – Moore’s Law continues unabated and why it matters.
    • John Dvorak – A vision of the future of phone service.
    • Jim O’Brien – E-tailers may not be able to continue to use only price as a means of competing with brick and mortar stores.
    • Michael Slater – Wondering where all the tablet computers are. They wouldn’t really become mainstream until the iPad was introduced years later.

    Reviews

    • Desktops – Reviews of the Sony Vaio PCV-J100 (600MHz Celeron, 64MB 100 MHz SDRAM, 15GB hard drive, and more for $1128), Dell Dimension 4100 (800MHz Pentium III, 128MB 133MHz SDRAM, 20GB hard drive, nVidia GeForce2 GTS video card, and more for $1839), and CyberPower Athlon Special (800MHz AMD Athlon, 256MB 133MHz SDRAM, 34GB hard drive, ATI Rage Fury Pro graphics card, and more for $1849).
    • Hardware – Reviews of the Epson Stylus Color 670, FujiFilm FinePix 4700 Zoom, Maxtor DiamondMax 60, and Boston Acoustics BA4800.
    • Networks – Reviews of the Actiontec USB Internet Phone Wizard and Intel Anypoint Phoneline Home Network 10 MBPS USB.
    • Mobile – Reviews of the NEC Versa SXI (700 MHz Pentium III, 128MB SDRAM, 12GB hard drive, ATI Mobility-P graphic chip, and more for $3399, Dell Inspiron 5000e (750MHz Pentium III, 128MB SDRAM, 30GB hard drive, ATI Rage Mobility 128, and more for $3459), Acer Travelmate 524TXV (650MHz Pentium III, 64MB SDRAM, 12.1GB hard drive, ATI Rage Mobility-M1, and more for $2399), Kodak Palmpix Camera, Boxlight XD-9M projector, RIM 957 Wireless Handheld, Creative Noad II MG, IBuyPower Pocket Espresso PC, and Palm M100.
    • Software – Reviews of Extensis Portfolio 5.0, Astound Presentation 7.0, Adobe Livemotion, Peachtree Complete Accounting 8.0, Real Entertainment Center Plus, Generations Grande Suite 8.0, and Canon Officeready Buisness Plans.
    • Games – Reviews of Backyard Baseball 2001, Star Trek: Klingon Academy, Motocross Madness 2, and Diablo II.

    …and more!


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