• Tag Archives TI
  • Computer and Video Games (March 1983)

    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!


  • K-Power (November/December 1984)


    Source: K-Power – Issue Number 8 – November/December 1984

    In the early 1980s, there were several computer magazines oriented towards kids. Most of them didn’t really last very long. K-Power, despite incorporating another short-lived kids computer magazine, didn’t survive much longer than a year. The November/December 1984 issue includes:

    Features

    • Space: The Fun Frontier – A look at computer games for Trekkies!
    • Let Your Computer Organize Your Hobby! – Need help sorting out your collection? Here it is! Plus, a look at hobby software. And a program to help you organize your hobby!
    • Computer To Go – K-POWER’s guide to buying a portable computer. And a chart of portables you might go for.

    Departments

    • Editor’s Note – How to make your computer part of the holidays.
    • Logon – Pen pal information, reader requests, and a coconut!
    • Compuzine – The lowdown on new computer TV shows. Plus, an exclusive repot from a computer trade show, Silicon Alley, and Scrolling Dough.
    • Dr. Kursor’s Klinic – The Dvorak keyboard, and big news for Timex owners.
    • K-Net – How to battle on-line frustration.
    • Screening Room – Reviews of Amazon, Cell Defense, Beyond Castle Wolfenstein, Jack Attack, and Castles of Dr. Creep.
    • Strategy – Zork hints! And, how to survive fantasy/role playing games.
    • Classified
    • Contest – What’s the use of computers?

    Hacker Heaven

    • Programs – Palindrome Construction Kit, Music Gizmo, Amazing Drumulator, and Melodies from Mars. Plus, the winners of the Word Twister Contest.
    • Pixel That! – Take off with the E-Z Flight Simulator.
    • Compucopia – Encoder/Decoder Contest winners.
    • Microtones – Musical Stings – mini-routines that play tunes! For the Apple, ADAM, CoCo, and more.


  • Family Computing (December 1983)

    family_computing_issue-04_1983_dec-001

    Source: Family Computing – Issue Number 4 – December 1983

    Family Computing was a relatively short-lived multi-format computer magazine from the early 1980s. There were a bunch like it but most didn’t survive long. It seems magazines dedicated to one particular computer did much better which I suppose makes sense since most people probably didn’t have multiple computers of different types.

    The December 1983 issue of Family Computing includes:

    Features

    • A No-Hassle Way to Shop? – Beat the crowds and save money to boot just by pounding on your computer keys – with the right connection.
    • The Layman’s Guide to Word Processing – Best-selling author McWilliams makes even rank beginner understand why word processing has become such a popular computer application for home use.
    • A Young Girl’s Fantasy Turns to Fortune – Adventure game designer Roberta Williams turned her talents for storytelling into successful software packages published by the company she heads with her husband, Ken.
    • Buyer’s Guide to Joysticks, Paddles, And Track-Balls – All you need to know to choose the right hand controller for you and your computer.
    • Automatic Pilot – Four homeowners, who’ve turned science fiction into fact with easy-to-install home-controlling equipment, may be part of a wave of the future.
    • How to Make Your Own Computer Cover for Just a Few Dollars – It takes just a small investment of time and money – and a little sewing skill – to protect your computer.
    • Things Computer Salespeople Seldom Tell You – Asking the right questions when you buy a computer can save you hours of frustration and rage – and a bundle of money.
    • What’s A Computer? – California kids have some offbeat answers.
    • Games For Two…Or Ten – A selection of games guaranteed to gather crowds of players around the computer.
    • 10 Gifts Your Computer Wants For Christmas – If your computer makes life easier for you, don’t forget to return the favor – it’s sure to pay off for you as well.
    • How People and Machines Can Work in Harmony – Part two of a special report on ergonomics.

    Programming

    • The Programmer – For enthusiasts of all levels.
    • Holiday Programs – Trim you electronic tree to music, make your own personalized wrapping paper, and divvy up holiday chores with programs for Apple, Atari, Commodore 64 and VIC-20, IBM, TI, Timex, and TRS-80 computers.
    • Puzzle – Shopper Search: Finding Mom at the department store.
    • Reader-Written Program – Writing letters in code – making your own character set.

    Products

    • What’s in Store – 14 pages of product announcements and reviews.
    • New Hardware Announcements – The latest in the field: Atari’s 1400XL, Timex’s 2000, TRS-80’s PC-4, Chalk Board’s PowerPad, and more.
    • Novelties and Notions – A compendium of computer-related items including disk punches, coloring books, calendars, computer printout greeting banners, and more.
    • Software Guide – Quick takes on two dozen new and noteworthy programs.
    • Software Reviews
    • Book Reviews

    Departments

    • Editor’s Note
    • Behind the Screens – People, News, and Trends
    • Home-School Connection – Take a lesson from teachers – choose educational software the way they do.
    • Games – Giving games as gifts.
    • Home Business – A successful home accountant.
    • Computing Confidential – Addicted to computers.
    • Computing Clinic – Questions from readers.
    • Light Touch – The Man Who Bought Two Many Peripherals.
    • Basic Booth – A monthly cartoon.
    • The Primer – A multipart reference guide that appears each month.
    • Advertiser’s Index
    • Sign Off – Avoiding the “Piano Lesson Syndrome.”

    …and more!