• Tag Archives VIC-20

  • Compute! (October 1981)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Compute! – Issue Number 17 – October 1981

    Compute! is a home computer magazine that got its start all the way back in 1979. Later on, it tended to be less technical than something like Byte but by today’s standards, all computer magazines were somewhat technical when this issue was published in October 1981. At the time, Compute! covered computers based on the 6502 processors such as the Commodore PET, Apple II, Atari 400/800, VIC-20 and others. This issue includes:

    Columns

    • The Editor’s Notes – Atari reduces prices in the wake of the introduction of the VIC-20 (they would ultimately lose the price war later on vs. the Commodore 64), IBM enters the personal computer market, Atari wins school contract in Minnesota, and more.
    • Computers and Society – Appropriate applications for home computers.
    • Readers Feedback – A commentary on the maturing of the computer industry and Computer Aided Instruction.
    • Ask the Readers – A question answered about the Apple II and TV interference and questions asked about video terminal options for an OSI computer, the 3040 Floppy Disk Unit for the PET, and more.
    • Basically Useful BASIC: Automatic DATA Statements For CBM and Atari – A type-in program that converts machine language code into BASIC DATA statements.
    • The Beginner’s Page – Organizing and processing data with computers.
    • VIC-20 News – The latest released for the new VIC-20 including the VIC Graphics Printer from Axiom, a new disk drive (this would become the 1540), various memory expansion cartridges, an RS-232 adapter for connecting a modem, plus lots of software including Blackjack, Slither/Superslither, Biorhythm Compatibility, Space Math, Car Chase, Blue Meanies from outer Space, Programmer’s Aid (adds new BASIC commands), and more.
    • Guest Commentary: A Software Publisher’s View on Software Pricing and Service Policies – A commentary on software licensing from a publisher’s perspective.
    • What is a Modem, and Why Do I Need One? Part II – Part II of this multipart series includes information on how to use a modem, what type of modem to get, and technical modem details.
    • More Machine Language for Beginners – A program that provides a way to secure private files is used as a way to teach machine language techniques.
    • Undeleteable Lines – A technique for inserting lines of code in a BASIC program that cannot easily be deleted. Works on the Apple II and Commodore PETs.
    • Inverting a Matrix – A program for the TRS-80 for inverting a matrix.
    • New Products – A brief look at new products including the new 300bps AUTO-CAT modem from Novation, a TV/Monitor stand for the Apple II and Atari, VisiFile filing/database program for the Apple II, a software development system for the Commodore PET, Apple II, and Atari 400/800 from Eastern House Software, and more.

    The Apple Gazette

    • Budgeting On the Apple – A type in program for the Apple II that helps with budgeting tasks.
    • Named GOSUBs – A machine language routine that allows you to use named GOSUBs (instead of just line numbers) in BASIC programs.
    • A Tape “EXEC” For Applesoft: Loading Machine Language Programs Part II – A program that allows you to load both a BASIC program and ML routines it uses from tape.
    • Switching Cleanly From Text To Graphics – Normally when switching from text to graphics mode on the Apple II, garbage will briefly appear on the screen. This bit of code that you can implement in your own programs prevents that from happening creating cleaner transitions.
    • Interfacing the CCS 7710A Asynchronous Serial Card – Instructions for building a printer interface for the Apple II using the specified serial card.

    The Atari Gazette

    • Cassette Boot-Tape Generation From DOS 2.0S Binary Load File – A technique for creating a bootable tape on the Atari 400/800.
    • Beware The RAMTOP Dragon – A technique for creating protected memory areas…especially from Atari’s memory management.
    • Documented Atari Bugs – A detailed description of bugs in Atari OS and BASIC software.
    • Graph It On The Atari – A type in program for creating plots and graphs.
    • Extending Player Missile Graphics – A machine language program for enhancing the capabilities of Atari’s Player Missile Graphics (sprites).
    • Atari 400/800 Variable Name Utility – A type in program that will display the contents of the variable name table which lets you know which variable names are already in use.
    • Insight: Atari – How to use calculated GOTO and GOSUB statements.
    • Overview: “Letter Perfect” Word Processing on the Atari – A review of Letter Perfect, a $149 word processor for Atari computers.
    • Atari Disk File Dump – A type-in program that will provide a hex dump of any program on disk. This works with Atari 810 and 815 disk drives.
    • Atari Program Library – A type-in program that helps you catalog your software by comparing disk contents with what is already in the database and adding whatever is missing.

    The Pet Gazette

    • Practical Pet Printing Primer for Perplexed Programmers – A type-in program that helps you to print out program listings in a reasonable format.
    • Odds And Ends: A Fat Forty Bug – Illustration of a bug that sometimes occurs when running BASIC 4.0 programs on a PET with 12-inch screens that was originally written for 4-inch screens.
    • Machine Language: What’s Your Sign? – Using signed vs. unsigned numbers.
    • Train Your Pet To Run VIC Programs – A technique for getting VIC BASIC programs to run on the PET.
    • Converting To Fat-40 – A tutorial for converting programs written for 9/10-inch PET 4032 to the 12-inch 40-column PET 4032.
    • High Resolution Bar Graphs For The Pet – A type-in program for creating bar graphs on the PET
    • Waking Up The PET Screen – A software routine that can create reverse field blinking anywhere on the screen at variable rates.
    • Interfacing A BSR X-10 AC Remote Control System – Long before Alexa, X-10 systems were a way to create home automation. This article describes interfacing such a system with a Commodore PET.
    • Using Non-Pin-Feed Forms In The 2022 – A way to print on standard checks and bank deposit forms using the 2022 printer.
    • How And Why You Should Use PEEK (155) Instead Of Get – A better way to detect key presses when multiple keys are pressed at the same time (e.g. as might happen in two player games).

    The SBC Gazette

    • AIM 65 BASIC Floating Point Arithmetic From Machine Language – How to use floating point numbers on the SBC.
    • A General Purpose BCD-To-Binary Routine – A type-in program that will convert a BCD number with any number of digits to a binary number.

    …and more!


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  • RUN: The Commodore 64 & VIC-20 Magazine (March 1984)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Run – Issue Number 3 – March 1984

    While RUN was primarily a Commodore 64 magazine, it did cover other Commodore 8-bit computers over the years. In the early days, that meant the VIC-20. The March 1984 issue of RUN includes:

    Features

    • In Search of a Tenth Planet – How one astronomer uses a Commodore 64 to help him search for a 10th planet.
    • Spreadsheets Uncovered – A general overview of spreadsheet software as well as a look at specific examples, including BCalc, BusiCalc 64, Easy Calc Result, ESP-Calc, Home-Calc, PracticalC64, and more.
    • Serpent of Death – A type-in Egyptian themed game for the VIC-20.
    • Baja 1000 – A type-in game for the VIC-20 in which you must flee a pursuing helicopter in your Jeep.
    • Scaling Ivy-Covered Walls – A type-in program for the Commodore 64 that helps you choose the right college by providing various information.
    • A Touch-Sensitive Issue – An overview of graphics tablets, a popular input device for a brief period of time, and some of the software that support them. The KoalaPad was probably the most popular.
    • Unveiling of the TED – A preview of the upcoming Commodore 264 (A.K.A. the Plus 4). While it had some interesting features, overall the Commodore 64 was a better machine (especially for games) and the Plus 4 was a complete market failure.
    • Long Multiplication On the VIC-20 – A type-in program for the VIC-20 that allows you to multiply numbers up to 70 digits long.
    • Bringing Up Commodore – A beginner’s guide to setting up a new Commodore computer and organizing your software.
    • Mad Bomber – A type-in educational game designed to teach typing by defeating the letter bomber.
    • Basic Speedup – Various tips for speeding up your BASIC programs.
    • Don’t String Me Along – A guide to using strings in your BASIC programs.
    • Beyond the Manual – A continuing series on BASIC programming. This month, the GOTO statement and various Poke commands are the topic.

    Departments

    • RUNning Ruminations – The introduction of the Plus/4 coincides with Jack Tramile leaving Commodore.
    • MAGIC – Short programming snippet for performing magic on your Commodore. This month, scrolling stars, delay loops, repeating keys, resetting a VIC-20 and Commodore 64, programming function keys, disabling the list command, and much more.
    • Commodore Clinic – Questions answered about PET, C64 and VIC-20 compatibility, RS232 adapters for the C64, changing the blink speed of the C64 cursor, printers for the C64, reverse scrolling on the C64, printing graphics from the C64, interfacing the VIC-20 with a robot arm, and more.
    • Software Gallery – Reviews of Bandits (VIC-20), The Battle of Blackpoole (Commodore 64), Delta Drawing (Commodore 64), VIC Forth (VIC-20), and Benji’s Space Rescue (Commodore 64).
    • For Gamesters Only – Tips and strategies for Computer Wars (VIC-20), Submarine Commander (VIC-20), Neutral Zone (Commodore 64), Beach-Head (Commodore 64), and Archon (Commodore 64).
    • Video Casino – A type-in game for the VIC-20 called Tunnel Run in which make your way through various tunnels while escaping aliens.
    • Mail RUN – Letters from readers mostly commenting about the premiere issue of RUN.
    • Book Gallery – Reviews of new computer books including The User’s Guide to Commodore 64 & VIC-20 Computers, Software & Peripherals, The Commodore 64 Programmer’s Reference Guide, and Tricks for VICs.
    • Hardware Gallery – Reviews of Commodore related hardware including Impact Printer, C-64 Link (providing BASIC 4.0 features and an IEEE-488 interface), and VIC-20 Expansion (a 32K memory expansion).
    • Games RUNdown – An overview of some recently released games, including Combat Leader, Wayout, Crisis Mountain, Cyberworld, Lode Runner, Flight Simulator II, Zaxxon, Pooyan, and more.
    • Hardware RUNdown – A look at some recent hardware releases including The Z-80 Video Pak for the C64 (adding CP/M capability), a Commodore 64/VIC-20 case, the 64 Expander, and more.
    • Software RUNdown – A brief look at new software including Bank Street Writer, Totl Buisness, Computer Mechanic, Swiftax, PractiFile, Parts of Speech, Diary 64, and more.

    …and more!


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  • Commodore Power/Play (Spring 1983)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Commodore Power/Play – Spring 1983

    Commodore Power/Play was one of Commodore’s early official publications. This magazine emphasized home and entertainment usage. In 1983 this meant mostly the VIC-20 and the then still fairly new Commodore 64. The Spring 1983 issue includes:

    Features

    • New Game Cartridges for the Commodore 64 – The cartridge format for games was really only briefly popular. Pretty soon most games were released on disk, at least in the U.S. Here’s a look at some early cartridge games including Jupiter Lander, Radar Ratrace, Speed Math/Bingo Math, Kickman, and Tooth Invaders
    • I Program with Gortek – A look at Gortek and the Microchips, a programming tutorial developed by Commodore for kids.
    • Making Friends With SID, Part 2 – Part 2 of an ongoing series on the Commodore 64’s SID chip including some examples of how to generate sound and music.
    • Decwar! – A look at this multiplayer interstellar war game available on CompuServe.
    • Getting the Chores Done – A type-in program for the VIC-20 to help organize and assign chore.
    • VIC Super Piano – A type-in program that turns your VIC-20 into a piano with which you can also record and playback music with visual effects.
    • Machine Language is a POKEr’s Game – A guide to incorporating machine language routines into your own programs.

    Departments

    • Braindrops – The magazine reaches 100,000 readers plus a look at the changes in this issue.
    • The VIC Magician – A guide to programming the function keys of the VIC-20.
    • Butterfield – Learn how to make music on your Commodore 64.
    • High Scores – High scores for Blue Meanies, Car Chase, Cosmic Cruncher, Draw Poker, Jupiter Lander, Gorf, Midnight Drive, Mole Attack, Omega Race, Pinball Spectacular, Radar Rat Race, Raid on Fort Knox, Sea Wolf, Sky Is Falling, Slither, Super Alien, Super Slither, Super Slot, Super Smash and VIC Avenger.
    • User Group Spotlight – The story behind the New Mexico Commodore Users Group.
    • Access: Commodore User Groups – A comprehensive list of Commodore user groups around the world.
    • Jiffies – Brief looks at new software including two new cassette six packs for the VIC-20. The first includes NumBowl, LCM Machine, Sector Five, Backfire, Ruler Dueler, and Scare City Motel. The second includes VIC Synthesizer, Crawler, Alpha Draw, Super Seekers, Big Bad Wolf, and Treasures of the Bat Cave. Also reviewed are Pinball Spectacular for the VIC-20, The VIC Programmable Character Set & Gamegraphics Editor, and more.
    • Program Listings – Type-in programs including Crazy Balloons (guide your balloon through an obstacle course without popping it), Fill-in-the-Blanks (a mad libs sort of thing), Craps (the dice game), Lazy Line Numbering (a program to auto number lines in your programs), and Phone Home (a guessing game featuring E.T.).
    • Tele / Scope – A type-in program for capturing your online sessions to save to disk and/or print.
    • Book Review – Reviews of Compute!’s First Book of VIC and True Names.
    • New Products – The most interesting thing here is the announcement of an Atari to VIC-20 cartridge adapter that supposedly let you play Atari 2600 games on the VIC-20. Multiple companies advertised such devices but as far as I know, they were all vaporware. Perhaps it was really a ploy by Commodore to get people to buy more VIC-20s?

    …and more!


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