• Tag Archives Commodore 128

  • Info (November/December 1986)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Info is a magazine that covered Commodore computers. At the end of 1986 that included the Commodore 64, Commodore 128, and Amiga. Info wasn’t as widely available as some other Commodore magazines though it was still fairly popular. It was also produced using Commodore computers (the Amiga at this time). The November/December 1986 issue includes:

    Departments

    • Editor’s Page – On upcoming changes to the magazine.
    • Reader Mail – Letters from readers about PC emulation for the Amiga, memory expansion for the Amiga, and more.
    • Rumor Mill – Rumors about new Ashton-Tate software for the Amiga, Microsoft Word ports, Lotus for the Amiga, two new Amiga models, and more.
    • News & Views – Commodore computer fair in New England, the new Apple IIgs, Ashton Tate removes copy protection from their software, Mindscape acquires Scarborough Systems, TPUG Magazine ceases publication, Supra acquires Cardco, Commodore has new vice president, Commodore posts first profit in 18 months, QuantumLink charges extra for e-mail, and much more.
    • New Products – A look at new product releases including The Epyx 500XJ joystick, Writer’s Workshop (C64/GEOS), Sampler-64 Commodore 64 sound sampler, World Geography (C64), LINCAD linear circuit analysis and design software for the C64, Term Paper Writer (C128), Amiga APL Interpreter, DisKwik (Amiga), Kwik Speak 1 (Amiga), Nancy spell checker for the Amiga, AmeriNet Ethernet Controller for the Amiga, Alegra 512K memory upgrade for the Amiga, and more.
    • Copy Corner – A look at memory snapshot programs which take a snaphot of a program exactly as it is in memory and saves it to disk to be reloaded later. Some programs include Isepic, Snapshot, Capture, and The Power Cartridge.
    • Network Wars – A look at modems for the Commodore 64 and Amiga, 300 baud vs. 1200 baud, Xmodem transfers, and more. Some specific modems looked at here include the Avatex 1200, Password 1200 from U.S. Robotics, CTS 2424ADS Datacomm, SmartTEAM 103/212A, and Novation 2400 Professional

    Features

    • Info Special Report On Graphics – A look at some of the graphics software available on the C64 and Amiga including Flexidraw (C64), Doodle! (C64), Micro Illustrator (C64), Graphics Magician (C64), Picasso’s Revenge (C64), Deluxe Paint (Amiga), AEGIS Images (Amiga), Graphicraft (Amiga), Flexifont (C64), Icon Factory (C64), Graphics Integrator (C64), Graphic Conversion C64, ART PAK I (Amiga), Grabbit/Anytime (Amiga), Dpaint Art & Utility (Amiga), CAD-3D (C64), Perspectives II (C64), Aegis Draw and Aegis Draw Plus (Amiga), PCLO, Dynamic CAD (Amiga), Movie Maker (C64), Cyber Video (C64), Gary Kitchen’s Gamemaker (C64), Print Shop (C64), Print Master (C64), The Newsroom (C64), Aegis Animator (Amiga), Deluxe Video (Amiga), Impact! (Amiga), Deluxe Print (Amiga), Computereyes (C64), Digi-View (Amiga), and more.
    • Idea Processors – Outline processors for creating scripts, stories, etc. Some of the products looked at here include Flow (Amiga), BrainTrust 128 (C128), Out-Think (C128 CP/M), and Thoughtform (C64).

    C64

    • Down to Business – The second and last part in a series on word processors for the Amiga, Covered here are Timework’s Word Writer, Easy Script, Wordpro 64, Fleet System 2, Superscript, Pocket Writer 64, and Bank Street Writer.
    • 64 Notes – Using DOS Wedge commands from your BASIC programs, plus how to change your background, border, and text colors and scrolling text.
    • FSD-1 – A look at one of the better 1541 disk drive clones along with some warnings about using a non-1541 as your primary drive (mostly related to copy protection).
    • GEOS – A look at this graphical operating system for the Commodore 64.
    • MIMIC Spartan – The Apple II emulator for the Commodore 64 that basically included the hardware of the Apple II+.
    • Lottery Programs – Includes a type-in BASIC program for generating lottery numbers.

    C128

    • 128 Notes – How to control whether you are printing to the 40 Column or 80 column screen, improving the F2 preprogrammed DLOAD command, and creating music easily in BASIC on the C128.
    • Comal Superchip – A 16K ROM extension for the COMAL 2.0 cartridge that adds various improvements.
    • Big Blue Reader – This software allows you to read and translate MS-DOS disks on a Commodore 128 with 1571 disk drive.
    • Partner 128 – A cartridge that provides various pop-up utilities and should be compatible with most Commodore 128 software.

    Amiga

    • Amiga Notes – A trick to save memory, Amiga controllers, CLI shortcuts, bad 8520 ACIA chips, using keyboard shortcuts instead of a mouse, and more.
    • Micro Forge Hard Drive – A review of this $1580+ 20 megabyte external SCSI hard drive for the Amiga. This was one of the only early hard drives available for the Amiga.
    • Sound Advice – Creating and editing digital samples on the Amiga, including a look at some of the hardware and software available. Digitizers and associated software looked at here include MicroGraphics Digitizer, Micro Forge Stereo Sound Digitizer, and SoundScape Sound Sampler.
    • Closeup: Deluxe Video – A detailed look at this software for creating animation on the Amiga.

    …and more!


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  • Compute!’s Gazette (November 1985)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Compute!’s Gazette was a Commodore 8-bit specific spin-off of their main publication which was just called Compute!. While I mostly bought Commodore Magazine and RUN because they happened to be available within bike riding distance, Gazette was definitely one of the more popular Commodore 64 magazines. The November 1985 issue includes:

    Features

    • CD-ROMS: The Ultimate Database – CD-ROM storage for personal computer use wouldn’t become mainstream for almost another decade but the technology existed long before. Here’s a look at early CD-ROM tech including the new CDU-1 from Sony.
    • Anatomy of a Spreadsheet – For a long time, the spreadsheet was THE killer app for personal computers. Here’s a look at some of the spreadsheet software available for Commodore 8-bit computers.
    • Getting the Most Out of Your Printer – An article that addresses common printer problems and their solutions (or how to avoid them in the first place).

    Reviews

    • Field of Fire – A World War II infantry strategy game from SSI.
    • Homewriter 10 Printer – An inexpensive easy to use dot-matrix printer from Epson for the Commodore 128, Commodore 64, and VIC-20.
    • Project: Space Station – A simulation of planning, building, and operating a space station from HesWare.
    • Carriers at War – A game from SSG that puts you in charge of various aircraft carriers during World War II.
    • Mickey’s Space Adventure – An educational game about the planets from Sierra On-Line featuring Mickey Mouse.
    • Also Worth Noting – A brief look at other new software including Adventure Construction Set, The Sea Voyagers, Homebase, Colonial Conquest, Show Director, and Rescue On Fractalus!

    Games

    • Backgammon – A type-in version of this classic game for the Commodore 64, VIC-20, Plus/4 and C-16.
    • Power Poker – A type-in poker game that features play on a 5×5 grid.
    • Chicken Catcher – A type-in arcade style game in which you must catch falling chickens in a net.

    Education/Home Applications

    • 64 Music Maker – A short type-in machine language program that turns the Commodore 64 into a musical keyboard.
    • Computing for Families: Gobbledygook Processing – A look at ways to turn your Commodore 64 into a sandbox for kids to explore.

    Programming

    • Exploring 128 BASIC – BASIC 7.0 was much more powerful than previous BASIC versions for Commodore computers. This article looks at some of the new commands and provides examples for the Commodore 128.
    • Power BASIC: Screen Customizer – A type-in utility that will allow you to set your screen colors and keep them from changing even when using other machine language programs. For the Commodore 64 and VIC-20.
    • Auto File – A type-in utility that automatically loads and runs both BASIC and machine language programs on the Commodore 64.
    • Preview-80 for Speedscript – The display on a Commodore 64 was only 40 columns but this type-in utility would allow you to preview SpeedScript files in 80 columns.
    • Disk Encoder – A type-in program for encrypting your disk files.
    • Digi-Clock – A type-in real-time clock for the Commodore 64 that stays resident in memory and operates even when running other programs.
    • BASIC Magic: More About Screen Titles – The second part in a series on creating screen titles with the Commodore 64 and VIC-20. This part discusses the LEN command.
    • Machine Language for Beginners: ML Mailbag – Questions answered about SYS commands, flags, and more.
    • Hints & Tips: 64 Disk Boot for BASIC Programs – A guide to making your programs automatically run after loading.

    Departments

    • The Editor’s Notes – Commodore’s great computers and poor marketing.
    • Gazette Feedback – Letters from readers about typing on a powered off computer, resaving a program, DATA statements, TurboTape, doublespacing on the 1526 printer, random numbers, making text flash, telecommunications costs, saving data in sequential files, customizing the cursor, and more.
    • Simple Answers to Common Questions – Questions answered about EEPROMs and parsers.
    • Horizons: A New Data Storage Device – A look at the Quick Data Drive (QDD). This was a so-called “stringy floppy” that used magnetic tape in a continuous loop.
    • News & Products – A brief look at new software and hardware including General Ledger and Payroll from Info Designs, new printers from Blue Chip Electronics, Hardball from Accolade, new MIDI hardware and software from Passport Designs, a new printer interface from Omnitronix, Grade Manager III for the Commodore 64/128 from Smoky Mountain Software, Karate Champ from Data East, International Hockey from Artworx, more Print Shop graphics, Silent Service from Broderbund, and much more.

    …and more!


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