• Tag Archives 1980s

  • Computer Shopper (January 1987)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Computer Shopper – January 1987

    In 1987, Computer Shopper still hadn’t peaked yet and the page count was not as high as it would become. This issue still has over 400 pages though. I’ve mostly thought of Computer Shopper as a PC oriented magazine and for the most part it was. However, during the 1980s especially, it covered a wide variety of machines, even those that were by this time out of date and no longer old (like the TI-99/4a, Timex/Sinclair, etc.). The January 1987 issue includes:

    Articles

    • Hyundai Bets Its Blue Chip On Retail Distribution – Hyundai’s plans to export PC clones to the U.S. Market via Blue Chip Electronics of Chandler, Arizona. Apparently, Blue Chip retail stores primarily sold Commodore and Atari systems up until this point. However, as far as I can recall, Hyundai was not particularly successful in the computer market. The Blue Chip XT with a monochrome monitor could be had for about $800.
    • What’s new in 1987: A look Ahead – Computer Shopper’s list of top things coming in 1987 include cheaper laser printers, cheaper RAM, cheaper hard drives, CD-ROM and WORM drives, and the arrival of 386-based computers.
    • Comdex Round Up – Highlights include new PCs from Asia, business software for the Atari ST, mass market discount operators like Toys-R-Us, K-Mart and Wal-Mart to start carrying PCs, and more.

    IBM MS-DOS

    • NEC MultiSpeed: The Fastest Laptop Yet – The NEC MultiSpeed is based on the V30 CPU that runs at 4.77 MHz and 9.54 MHz. It includes 512K of RAM, two 720K 3.5″ disk drives, and a detachable 80 column by 25 line black and white LCD for $1995.
    • 80386 Computers Star At Comdex – While Compaq’s 386 based PC had been out several months at this point, many other manufacturers introduced their 386 clones at the 1987 COMDEX.
    • Timeslips – A time and billing system for the PC. While web based, the system I have to use today isn’t really all that different in terms of functionality.
    • How To Build An AT – A guide to building your own PC-AT compatible machine for less than $2000 (as opposed to the $7000 cost of an IBM PC AT).
    • INT.EXE – Listing Your Interrupt Vectors – A program written in Microsoft C Version 4.0 that lists interrupt info on your PC.
    • Prodesign II CAD System – A review of this CAD package for PC. Hardware requirements include a PC with at least 512K of RAM, two floppy drives (or hard drive), and a printer or plotter.
    • Surprise 286! – An expansion board for PC XT compatibles that basically upgrades the CPU to a 7.2 MHz 286. It includes 8K of cache memory and a socket for a 287 math co-processor.
    • Niceprint Hail A New Classic! – Niceprint is software that adds new capability to your dot matrix printer such as additional fonts, more control (e.g. you can do sideways printing), and more.
    • Latest PC-Write (2.7) – The latest version of the PC-Write word processor is trad-off of more features but more complexity.
    • Carousel! Software to Multiply Memory 10 Times – Carousel! is essentially a DOS virtual memory system for PC XTs and ATs.
    • Megatel’s Quark: PC On A Half Shell – A small single-board computer that includes a 10-MHz 8088 CPU, 512K of RAM, and other typical features of a PC XT.
    • Stamps World Program – Software to help you manage your stamp collection.
    • Too Much Computerized AUTOmation? – A look at new monitors that automatically detect the graphics signal (monochrome, CGA, EGA, etc.) and sets the right display mode. Unfortunately, at this time, there was a lot of software incompatibility.
    • Innovention’s SideClock – A clock/calendar expansion for your PC that snaps onto an expansion slot but still allows you to use that slot for other purposes.
    • Before DOS – Recollections – A look back at the pre-DOS world of computers (mostly CP/M). At this point in time, DOS was only about 5 years old.
    • Menu Relief for IBM/Compatibles – A look at a program called Menu Ease which allows you to create custom menus for starting your DOS based programs.
    • Bondwell Debuts $499 PC-Clone – A look at the X’Press 16, a PC XT compatible computer that includes 256K of RAM, color graphics, floppy drive, and 3 channel sound for only $499.
    • Cordata Integrated Desktop Publishing Systems – A complete desktop publishing system that includes an IBM PC AT compatible computer, laser printer, 15-inch display, mouse, and various software for about $12000.
    • CADpak Version 1.2 – The latest version of this low-cost CAD package would set you back about $125.
    • Lightning – A Disk Cache Program That Works – Disk caching software that could reduce disk access times to floppy disk by up to 75% and hard disks by up to 50%. A big deal when such things were quite slow.
    • Make Your XT Run Like An AT – The Digitronix VELOZ is an upgrade kit that includes for XT computers that features a V20 CPU to speed up your machine by up to 310% for only $98.
    • Modgraph Introduces The Prism – A high resolution graphics controller that offers resolution up to 1024×780, 16 colors from a palette of 4096, and a drawing speed of 1,000,000 pixels/sec for $1695.
    • PC-CICS for The IBM PC – A package for the PC that emulates CICS, the mainframe transaction processing monitor.
    • Floppy Drive For Portable Computers – A new 3.5″ 720k floppy drive available in both internal and external form factors.
    • VEGA Deluxe Extra High Resolution Graphic Adapter – A graphics card that offers resolutions 37% higher than EGA and also supports all common standards.
    • C.Itoh 333-CPS 24-Pin Dot Matrix Printer – A new dot matrix printer featuring speeds of up to 333 cps with a proprietary 24-pin diamond-shaped head for $1995.
    • Arabic/English/French Word Processor – A multilingual word processor from Computer Anyware, Inc. that is also capable of basic graphics.
    • One Adapter – One Monitor “Graphics Solution” – A unique EGA graphics adapter that can also display MDA, CGA, and Hercules and is able to display the Hercules graphics mode on the ENX Multisync Color Monitor.
    • AT&T Announces New PC Plus Model – The AT&T PC 6300 Plus features an 80286 processor, 40MB hard drive, 1.2 MB floppy drive, and 512KB of RAM for $4800.
    • Internal Solid State Memory System Boasts 80386 Compatibility & Ultra-High Access Speeds – An 8-MB to 192-MB solid state disk drive that can also be configured as memory expansion. Price is not listed here but my guess is somewhere between absurd and ridiculous.
    • CopyWrite For MSDOS Program Backups – Software useful for backing up your own copy protected software but was also probably used extensively for pirating software as well.

    Tandy

    • TRSCROSS Disk/File Transfer Utility – A DOS based utility that lets you read and write TRS-80 format disks.
    • CoCo 3 – Alive On Arrival – A brief look at the then brand new CoCo 3 from Tandy/Radio Shack.
    • CoCo 3 – Another Opinion – Another look at the CoCo 3 looking at things such as compatibility with the CoCo 2 hardware and software and the new features specific to the Coco 3.
    • The M: Loader – A tutorial for creating a loader disk to speed up the use of the utilities included in MonteZuma Micro’s CP/M 2.2 software for the TRS-80 Model 4.

    Apple

    • Ask The Guru – Quick looks at Passport (a program for converting Apple II files on the Macintosh), the LaserWriter Plus and other laser printers, Apple IIgs compatibility problems, and more.
    • Colossus Chess IV Popular Computer Chess Program – A look at this chess program for the Apple II and Commodore 64.
    • The Ditgital Talking Clock – A program written in Applesoft BASIC that will make your Practical Peripherals ProClock (or other ProDOS compatible clock) talk.
    • The Mysterious Slot 3 – Understanding which cards work in slot 3 on the Apple IIe when the AUX slot is occupied.

    Macintosh

    • MacUniverse – Question about Apple’s parts policy, a look at a terrible spell checker called Spellnow, and more.
    • New SCIS External Hard DRives – Rodime releases new Rodime 20 Plus and 45 Plus external hard drives for $1295 (20 MB) and $$1695 (45 MB) respectively.
    • LaserWriter Password Woes – Questions about an EEPROM access password in Apple LaserWriter printers and problems it can cause.

    Commodore

    • PC2COM: An IBM to Commodore Interface Standard – The second part in a series on building an inexpensive parallel adapter to allow communications between a PC and Commodore 64 equipment.
    • Some Commodore Buys For 1986 – Some of the best recent hardware and software for the Commodore 64/128 including the Model 1670 1200 Baud Modem, Commodore Model 1700 and 1750 RAM Expansion cartridges, MIDI Magic, BASIC 128 from Abacus, X-10 Powerhouse, and more.
    • Just Another Day In Mudanesville – A look at Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
    • Inside Commodore – A look at the 64K video upgrade for the C128, technical documentation for CP/M on the C-128, upgraded ROMs for the 1571 disk drive, and more.

    Amiga

    • The Amiga Workbench – A look at recent games and other software for the Amiga including The Pawn, Chessmaster 2000, MaxiPlan, and more.
    • The Amiga: A Computer For The Right Hemisphere – How the Amiga’s graphics and sound capabilities make it a right brain computer.
    • Logistix and Superbase Personal – Logistix is a spreadsheet program comparable to Lotus 1-2-3 while Superbase is a database program (a variation of which I had on my Commodore 64).
    • Organize – Database – Another database program for the Amiga.
    • MiAmiga Ledger – A review of this general ledger system for the Amiga.
    • Multi-Forth For The Amiga – A review of this Forth implementation for the Amiga by someone who is clearly a fan of the language.

    Atari

    • Applying The Atari – Questions answered about modifying some Atari BASIC assembly routines, getting your printer to print in cursive, and more.

    Atari ST

    • Hacking The ST – A tutorial for using the Setscreen call and switching the display area.
    • Degas Elite From Batteries Included – A review of this paint program for the Atari ST.
    • CP/M For The Atari ST – An emulator that allows you to run CP/M programs on your Atari ST.
    • Atari ST vs. Amiga Round 2: The ST Is Superior – Part of an ongoing debate about the Atari ST vs. The Amiga. I mean, I think it is safe to say that the Amiga was superior in almost every way except perhaps when it came to MIDI, and depending on the exact time period, price.
    • Starglider 3-D Combat Flight Simulation – A brief look at Starglider for the Atari ST.
    • Graphics Editors For The Atari ST – A look at Typesetter ST and Rubber Stamp ST.
    • Spreadsheet Package For The ST – PowerPlan – A spreadsheet for the Atari ST that features a size up to 65536×65536 cells.

    Sanyo

    • Market Trend Analyzer – A Microsoft BASIC program to analyze market trends for the Sanyo 55X or IBM PC (or presumably any compatible).
    • Sanyo/IBM WordFun! Is Fun – A combination of two word games designed for the IBM PC but also works on the Sanyo MBC 550.

    Texas Instruments

    • TI Forum – New EPROM available for the Foundation 128K memory expansion card that allows it to work with Myarc Extended BASIC II software; A type-in game called CINVADERS; a look back at the TI-99/2; and more.

    Heath/Zenith

    • Expanding Your Heath/Zenith PC-Compatible – A guide to adding a software speed selector tot he PC-Sprint turbo board for both the PC and H/Z-150.
    • Mouse Menus for Hard Disk Use – The process of installing a hard drive, controller and indicator light, and changing the cluster size on the Heath/Zenith 150 PC plus. Then what the name of article mentions, setting up a mouse controlled menu to launch programs from the hard drive.
    • A New Soft-sector Disk Controller – The H-89 – A new relatively inexpensive ($249) floppy controller that allows the H-89 to use more common (and cheaper) soft sectored floppy disks.

    Timex/Sinclair

    • Sinclair Survival Column – A guide to SuperBASIC on the Sinclair QL.

    Miscellaneous

    • UNIX Operating System Case Study – This article starts with a history of UNIX and continues with a guide to UNIX that includes standard features, process creation, file system, process termination, I/O system and more.
    • Modula-2 – A guide to the Modula-2 programming language.
    • XENIX To AT&T Unix System V Release 3 – IBM reaches agreement with AT&T to use the features from Unix System V Release 3 in Xenix.
    • Stan Veit’s History – Computer Camelot – The story of the Computer Mart of New York which when it opened it had 500 square ft. of space and included an inventory of five Sphere computers (mostly in kit form), five IMSAI computers, some 19-inch video monitors, one used Teletype ASR 33 and various computer books and magazine.
    • Toshiba’s PageLaser 12 – A laser printer from Toshiba that is 50% faster than most similar printers for $3499.
    • Kodak Unveils 14-inch Optical Disk Technology – This large (larger than a music record) optical disk format could hold up to 6.8 GB of data.
    • The SmartWatch: Real Time Clock Control In DIP Socket – No, not the kind you wear on your wrist. This was a essentially a pass through socket that included a real-time, battery backed-up clock chip.
    • New Life For An Old Printer – A new upgrade board for the Epson MX100 and other early Epson dot matrix printers that allows them to print in near letter quality.
    • Bernoulli Box – A Report On Its Long Term Use – The Bernoulli Box was an external disk format that essentially used an 8-inch floppy disk encased in a hard plastic shell (think of a giant version of the standard 3.5″ disk) and in part using the Bernoulli principle, could be made much faster than a standard floppy. In fact, it was even faster than a standard XT hard drive.
    • IBM’s PDS: The Joymouse! – An adapter for joysticks that, among other things, allows them to be used like a mouse.
    • A Real Chinese Copy! – A look at The Great Wall 0520C PC clone from China featuring an 8088 CPU and 512K of RAM.

    …and much more!


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  • Byte (November 1982)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Byte – November 1982

    Byte was probably the best general computer magazine of the 1980s. Many of the early issues could be huge with this one coming in at over 600 pages. The IBM PC had only been introduced the previous year and it was not yet clear that it would set the standard for personal computers. The November 1982 issue includes:

    Features

    • The Third NCGA and the Future of Computer Graphics – A look at the then current state of computer graphics. NCGA stands for National Computer Graphics Association. At the time, even things like color output were a novelty for the average user.
    • Tronic Imagery – A behind the scenes look at computer graphics in Tron. Tron was one of the first movies to make extensive use of computer graphics and it was extremely impressive for its time.
    • Build the Circuit Cellar MPX-16 Computer System, Part 1 – The MPX-16 is a single board computer that you could build yourself from scratch with the information provided in this series of articles. It includes an 8088 processor and IBM PC compatible bus and is capable of running CP/M-86. This was definitely an advanced project. It would be interesting to know how many people actually built these (vs. buying one which was also an option).
    • Problem Solving with Logo – Converting a PL/I graphics design to an Apple II using Apple Logo.
    • Build a Video Digitizer – Instructions for building a $50 interface that allows you to capture video still images in three colors (black, white and gray).
    • Computer Animation with Color Registers – An animation tutorial using BASIC on the Atari 400/800.
    • Victor Victorious: The Victor 9000 – A review of the Victor 9000. It features an 8088 processor, 128K of RAM, two 612K floppy drives, and high resolution monochrome monitor for $4995. It came with both CP/M-86 and MS-DOS. Expansion was expensive. Another 128K of RAM would set you back $800. A 10 MB hard drive cost $4495.
    • An Interview with Chuck Peddle – Chuck Peddle is a legend in early computer design. Not only was he the chief designer of the Victor 9000, but he also worked on the design of the Motorola 6800 and was the chief architect of the MOS 6502 family of chips which were used in the Commodore 64, VIC-20, Apple II, Atari 400/800, and other computers. He also designed the PET.
    • JETSET – A type-in flight simulator written in TRS-80 Model II BASIC.
    • The Game of Rat and Dragon – Control a rat trying to reach a piece of cheese in a maze while avoiding two dragons. This BASIC type-in game also serves as a game design tutorial.
    • An Introduction to the Human Applications Standard Computer Interface, Part 2: Implementing the HASCI Concept – HASCI was a standard with the intent of making computers more useful and usable.
    • A Short History of the Keyboard – A history of keyboard standards and how they developed.
    • User’s Column: Terminals, Keyboards, and How Software Piracy Will Bring Profits to Its Victims – A second look at the Televideo 950 terminal plus reviews of the Heath/Zenith Z-19CN, Compupro Systems 8085/8088 Dual Processor system, Disk Doctor, and more.
    • Inexpensive Transducers for the TRS-80 – The second part in a series on devices that can be used to monitor the real world on the TRS-80.
    • A Graphics Primer – An introduction to graphics on microcomputers.
    • Interactive 3-D Graphics for the Apple II – A tutorial for creating 3D graphics on the Apple II.
    • Microvec: The Other Type of Video – A look at vector displays and a comparison with the more common raster displays. Most people will be familiar with vector displays from certain arcade games (like Asteroids).

    Reviews

    • The Graphics Magician – Animation software for the Apple II.
    • Cambridge Development Lab’s High Resolution Video Graphics System – A high resolution display system for S-100 based computers. High resolution in this case meant 640×482.
    • Executive Briefing System – You could think of this as PowerPoint for the Apple II. It’s designed to create charts and graphics for presentation purposes.
    • Colonial Data Services’ SB-80 – A single board Z80 based CP/M computer. The price with 64K of RAM and two double density drives was $2995.

    Nucleus

    • Editorial: Deus ex Machina of the Technological Age – A look at the fast growing field of microcomputers and portable computers.
    • Letters – Letters from readers about Digital Research’s licensing policies, computers in social sciences, archaeology and microcomputers, and more.
    • Ask BYTE – Questions answered about running the Apple II+ on battery power, the TRS-80 Pocket Computer, leaving computers on, CP/M User’s Groups, using cassettes with computers, and more.
    • BYTELINES – Commodore introduces five new machines, Apple to announce Apple IIE, Z80 sales still strong, Tandy expands distribution, bubble memory growing in popularity, production of illegal copies of the Apple II, and more.
    • What’s New? – A brief look at new products including the NUC-M1401 series of graphics terminals, Plotstar graphics software for CP/M machines, the Peachtree Graphics Language, The Business Graphics System, Graftalk graphics package, an RGB graphics board for the Apple II, Polaroid Videoprinter that turns video signals into instant photos, Teleram3000 portable computer with 128K of bubble memory, and much more.

    …and more!


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  • Byte (October 1982)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Byte – October 1982

    Byte covered a wide variety of systems over the course of its live form the 1970s until the 1990s. In 1982, the IBM PC was still new and it wasn’t yet clear that IBM PC compatibility would come to dominate both home and business. Issues were generally pretty massive at this time with the October 1982 issue containing well over 500 pages. It includes:

    Features

    • Beyond the Peaks of Visicalc – A look at more complex financial planning applications than a spreadsheet (of which Visicalc was the main representative at this point). Packages looked at here include Desktop Plan II, Microfinesse, and Plan80.
    • Build the Microvox Text-to-Speech Synthesizer, Part 2: Software – The second in a series on building your own speech synthesizer. This part concentrates on creating the software to make it work.
    • What Makes Business Programming Hard? – A case study in writing software for a bank.
    • Adapting Microcomputers to Wall Street – Microcomputers as a tool for financial investors. At this point, it’s hard to imagine NOT having computers as tools.
    • Putting Real-World Interfaces to Work, Part 1 – Part one of a two-part series on monitoring the physical environment (things like temperature, water level, light level, pressure, etc.) with a TRS-80 Model I, TRS-80 Model III, and TRS-80 Color Computer.
    • The State of Industrial Robotics – A look at how robots were currently being used in industry, still a relatively new thing at this time.
    • Marketplace – A type-in BASIC telecomputing game for two TRS-80 Model IIIs in which you compete in marketing a product with another person.
    • Ringquest – A type-in adventure game for the Apple II that originated on the Commodore PET.
    • The Case of the Purloined Object Code, Part 2 – The second in a two part series on software protection from both a technical and legal standpoint.
    • User’s Column – A comparison of BASIC and Pascal speed, the best language for different purposes, and more.
    • An Introduction to the Human Applications Standard Computer Interface, Part 1 – A standard for personal computer interfaces.
    • The Personal Computer as an Interface to a Corporate Management Information System – Building an intelligent terminal interface for the Apple II in Pascal specifically designed to work with GEISCO Mark III time sharing service.
    • Software Arts’ TK Solver – A look at a new toolkit based equation solver from Software Arts called TK Solver. Essentially, it is like an electronic calculator for solving algebraic equations.
    • Naming Your Software – Considering trademarks when naming your software.
    • Program Your Own Text Editor, Part 2 – Part two of a series on creating a text editor. Source code in assembly for the Z80/8080 is provided.

    Reviews

    • Radio Shack Compiler BASIC – A BASIC compiler for the TRS-80 Model I and Model III.
    • Wyse Technology’s WY-100 Terminal – At the time, standalone terminals were still a thing but they would soon be replaced by IBM PCs and other personal/small business computers with terminal emulation software.
    • EduWare’s Statistics 3.0 – The latest update to a statistical package for the Apple II.
    • Systems Plus: FMS-80 – While referred to as a file management system by the maker, FMS-80 is really a type of DBMS. It runs on systems with an 8080 or Z80 processor running CP/M.

    Nucleus

    • Editorial – Answers to frequently asked questions such as what’s the best computer to buy, buy now or wait, which OS will be the standard, which processor will be the leader in five years, etc.
    • Letters – Letters from readers about a standard BASIC, RSCOBOL, IBM, alternate repair services, double density disks on the Osborne 1, and more.
    • Programming Quickies – A BASIC program for generating Mohr’s Circle (a way to find the principal stresses due to combined loads).
    • Book Reviews – A of VisiCalc: Home and Office Companion by David M. Castiewitz, Lawrence J. Chisausky, Patricia Kronberg, and L. D. Chukman.
    • Ask BYTE – Questions answered about letter quality printers for the Apple II Plus, addressing more that 64KB with a 6502, 8-inch disk drives vs. 5.25-inch disk drives, cassette recorders for the VIC-20, music on the ZX-81, and more.
    • BYTELINES – Rumors of Osbourne working on an 80-column display for its portable computer; Morrow Designs to introduce CP/M-based system for $1195; DEC to introduce PDP-11/23 with 256K RAM and 10.8 MB hard drive with support for up to 8 users for $9200; AT&T to enter computer business; IBM to provide improved version of EasyWriter; Apple to drop price of Apple II from $2604 to under $2000; Radio Shack drops price of TRS-80 Model III with 1 floppy drive from $1995 to $1849 and with 2 floppy drives from $2495 to $2295; S-100 bus to be an official standard by the following year (near the end of its life); Grid Compass shows machines with flat panels; techniques being researched for erasable optical disks; and much more.
    • What’s New? – Atari markets Telelink II communications kit; new Multifunction Utility Board for the Heath H-89; Mean Green 12-inch green monitor; Hayes Smartmodem 1200 ($699); Pi-3 amber monitor from USI International; 3-inch disk driver from Amdek; portable HP-75C computer from Hewlett-Packard; Zenith Data Systems Z100 series S-100 based computers; DEC introduces the Professional 350 and 325, DECmate II and Rainbow 100; new database for the PET and VIC-20; The Big Four accounting package for the Olivetti M-20; Deadline from Infocom; and lots more.

    …and more!


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