PC World (November 1984)

As far as mainstream PC specific magazines go, PC World was probably the best. I preferred Maximum PC but that one was a little more specialized. Plus it came along more than 20 years after this issue. 1984 was still early days for the PC and PC magazines. The November 1984 issue includes:

Getting Started

Of Spreadsheets and Models – A look at financial modeling programs that started life in mainframes including Micro/Prophit and Encore! Micro!

Community

World Class PC – Readers pick their favorite PC software and hardware. Some items here include the Compaq-Plus Portable Computer, Lotus 1-2-3, Peachtree Accounting, Tallgrass TG-3012 12MB hard disk and 20MB tape backup combo, Hayes Smartmodem 1200, Tandon TM 100-2 floppy drive, SixPakPlus, Wordstar, Smartcom II, Microsoft Flight Simulator, PC-DOS 2.10, and lots more.

In Quest of True BASIC – The creators of BASIC discuss the past and future of the language.

Review

Framework: Simplicity and Synergy – Framework is an integrated software package from Ashton-Tate that includes word processing, spreadsheet, data management, graphics, communications, and more.

Planning for Profit – A review of Micro/Prophit, a financial modeling and analysis program.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road – A review of Oz, a financial modeling package that helps analyze budgets, create org charts, and more.

The PC’s Space Program – A review of Spacemaker, a program designed to reduce wasted disk space.

PCjr World

PCjr Gets Bigger and Better – The latest iteration of the PCjr includes an improved keyboard and 128K more RAM. However, the PCjr was never a good deal as far as low end computers go.

Two Word Processors in Search of a Home – A look at Bank Street Writer and WordPlus-Jr.

State of the Art

80286: Intel’s Multitask Master – Details of Intel’s new 286 processor and how it may eventually give the PC the power to run four programs simultaneously, act as a server in a 16 PC network, and more.

Toward a Graphics Standard – A look at the NAPLPS standard for graphics communication and display.

Hands On

Frame by Frame – A hands on example using Framework.

Personal Macro Economics – Using Lotus 1-2-3’s Macro feature to help keep track of your budget.

Departments

David Bunnell – A history of MITS and the Altair.

Harry Miller – A look at recent changes in PC World with the goal of making information more accessible.

Letters – Letters from readers about warranties, copyrights and trademarks, repair costs, and more.

PC World View – A look at a company called Namelab that helps companies figure out how to name themselves.

The Help Screen – Advice about switching printers, software for managing apartments, changing cursor shape, and more.

Compatibles Update – Using PCs as workstations, Wang improves PC compatibility, the TI Professional Computer, sluggish sales of the DEC Rainbow, and more.