• Tag Archives retrocomputing
  • Compute! (December 1983)

    Source: Compute! – Issue Number 43 – December 1983

    Compute was a popular multi-format magazine published throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. It was oriented towards the home user and covered the popular computers of the day. The December 1983 issue includes:

    Features

    • The Home Office – How computers can be used to do your job at home.
    • The Christmas of the Computer? – Christmas 1983 was expected to be a huge year for the home computer industry. In 1983 Coleco introduced the Adam (which failed miserably), Atari introduced the 600XL and 800XL along with a few other models that ended up being cancelled, Commodore slashed prices on the VIC-20 and Commodore 64, the first rumors of the PCJr appear, among others.
    • Calorie Cop – A type-in program for the Apple II, VIC-20, Commodore 64, TI-99/4A and Color Computer that calculates your calorie output based on activity and other inputs.
    • Paycheck Analysis – This type-in program for the VIC-20, Commodore 64, PET, Atari 8-bit, TI-99/4A, Apple II, Color Computer and Timex/Sinclair will analyze your paycheck for accuracy and project future take-home pay based on a variety of variables including base salary, cost of living, overtime, various deductions and more.
    • Utility Bill Audit – This type-in program for the Commodore 64, VIC-20, PET, TI-99/4A, Apple II and Color Computer helps you check your electric, gas, water and phone bills for accuracy.
    • Gas Mileage – This type-in program for the Apple II, Atari, Commodore 64, and VIC-20 calculates your gas mileage, including standard deviation and more.

    Education and Recreation

    • Nightflyer – A type-in game for the Atari 8-bit and Apple II that simulates landing a plane at night.
    • Space Thief – A type-in two-player game for the Atari 8-bit and Commodore 64 in which you must smuggle energy pods from your opponent.
    • Chopperoids – A type-in game for the Atari 8-bit that is sort of a cross between Asteroids and Choplifter.
    • Get the Gold – A type-in game for the TI-99/4A that provides a 128-chamber dungeon for you to explore and find treasure in…if you come out alive.
    • 64 Mosaic Puzzle – A type-in program that produces a sliding tile game in which you must get the tiles in the correct order.

    Reviews

    • Millionaire – A stock market simulation game for the Atari 400/800, Commodore 64, Apple II and other computers.
    • The Witness – Another interactive fiction title from Infocom for a wide variety of computers, this one featuring a murder mystery.
    • MAC/64 – An improved macro assembler for Atari 8-bit computers
    • Stellar Triumph – A two-player space combat game for the Commodore 64. A bit like asteroids but with two players and without the asteroids. However, the game is very configurable with the ability to change the amount of fule, whether or not the ships have intertia, gravity, and a variety of other parameters.
    • Gamestape 1 for the Timex/Sinclair – A package of 11 games for the Timex/Sinclair that all run with only 1K of RAM.
    • Memory Expanders for the VIC-20 – The VIC-20 only has 5K of RAM so memory expansion devices were quite popular for this machine and a lot of software took advantage of them. This review covers several VIC RAM expansions including the VI-1110 (8K), VIC-1111 (16K), RAMAX (27K plus other extras), and Golden RAM (24K).
    • TI Statistics – A package of programs that performs several common statistical functions.

    Columns and Departments

    • The Editor’s Notes – A look at the competition in the computer market in the upcoming year.
    • Readers’ Feedback – Letters from readers about disks, cassettes and temperature tolerances; a shortage of 1541 disk drives for the Commodore 64; viewing 1541 disk drive ROM; Atari XL features; dual joysticks on the TI-99/4A, Atari disk drive RAM requirements; and much more.
    • Computers and Society: High Tech, High Touch, and 1984 – An interesting perspective on the year 1984 and George Orwell’s 1984.
    • The Beginner’s Page: Zones of Unpredictability, Part 2 – Part two of a series on random numbers.
    • The World Inside the Computer: Winnie the Pooh’s Alphabet Adventures – A 4-year old’s adventure with a new computer. A pretty detailed look at the NEC Trek/PC-6001A computer and the Disney software available for it.
    • Learning with Computers – An overview of the book Learning with Logo.
    • On the Road with Fed D’Ignazio: The Electronic Chalkboards: The BBC and the PowerPad – A look at the BBC computer, particularly for education use. The BBC never really had success in the U.S. Also, a look at the PowerPad which was a large tablet input device that could be used as a touch pad, art tool, or even as a reconfigurable keyboard with overlays.
    • Friends of the Turtle: A Turtle Resource Update – A look at some of the books and other resources available for Logo and Turtle graphics.
    • Questions Beginners Ask – Questions answered about mailing tapes and disks and disk drive expense.
    • Machine Language: Hopping Around – Transferring control (jumping and branching) in machine language on the 6502.
    • Programming the TI: Computer Fun – Coordinating music and graphics on the TI-99/4A.
    • INSIGHT: Atari – Extended memory management on Atari 8-bit computers. Plus a bit about SmallTalk.
    • 64 Explorer – Information about printers and printer interfaces for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20.
    • News & Products – New products this month include a 4K buffered printer interface for Atari 8-bit computers, The VIC 20 Connection – a book about home automation with the VIC-20, MathWiz – educational program for the Commodore 64, Amper-Magic – a program to extend the power of BASIC on Apple II computers, Devil’s Dare – a strategy game for Atari 8-bit computers, Sprint Typer – a program to help learn typing for the VIC-20, and much more.

    The Journal

    • SuperBASIC 64 – A type-in program to add 37 new commands to the Commodore 64’s built-in BASIC.
    • List and Scroll for the VIC and 64 – A type-in utility program that formats listings of BASIC programs, e.g. makes each statement appear on a separate line, indents FOR-NEXT and IF-THEN statements, etc.
    • Commodore Files for Beginners, Part 2 – Part two of a series of articles on files for the Commodore 64. This part covers creating files programatically, checking for errors, reading files programatically, and more.
    • Art Museum – A Commodore 64 and VIC-20 type-in program that lets you create and save art created with the special graphics characters that are part of the character set and are printed on the keys.
    • Bitmap Graphics on the 64 – A tutorial on bitmap graphics for the Commodore 64, including how such graphics are mapped in memory.
    • Atari Screenbyter – A graphics utility that lets you create screen displays in a variety of graphics modes.
    • Disk Explorer for Commodore – A type-in program that allows you to display a disassembly of the 1541’s machine language instructions as well as a hex dump of the RAM and ROM.
    • The Hidden Pitfalls of Computer Arithmetic – A look at how you can get “wrong” results, including things like rounding errors.
    • TI Word Processor – A type-in word processor for the TI-99/4A.
    • Son of Lister for VIC and 64 – A tool to help convert BASIC programs between different Commodore computers.
    • Commas and Colons in Applesoft Strings: An Easy Way to Use Them – Commas and colons are special characters in Applesoft. This provides a workaround for printing them.
    • Atari Chartmaker – A type-in program that allows you to display custom charts on screen.
    • Comparing Commodore Machine Language Programs – This BASIC type-in program will allow you to do a diff between two machine language programs.
    • VIC/64 Clock – A type-in program that displays a real-time clock in the corner of the screen while you do other things.

    …and more!


  • Digital Archaeology: Floppy Disk #10 – DM0922.DOC


    A summary for those that haven’t been keeping up with this series:

    I found a number of 5.25″ disks at a thrift store a number of years ago. I finally got around to acquiring a 5.25″ disk drive and extracting the contents a while back. Since then I have been posting the contents here.

    Based on the contents, at least some of these disks were apparently once owned by someone named Connie who used to run the “Close Encounters” Special Interest Group (SIG) on Delphi in the mid 1980s.

    A specific definition of this SIG was found in a document on one of the disks: “This SIG, known as ‘Close Encounters’, is a forum for the discussion of relationships that develop via computer services like the Source, CompuServe, and Delphi. Our primary emphasis is on the sexual aspects of those relationships.”

    This service was text based and was accessed via whatever terminal program you used on your computer to dial in to Delphi’s servers. Many of these disks have forum messages, e-mails and chat session logs. All of this is pre-internet stuff and I don’t know if there are any archives in existence today of what was on Delphi in the 1980s. In any case, much of this stuff would have been private at the time and probably wouldn’t be in such archives even if they existed.

    This post includes the contents of DM0922.DOC which is dated September 21st, 1985. This is a screen capture of another mail reading session and like the previous one, it is relatively lengthy compared to some of the earlier ones. There are e-mails dated from September 18th, 1985 to September 22nd, 1985. Some topics include more from Rod and Connie, personal ads, books, SIG management, music, poetry, and much more. Towards the end you can also see some menu navigation within Delphi including some of the settings options.

    See the previous post here.

    ===
    DM0922.DOC
    ===


    read 1
    
    
        #1          18-SEP-1985 12:03:13                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS2A::RODM        
    To:     CABUYS,RODM        
    Subj:   Delicous
    
    My Dearest Delicous Darling Connie,
     
    I LOVE YOU             I LOVE YOU              I LOVE YOU
                I LOVE YOU              I LOVE YOU
    I LOVE YOU             I LOVE YOU              I LOVE YOU
                I LOVE YOU              I LOVE YOU
    I LOVE YOU             I LOVE YOU              I LOVE YOU
                I LOVE YOU              I LOVE YOU
    I LOVE YOU             I LOVE YOU              I LOVE YOU
                I LOVE YOU              I LOVE YOU
    I LOVE YOU             I LOVE YOU              I LOVE YOU
                I LOVE YOU              I LOVE YOU
    I LOVE YOU             I LOVE YOU              I LOVE YOU
                I LOVE YOU              I LOVE YOU
     
     
    Love,
     
    Rod
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #2          18-SEP-1985 19:19:32                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::PRINCESS    
    To:     CABUYS 
    Subj:   am ok ... and you? want to talk? phone??
    
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #3          18-SEP-1985 19:20:56                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::PRINCESS    
    To:     CABUYS
    Subj:   stu
    
    thinks i am talking with rod
    dimumb man!
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #4          18-SEP-1985 19:25:32                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     PRINCESS,CABUYS      
    Subj:   Rod
    
    will be calling in a few minutes.  I felt bad that I had not talked to you
    after Monday to see how you were!
    
    <hugs>
    -Connie
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #5          18-SEP-1985 20:07:27                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     RONMAZUR,CABUYS      
    Subj:   Thanks!
    
    
    Hi Ron!
    
    I got the book and article today! I haven't had time to start reading yet but it
    
    looks very interesting!
    
    I did read the article tho and found it very interesting!
    
    One of these days, we'll have to meet "in person", don't you think?
    
    Keep in touch!
    
    <hugs>
    -Connie
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #6          18-SEP-1985 20:10:23                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     JOHNP,CABUYS      
    Subj:   
    
    
    tsk tsk tsk!
    
    How come you don't have a "whois" in the sig membership directory? <grin>
    
    "We" would like to know more about you!
    
    How's that for a 'subtle' hint? <grin>
    
    -Connie
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
    
        #7          18-SEP-1985 20:15:21                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::RODM        
    To:     CABUYS,RODM        
    Subj:   read and destroy!
    
    My Darling Connie here is the comments from earlier:
    
    PRINCESS>> hiya
    CABUYS>> good because others here besides me would mean trouble for you! <grin>
    /zend cabuys so what!
    CABUYS>> by the way, I want *you* to post your MORTHOVE msg in the Forum!
    pa
    Page whom?
    CABUYS>> so what you say????? I'll get ya for that!
    cabuys
    cabuys being paged.
    Hit RETURN to cancel:/who
     
    GROUP LIST:   19:29:19
    3)  PRIVATE
          STUART, PRINCESS
     - idle
          CABUYS, RODM
    PAGE LIST:
       RODM is paging cabuys
    AVAILABLE LIST: () = in conf
       (STUART), (PRINCESS), (CABUYS), (RODM)
    ------ [4 in this area]
    Hit RETURN to cancel:
     
    /zend princess did Stu get earthed Connie did!
    PRINCESS>> YOU CALLING THAT LADY AGAIN
    PRINCESS>> HUGS
     
    ** CABUYS just joined 1 (2 members now) **
    CABUYS> darn system dropped me!
    RODM> did you go BOOM!
    PRINCESS>> NO HE LEFT, AND JUST AS WELL, HE WILL DRIVE ME NUTS
    .Connie> yup! it hurt too! <grin>
    PRINCESS>> OR TO DRINK SOME DAY
    PRINCESS>> HASSLES ME ENDLESSLY
    RODM> just a sec
    /zend princess patience for your subjects your majesty!
    PRINCESS>> MY SUBJECTS RIGHT, PLANTY PATIENCE, MY MASTER ... NO
    PRINCESS>> SIGH
    PRINCESS>> I BETTER FLY BEFORE I GET CAUGHT ... SIGH ... HUGS
    /zend princess it isn'THAT bad is it!!!
    PRINCESS>> YES IT IS ... SIGH ... OH WELL ...
    PRINCESS>> I ASK FOR IT ... GOT INVED WITH A MALE CHAUVANISmT ...
    PRINCESS>> NITE FOR NOW, HUGS
    /zend princess many Knights would comfort and protect you
    PRINCESS>> MERCI ... HUGS AND SISTERLY ... UMMM PRINCESSLY KISS
    /zend princess farwell then my PRINCESS ma!
    Could not send
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #8          18-SEP-1985 21:20:16                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::JOHNMYSELF  
    To:     CABUYS,JOHNMYSELF  
    Subj:   no mail to ?
    
    besides Louschneider and Yoshi;  are there any others you know of
    who do not want to be on the mailing list?
    let me know.   thanks.          John
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #9          18-SEP-1985 21:21:36                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::JOHNMYSELF  
    To:     CABUYS,JOHNMYSELF  
    Subj:   what is this?
    
    
    
    
                    Roses are red, we know that is true;
    
                    and we also know that I  love you.
    
                            <so there !!!>
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #10         18-SEP-1985 23:21:34                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::RODM        
    To:     CABUYS,RODM        
    Subj:   May I be your Knight?
    
     
    168  18-SEP 19:55 Open Forum
         "Personals" Ads
         From: CABUYS       To: ALL
     
     
    Tho I've never done it, I've often thought about placing a 'personals' ad in
    a local weekly paper.
     
    And on several occasions, I've been tempted to answer such ads.  But lately
    my mind has been elsewhere! <grin>
     
    Anyway, I still read these ads regularly just for the amusement of the way
    some people write them.  For instance, the following ad is one I wish I
    had written before current events changed my need to do so.  It reads:
     
    "Wanted White Knight, approx. age 40, tarnished armor acceptable.  White
    steed optional.  Inquire Damsel [P O Box edited out of this message for
    obvious reason.]"
     
    Has anyone here ever placed or answered such an ad?
    If so, would you be willing to share your experience with us?
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #11         18-SEP-1985 23:23:05                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::RODM        
    To:     CABUYS,RODM        
    Subj:   review - ultimate kiss!!!!
    
     
    169  18-SEP 19:59 Noteworthy News
         Book Reviews
         From: CABUYS       To: ALL
     
     
    I'd like to start compiling for our database here reviews of many of the
    books available about relationships, sex, or any other topic pertinent to
    this sig.
     
    This should be a combined effort of all sig members where you would submit
    your book review as a message in reply to this one.  Then in time I will take
    the accumulated
    reviews and set them up for the database.
     
    Anyone willing to help me with this?  I know! - It's difficult to tear
    yourself away from the computer screen to get much reading done these days, but
    how about it?
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #12         19-SEP-1985 02:40:08                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::RONMAZUR    
    To:     BOS1A::CABUYS
    Subj:   RE: Thanks!
    
    Hi Connie--We must have alot in common--read a note the other day
    which was from a call from Bill Hunscler more than a year ago
    asking me to call a person who wanted to do a SIG which might be 
    in "my area".  Told him there was no such thing as my area and that I
    would not presume to call you and that the more the merrier.
    Life is sometimes a happy trip of intertwining country lanes
    where joyful wanderers keep meeting to share wonderful moments.
    Perhaps we will have the pleasure of such meetings.
    **warmly**
    ron
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
    
        #13         19-SEP-1985 12:45:16                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS2A::TIGLON      
    To:     CABUYS, ELLENK
    Subj:   high messages!
    
    Gals,
    
    Since i can kick two stones with one
    show and mail to both of you, I got a 
    weird problem in both of the sigs recently.
    
    When I go into the forum...my high message read
    changes to some number way WAY over the 
    number of the highest message in the SIG!!! I have changed to the right
    number that I have read to, but it still keeps
    changing back every time I come back!
    
    Waht's up?? Softey Bugs again??
    
    HighMessed,
    Gayle
    
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
    
        #14         19-SEP-1985 17:08:31                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     BOS1A::RONMAZUR,CABUYS      
    Subj:   RE: Thanks!
    
    Ron,
    
    You can't believe how I am giggling over your message!
    
    You see, when I wanted to start my SIG on Delphi, I was dealing with
    Glenn and there was a discussion between him and Bill about a possible overlap
    of interests between your sig and mine.  Bill suggested that I call you
    but I never did.  Funny, we both got similar messages and neither of us did
    it and now look at us! <grin>
    
    And one of these days, I *will* call - I always do what I say I'm gonna do -
    often it just takes me one heck of a lot longer to do so than I wish! <smile>
    
    Take care!
    
    <hugs>
    -Connie
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
    
        #15         19-SEP-1985 17:09:45                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     BOS1A::JOHNMYSELF,CABUYS      
    Subj:   RE: no mail to ?
    
    I'm not aware of any one at all, until you mentioned those two.
    
    Perhaps you should post an announcement advising all members that we do
    send out dmail regularly to sig members and those who wish not to be on such
    a mailing list should notify you?
    
    -Connie
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #16         19-SEP-1985 17:10:35                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     BOS1A::JOHNMYSELF,CABUYS      
    Subj:   RE: what is this?
    
    I love it, sweetheart! and I love you too! <smile>
    
    so there!!! yourself!!! <grin>
    
    Love,
    Connie
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #17         19-SEP-1985 17:11:51                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     BOS1A::RODM,CABUYS      
    Subj:   RE: May I be your Knight?
    
    But, lover, I *thought* you already were my knight!!!  <grin>
    
    After all, didn't you notice my comment re:  "before current events changed
    my need to do so!"?
    
    I love you!
    
    -Connie
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
    
        #18         19-SEP-1985 17:12:45                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     BOS1A::RODM,CABUYS      
    Subj:   RE: review - ultimate kiss!!!!
    
    I plan to do an indepth book review of Ultimate Kiss - soon as I have the
    time do so! <grin>
    
    I knew you'd get around to that suggestion sooner or later!
    
    I love you!
    
    -Connie
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #19         19-SEP-1985 17:14:17                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     BOS2Ad::TIGLON,CABUYS     
     
    Subj:   RE: high messages!
    
    Gayle,
    
    I've had the same thing happen to me just recently.  Only I did note that
    the high message counter was that of a previous sig I had visited.
    
    I suspect bugs again.  Will do some checking and let you know what I find.
    
    -Connie
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
    
        #20         19-SEP-1985 17:14:35                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     ELLENK,CABUYS      
    Subj:   copy of my answer to Gayle
    
    Gayle,
    
    I've had the same thing happen to me just recently.  Only I did note that
    the high message counter was that of a previous sig I had visited.
    
    I suspect bugs again.  Will do some checking and let you know what I find.
    
    -Connie
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #21         19-SEP-1985 19:21:46                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::PRINCESS    
    To:     CABUYS
    Subj:   sok about not calling, was wondering if you cared or not <sigh>
    
    know you are busy yourself
    
    hugs
    ]
    peggy
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #22         19-SEP-1985 20:39:58                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::RONMAZUR    
    To:     BOS1A::CABUYS
    Subj:   RE: Thanks!
    
    Wonders never cease!
    Careful that I do not get electronic limmerance!!
    **Getting warmer**
    ron
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
    
        #23         20-SEP-1985 16:20:06                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::RODM        
    To:     CABUYS,RODM        
    Subj:   resend w/copyright info
    
     
    So  very  often  today songs are writen with little or no  continuity  to  the 
    lyrics,  the  lyrics are burried by the intensity of the beat or rhythm of the 
    music, but every so often a song 'makes it' that has the beauty that the one I 
    am sending has.
     
    There is a lot of background to why I am so affected by this song and some  of 
    that  might  have  even prevented my even hearing it but life has  grabbed  my 
    attention and caused me to find new beauty in places I might never have gone.
     
    Until recently I didn't listen to much music at all and CERTAINLY NOT  country 
    music  but  my life was affected by several people and after emerging  from  a 
    'cave' in which I was hiding I started hearing the words to songs,  seeing the 
    fantastic  things  life  has  to give,  and learned  the  importance  sharing, 
    feeling, and loving if life is to be worth living.
     
    I  hope that everyone that reads this knows already or will realize very  soon 
    exactly who they would recite or sing these words to and perhaps give them  to 
    that person as the 'flower' for that day!
     
    ** "You Decorated My Life" (D.Hupp/B. Morrison - Pub. by: Music City Music)
      
    All my life was a paper, once plain, pure, and white
     
    'Til  you moved with your pen,  changing moods now and then,  'til the balance 
    was right
     
    Then you added some music, every note was is place
     
    And anybody could see all the changes in me, by the look on my face
     
     
    And you decorated my life. Created a world where dreams are a part
     
    And you decorated my life by painting your love all over my heart
     
    You decorated my life!
     
     
    Like a rhyme with no reason in an unfinished song
     
    There was no harmony, life meant nothing to me, until you came along
     
    And you brought out the colors. what a gentle surprise
     
    Now I'm able to see, all the things life can be, shining soft in your eyes
     
     
    And you decorated my life. Created a world where dreams are a part
     
    And you decorated my life,by painting your love all over my heart
     
    You decorated my life!
     
     **Written by: D. Hupp / B. Morrison  Published by: Music City Music, Inc.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Permission to publish these lyrics may be gotten by written request from:
     
    Mr. Bob Beckham
    Combine Music, Inc.
    35 Music Square East
    Nashville, Tenn.  37203
     
    Request  should  state  how  reprint is to be used and that  it  is  for  Non-
    Commercial Use.
    (Combine Music now owns all assets of Music City Music)
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
    
        #24         21-SEP-1985 06:13:37                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::JOHNP       
    To:     BOS1A::CABUYS
    Subj:   Want to know more about me?
    
    Hmmmmm...<grin>  I thought you knowew *quite* a bit about me!!!
    
    I'll see what I can do!
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
    
        #25         21-SEP-1985 13:42:45                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::MADONNA     
    To:     CABUYS
    Subj:   poem (submitted to poetry section)
    
             "I Can Almost Feel You"
    
    September telescopes outside
    my bedroom window.
    Night stains the air
    inky dark.
    I lean against the open window,
    elbow on papered table,
    ready for anything.
    The last of the fireflies
    rise from weeds,
    blinking green,
    interlopers with burning eyes.
    
    Insects navigate the darkness,
    warm night-walls,
    secduced by carlights,l lantern moons,
    and you follow.
    Red clMississippi dirt
    covers your shoes
    as you cross the border,
    attracted by the golden cliircle
    of my houselights.
    
    Within the night,
    you observe lace-screened windows
    framed by southern darkness.
    You beckon me
    into the honeysuckle.
    I kiss the curve of your lips,
    your hands question my skin.
    I answer you with sweet kisses.
    
    You take my shoulders in wary hands,
    draw me against your heart
    (where fireflies flutter).
    I kiss the hollow
    just below your clollarcollar bone,
    where that soft shadow waits.
    All I want to do is forget--
    to know nothing but the weight of your body,
    to hear nothing but this echoed breathing
    I have imagined for too long.
    I cannot tell where I end
    and you begin.
    
    As you retreat along delta flatlands,
    I memorize the shape of your body,
    the curve of your cheek
    reflected in river eddiess in river eddies,
    love catches in my throat
    like a bone.
    
    Tonight,
    in the lglow of,  
    of my houselights,
    I'll pretend your are waiting
    in the tangled honeysuckle--
    the glow of your cigarette
    is a beacon.
    I can almost feel
    your breath against my neck.....
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #26         21-SEP-1985 14:24:43                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::MADONNA     
    To:     CABUYS
    Subj:   second thoughts..
    
    Connie, 
    I really think (if you decide to use the poem) that I'd like 
    it to be an anyonoymous submission.  Ok?  Thanks!  I am trluly skhy &
    would like to build my nerve up bit by bit (smile).
    Best,
    Libybyby
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
    
        #27         21-SEP-1985 15:38:52                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     BOS1A::MADONNA,CABUYS      
    Subj:   RE: second thoughts..
    
    Libby,
    
    As you know, we are more than happy to accept original poetry or anything
    else on an "annonymous" basis.
    
    I can definitely understand the shyness.  You can't imagine how often I have
    to deal with my own shyness and how much it takes for me to build up my
    nerve just to handle this sig! Strange, huh?  
    
    Thanks for the poem!  You can bet we'll use it!  And in time, I just bet
    you'll want to post some things and let everyone know *you* wrote 'em!
    YOu should be proud of what you can do! I envy anyone who can write poetry
    and often wish I could do so!
    
    OH well, enough of my rambling for now! Take care!
    
    -Connie
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
    
        #28         21-SEP-1985 15:53:01                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     RODM,CABUYS      
    Subj:   copy of msg from insiders sig.
    
     
    1468 21-SEP 15:26 SIG News
         SEND & WHO now at FORUM>
         From: DAN          To: ALL
     
    And SEND allows you to ask questions:
     
    FORUM> SEND DAN ?QUE PASA?
     
    does the "right" thing with the questions marks.
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
    
        #29         21-SEP-1985 19:40:27                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS2A::MADONNA     
    To:     CABUYS
    Subj:   third thoughts
    
    Thank you for understanding....however I talked with Joey &
    he convinced me to take credit for the poem.  So when you put
    it in the dbase, I would appreciate it if you'd say it was
    from Madonna (Libby)
    Thank you!
    ((hugs))
    Lib
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
    
        #30         21-SEP-1985 21:39:36                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     RODM,CABUYS      
    Subj:   /send isn't working - neither is /page & hurry up & join us! <grin>
    
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
    
        #31         21-SEP-1985 22:10:16                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     RODM,CABUYS      
    Subj:   I may bail out of here suddenly - not happy with way co is going. sigh.
    
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
    
        #32         21-SEP-1985 22:12:08                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::RODM        
    To:     BOS1A::CABUYS,RODM        
    Subj:   RE: I may bail out of here suddenly - not happy with way co is going. si
    gh.
    
    MY Darling,
    
    If you do may I join YOU!??
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #33         21-SEP-1985 22:13:23                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     BOS1A::RODM,CABUYS      
    Subj:   RE: I may bail out of here suddenly - not happy with way co is going. si
    gh.
    
    Join me where, dear? Would be foolish of me to stay on line and not attend
    my co and you can't call from where you are. sigh.
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #34         21-SEP-1985 22:15:04                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::RODM        
    To:     BOS1A::CABUYS,RODM        
    Subj:   RE: I may bail out of here suddenly - not happy with way co is going. si
    gh.
    
    I CAN CALL!!!!!!
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #35         21-SEP-1985 22:15:59                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     BOS1A::RODM,CABUYS      
    Subj:   RE: I may bail out of here suddenly - not happy with way co is going. si
    gh.
    
    ok! if I leave, then please do so!!!! I love you!!!
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #36         21-SEP-1985 22:45:57                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::RODM        
    To:     CABUYS,RODM        
    Subj:   Survival odds?
    
    Darling ,
    
    What is my life expectancy right now??
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #37         21-SEP-1985 22:46:36                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     BOS1A::RODM,CABUYS      
    Subj:   RE: Survival odds?
    
    Lover,
    
    actually very good! I'm giggling a lot!
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #38         21-SEP-1985 22:48:01                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::RODM        
    To:     BOS1A::CABUYS,RODM        
    Subj:   RE: Survival odds?
    
    I hope I confused the joke adequately!
    
    I LOVE YOU!!!
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #39         21-SEP-1985 23:01:18                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::RODM        
    To:     CABUYS,RODM        
    Subj:   May I NOW?
    
    Darling ,
    
    May I call NOW?
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #40         21-SEP-1985 23:01:59                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     BOS1A::RODM,CABUYS      
    Subj:   RE: May I NOW?
    
    yes!
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
        #41         22-SEP-1985 14:12:23                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     CABUYS,CABUYS      
    Subj:   changes to database from Insiders sig
    
     
    1496 22-SEP 13:26 SIG News
         9/22 Database Enhancements
         From: DAN          To: ALL
     
    I have installed a new version of the databases and workspace in
    the Inside Information sig today.  I haven't made it globally
    available until it's shaken down a bit.  (I particularly don't
    want to put new stuff in for you on a Sunday night!)
     
     
    The various major and minor enhancements are:
     
    FILE SIZES - the field for the file size now displays if non-zero.
    The field is automatically calculated by the system at the time of
    submission.  It is also available as one of the editable items for
    database managers.  When using the edit option on the file size, you
    can enter some number of your own or type SYSTEM to let the system
    calculate it for you.  The system-calculated number is reasonably
    accurate, but not guaranteed.  The number is displayed in bytes,
    but I am open to other suggestions.  At the time the new database
    software is released for general use, I will run a program against
    all of your production databases to update the file size fields --
    since these are all zero now.
     
    SUBMIT FROM COMMON PREVIEW - now works again.  Getting this to
    work required making some changes to workspace (internal changes
    only), which may affect the way some of you have been moving from
    workspace to databases and back.  Submit from a database menu
    probably brings you back to where you left off rather than putting
    you in the workspace as it had previously.  (Not sure of this.)
     
    SPACING BETWEEN ITEMS ON DIR FULL - now a little easier to see
    where one file/group ends and the next starts.
     
    DISPLAY FORMAT OF MANAGER-ONLY ITEMS - for consistency, I now
    display a / (slash) character before items that only managers
    see.  I haven't gotten them all yet, but I'm trying.  This
    should make it easier to tell who is seeing what.
     
    FILE NAMING CONVENTIONS - now a bit more unlikely to create duplicates.
    File names in COMMON PREVIEW when submitted by a user are now
    prefixed by a two-digit suggested-topic-id and the first 5 letters
    of the guy's username.  For example, I submitted a file called
    NATIONAL.DAT from my username DAN0 to be placed in the Using Delphi
    topic here.  Using Delphi has an internal id of 5 (this is the same
    number that specifies the digit-position in the topics in smaint),
    so the file created in COMMON PREVIEW is 05$DAN0$NATIONAL.DAT --
    making it less likely that someone else will trash the file.
    The new naming convention also has the (useful?) side effect of
    causing a DIR within a database area to list the files by username
    of submittor within topic.  There are no major changes here; I am just
    taking advantage of the longer filenames allowed under the new version
    of the VMS operating system.  Using PEABO's method of watching the
    filenames as they are moved into COMMON DATABASE is still STRONGLY
    RECOMMENDED.
     
     
    If all works well, this new version will be available for installation
    early this week.
     
    Dan
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
    
        #42         22-SEP-1985 14:21:19                                        MAIL
    
    From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
    To:     ATRICK,CABUYS      
    Subj:   quick entry to your sig
    
    Allen,
    
    I'm answering your message in Insiders via Dmail because it's not
    recommended that sig managers use this method.  It's not recommended because
    changes can be made to menus that you are not aware of unless you see the
    menus and with my method you don't see 'em.
    
    Anyway, here's how I have it set to log directly into my sig, which is
    Close Encounters.  You'll need to make necessary change in sig name for
    your sig.
    
    ^Z
    
    MAIN> ?
    
    
    MAIN Menu:
    
    Bulletin Boards       News-Weather-Sport
    Conference            People on DELPHI
    DELPHI Mail           Travel
    Entertainment         Workspace
    Financial Services    Using DELPHI
    Groups and Clubs      HELP
    Library               EXIT
    Merchants' Row
    
    MAIN>What do you want to do? using
    
    USING-DELPHI> ?
    
    
    USING-DELPHI Menu:
    
    Advice From DELPHI      What's New On DELPHI
    Credit Policy           Rates and Prices
    Feedback                Settings (PROFILE)
    Guided Tour             Telex-Codes
    Mail To SERVICE         Usage History
    Manuals                 HELP
    Network Info            EXIT
    Premium Services
    
    USING-DELPHI>(Please Select an Item)> settings
    
    SETTINGS> ?
    
    
    SETTINGS Menu:
    
    WIDTH (Columns)             PROMPT Mode
    LENGTH (Lines/page)         TERMINAL Type
    MENU (Default Selection)    HELP
    PASSWORD (Change)           EXIT
    
    SETTINGS>What would you like to set? prompt
    
    Your current prompt mode is: 1 (Brief)
    Select type of prompt.
    (1, 2 or 3)  1
    
    Your prompt has been set to 1 (Brief)
    
    SETTINGS> menu
    
    Your current default menu item is: MAIN
    
    Default Menu Item:  gr clo
    
    You have selected the GR CLO menu.
    
    
    SETTINGS> ^Z
    
    *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
    Close Encounters - The Intimate Side
       of Computer Telecommunications
           (c) 1985 SLG Associates
    *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
    
    
    ENCOUNTER> 
    
    Hope this helps or is what you are looking for!  If not, let me know and I'll
    try again!
    
    Good luck!
    
    -Connie
    
    
    MAIL> d
    
    
    
    MAIL> 
    
    
    No more messages
    
    
    MAIL> d
    

    DM0922


  • Richvale Telecommunications: C64-Link

    Source: Compute! – Issue Number 21 – December 1983

    This ad is from the December 1983 of Compute! magazine.

    I had a Commodore 64 but it wasn’t until a few years later. I do not remember this particular device and the ad doesn’t make it terribly clear as to what exactly the use case is. The claim is that it gives you the following expanded capabilities to your Commodore 64 (and there was also a VIC-20 version):

    • The ability to transfer data from any type of device to another (IEEE, Serial, Parallel)
    • BASIC 4.0 which allows you to run more PET BASIC programs and gives you extended disk and I/O commands.
    • The ability to have several 64s on line together – sharing common IEEE devices such as disks or printers with Spooling Capability.
    • Built-in machine language monitor
    • A built-in terminal or modem program which allows the system to communicate through a modem to many bulletin board systems and other computer mainframes.
    • Compatibility with CP/M.

    As far as I can tell, the C64-Link was a device that plugged into the cartridge port of the Commodore 64 and allowed you to connect multiple devices. The primary purpose would appear to have been to set up a sort of a LAN to allow multiple Commodore 64s to share devices such as disk drives and printers. There was also some built-in software including a terminal program and upgraded version of BASIC. I guess it could also serve as a standalone IEEE adapter to connect devices that used that interface (primarily some disk drives and printers).

    Commodore competed in the education market for a while though they were never as successful as Apple. I think they did a bit better in Canada than the U.S. and I know that classrooms used similar setups. The idea being that students could load their software off of a shared disk drive and all print to the same printer…that sort of thing. I’m not sure how successful this particular device was but apparently there was a version 2 that improved compatibility with some software. This particular device came from Canada so as a U.S. customer you would have had to deal with customs. However, I believe there were other similar hardware devices for networking Commodore 64s and for connecting IEEE devices.