• Tag Archives Commodore 128

  •  Commodore World – Volume 1, Number 4

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Commodore World – Volume 1, Number 4

    I think that Commodore World was the last professional Commodore 8-bit magazine published in the U.S. It was published bi-monthly in the mid to late 1990s. This issue isn’t dated that I see but I believe it would have been from near the end of 1994. Issue number four of Commodore World includes:

    Features

    • Telecommunications – A guide to getting online with your Commodore 64.
    • A Glossary of Telecommunications Terms – Definitions for terms such as “baud”, “BBS”, and “echo”, as well as modem communications standards and much more.
    • Bad File Names – How to fix various file problems on Commodore 64 disks.
    • Copyrights: Who Owns The Right To Copy? – A discussion of copyright law, especially how it applies to computer software.
    • Hard Tips: Build A Simple RS-232 Interface – A guide to building your own modem interface.

    Reviews

    • Software: Fun Graphics Machine – A review of this high-resolution graphics editor that can be used for desktop publishing and to create everything from video titles to business cards and much more.
    • Games: Miniviews – Brief reviews of Menace (Psygnosis), The Amazing Spider-Man (Paragon), Marble Madness (Electronic Arts), Laser Squad (MicroIllusions), and Skate or Die (Electronic Arts).
    • Hardware: Boca 144EW Fax/Data Modem – A detailed review of this 14.4Kbps modem.
    • Hardware: The Boca 2400 – I review of this 2400bps modem. This was about as fast as you could go on the Commodore 64 with a basic RS-232 interface. You had to get fancier interfaces if you wanted faster speeds.

    Columns

    • Just For Starters – A guide for computer beginners on the types of software available for the Commodore 64 and what they can be used for.
    • Foreign Exchange – A look at the Flash 8, an add-on for the Commodore 64 that provides a 65C816 CPU and up to 8 MHz speeds.
    • Graphic Interpretation – A guide to importing and exporting graphics to and from GEOS.
    • geoProgrammist – Using macros and managing memory in GEOS.
    • BASIC Instincts – The third installment of a five part series on building a large game called Starship Combat.
    • Advanced Techniques – A type-in program that will let you autoboot your own programs.
    • Peripheral Vision – Identifying and handling SCSI errors on CMD’s HD.
    • Carrier Detect – A guide to offline BBS mail reading. I never did much of this with the Commodore 64 but I do remember doing a lot with Bluewave on the PC.

    Departments

    • From The Editor – Planned obsolescence in the computer world.
    • BackTalk – Letters from readers about the first issue of the magazine.
    • Just Asking – Questions answered about the CBM 8032 printer and GEOS, gamepads for the C64, using larger disks under CP/M, and more.
    • On The Horizon – Disposition of Commodore’s assets after bankruptcy still undetermined; Grapevine Group ceases operations; CMD releases GeoCable II which can be used to connect printers to The C64’s parallel port for high speed printing; Commodore RoundTable on GEnie offers gifts to new members; and more.
    • The Connection – News about file compression from Loadstar, dieHard, Fun Graphics Machine, and more.
    • Top Tips – Tips about switch settings for printer interfaces, better video via the Commodore 128 composite video port, and more.

    …and more!


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  • The Australian Commodore and Amiga Review (November 1987)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: The Australian Commodore and Amiga Review – November 1987

    This Commodore specific magazine was published in Australia. It covered both the Commodore 8-bit line as well as the Amiga depending on what time frame we are talking about. This issue from November 1987 includes:

    Hardware

    • Action Replay Mk III – The latest iteration of a cartridge designed to back up copy protected software. It worked by taking a snaphot of memory so it didn’t really work with games that required disk access after loading (e.g. to load additional levels).
    • Comodem – A 1200 baud modem designed to plug straight into the user port of the Commodore 64 (i.e. it didn’t require a separate interface).

    Software

    • Blitz 64 Compiler – A BASIC compiler for the Commodore 64.
    • Book Review – A review of the “How to Get the Most out of GEOS”, a guide to the GEOS operating system which was a GUI for the Commodore 64.
    • Pirates – Review of this classic MicroProse game for the Commodore 64.
    • Boulderdash II: Rockford’s Revenge – Sequel to the classic arcade style game from First Star Software.
    • Bubble Bobble – An excellent arcade game for the C64 in which you must guide a bubble through a maze of various obstacles.
    • Arena – A sports game from Psygnosis for the Amiga that features a variety of sports like pole vault, high jump, long jump, shot put, 100 meter run, etc.
    • Pi R Squared – An arcade/puzzle style game featuring lots of wheels which I guess is where the name comes from.
    • Pro Golf – Yet another golf game…

    Amiga Review

    • Amiga 2000: Top of the Range – A review of the Amiga 2000. This was perhaps the time when the Amiga was furthest ahead of any other home computer on the market, especially for the price.
    • GIZMOS – A set of desktop tools for the Amiga including a calendar, memopad, rollodex, printing utility, calculators, and more.
    • Hints & Tips – Tips for using Pagesetter, customizing your keyboard settings, using Workbench, and much more.
    • Terrorpods – Review of this sci-fi action/adventure game from Psygnosis.

    Programming

    • Sprites in the Border – A technique for getting sprites to display in the border areas on the Commodore 64 with coding examples.
    • C128 function keys for your C64 – A type-in program that allows you to use the Commodore 128 function keys when in C64 mode.
    • Little Invoicer – A type-in program for the Commodore 64 designed to generate simple invoices.
    • Machine Code Tutorial Pt III – The third part in a tutorial on machine language programming. This part implements some examples of instructions discussed in previous parts.

    Regular Appearances

    • Editorial – An overview of what is in this issue and a look ahead to what is to come.
    • Ram Rumblings – News and a look at new products including Midi Master (a package that turns the C64 into a music synthesizer), new titles from Activision including Supersprint, Guadalcanal, Xis, and Wonderboy; Gunship from MicroProse; Avtec Mega Modem, and more.
    • Letters – Letters from readers regarding adventure game help, reset switches, and more.
    • Adventurer’s Realm – Various adventure game news (including info on Beyond Zork), tips, questions and other adventure game discussion. Some games included this month are Dragonworld, ZZZzzz, Holy Grail, Nine Princes of Amber, Knights Orc, and more.
    • Arcade Action – A look at new and upcoming games including Centurions, Deathwish III, T.A.N.K., Space Port, Typhoon, and Garrison.
    • High Scores – High scores submitted by readers for over 50 different games.

    …and more!


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  • Info (November/December 1989)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Info – Issue Number 29 – November/December 1989

    Info was a magazine that covered Commodore computers, primarily the Commodore 64, Commodore 128 and Amiga. It wasn’t as popular as a few others but still had a significant presence. The November/December 1989 issue includes:

    Features

    • Info Top Ten – Info’s first annual top ten game list. The top 10 games of all time as selected by the editors of Info in a variety of categories. Top Arcade Games: Arkanoid (Amiga), The Sentry (C64). Top Simulations Games: Starglider II (Amiga), Pinball Construction Set (C64). Top Adventure Games: Dungeon Master (Amiga), Zork Series (C64). Top Traditional Games: Blockout (Amiga), Risk (C64). Plus each of the editors pick their own personal top 10.
    • Interview: Chris Crawford – Chris Crawford developed a number of influential games such as Balance of Power. It’s interesting to read some of his predictions here. Some were spot on while others were way off.
    • Adventure Road – The best adventure games of 1989 are discussed including The Magic Candle, Might and Magic II, Tangled Tales, Neuromancer, Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders, King’s Quest IV, Space Quest III, and more. Adventure Road was a regular column published in Commodore Magazine but they ceased publication it moved over to Info. RUN magazine received much of Commodore Magazine’s other Commodore 64 content.

    Departments

    • INFOtorial – A look at European game development philosophy vs. U.S. game development philosophy.
    • Reader Mail – Readers write in about the C64 vs. NES, reviews of application software, Amiga sales, rumors of the “64GS”, Project: Firestart, QLink and Club Caribe, and more.
    • New Products – A brief look at 5100 C128 Questions: Answered (book), The Diamond Text and Diamond BASIC Editors, Fortran-80 (C-128 CP/M), MIDI Delay Processor, Digitalker 128, Fractal Navigator, Icon Magic 1.0, and lots more.
    • News & Views – Software sales for the Commodore 64 drop 26% in the second quarter of 1989 from the previous year (to $15 million), Commodore adds more dealers for MS-DOS machines and Amigas, Epyx reorganizes to become software developer an will no longer be a publisher and will concentrate on games for the NES and Lynx, Apple opens television studio called Apple TV, and more.
    • Games for Amiga – Reviews of Amiga games including The Jetsons, Blockout, Space Quest III, Jigsaw (preview), Beyond Dark Castle (preview), Space Ace (preview), Shufflepuck Cafe (preview), The Kristal, Planet of Lust, Times of Lore, Spherical, Sim City Terrain Editor (unrated), Jinks, Axe of Rage, Mickey Mouse, Tom & Jerry, Balance of Power: 1990 Edition, The President is Missing, Red Lightning, Project Neptune, Wayne Gretzky Hockey, F40 Pursuit Simulator, Dr. Doom’s revenge, Shoot ‘Em Up Construction Kit, War In Middle Earth, and Omega.
    • Games for C64 – Dr. Doom’s Revenge, Shoot ‘Em Up Construction Kit, War In Middle Earth, Omega, Speedball, Metal Blocks, Gauntlet II, Arkanoid II, Dark Side, Revenge of Defender, Might & Magic II, Presumed Guilty, Where in Europe is Carmen Sandiego, AD&D Curse of the Azure Bonds, Eliminator, Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade, Rambo III, Chessmaster 2100, Kings of the Beach, Snow Strike, Apache Strike, Shinobi, Afterburner (preview), Fire King, Jordan Vs. Bird: One On One, and Omni-Play Basketball.
    • Public Domain – A look at recent public domain titles including a bunch of Commodore 64 and Commodore 128 software available via Quantum Link and both Commodore 8-bit and Amiga software available via PeopleLink.

    Reviews

    • SFX Sound Expander – A plug-in cartridge for the Commodore 64 than includes a nine-voice FM synthesizer chip and an interface for an optional 61-key keyboard from Philips.
    • The Write Stuff 128 – An excellent word processor for the Commodore 128.
    • The Amiga Companion – A book with tons of useful information on the Amiga.
    • Toshiba ExpressWriter 301 – A portable thermal printer for $489.
    • RawCopy – A disk copy program for the Amiga that can reproduce copy protection schemes.
    • Mac-2-Dos – Software that can convert Macintosh text and graphic files for use with Amiga programs and vice versa.

    Etc.

    • INFO Update – A look at recent software (and other) updates including Sim City 1.1, Muscle Cars and European Challenge add-ons for Test Drive II, an updated version of Pen Pal, an updated support disk for the Super Snapshot cartridge, Professional page 1.3, PixelScript 1.1, and more.
    • BRYCE – Bryce’s 3D Adventure comic.
    • INFO Mania – Tips from readers for tons of games including Batman, Robbeary, Aaargh!, Sinbad, Double Dragon, Crystal Hammer, Mindroll, Marble Madness, Dragon’s Lair, Pacmania, Karnov, Neuromancer, Ghosts ‘N Goblins, Guerrilla War, Heavy Metal, Robocop, John Elway’s Quarterback, Pirates, and Zak McKracken.
    • Show Reports – An overview of AmiEXPO in Chicago. New products shown their for the Amiga include Elan Performer, Interactor, TV*SHOW, Mideo System, Mac-2-DOS, Professional Page 1.3, Space Ace, Fiendish Freddy’s Big Top O’ Fun, Gauntlet II, Tom and Jerry, the SupraModem 2400zi, 150 MB Streaming Tape Backup and 32 MHz 68030 card from GVP, A1000 Rejuvinator, and much more.
    • Real World – Lamenting the fact that standalone electronic spell checkers seem to be better than what you can get in software.

    …and more!


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