• Tag Archives Dragon

  • Your Computer (March 1984)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Your Computer – March 1984

    Your computer is a magazine that was published in the U.K. that covered the popular computers there during the early to mid 1980s. Game coverage was pretty heavy though it was not exclusively a game magazine. The March 1984 issue includes:

    • Editorial and Your Letters -Letters from readers about the Lynx computer, the Dragon and saving machine language files, using the MicroDrive with the Spectrum, auto starting programs on the Spectrum, and more. Plus and editorial about the MSX.
    • News – Apple introduces the Macintosh; Romox introduces reprogrammable cartridges; an add-on that allows the Spectrum to output sound through the TV; Commodore introduces the 264; and more.
    • First Bytes – 32-bit computers vs. 16-bit computers and a look at the Sinclair QL; comparing printers for the Spectrum; and more.
    • Computer Club – A vision of computers in education.
    • Software Shortlist – Reviews of various games including Scuba Dive (Spectrum), Revenge of the Mutant Camels (Commodore 64), Oblivion (BBC B), Defender (VIC-20), Centipede (VIC-20), Dancing Feats (Commodore 64), Air Strike II (Atari 400/800), Astro Fighters (VIC-20), Zalaga (BBC B), and Lost In Space (Oric-1).
    • Quest Corner – A look at new adventure games including Snowball (Atari, Commodore 64), Streets of London (Commodore 64), and Mad Martha II (Spectrum).

    • Atmos – A look at the Oric Atmos, a new computer featuring a 6502A CPU @ 1 MHz, 48K RAM, 16K ROM (including BASIC), and more. This was basically an upgrade to the Oric-1.
    • MSX Invaders – A look at several new MSX computers including he Spectravideo SV-318, Spectravideo SV-328, Mitsubishi ML-8000, Toshiba Pasopia IQ HX-10, National CF-2000, and Yamaha YIS-503.
    • Spectrum Software – A look at some of the best and worst Spectrum software available.
    • Commodore Zagorsk – An adventure game writing tutorial and type-in adventure game for the Commodore 64 called Treasures of Zagorsk.
    • VIC Millipods – A type-in Millipede clone for the VIC-20.
    • ZX Pac-81 Man – A type-in variation of Pac-Man for the ZX-81.
    • Sinclair Clean-Up – How to keep your ZX Printer clean and in good working condition.
    • MTX-500 Start-Up – An introduction to the Memotech MTX-500 computer.
    • VIC CESIL – An introduction to low level programming on the VIC-20.
    • Oric Ape – A type-in program for the Oric called Krazy Ape that looks a lot like Donkey Kong.
    • BBC Sprite Graphics – A type-in sprite creator and animator for the BBC.
    • Dragon Graphics – Creating hi-res color graphics on the Dragon. Includes programming examples.
    • Spectrum Graphics – Creating graphics on the Spectrum.
    • Compander – A type-in text compression routine for the ZX-81.
    • Heartstop – A look at artificial intelligence and how it works. ChatGPT may be new but computers and AI go way back.
    • Review – A look at the supposed chip an computer shortage. Plus a look at some of the best selling and newest PCs including the Spectrum, IBM PCjr, Sinclair QL, and more.
    • ZX-81 Prograid – A type-in program for adding nine new functions to your ZX-81.
    • CBM-64 Asteroid Lander – A type-in game for the Commodore 64 that looks a bit like Lunar Lander.
    • Spectrum Cosmazoigs – An Asteroids-like type-in game for the Spectrum.
    • Cosmic Clash – A type-in game for the BBC that is reminiscent of Star Raiders.
    • Atari Maze Miner – A type-in maze game for Atari 8-bit computers in which you have to disarm mines.
    • Response Frame – Answers to reader questions about converting a type-in game to work with a joystick; the best CPU; upgrading Spectrum RAM; and more.
    • Software File – Short programs submitted by readers.

    …and more!


    📂This entry was posted in Computer Arcana 📎and tagged

  • SpaceX CRS-17 Launch

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    ▶️ Watch on 3Speak

    Launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on the 17th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station as seen from my back yard. This launch occurred on May 4th 2019 at 2:48 AM EDT. More than 5,500 pounds of supplies and experiments was delivered two days later. Launches can be clearly seen from where I live, day or night. However, the night ones are always much better…even if you have to be up at 2:48 in the morning.

    This video was taken with my Canon PowerShot SX40 HS. It’s not that great of a camera, especially being over a decade old, but it has a heck of a zoom.

    Watch on Daily Motion.
    Watch on Odysee.

    If you want to give Odysee a try, use my invite link to earn some bonus LBC for both of us.

    ▶️ 3Speak


    📂This entry was posted in Space 📎and tagged

  • Computer and Video Games (March 1983)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Computer and Video Games – March 1983

    Computer & Video Games was a very long running U.K. based gaming magazine that started all the way back in 1981 and lasted until 1992. The March 1983 issue includes the following:

    News & Reviews

    • Games News – The James Gang is in town and gunning for you and those little green men are slipping into their soccer gear for the intergalactic cup final.
    • Video Screens – Our round-up of the best in joysticks plus a look at what’s going on out in deepest space with our look at the Starmaster-type games available for the Atari VCS.
    • Arcade Action – Amidar tips from our record breaker. And how much of an improvement is Super Zaxxon, plus those arcade top scores.
    • Software Form – All you wanted to know but were afraid to ask about getting your listing published in C&VG.

    Listings

    • Defuse – Can you prevent an explosive situation getting out of hand? We hope so – because if you don’t it’s apocalypse time! Atom-powered adventure on the Texas TI-99/4 or 4a.
    • Pool – Here’s your cue to head for the pool hall and practice some of your favorite trick shots. You’ll need them all for this screen-sized version of the real thing written for the Spectrum.
    • Digger – The aliens are coming, the aliens are coming! Not again, I hear you cry! But this time you don’t blast them out of the skies. You dig traps for the little monsters. Intergalactic gardening on your Sharp MZ80K.
    • Connect 4 – The long-haird ancient is faced with a big problem – he just can’t get those counters matched up! Can you help the old chap out before his brain gets befuddled? For Video Genie and TRS-80 owners.
    • Dr. Who Adventure – Another time, another place…the Doctor is off on another time-trek and this time you can be his travelling companion. This time the Tardis comes in the shape of an Atari 400/800.
    • Ski-ing – The air is cold and clear. The piste is perfect. Everything is set fair for a fast downhill race on your Atom.
    • Turbo Car – Put the pedal to the metal and zoom off on a fast and furious race against time in your supercharged Dragon powered supercar.
    • Rockfall – Dodge those falling stones and boulders as you attempt to scale Mount BBC.
    • Positron – Is it an asteroid, is it a meteoroid…no it’s a Positron! These superheroes streak through space at the speed of light to defend truth, justice and the right to have buttered crumpets for tea! The only trouble is they don’t watch where they are going. Fun and games on the ZX81.

    Features

    • Mailbag – The Spectrum v. BBC battle rages on.
    • Competition – Bally’s pinball wizards against the rest of the C & VG readership. A Colour Genie goes to the best space commander.
    • Bugs – Abandoning the micro, Snag takes to the living room floor!
    • Chess
    • Go – Life and death with Allan Scarff.
    • Projects – Keith Mott begins a new series.
    • Graphics – Gerry Marshall experiments with colorful patterns.
    • Adventure – Keith Campbell falls in Love!
    • Warpath – Ron Potkin’s exciting wild west battle is taking shape with the positioning of pieces on the board.
    • Puzzling – Trevor Turan sets some challenges to be solved by brain or computer.
    • Machine Code

    …and more!


    📂This entry was posted in Computer Arcana Retro Games 📎and tagged