• Tag Archives Apple 2

  • Micro: The 6502 Journal (October 1977)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment


    Source: Micro – Issue Number 1 – October 1977

    Micro: The 6502 Journal was an early computer magazine, or really technical journal, dedicated to computers and computer kits based on the 6502 CPU. These included the likes of the KIM-1, Commodore PET, Apple II, Atari 8-bit and later on the VIC-20 and Commodore 64 among others. The first issue from October/November 1977 features the brand new Apple II on the cover and the contents include:

    • Cheap Memory for the KIM-1 – by Byron Salzsieder – has an expanded KIM-1, KIMSI, and is currently waiting for delivery of a Micromind.
    • Terminal Interface Monitor (TIM) for the 6500 Family – by Oliver Hold – “The Computer Doctor” for Microcomputers, Inc., microcomputer teacher and consultant, micro-systems designer.
    • We’re Number One! – An Editorial
    • Inside the Apple II – by Arthur Feruzzi – a confirmed “computer nut” who owns a number of 6502 microcomputers – assembled, kit and homebrew.
    • Rockwell International and the 6502 – by Arthur Ferruzzi – currently designing some special purpose micro-systems, 6502 based, of course.
    • The PET’s IEEE-488 Bus: Blessing or Curse? – by Charles Floto – Editor of Buss and Yankee Bits and freelance writer and photography whose work has appeared in Byte, Personal Computing, and Kilobaud.
    • 6502 Related Companies – by Mike Rowe – prefers hexadecimal notation since he has eight fingers on each hand.
    • Hypertape and Ultratape – by Robert M. Tripp – Editor of MICRO, author of PLEASE and other software and hardware for the KIM-1.
    • KIM-Based Degree Day Dispatcher – by Mike Rowe – Computer consultant for the Starship Enterprise.
    • Computer Controlled Relays – by Robert M. Tripp – Microprocessor consultant and lecturer.
    • 6502 Bibliography – by William Dial – Retired Research Chemist with a KIM-1 and several 6502-based OSI boards.
    • 6502 Reference Car

    …and more!


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  • MagicSoft (1984)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    https://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/189369752559/retrocgads-usa-1984

    As far as I’m concerned, the Wizardry and Ultima series still represent some of the best Role-Playing Games ever made. The nice thing about computer based RPGs was that you could expand and modify them to some extent, even if that was not officially supported. You could do it the hard way with something like a disk sector editor or you could use third-party tools made for the purpose.

    This particular ad from 1984 is advertising two different tools from a company called MagicSoft. The first is called “Wizard’s Toolkit #1” and allows you to edit Wizardry I, II and III by adding new weapons, monsters and certain other items. These games were available for multiple computers and it isn’t clear which computers may have been supported.

    The second tool is called “Exodus Construction Set” and was made to modify Ultima III: Exodus. From the description, it seems to allow an even more extensive level of editing. However, it apparently was only made for the Apple II version of Ultima III.

    A third tool, Wizard’s Toolkit #2, is mentioned as forthcoming as well though I don’t know if it was ever released. Some developers would eventually release official tools for this kind of editing but in 1984 this was pretty new territory.


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  • Crossword Magic (1985)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment


    USA 1985

    https://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/184619637574/retrocgadsusa-1985

    Today you can find any number of online apps that will let you generate your own crossword puzzles so it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. However, if you wanted to do such a thing in the 1980s you would have had to do it by hand or use a piece of software like this which made it a whole lot easier.

    I remember using a crossword puzzle maker in English class when I was in 8th grade (1988 or 1989) but I can’t remember for sure if it was this one or not. It would have been on an Apple II.

    Anyway, it does all the basic things you would expect to be able to do to make a crossword puzzle. I suppose there is probably a limit in terms of size but unless you are trying to do something crazy it’s probably not a big deal.

    Crossword Magic was released by Mindscape and was available for the Commodore 64, Apple II, DOS and Atari 8-bit computers like the 600XL and 800XL. Other than nostalgia, there’s probably not much reason to seek this out today as there are more convenient ways to generate crossword puzzles. However, this was a neat tool to have back in the day if you wanted to do such a thing.

    The ad above is from circa 1985.



    📂This entry was posted in Apple ][ Atari 8-bit Commodore 64 Computer Arcana DOS Retro Games 📎and tagged