Source: Ahoy! – Issue Number 3 – March 1984

Ahoy! was a Commodore specific magazine that covered a number of Commodore computers over the years. In 1984 it was covering the then new Commodore 64 and the VIC-20. Contents of the March 1984 issue include:

Departments

• A View from the Bridge – An introduction to Ahoy! (this was only the third issue) and an overview of what is inside.

• Editorial – Raymond Z. Gallun writes about the future of computers, artificial intelligence and more.

• Scuttlebutt – The latest Commodore news, including: and update on the Koala Pad; new music software for the Commodore 64 including MusicCalc 1 (synthesizer and sequencer), MusicCalc 2 (score writer), MusicCalc 3 (keyboard maker), and Studio 64 (described as a “music word processor”); the introduction of the Commodore 264 series (Commodore 16, Plus/4)…these were originally inteded to replace both the VIC-20 and the Commodore 64; the Magic Voice speech module along with software that supports it; 3-Plus-1 word processor/spreadsheet/file manager/businesss graphics software; Commodore LOGO; Magic Desk II; Superscript 264; Easycalc 64 and Easycalc 264; B/Graph; Financial Advisor; Teligraphics; International Soccer; Viduzzles; Jack Attack and more new software; Tramiel resigns from Commodore; and much more.

• The Rupert Report – Computers and logic.

• Book Review – A review of ‘The Commodore Puzzle Book: BASIC Brainteasers’. This is a book that helps you to write programs to solve puzzles.

• Commodares – Several problems for you to solve via programming including identifying palindromes, reversing user input, and a logic problem.

• Flotsam – Letters from readers about a previous John Von Neumann related article, PCJr vs. the Commodore 64, adding a proofreading program, and more.

• Reviews
  • Master Type – A game from Broderbund to teach you typing for the VIC-20
  • Buck Rogers: Planet of Zoom – a 3D arcade game from Sega for the VIC-20 and Commodore 64
  • Wavy Navy – A Space Invaders type game with a nautical theme from Sirius Software for the Commodore 64
  • Enchanter – The latest piece of interactive fiction from Infocom for the Commodore 64
  • Bible Baseball – Play baseball via multiple choice questions about the Bible. From Davka for the C64.
  • Lode Runner – Classic action game from Broderbund for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20
  • Congo Bongo – Conversion of the Sega arcade game for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20
  • Wayout – A 3D maze game from Sirius Software for the Commodore 64
  • Computer War – A game for the VIC-20 from Thorn EMI Software that is based on the movie WarGames
  • DTL BASIC 64 – An expanded compiled BASIC for the Commodore 64
  • Analogies – Educational software from PDI for the Commodore 64
  • Nukewar – A strategy war game from Avalon Hill for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20
  • Threshold – Another Space Invaders type game from Sierra On-Line for the Commodore 64
  • Pooyan – A conversion of the Konami arcade game by Datasoft for the Commodore 64
  • Pac-Man/Donkey Kong/Centipde/Robotron: 2084 – Conversions of classic arcade games by Atarisoft for the Commodore 64
  • Reading Comprehension: What’s Different – Educational software from PDI for the Commodore 64
  • Preschool IQ Builder – More educational software from PDI for the C64
  • Rescue Squad – A simple but fun arcade game from Muse Software for the Commodore 64
  • Dragonriders of Pern – An action/strategy game from Epyx for the Commodore 64 based on the Anne McCaffrey books.

Features

• Anatomy of the Commodore 64 – A detailed look at the hardware of the Commodore 64, inside and out.

• Printer Interfacing for the 64 & VIC – This article details the options for connecting printers to the Commodore 64 and VIC-20, including available RS-232 interfaces.

• Beyond the Golden Gateway – The prospects for biological based microchips in the near future.

• Educational Software Guide – A parents guide to educational software available for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20.

• VIC Games Buyer’s Guide – For a couple of years, the VIC-20 was THE machine to have for the best quality games, particularly arcade conversions. This article provides a guide to many of the game avaialble for the VIC-20.

Programs

• Space Lanes – Pilot your spaceship through a maze avoiding obstacles and destroying enemies in this type-in game for the both the VIC-20 and Commodore 64.

• Random Files on the C-64 – A guide to using random files on the Commodore 64 and 1541 disk drive with code examples.

• Easy Access Address Book – A type-in program that gives you an electronic address book for your Commodore 64.

• Dynamic Power for your 64! – Creating programs that modify themselves.

…and more!