• Tag Archives PC

  • PC World (January 1993)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: PC World – January 1993

    1993 was perhaps the beginning of a golden age for the PC. Competition from other platforms (other than the Mac) was pretty much dead if not yet buried. The Internet boom was just around the corner and technology was progressing rapidly. PCs would have been running DOS or a combination of DOS and Windows 3.1 (which pretty much all PCs shipped with at this point). A top of the line PC in January would have been something like a 486 DX-33 with 4MB of RAM though by August I was buying a 486 DX2-66 with 16MB. Games mostly came on 3.5″ disks at this point…the 5.25″ format was still around but fading away and CD-ROMs were not common yet. The January 1993 issue of PC World was massive creeping up on the 400 page mark. It included:

    Features

    • Lotus: Getting the most from 1-2-3 and other Lotus Software – A huge special section on Lotus software, most known for their spreadsheet program, Lotus 1-2-3. This section also covers other software like Lotus Notes, version 3.0 of which was soon to be released.

    Windows Special Issue

    • The World’s Best $2500 Windows PC – A review of the best Windows PCs which here include the Wyse Decision 486sl, ATronics International ATI-486-50, Micro Express ME 486-Local Bus/DX2/50, TriStar Tri-WIN 486DX/50 ISA, and Leading Edge D4/DX2 50. Processors included two 50-MHz 486DXs, two 50-MHz 486DX2s, and 33 MHz 486DX. Those were the best buys anyway, other categories were included…for example computer awarded best performance was the Acer AcerPower 486e DX2/66 Model 5657. Included RAM was typically 4MB or 8MB with hard drives ranging from around 80MB to around 250MB.
    • Windows and DOS Speedup Tips – 75 tips on how to make DOS and Windows faster. Tips include things like adjusting virtual printer memory settings, printing direct the port in DOS, automatically launching software, optimizing config.sys, and much more.
    • The Windows Spreadsheet Challenge – A showdown between Lotus 1-2-3, Excel and Quattro Pro.
    • The Complete Guide to Scalable Fonts – In the early days, working with fonts in Windows was a nightmare compared to the Mac. It gradually got better.
    • PC World Adviser: Ramping Up to Windows – Advice on training an office staff who currently uses DOS to use Windows.

    Top of the News

    • The Whole World in His Windows – Microsoft begins shipping Windows for Workgroups as part of Bill Gates’ plan to get Windows into every office and home.
    • Improv: A Financial Modeling Tool – Basically a new spreadsheet program from Lotus with more features designed for multiple users.
    • Local Bus: Not Just for Video – VESA Local Bus was a predecessor to PCI and despite the title of this article, was used almost exclusively for video cards. PCI is mentioned as well but it was still a couple of years away. VLB had a pretty short life.
    • High Quality From a Small Printer – A look at the new Canon BJ-200 bubble jet printer.
    • PC Tools 8.0 – A collection of DOS tools that includes a DOS Shell, memory utility, anti-virus, hex editor, and much more.

    New Products

    • Gateway 4DX2-66V, Zeos Upgradable 486DX2-66 PCs – A look at a couple of the latest and fastest PCs. Both based on the 486DX2-66 CPU, 8MB of RAM, 340MB hard drives, local bus video and upgradeability to Pentium Overdrive chips when they become available (which took forever). The Gateway would set you back about $3000 while the Zeos was an overpriced $3500.
    • Lexmark IBM Color Jet PS 4079 printer, Frago Primera printer – An inkjet printer for $3500 and a thermal transfer printer for a bargain basement price of $995. Color printers were expensive.
    • Texel DM-3024, DM-5024 CD ROM drives – A couple of early CD-ROM drives. As single speed devices they could transfer data at about 300KB per second. Starting at $600.
    • Hewlett-Packard Vectra 486N Series PCs – A line of PCs from HP that have processors ranging from the 25 MHz 486SX up to the 486DX2-66 and are “network ready” with either preinstalled token ring or HP Ether-Twist adapters.
    • OCEAN Vista V256 magneto-optical drive – Magneto-optical drives were the early choice for removable mass storage but the drives and media were expensive. They never really gained a foothold with home users as CD-R and ZIP drive were soon to come along at a much better value.
    • AceFile 2.0, Approach 2.0 for Windows, DataEase Express for Windows – A look at three different database systems for Windows.
    • Zagat-Axxis CityGuide – Like an offline version of Google Maps.
    • Super PC-Kwik 5, PC-Kwik Power Pak 3 – Disk defragmenting software, disk cache software and more.
    • AnyTime scheduler – Basically a DOS based calendar program.
    • Freelance Graphics for Windows 2.0 – Presentation software from Lotus (similar to Power Point).
    • TrueType for DOS – Incorporate True Type fonts into DOS based software such as WordPerfect 5.1, LetterPerfect, PlanPerfect, Word 5.1, and Microsoft Works.
    • Ventura Publisher 4.1 for Windows – Publishing software for Windows.
    • Microsoft Visual Basic for Windows 2.0 – The second major version of Visual Basic. It’s been around a long time.
    • Prometheus Home Office – A package that includes a 2400bps (9600bps fax) modem, fax software and voice-mail software.
    • Network Scheduler 3 – Basically, a network calendar. Everybody uses Outlook today.
    • WinFax Pro 3.0 – Back when fax machines were still important, being able to send faxes from your computer was a nice convenience. Some version of this software was included with many modems.
    • Quick Takes – Brief reviews of BeckerTools 4.0, TimeOut Lite, WatchIt-TV, Fractal Design Sketcher, Polaris PackRat 4.1, Visio, FastLynx 2.0, Traverler MiCC 14400PM Pocket Fax-Modem, and more.

    Here’s How

    • Help Line – Adding signatures to faxes created with WordPerfect 5.1, AUTOEXEC.BAT versus WINSTART.BAT, Windows 3.1 file manager, adding a second hard drive, and more.
    • Spreadsheets – Exponential equations, inserting into Lotus 1-2-3, switching between Excel and Lotus 1-2-3, and more.
    • Word Processing – Using Quattro graphs in WordPerfect, choosing a WordPerfect document directory, sorting in WordPerfect, scriptwriting with WordPerfect, and more.
    • Windows – Using Windows’ Recorder, removing duplicate fonts, shrinking compressed volumes with Stacker, and more.
    • Data Management – Database programs with dBase file support, printing with Paradox, creating multi-record forms in R:BASE, and more.
    • Publishing & Presentations – A guide to creating an industry or trade newsletter.
    • Communications – Dealing with too much e-mail (a problem even in 1993), synchronous vs. asynchronous transfers, stock trading online, and more.
    • Dialog Box – Reduce wasted disk space, printing documents backwards, taking control of Upper Memory, and more.

    Departments

    • In This Issue – A summary of what’s included in the current issue.
    • Letters – Alternatives to Windows, OS/2 2.0 vs. Windows 3.1 and DOS 5.0 on a 386SX, new virus threats, and more.
    • Consumer Watch – A general guide to reaching a human when you need technical support, plus help with refunds and more.
    • Real Problems, Real Solutions – One person’s strategy for dealing with unexpected and/or unexplained hardware and software problems.
    • Business Fixtures – Reviews of CorelDraw 3.0, the Maxtor Cheyenne 7213 Hard Drive (212 MB for $490), and the DECpc 235P Notebook (a 25-MHz 386SL CPU, 2MB of RAM and built-in modem for $2820).
    • Managers of the Universe – A look at some games including Ultima VII: The Black Gate, and B-17 Flying Fortress. PC World gives the list price of these being $79.95 and $69.95 respectively but I don’t remember them costing nearly that much.
    • Home Office – A guide to keyboards and keyboard software.

    …and much more!


    📂This entry was posted in Computer Arcana DOS 📎and tagged

  • GamePro (May 1997)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: GamePro – May 1997

    GamePro wasn’t a magazine I read a lot but it was probably the next most popular gaming magazine behind Electronic Gaming Monthly, at least in the U.S. The May 1997 issue includes:

    Cover Feature

    • The Lost World: Jurassic Park – This was about the time the move The Lost World came out and here is a preview of the game that goes along with it for the PlayStation.

    Special Features

    • Final Fantasy VII – Final Fantasy VII was probably the most anticipated Final Fantasy game and the most popular. Here’s an early preview of its release in Japan.
    • GameWorks: Ready for Gameplay – GameWorks was a new mega arcade that was a joint venture between Sega, Universal and Dreamworks. The first opened up in Seattle, Washington in 1997 and there were plans for 100 of them by 2002. I don’t know if that expansion ever happened but as far as I can tell the Seattle GameWorks still exists and there are no others.
    • Mortal Kombat Annihilation! – The Mortal Kombat movie sequel.

    SWATPro Strategy Section

    • Doom 64 Nintendo 64 ProStrategy Guide – A detailed guide for Doom on the Nintendo 64, including maps, secret exits and more.
    • The Fighter’s Edge Soul Blade (Part 2) – Part 2 of a comprehensive guide to Soul Blade on the PlayStation.
    • SWATPro – Hints, tips, tricks and cheats for Andretti Racing (Saturn), WWF: In Your House (PlayStation), The Legend of Oasis (Saturn), Dark Forces (PlayStation), NFL GameDay ’97 (PlayStation), NHL Faceoff ’97 (PlayStation), SlamScape (PlayStation), Vectorman 2 (Genesis), Bubble Bobble (PlayStation), Command & Conquer (Saturn), Crusader: No Remorse (PlayStation), Ten Pin Alley (PlayStation), Impact Racing (PlayStation/Saturn), Pandemonium (PlayStation), and Madden ’97 (Genesis). There’s also a list of the top game rentals and Blockbuster. Top of the list for each platform were Mario Kart 64 (Nintendo 64), Need for Speed II (PlayStation), Tomb Raider (Saturn), NBA Live ’98 (Genesis), Donkey Kong Country 3 (Super NES).
    • Samurai Showdown IV: Amakusa’s Revenge (Neo Geo) – Special moves for all of the characters and more.
    • The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – A survival guide that includes maps, lists of locations, and more.

    ProReviews

    • PC GamePro – Reviews of Ecstatica II and Star Command Revolution, plus previews of Hexen II, Meat Puppet, Redneck Rampage, Comanche 3, X-Com: Apocalypse, Quake Mission Pack #1: Scourge of Armagon, Riven, and Extreme Assault.
    • Nintendo 64 – Review of Blast Corps.
    • PlayStation – Reviews of MechWarrior 2, WCW vs. The World, BattleStations, K-1 The Arena Fighters, Wing Commander IV, Sentient, The Incredible Hulk, Virtual Pool, and League of Pain.
    • Saturn – Reviews of Herc’s Adventures, The Lost Vikings, Lunacy, Contra Legacy of War, Tunnel B1, Dragon Heart, Super Puzzle Fighter II, Hardcore 4×4, and Heir of Zendor.
    • Sports Pages – Reviews of NBA Shootout ’97 (PlayStation), NBA Live ’97 (Saturn), FIFA Soccer 64 (Nintendo 64), VR Baseball ’97 (PlayStation), Rally Cross (PlayStation), and Perfect Striker (Nintendo 64 Japan) plus previews of Triple Play ’98 (PlayStation), All-Star Baseball ’97 (Saturn, PlayStation), NHL Breakaway ’98 (PlayStation, Saturn), NFL Quarterback Club ’98 (PlayStation, Saturn, DOS), HardBall 6 (PlayStation, Win95), and NBA Jam ’98 (Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Win95).
    • Role-Player’s Realm – A review of Vandal Hearts for the PlayStation.

    Departments

    • Head-2-Head: Letter from the GamePros – The evolution of the gaming industry.
    • The Mail – Readers write in about the CD-i, Resident Evil, Twisted Metal 2, and Final Fantasy VII.
    • Art Attack – Envelope art and other reader submitted gaming art.
    • Buyers Beware – Customer complaints about a free XBand modem offer, Tomb Raider ads, fighting in NHL ’97, and more.
    • ProNews – PlayStation price drops to $149, Sega plans merge with Bandai, upcoming games, Final Fantasy VII release plans, and more.
    • NetPro – Internet search tips, using various earch engines (Google didn’t exist yet), using Usenet, and more.
    • Overseas Prospects – A look at recent and upcoming overseas releases including Metal Gear Solid (PlayStation) and Gambare Goemon 5 (Nintendo 64).
    • Sneak Previews – An early look at The Lost World (PlayStation), Duke Nukem 3D (Saturn), Castlevania X (PlayStation), Star Fox 64 (Nintendo 64), Yoshi’s Island 64 (Nintendo 64), Hexen (Nintendo 64), Clayfighter 63 1/3 (Nintendo 64), MDK (PlayStation), Battle Arena Toshinden (PlayStation), Darklight Conflict (PlayStation, Saturn, DOS, Win 95), VMX Racing (PlayStation, Saturn, Win 95), and Motor Mash (PlayStation).
    • Hot at the Arcades – A review of Tekken 3 plus previews of Darkstalkers: Jedah’s Damnation, Sega Super GT, and Rampage World Tour.

    …and more!


    📂This entry was posted in Retro Games 📎and tagged

  • PC Zone (March 2001)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: PC Zone – Issue Number 100 – March 2001

    PC Zone is a PC gaming magazine that was published in the U.K. in the 1990s and early 2000s. The March 2001 issue includes:

    Previews

    • Anachronox – A sci-fi RPG with turn based combat with influence from console RPGs.
    • Empire Earth – A real-time strategy game in which you control empires throughout history.
    • Cossacks – An RTS game featuring the Cossacks across nearly 100 campaigns.
    • Commandos 2 – A difficult squad based strategy game.

    Reviews

    New Games

    • Black & White – A highly anticipated game at the time in which you play God. It was a bit of a let down as I recall.
    • Oni – A 3D action game emphasizing combat.
    • World Championship Snooker – Well, there’s a computer game for everything…
    • Quake III Team Arena – The Quake saga continues…
    • Theme Park Inc. – A strategy game in which you run your own theme park.
    • The Blair With Project 3 – I think this was part 3 of a trilogy of games based on the original movie as opposed to a game based on the third movie. Either way it does not appear to have been very good.
    • Squad Leader – Compared to X-Com but much, much worse.
    • Starfleet Command II – A Star Trek combat sim.
    • Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2001 – Tiger Woods really has been around a long time.
    • Sea Dogs – An adventure/role-playing/naval combat game set in the 1700s.
    • Far Gate – Like Homeworld but not quite as good.
    • Battleship 2 – Another computerized version of the classic analog game. Plus an action game nothing like that.
    • Chicken Run – Adventure game based on the movie of the same name.
    • Pacific Warriors – World War II action aerial combat game.
    • The Ward – A mediocre sci-fi/horror point and click adventure.
    • Super Taxi Driver – A crappy rip-off of Crazy Taxi.
    • Warm Up! – A mediocre F1 racing game with a bad name.
    • Wartorn – Participate in “war tournaments” to control the population. Kind of like Running Man on a larger scale.

    Budget Reviews

    • Championship Manager 3 – A football (soccer) management game.
    • Rainbow 6 Gold Pack Ed – A release of Rainbow Six with Eagle Watch add-on.
    • Cricket Captain 2 – Cricket on the computer. I guess it’s pretty good if you like that sort of thing.
    • Fly! – A flight sim with not much of interest.
    • Airport Inc. – Build and manage airports. About as much fun as it sounds.
    • The Golf Pro 2 – A terrible golf game if this review is accurate.
    • Stars! – A turn based strategy game set in space. But there are far better ones.

    Supertest

    • The Most Influential Games of All Time – An overview of what PC Zone considers the most influential games of all time. These include Sim City, Ultima Underworld, The Secret of Monkey Island, Tomb Raider, Ultima Online, Dune 2, and Doom.

    Readers’ Reviews

    • Feedback – Readers give their opinions on Project IGI, Gunman Chronicles, and No One Lives Forever.

    Online

    News & Previews

    • Majestic – EA’s virtual community.
    • Fallout Tactics – An online (up to) 18 player combat game based in the Fallout world.
    • E-Racer – An online racing game.

    Reviews

    • Sudden Strike V1.1 – A World War II online game.
    • Call to Power II V1.1 – Strategy game with mediocre multiplayer support.
    • Everquest: Scars of Velious – Everquest was THE MMORPG of the day.
    • Tanarus – A sort of updated online Battlezone.
    • Trivial Pursuit Online V.12 – A free online version of Trivial Pursuit
    • Mod Watch – A look at new and updated mods including QPong for Quake III Arena, The Challenger Deep for Half-Life, Scientist Hunt for Half-Life, Airfight for Unreal Tournament, Turbo for Half-Life, and Strike Force for Unreal Tournament.

    Bulletin

    • Dragonriders – A preview of the upcoming Dragonriders: Chronicles of Pern.
    • IL-2 Surmovik – A preview of this World War II flight sim.
    • Bulletin – News including progress on Civilization III, the announcement of Myth III, GTA 3 unveiled (for the first time in 3D), a preview of Master of Orion III: The Fifth X, and more.
    • Tech Head – Corporations try to kill MP3 with DRM alternatives; 2GHz Pentium 4 released; and more.
    • The PC Zone Charts – Two charts alternatively put Red Alert 2 and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire on top.
    • Div Games Creator 2000 – A game creation contest with a Packard Bell Platinum 6073 PC as the grand prize.
    • Hotshots – A preview of a new real-time strategy game called Warrior Kings.

    Regulars

    • Mailbox – Letters about ping, Star Trek Deep Space 9, a reader complains about his K6-2 500 PC not being good enough any more, games getting more complicated, and more.
    • Feature: The (Secret) History of PC Zone – A look back at the 8-year (so far) history of PC Zone.
    • Feature: The New Professionals – Making a living playing games.
    • PC Zone Top 100 – PC Zone’s continuously updated list of the top 100 games separated into a variety of categories. Top games in their categories include Half-Life, Shogun: Total War, Deus Ex, Grim Fandango, Colin McRae Rally 2.0, Battle of Britain, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, Championship Manager: 00/01, X – Beyond the Frontier, Hidden & Dangerous, and Counter-Strike.
    • On the CD – The cover CD includes demos of Sacrifice, Gunman Chronicles, Microsoft Casino, FIFA 2001, In Cold Blood, NASCAR Racing 4, Rugby 2001, Moho, Close Combat V, Delta Force: Land Warrior, Quake III Team Arena, and more.

    Troubleshooter

    • Cheatmaster – Cheats and tricks for various games including Project IGI, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, American McGee’s Alice, Giants: Citizen Kabuto, Sheep, Deep Space Nine: The Fallen, and more.
    • Dear Wandy – Technical questions answered about proxies, upgrading an ECS P6BX-A+ motherboard with a 600MHz Pentium III, high ping, external modems vs. internal (software) modems, and more.
    • Watchdog – Reader complaints about Home Software World, a Deus Ex promotion, orders from Gameplay, and more.
    • Sites for Sore Eyes – A look at web sites offering walkthoughs fro various games including Metal Gear Solid and Resident Evil 3.

    End Zone

    • Extended Play – Various mods for Soldier of Fortune.
    • Retrozone – At this point, 2001 already far more retro than the games they were looking back on at the time. They were looking back at games that were about 8 years old at the time, including Dune 2, Ultima Underworld II, Lemmings 2, X-Wing (one of my personal favorites), Virtua Fighter, and Star Trek: The Next Generation, and more.

    …and more!


    📂This entry was posted in Computer Arcana Retro Games 📎and tagged