• Tag Archives Compute!

  • Compute! (November 1988)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Compute! – Issue Number 102 – November 1988

    Compute! covered popular home computers of the day. In the early days it covered exclusively 6502 based computers. By this time, they were covering all popular computers in the home which included The Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS based machines of all types, Commodore 64, Apple II, and maybe others. The November 1988 issue includes:

    Features

    • Communicate by Design – An introduction to desktop publishing including info on where to get more training.
    • Print That Page – An overview of six printers recommended by Compute! including the Epson LQ-850, Star NB24-10, Okidata Microline 390, NEC Pinwriter P5200, Hewlett-Packard DeskJet, and Apple ImageWriter LQ.
    • How Are Computers Made? – A photographic tour of the Tandy Business Products Plant in fort Worth, Texas, specifically following the production of a Tandy 4000.
    • Conversations – An interview with Tom Clancy focusing on some of the translations of his books to games such as Hunt for Red October and Red Storm Rising.

    Reviews

    • Fast Looks – A brief look at recent releases including Sports Scheduler (software for organizing sports leagues) for the Apple II and DOS; and Cosmic Relief (an animated puzzle game) for the Amiga, Atari ST and Commodore 64.
    • NewsMaster II – A page layout program from Unison World for DOS.
    • Springboard Publisher – A desktop publishing program for the Apple II.
    • Street Sports Soccer – Part of Epyx’s Street Sports Series. According to this, Streets Sports Soccer is available for the Commodore 64, DOS, and Apple IIgs with an Apple II version coming in the Fall.
    • Wasteland – The classic post-apocalyptic RPG from Electronic Arts for the Apple II and Commodore 64 with a DOS version planned later. This was the predecessor to Fallout.
    • Math Blaster Plus – An educational program for the Apple II and DOS with the goal of helping teach math to those in grades 1-6.
    • New World Writer – A DOS word processor that includes a spell checker, thesaurus and outliner.

    Compute! Specific

    • MS-DOS – Extend-a-Name, a memory resident program designed to allow you to use filenames greater than eight character filename plus three letter extension allowed by DOS; Microsoft an IBM announces MS-DOS 4.0; starting programs from batch files and more.
    • 64 & 128 – The possible demise of the Commodore 64/128 as software publishers de-emphasize releases for that platform; Bards Tale III by Electronic Arts released for the C64; Reach for the Stars released by SSG/Electronic Arts; Bubble Ghost released by Accolade; Metrocross released by Epyx; and more.
    • Apple II – Apple IIgs version of Pirates released by MicroProse; Computer Learning News (a newspaper aimed at kids 8-12) soon to debut as a monthly publication; the Apple IIgs gets a software update (including GS/OS 2.0); and more.
    • Amiga – New programming tools released including C.A.P.E. (assembler), MetaScope (debugger), and DSM (disassembler); Commodore introduces high resolution monochrome monitor; V.I.P. anti-virus software released; and more.
    • Macintosh – Claris buys FileMaker 4; Disk Tools Plus released by Electronic Arts; Thunder (interactive spell-checker) released; Word Perfect 1.01 released; and more.
    • Atari ST – Navarone ST SCAN (video digitizer) released; I.B. drive released (5.25″ disk drive for Atari ST that adds IBM PC compatible disk capabilities); Drive Master released (a cable that allows switching between disk drives); and more.

    Columns

    • Editorial License – A criticism of personal computer provincialism.
    • News & Notes – Apple released the Apple IIc Plus; DOS 4.0 released; Kyodai and Broderbund join forces to release Japanese games in the U.S.; and more.
    • Gameplay – Orson Scott Card examines Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
    • Impact – Why paper usage continues to rise in the era of the “paperless” office.
    • Discoveries – Resources for using older computers such as the TRS 100/200, Plus/4, Timex Sinclair, VIC-20, and others for various purposes such as education.
    • Levitations – Finding bargains on old computer hardware that might still fit your needs. CP/M laptops, a TP-10 daisy wheel printer, the HP Portable, and other items are mentioned here.
    • Letters – Letters from readers about using U.S. computer equipment in Europe, the NEC V20 CPU, home business possibilities, and more.
    • New Products! – A brief look at new products including Zork Zero (the first Zork game with graphic puzzles), an updated version of Tree86 (a DOS enhancement), a keyboard for disabled individuals, new 9-pin dot-matrix printers from Epson (FX-850 and FX-1050), new Viking hi-res monochrome monitor for the Amiga, Warlock (arcade/action game for the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, and Apple IIGS), and more.

    …and more!


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  • Compute! (February 1989)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Compute! – Issue Number 105 – February 1989

    Compute! was a multiformat computer magazine that covered a wide variety of platforms. In 1989 that included at least the PC (DOS), Commodore 64, Apple II, Amiga, Macintosh and Atari ST. The February 1989 issue includes:

    Features

    • Money, Money, Money – An overview of six personal financial management packages including Andrew Tobias’ Managing Your Money (Apple II, IBM PC, Macintosh), Dollars and Sense (Apple II, IBM PC, Macintosh), MoneyCounts 5.0 (IBM PC), On Balance (Apple II), Smart Money (Apple II, Apple IIgs, IBM PC), and Sylvia Porter’s Your Personal Financial Planner (Apple II, Commodore 64, Commodore 128, IBM PC).
    • Order From Chaos: Money and Your Spreadsheet – A guide to building a spreadsheet template to keep track of your money.
    • Used but Not Abused – A guide to buying a used computer…and selling yours.

    Reviews

    • Fast Looks – Brief overviews of new software including DeskPaint 2.0 (Macintosh), Map Skills (Apple II), and Grand Prix Circuit
    • Pool of Radiance – The first of the Gold Box AD&D games and one of my favorite games at the time.
    • Fantavision – An animation package for the Amiga, Apple II, Apple IIgs, and IBM PC.
    • Tutor-Tech – Kind of like HyperCard but for the Apple II instead of the Macintosh.
    • Red Storm Rising – An excellent fast attack sub simulator in a hypothetical World War III scenario. Based on Tom Clancy’s book of the same name. Reviewed here for the Commodore 64.
    • The Games: Summer Edition – Epyx was great at making these multi-sport sims. The Games: Summer Edition based on the 1988 Summer Olympics was no exception. Reviewed here for the Apple II, Atari ST, Commodore 64, and PC.

    Columns

    • Editorial License – An editorial on how computers cost too much. Some examples given include an Apple IIgs system for over $3000, A PC compatible for $1500, and an Amiga or Atari ST for $800-$1000.
    • News & Notes – The latest computer news, including plans to bring videotex service to the U.S. (not sure this ever actually happened or went very far if it did), a new Leisure Suit Larry game, Jack Nicklaus’ Greatest 18 Holes of Major Championship Golf, the latest World of Commodore show, magneto-optical disk drives, and more.
    • Gameplay – A look at improvements on old game concepts including Blockbuster (a newer version of Breakout), Better Dead than Alien (a newer version of Space Invaders), and more.
    • Impact – Using your computer to do your taxes.
    • Discoveries – Using CompuServe and other online services, including BBSes in education including to help teach English to Japanese students, improve reading and writing skills in high school students, and more.
    • Levitations – An overview of COMDEX in Las Vegas.
    • Letters – Letters from readers about CFL football games, TAPS (an artillery targeting sim with involvement from Tom Clancy), RAM problems with PETs, and more.
    • New Products! – A brief look at new products include Simon & Schuster’s Computer Study Guide for the SAT (Commodore 64, Apple II, IBM PC), Tetra Quest (Amiga, Atari ST), Serve & Volley and Grand Prix Circuit from Accolade, a new version of Autoduel for the Amiga, and more.

    Compute! Specific

    • MS-DOS – Command line vs. GUI; a look at The Norton Commander. Plus, The Invisible Link, a program that lets you download in the background and more.
    • 64 & 128 – GEOS 2.0, Dungeon Master’s Assistant Volume I: Encounters from SSI, Final Assault from Epyx, Times of Lore from Origin, and Fast Break, a 3-on-3 basketball game from Accolade.
    • Apple II – Del Yocam leaving Apple; Apple raises prices of Apple II and IIgs systems; rumors of an enhanced Apple IIgs, and more.
    • Amiga – The Amiga is featured at several recent computer shows including World of Commodore, COMDEX and CES; Zoetrope special effects software; SysFont font software; and more.
    • Macintosh – Arkanoid; an upcoming Ad-Lib game; upgrades for the Mac; and more.
    • Atari ST – Easy-Tools desk accessory which adds functions to the Easy-Draw page layout program; Wholly Macro! software for creating macros by recording keystrokes; and more.


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  • Compute! (December 1983)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Compute! – Issue Number 43 – December 1983

    Compute was a popular multi-format magazine published throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. It was oriented towards the home user and covered the popular computers of the day. The December 1983 issue includes:

    Features

    • The Home Office – How computers can be used to do your job at home.
    • The Christmas of the Computer? – Christmas 1983 was expected to be a huge year for the home computer industry. In 1983 Coleco introduced the Adam (which failed miserably), Atari introduced the 600XL and 800XL along with a few other models that ended up being cancelled, Commodore slashed prices on the VIC-20 and Commodore 64, the first rumors of the PCJr appear, among others.
    • Calorie Cop – A type-in program for the Apple II, VIC-20, Commodore 64, TI-99/4A and Color Computer that calculates your calorie output based on activity and other inputs.
    • Paycheck Analysis – This type-in program for the VIC-20, Commodore 64, PET, Atari 8-bit, TI-99/4A, Apple II, Color Computer and Timex/Sinclair will analyze your paycheck for accuracy and project future take-home pay based on a variety of variables including base salary, cost of living, overtime, various deductions and more.
    • Utility Bill Audit – This type-in program for the Commodore 64, VIC-20, PET, TI-99/4A, Apple II and Color Computer helps you check your electric, gas, water and phone bills for accuracy.
    • Gas Mileage – This type-in program for the Apple II, Atari, Commodore 64, and VIC-20 calculates your gas mileage, including standard deviation and more.

    Education and Recreation

    • Nightflyer – A type-in game for the Atari 8-bit and Apple II that simulates landing a plane at night.
    • Space Thief – A type-in two-player game for the Atari 8-bit and Commodore 64 in which you must smuggle energy pods from your opponent.
    • Chopperoids – A type-in game for the Atari 8-bit that is sort of a cross between Asteroids and Choplifter.
    • Get the Gold – A type-in game for the TI-99/4A that provides a 128-chamber dungeon for you to explore and find treasure in…if you come out alive.
    • 64 Mosaic Puzzle – A type-in program that produces a sliding tile game in which you must get the tiles in the correct order.

    Reviews

    • Millionaire – A stock market simulation game for the Atari 400/800, Commodore 64, Apple II and other computers.
    • The Witness – Another interactive fiction title from Infocom for a wide variety of computers, this one featuring a murder mystery.
    • MAC/64 – An improved macro assembler for Atari 8-bit computers
    • Stellar Triumph – A two-player space combat game for the Commodore 64. A bit like asteroids but with two players and without the asteroids. However, the game is very configurable with the ability to change the amount of fule, whether or not the ships have intertia, gravity, and a variety of other parameters.
    • Gamestape 1 for the Timex/Sinclair – A package of 11 games for the Timex/Sinclair that all run with only 1K of RAM.
    • Memory Expanders for the VIC-20 – The VIC-20 only has 5K of RAM so memory expansion devices were quite popular for this machine and a lot of software took advantage of them. This review covers several VIC RAM expansions including the VI-1110 (8K), VIC-1111 (16K), RAMAX (27K plus other extras), and Golden RAM (24K).
    • TI Statistics – A package of programs that performs several common statistical functions.

    Columns and Departments

    • The Editor’s Notes – A look at the competition in the computer market in the upcoming year.
    • Readers’ Feedback – Letters from readers about disks, cassettes and temperature tolerances; a shortage of 1541 disk drives for the Commodore 64; viewing 1541 disk drive ROM; Atari XL features; dual joysticks on the TI-99/4A, Atari disk drive RAM requirements; and much more.
    • Computers and Society: High Tech, High Touch, and 1984 – An interesting perspective on the year 1984 and George Orwell’s 1984.
    • The Beginner’s Page: Zones of Unpredictability, Part 2 – Part two of a series on random numbers.
    • The World Inside the Computer: Winnie the Pooh’s Alphabet Adventures – A 4-year old’s adventure with a new computer. A pretty detailed look at the NEC Trek/PC-6001A computer and the Disney software available for it.
    • Learning with Computers – An overview of the book Learning with Logo.
    • On the Road with Fed D’Ignazio: The Electronic Chalkboards: The BBC and the PowerPad – A look at the BBC computer, particularly for education use. The BBC never really had success in the U.S. Also, a look at the PowerPad which was a large tablet input device that could be used as a touch pad, art tool, or even as a reconfigurable keyboard with overlays.
    • Friends of the Turtle: A Turtle Resource Update – A look at some of the books and other resources available for Logo and Turtle graphics.
    • Questions Beginners Ask – Questions answered about mailing tapes and disks and disk drive expense.
    • Machine Language: Hopping Around – Transferring control (jumping and branching) in machine language on the 6502.
    • Programming the TI: Computer Fun – Coordinating music and graphics on the TI-99/4A.
    • INSIGHT: Atari – Extended memory management on Atari 8-bit computers. Plus a bit about SmallTalk.
    • 64 Explorer – Information about printers and printer interfaces for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20.
    • News & Products – New products this month include a 4K buffered printer interface for Atari 8-bit computers, The VIC 20 Connection – a book about home automation with the VIC-20, MathWiz – educational program for the Commodore 64, Amper-Magic – a program to extend the power of BASIC on Apple II computers, Devil’s Dare – a strategy game for Atari 8-bit computers, Sprint Typer – a program to help learn typing for the VIC-20, and much more.

    The Journal

    • SuperBASIC 64 – A type-in program to add 37 new commands to the Commodore 64’s built-in BASIC.
    • List and Scroll for the VIC and 64 – A type-in utility program that formats listings of BASIC programs, e.g. makes each statement appear on a separate line, indents FOR-NEXT and IF-THEN statements, etc.
    • Commodore Files for Beginners, Part 2 – Part two of a series of articles on files for the Commodore 64. This part covers creating files programatically, checking for errors, reading files programatically, and more.
    • Art Museum – A Commodore 64 and VIC-20 type-in program that lets you create and save art created with the special graphics characters that are part of the character set and are printed on the keys.
    • Bitmap Graphics on the 64 – A tutorial on bitmap graphics for the Commodore 64, including how such graphics are mapped in memory.
    • Atari Screenbyter – A graphics utility that lets you create screen displays in a variety of graphics modes.
    • Disk Explorer for Commodore – A type-in program that allows you to display a disassembly of the 1541’s machine language instructions as well as a hex dump of the RAM and ROM.
    • The Hidden Pitfalls of Computer Arithmetic – A look at how you can get “wrong” results, including things like rounding errors.
    • TI Word Processor – A type-in word processor for the TI-99/4A.
    • Son of Lister for VIC and 64 – A tool to help convert BASIC programs between different Commodore computers.
    • Commas and Colons in Applesoft Strings: An Easy Way to Use Them – Commas and colons are special characters in Applesoft. This provides a workaround for printing them.
    • Atari Chartmaker – A type-in program that allows you to display custom charts on screen.
    • Comparing Commodore Machine Language Programs – This BASIC type-in program will allow you to do a diff between two machine language programs.
    • VIC/64 Clock – A type-in program that displays a real-time clock in the corner of the screen while you do other things.

    …and more!


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