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  • RUN (October 1986)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: RUN – issue Number 34 – October 1986

    RUN wasn’t the first Commodore related magazine I ever bought but it was the last. I was buying and reading it sometime in 1989 until it died off at the end of 1992. I think I started picking it up after Commodore Magazine stopped being published and some of the Commodore 64 coverage they used to have was incorporated into RUN. The October 1986 issue includes:

    Features

    • Big Software For Small Business – A look at some of the business related software available for the Commodore 128. Software covered here includes Vizawrite and Vizastar (word processing and database), Business Pro-Pak (statistics software that works in CP/M mode), Chartpak 128 (creates charts and graphics), The Consultant (database), Data Manager 128 (database/report writing/label-making), dfile128 (database), Fleet System 3 (word processor), Ghost Writer 128 (word processor), Jane 2.0 (word processor, spreadsheet, and database), Microsoft Multiplan (budgeting software), Paperback Writer/Planner/Filer 128 (word processing/database/spreadsheet), PaperClip II (word processor), Partner 128 (cartridge-based desktop accessory package), Swiftcalc 128 (spreadsheet), WordPro 128 (word processor), Word Writer 128 (word processor), Superbase 128 (database), and CMS General Accounting System (accounting).
    • Software to Improve Your Business Picture – A look at available Computer Aided Design packages including Flexidraw, CADPAK, CAD-3D, CAD GEM, GEOS (specifically GeoPaint), and CADPIC 64.
    • Computer Creativity – A sort of case study of someone who uses a Commodore 64 for his art related business. Hardware used includes a Commodore 64, 1541 disk drive, Cardco CSD-1 disk drive, 1702 color monitor and Okimate-10 color printer. Software includes Word Writer, Sylvia Porter’s Your Financial Planner, Movie Maker, KoalaPainter, and Design Lab.
    • Commodore Power – Another case study in the use of Commodore computers. In this case, a power plant in Fort Pierce, Florida is using Commodore 64s for word processing, recording in plant meter readings, and generating summaries, calculations and reports for plant activities. Software used includes Multiplan, VizaStar, Superbase64, Speedscript and The Print Shop. The VIC-20 is also being used as a data collection instrument that reads gas and watt meters then generates various calculations.
    • 64 Personal Ledger – A type-in book keeping program for the Commodore 64 to help with things like home business or club finances.
    • High-Resolution Revolution – A type-in hi-res drawing application for the Commodore 64.
    • As The Word Turns – The latest revision of a type-in program that creates word searches.
    • Making a Pointer – A type-in program designed to incorporate into your own programs that creates a joystick controlled pointer.
    • Jim Butterfield: The Guru of Commodore Computing – An interview with Jim Butterfield, someone who probably had more technical knowledge regarding the Commodore 64 than anyone else.
    • Double Vision – A type-in drawing program for the Commodore 64.

    Departments

    • RUNning Ruminations – A summary of the results of a recent reader survey.
    • Magic – Short programs that perform various “magic”. Included this month are some tips for using function keys, a program that highlights REM statements, a graph paper generator, sound effects when printing, a simple hi-res sketch program, a tip to append programs, a two-line Basic 4.5 quick loader, and more.
    • Mega-Magic – Like Magic above but slightly longer programs. This month are some routines for scrolling text in various directions.
    • Software Gallery – Reviews of The Music Studio (music composer from Activision), Gato (World War II submarine sim), Your Financial Planner (finance program for the C128), Fleet System 3 (C128 word processor), Infiltrator (action game from Mindscape), Jet (combat flights sim), Personal Inventory/Personal Account/Time Manager (CP/M based software for the C128), Solo Flight (flight sim from MicroProse), GBA Championship Basketball: Two-on-Two (basketball game from Activision), Super Boulder Dash (arcade sequel from Electronic Arts), and more.
    • Basically Speaking – A technique in BASIC for loading one program from another.
    • Telecomputing Workshop – Questions answered about modems and online services for the Plus/4, recommendations for modems and terminal programs, terminal software for the Commodore 128, and PunterNet.
    • Q-Link Happenings – Q-Link was a Commodore specific online service. Eventually, it became AOL. Updates noted here include improved Free Software Library, new casino games, music news and more.
    • The Resource Center – A initiative at a Massachusetts public library to provide computer access (via a Commodore 64) and freeware library.
    • Commodore Clinic – Questions answered about using a computer specifically for telecommunications, daisy wheel printers and graphics, IBM-PC and Commodore 128 interoperability, 1541 and 1571 compatibility, Adventure Construction Set with a 1571 drive, configuring printers with Easy Calc and more.
    • Mail RUN – Letters from readers about astronomy software, Ultra Hi-Res, Fontmaster II, GEOS hardware compatibility, finding a Commodore 64C, Paperback Writer 128, and more.
    • New Products RUNdown – A brief look at new products including real-estate software, Cyber-Farmer 64 (accounting system), Cobol-64, a CP/M user’s guide for the C128, Mind Game (from Datasoft), the Diconix 150 portable ink jet printer, dfile, Bodylink, BobsTerm Pro-128, The Intelligent Talking Terminal, Rings of Ziflin, Hallmark Color Mail, and more.
    • Coming Attractions – Coming next month, The Power of Spreadsheets, Printer Interfaces Explained, CP/M Software, Math Challenge, and more.


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  • RUN (April 1987)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    RUN was one of the longest running and most popular Commodore 64/128 magazines in North America. I didn’t start buying it until Commodore Magazine stopped being published so I didn’t really start reading it until its later years. The April 1987 issue includes:

    Features

    • Hard Diskovery – This article gives an overview of the hard disk drives currently available for the Commodore 64 and those that are coming soon. At the time, there were three on the market with two pending release. The ones available included the ST10C from Computer Specialties, the 1010 from JCT, and the Data Chief HFD-20 from InConTrol (ICT). Coming soon were Xetec’s Lt. Kernal and Progressive Peripheral’s Device Nine. Capacities ranged from 3.7 MB to 20 MB and prices ranged from $595 to $895.
    • Taxing Your Commodore – April is tax season so of course there is an article giving an overview of the tax software available. There were quite a few to choose from, including TaxAid, Tax Advantage, Tax Command, Tax Master, It’s Tax Time, Comtax, Tax Return Helper and Swiftax.
    • DFCalc – DFCalc is a type in program that is a companion to another in a previous issue called Datafile. Datafile is a database management program and DFCalc adds the ability to perform calculations and produce spreadsheet-like reports on Datafile data.

    Departments

    • RUNning Ruminations – An overview of the current issue from the editor.
    • Magic – Reader submitted hints and tips, often in the form of short programs. This month, a program to pick a student at random, a quick way to load and run a program, a program to add keyboard clicking sounds to your typing, quickly switch between 1541 and 1571 mode on the 1571 disk drive, a debugging tool for the Commodore 128, a tool for aiding typing in programs for the Plus/4, and more.
    • Mega-Magic – Similar to Magic but consisting of longer program listings. This month, C-64 Edit Enhancer which adds the ability to toggle quote mode, do a single key screen dump and a screen freeze.
    • Software Gallery
      • Trapdoor Checkers; Radical Chess; Baudleships – Three simple games that can be played with an opponent via a modem. (B+)
      • The Big Blue Reader – Transfer ASCII files written with MS-DOS computers into a Commodore compatible file or vice versa using 1571 drive, basically turning it into a double-sided, double density, 360K PC compatible drive. (A)
      • The Bard’s Tale II: The Destiny Knight – The second entry in the classic fantasy RPG series. (A)
      • Mercenary – A futuristic space battle game with wireframe graphics. (A)
      • Operation Terminal – Another play by modem game. In this one compete with another player and the clock to collect antimatter samples, a formula, and to get off the island.
      • Spindizzy; The Rocky Horror Show; Zoids – Three new games from a new division of Activision called Electric Dreams. (B+; B; C)
      • Echo Lake Basic Enhancement – This software adds spreadsheet commands to BASIC on the Commodore 64. (B)
      • Shard of Spring – An RPG from SSI. (C+)
    • Easy Applications – Some routines to incorporate into your own programs for creating menus.
      • Telecomputing Workshop – Questions answered about modem use, online services and the online world in general. This month’s topics include Kermit for the Commodore 128, writing an autodialer program, software for VT100 emulation, protecting modems from power surges, some tips for running a BBS, and more.
      • The Resource Center – Finding low cost, high quality educational software via the public domain.
      • Commodore Clinic – Questions answered and problems solved, including topics such as choosing a future proof DBMS, finding programs to use with a 1520 printer/plotter, authorized Commodore dealers vs. mass market retail outlets, the differences between the 1525/1526 and MPS-801/MPS-803 printers, fixing an MPS-802, Commodore 64 audio problems, scientific notation, BASIC memory, and more.
      • Mail RUN – Letters from readers this month focus on the topic of piracy and software cost.
      • New Products RUNdown – New products this month include Official America’s Cup Sailing Simulation, a program to convert graphics between Print Shop and Print Master, The Lesson Master Courseware Authoring System, Hog Info and Crop Info farm record-keeping programs, Touch-Typing Tutor, Crazy Conveyors, GFL Championship Football, FB01 Design MIDI librarian and editor, X-15 Alpha Mission, Star Trek: The Promethean Prophecy, an update to the Spartan Apple II emulator/disk drive, Ticket to London, Symbol Master disassembler, Drag Race Eliminator, Wordmaze, Cash In/Cash Out accounting package, and more.
      • Learn to Walk Before you Run – Some tips for brand new Commodore users including how to format a disk, entering your first BASIC program, and more.
      • On-Line Happenings – Online service news as it relates to Commodore from The Source, Delphi, and QuantumLink.
      • Coming Attractions – Buying computer items through the mail, an interview with Nigel Shepherd (head of Commodore’s North American Operations), Desktop Publishing, creating windows on the C-128, PrintRite 64, Pegboard, and more.

      …and more!


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