• ST-Log (April 1988)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: ST-Log – April 1988

    ST-Log was one of a couple of Atari ST magazines available in the U.S. I don’t think the Atari ST was quite as popular as the Amiga but it was reasonably close, at lest during their early years. The April 1988 issue of ST-Log includes:

    Features

    • The Atari ST Buyer’s Guide – A look at various products for the Atari ST in various categories. Some items covered here include utility software such as Copy II ST and Label Master Elite, application software such as Regent Word II and Word Writer, entertainment software such as Aegis Animator and Printmaster Plus, Games such as Flight Simulator II and Chessmaster 2000, and much much more.
    • Mouse-Ka Mania! – A look at this desktop accessory (free in the included disk) that allows you to change your mouse pointer and even animate it.
    • 1st Convert Utility – A type-in program that converts a standard ASCII file into a 1st Word or Word Writer ST file.
    • WordPerfect – A review of WordPerfect for the Atari ST.
    • The Northeast Atari Fair – A look at New England’s first Atari computer fair.
    • ChkDsk – This floppy/hard disk exploration and repair tool is included on the cover disk for this issue.
    • MEGA macrocosm – A detailed look at Atari’s MEGA ST.
    • Inside the ST Xformer, Part 2 – The second part of a series on the ST Xformer, an emulator that allows you to run Atari 8-bit software on your Atari ST.
    • The CinemaWare Story – A detailed look at the company behind such classics as Defender of the Crown and Sinbad.
    • Touching the databases – A tutorial on relational databases using the Atari ST.
    • Play Ball! – Using MicroLeague Baseball to design a baseball team and compete in the World Series.

    Reviews

    • Golden Path – Review of this rather difficult point and click adventure game with an Asian theme.
    • Data Manager ST – Review of this database management system for the Atari ST.
    • Ninja Mission – Review of this action games featuring ninjas.
    • Hardball! – The classic baseball game from Accolade. I spent hours playing this one on the Commodore 64.

    Columns

    • Editorial – About ST-Log’s transition to new ownership.
    • Reader comment – Complaints about Atari’s constant delays when it comes to new hardware.
    • C-manship – Using C to draw rectangles in GEM.
    • Assembly line – A tutorial on using subroutines in assembly programming.
    • Ian’s Quest – Atari to release PC compatible; PC Ditto, a DOS emulator for the Atari ST; MichTron’s Tune Up, and more.
    • Step 1 – Test Drive – An article on creating or customizing a printer driver.
    • GFA Basics – All about BASIC conditional statements.
    • Database Delphi – Using C to create arcade style games on the Atari ST.
    • ST user – A look at the future of CD-ROMs and Pinball Wizard.

    …and more!


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  • Amstrad Computer User (January 1990)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source:

    While the Amstrad CPC was virtually unheard of in the U.S., it was a popular computer in the U.K. from the mid 1980s into the early 1990s. While there were several variants, they were all based on a 4 MHz Z80 processor and most commonly had 64KB to 12KB of RAM and a built-in cassette or 3-inch disk drive. Amstrad Computer User was one of the magazines dedicated to these machines. The January 1990 issue includes:

    Regulars

    • Letters – Letters from readers about splitting the screen into two modes, fractal landscapes, typing in programs, building a robot, and more.
    • News – Sexism in software; Darius+; the new Delta 2000 joystick; Page Publisher, a new desktop publishing package released; Verran AC Datalink; and more.
    • Competition – Win several Ghostbusters themed items by answering a few simple questions about the movies.
    • Combat Zone – A look at upcoming arcade games including Exterminator (Gotlieb), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Konami), Special Criminal Investigations (Taito), Mechanized Attack (SNK), and Line of Fire (Sega).
    • 10 Liners – Short type-in programs to create a TV static effect, a robot race, a disk management program, and a morse code converter.
    • Microscope – Capturing and printing out images with the CPC.
    • Gameplan – Reviews of games including Ghouls ‘N’ Ghosts, Dynamite Dux, After the War, Sporting Triangles, Star Wars Trilogy, Mutant Fortress, and Spaceghost.
    • Hints and Tips – Tips, tricks, and cheats for License to Kill, APB, Shinobi, Bards Tale, Archon, Skate or Die, Arctic Fox, Total Eclipse, Dizzy II, and much more.
    • Auntie John – A technique for reducing a 16K image to only 8K.
    • Comms – An introduction to the world of the BBS.

    Features

    • Sprites Alive – A review of a software package that allows you to generate your own sprites.
    • Ledger – A review to an update of General Ledger 6128, a computerized book-keeping program for the Amstrad CPC from SD Microsystems.
    • Fractals – The final part of a three part series on fractals. This part relates to generating landscapes.

    …and more!


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