Source: Commodore Magazine – July 1988

You could always find tons of ads in Commodore (and other computer) related magazines from places that sold Commodore hardware and software. Some stuck around and others came and went. The above ad is from a place called S&S Wholesalers, Inc. and was located in Miami Beach. It is from the July 1988 issue of Commodore Magazine (which I think was a month before I bought my first issue). I don’t recall this one so I’m inclined to believe it didn’t stick around very long.

Their advertising also is a little misleading as most of the prices listed require purchasing additional items. You could get blank disks for 19 cents each but only if you also bought something to hold them in. The next item advertised is a “Commodore C64 Computer” for $99. The picture looks like a Commodore 64C which was a newer (though functionally the same) model. It was a good price for the time as a C64C was more typically in the $140 to $160 range. But were you really getting a C64C or the older model? Plus, it required the purchase of a software package and exactly what software packages qualified and how much they cost is not mentioned.

The pattern continues with a printer for $99 but only with purchase of a printer stand…a Commodore 128D computer for $499 but only with the purchase of a software package…and a 12″ color monitor (brand and specs not mentioned) for $139 but only with the purchase of a monitor cable. There were a couple of items that appear not to have required additional purchases. One was a joystick (an “arcade quality super joystick” no less) for $12.90 and a 300 Baud Modem for $19.90 which wasn’t a bad price but 300 baud was slow, even for the time (1200 was probably more common by then).

To be fair, I’m sure it was a perfectly legitimate company. I just doubt the prices were as good as they seemed after making the additional required purchases.

Source: Compute!’s Gazette – Issue Number 67 – January 1989

Compute!’s Gazette was a spin-off of the main Compute! magazine. Whereas Compute! covered many computers, Gazette was dedicated to the Commodore 8-bit line (mostly the Commodore 64). It was one of the most popular Commodore 64 magazines, at least in the U.S. The January 1989 issue includes:

Features

• A Guided Tour of Major Online Services – A look at the major online services of the time and their usage with a Commodore 64/128. Services covered include CompuServe, Delphi, Dow Jones News/Retrieval, GEnie, PlayNET, QuantumLink, People/Link, and The Source.

• How to Get Published (and Make Money) – A guide to getting your programs published and making money with them.

Reviews

• Pool of Radiance – One of my favorite RPGs and the first official Dungeons and Dragons computer game. Later games in the series improved upon this one but this is still my favorite.

• Bubble Ghost – In this arcade game you play the role of a ghost guide a bubble through a variety of rooms with multiple obstacles.

• Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing – Software to teach you how to type, one of the best skills I ever learned.

• The Games – Summer Edition – Another Olympic sports game from Epyx. They were all pretty great and this one is no exception.

Games

• Disc Blitz – A type-in horizontal shooter mostly written in BASIC.

• Bombardment – A type-in two-player game in which you try to shoot each other. A bit reminiscent of Combat.

• Jewel Grab – A type-in game in which you must collect jewels on the far side of the moon while avoiding obstacles and enemies.

Programming

• Smooth Scrolling Windows – A machine language routine that can be used from your BASIC programming to create pop-up windows with smooth scrolling text.

• Deluxe Input – A machine language routine that gives you more advanced input options in your BASIC programs.

• 128 Animator – A type-in program for the Commodore 128 that lets you create animations.

• Smart Disassembler – A type in disassembler that translates addresses to meaningful labels when applicable.

• Handy Filer – A type-in simple database program to help you keep track of things.

• The Programmer’s Page: Shorter, Faster, Better – An easy way to check whether a number is odd or even, a shorter way to switch between 40 and 80 column mode on the Commodore 128, instantly clear the Hi-Res screen from BASIC, and more.

• BASIC for Beginners: More Disk BASIC – Part two of a series on using files with a demo program that creates wish-lists. Discussed this month are adding items to a list, saving the list to disk, loading the list from disk, deleting items from the list, displaying the list on the screen and printing the list.

• Machine Language Programming: String Passing – How to move strings around in machine language.

Departments

• The Editor’s Note – Some interesting Commodore statistics are given. In 1988, the European market represented 70% of Commodore’s sales with Commodore controlling 80% of the consumer computer market in West Germany and second only to IBM in business. Their numbers were nearly as good in Switzerland, Australia and Canada among other places though they weren’t doing quite as well in the U.S. where PCs were already taking over.

• Letters to the Editor – Letters about using both an Amiga and a Commodore 64, Term Paper Writer for the Commodore 128, problems with the Commodore 128D, and more.

• Commodore Clips: News, Notes, and New Products – geoChart released for GEOS, Ticket to Hollywood released by Blue Lion Software, Camerica Freedom Stick for the C64, new version of Taxaid tax preparation software, Who Framed Roger Rabbit game based on the movie released by Buena Vista Software, and much more.

• Feedback – Readers ask about alphabetizing SpeedCheck dictionary, disk drives and memory, testing for printer availability, connecting multiple computers to a single disk drive, and more.

• User Group Update – Nearly 20 new listings for user groups in the U.S. and several international ones as well.

• Horizons: The Brain’s Tricks – The Commodore 64 vs. your brain.

• D’Iversions: Where in the World? – Programs on the Commodore 64 that teach geography, including Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (and other games in the series) and Ticket to Hollywood (and other games in the series).

• The GEOS Column: Becoming a geoPaint Pro – A tutorial for geoPaint.

…and more!

Source: RUN – Issue Number 54 – June 1988

RUN was one of the most popular Commodore 64 magazines in the U.S. and the one that I bought the most, mainly because it was what I found on the shelves near me most often. It also covered the Commodore 128 and in earlier days the VIC-20 with perhaps a tiny bit of Commodore 16/Plus 4 coverage. The June 1988 issue includes:

Features

• The Latest Word – An overview of the newest word processing software for the Commodore 64/128 including PaperClip III, FontMaster 128, WordPro, GeoWrite Workshop 128, and The Write Stuff.

• Form Writer – A type-in program for the Commodore 64 or 128 that enables you to design and print custom forms.

• Special Delivery – A type-in text/graphics adventure game in which you play the role of a postman who must deliver a letter to a crazy hermit who lives in the woods.

• Now You See It… – A type in adventure/arcade game in which you must collect items in a cave. The challenge is to beat your own time.

Departments

• RUNning Ruminations – Info about this year’s RUN software awards. A ballot is included in this issue.

• Magic – Short programs to automatically indent For-Next loops, creating scrolling characters, hiding your program listings, an updated calendar maker with Julian date added, and more.

• News and New Products – A sign language tutorial for the C64, a Commodore 128 accounting tutorial, Ticket to Washington, The Golf Package, Alien Destruction Set, Mandroid, Masterpiece, Stealth Mission, Logo Probability, Coloring Book Page Maker, Kid Niki, Dark Castle, and more.

• RUN’s Reader Choice Awards Ballot – An opportunity for readers to vote on the best software of the year. There are multiple games categories including Arcade Adventures, Arcade, Graphics Adventures, Role-Playing Adventures, Simulations, Sports, Strategy, and more along with a variety of productivity and utility categories from Telecommunications to Databases to Desktop Publishing and much more.

• Mail Run – Letters from readers about upgrading to the Amiga, the geoWatch column, Silent Service vs. Up Periscope!, Strike Fleet, genealogy programs, and more.

• Software Gallery
  • Infiltrator II – An excellent multi-genre sequel which includes elements of role-playing, flight simulator, arcade, strategy and more.
  • The Train: Escape to Normandy – A unique action/train simulator game set during World War II.
  • High Seas – An action/strategy game in which you command 18th century ships in combat.
  • Knight Orc – A rather unique adventure game in which you take the role of an orc just trying to make his way home.
  • Magnetron – A sci-fi shoot-em-up with a unique 3D display.

• Easy Applications – A type-in program that allows you to recover your BASIC program even if the machine locks up…usually.

• geoWatch – An overview of geoProgrammer, a new assembly language development system for GEOS.

• Telecomputing Workshop – A new shopping mall style BBS called Fantasy Plaza plus a look at some unique BBSes specializing in shopping, rocks, and the stock market. Plus some questions about BBS problems, terminal program suggestions, starting a BBS, the 1650 modem, and more.

• Commodore Clinic – Technical questions answered about getting the name of a disk, REM statements, printing out program listings, color bleed, the 1750 RAM expansion, and more.

• Coming Attractions – Coming next month, a graphics themed issue.

…and more!