• Tag Archives VIC-20

  • Compute!’s Gazette (June 1984)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Compute!’s Gazette – Issue Number 12 – June 1984

    Gazette was Compute!’s most successful spin-off magazine. It covered Commodore’s 8-bit computers, primarily the Commodore 64 but also, at times, the VIC-20, C-16/Plus 4, and Commodore 128. The June 1984 issue includes:

    Features

    • The Future Of Commodore Games – A look at some of the more mature and complex games coming to the Commodore 64. Some specific titles looked at here include Seven Cities of Gold, B.C.’s Quest For Tires, King’s Quest, Sorcerer, Blade of Blackpool, Infidel, Space Ace, and others.
    • Inside View: The Designers Behind M.U.L.E. – An interview with Dan Bunten, Bill Bunten, Jim Rushing, and Alan Watson, designers of M.U.L.E.

    Games

    • 3-D Tic-Tac-Toe – A type-in 3D Tic-Tac-Toe game for the VIC-20 and Commodore 64.
    • Castle Dungeon – A type-in graphics adventure game featuring hidden bombs to find, blind monsters to avoid, and evil wizard, and more. For the VIC-20 and Commodore 64.
    • Revenge of Cyon – A type-in game for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20 in which you must destroy ships from the Cyon Empire. It’s sort of a cross between Space Invaders and Missile Command.
    • The Frantic Fisherman – A type-in fishing game for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20 in which you must also avoid shards and thunderstorms.

    Reviews

    • Arcade-Style Games For The VIC-20 – A review of two games for the VIC-20, Skramble! and Gridder. The former seems to be the better game.
    • Easy Script: Word Processor For The 64 – Review of this word processor for the Commodore 64 from Commodore. This was a pretty good word processor for its time.
    • Worms? For The 64 – A one to four player worm training game for the Commodore 64.
    • IFR (Flight Simulator) For The VIC-20 – Given the limitations of the hardware, this was a pretty good flight simulator for the VIC-20.

    Education/Home Applications

    Computing For Families: New Standards In Home Learning, Part 2 – The second in a series of articles on using computers for education at home. It includes discussion of the best computers and software to use, guidelines for parents, and more.

    Therapy – A more advanced version of Eliza to type-in for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20.

    Spelling Critter – A type-in educational spelling game for the VIC-20 and Commodore 64.

    Shape Match – A type-in shape matching game for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20.

    Word Scramble – A type-in game for the Commodore 64 in which you must unscramble words.

    Programming

    • The Beginner’s Corner: Planning A Game Program – How to design and implement a game using Tic-Tac-Toe as an example.
    • Inside Random Numbers – A look at how random numbers are generated on the VIC-20 and Commodore 64.
    • Power BASIC: One-Touch Keywords – A type-in utility that provides shortcuts for the 52 most common BASIC keywords on the VIC-20 and Commodore 64.
    • Machine Language For Beginners: Indirect Addressing – A tutorial on indirect indexing with machine language.
    • File Copier – A type-in utility for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20 that will copy files from one disk to another using a single disk drive.
    • Hints & Tips: Appending Sequential Disk Files – A How-To for appending data to sequential files. I once wrote a journaling program on the Commodore 64 that did something like this.
    • Scroll 64 – A type-in machine language routine that lets you control scrolling from within a BASIC program.
    • Tape Data files For VIC and 64 – Examples for setting up, writing to, and reading from tape files from BASIC on the VIC-20 and Commodore 64.
    • VIC 5K Emulator – A technique for emulating having only 5K of RAM on the VIC-20 and memory expansion is installed for programs that are incompatible.
    • Tape Protection For VIC An 64 – Techniques for protecting files on tape from being copied on the VIC-20 and Commodore 64.
    • All About PRINT For VIC And 64 – A guide to using BASIC PRINT statements on the Commodore 64 and VIC-20.

    Departments

    • Editor’s Notes – A look at the growth of Gazette over its first 12 issues (with a circulation of more than 300,000). Plus, a letter on software piracy.
    • Gazette Feedback – Letters from readers about reading joystick input, using PEEK and SYS commands, double sided floppies, and more.
    • Simple Answers To Common Questions – Questions answered about machine language vs. assembly and disk drive commands.
    • Home Telecommunications – A look at using the various services on networks such as Delphi, CompuServe, and others.
    • Horizons 64 – A look at Blue Max, a new game from Synapse; a look at an Apple emulator for the Commodore 64 called the AP Modular Pak; and a comparison of the PCjr and Commodore 64.
    • VICreations – A look at new games and educational programs on the VIC-20 including Kindercomp (Human Engineered Software), Type Attack (Sirius Software), Write Now! (Cardco), Skyblazer (Broderbund), Donkey Kong (Atarisoft), Laser Zone (Human Engineered Software), and Capture the Flag (Sirius Software).
    • News And Products – A look at new products including keyboard overlays for the VIC-20 and Commodore 64, a cassette backup program from Creative Electronics, Seek-Bible for the VIC-20, PET, and Commodore 64, Doodle! graphics program for the Commodore 64, a parallel interface board for the VIC-20, Roadsearch computerized maps, and more.

    …and more!


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  • Compute!’s Gazette (November 1984)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: ompute!’s Gazette – Issue Number 17 – November 1984

    Compute!’s Gazette was one of a few popular Commodore 64 magazines that were published in the U.S. Though it covered other 8-bit Commodore computers at times like the VIC-20, Commodore 128 and Plus/4, the bulk of its coverage through the years was for the Commodore 64. The November 1984 issue includes:

    Features

    • Bulletin Board Fever – An introduction to BBSing. BBS systems had been around for a while at this point but Commodore specific ones were rapidly gaining in popularity. This article guides you through your first call to a BBS.
    • A Buyer’s Guide to Modems – A comparison of more than 20 different modems ranging in price from $49 (Commodore VICmodem) to $289 (Hayes Smartmodem 300). All are only 300bps.
    • GAZETTE Telecommunications Software, Part 1: C/G Term – A type-in terminal program for the VIC-20 and Commodore 64.
    • Inside View: Freefall Associates – An interview with Jon Freeman and Anne Westfall, designers of Archon and Archon II: Adept.

    Reviews

    • EasyDisk – A utility designed to make managing disks (formatting, renaming files, etc.) easier.
    • MusiCalc – A difficult to use but powerful music program for the Commodore 64 and SID.
    • Adventure Creator – A cartridge-based program for the Commodore 64 that allows you to design your own adventure games.
    • Drol And Spare Change for the Commodore 64 – Two arcade style games from Broderbund for the Commodore 64. I’m not familiar with these two games specifically but Broderbund made some outstanding games (like Spelunker and Raid on Bungeling Bay).
    • Also Worth Noting – Briefer reviews of Raid on Bungeling Bay, PuzzlePanic, Gumball, 64-Accounting, Montezuma’s Revenge, and Satan’s Hollow.

    Games

    • Bagdad – This type-in game for the VIC-20 and Commodore 64 reminds me a bit of games like Joust.
    • Jump – This type-in game for the VIC-20 and Commodore 64 is sort of a cross between Space Invaders and Missile Command.
    • Supertank – In this type-in game for the Commodore 64 you must destroy other tanks before they destroy you.
    • Descent to Kaylon – In this type-in game for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20, you must land your ship for resupply while avoiding asteroids and other obstacles.

    Education/Home Applications

    • Computing For Families: A Look At New Books From “Reggie” D’Ignazio – A brief look at various new books including The Commodore 64 Home Companion, Computer FUNdamentals, The Beginner’s Computer Dictionary, The Computer Alphabet Book, The Commodore Puzzle Book: BASIC Brainteasers, At the Heart of the Mountain: A BASIC Adventure for the Commodore 64, and more.
    • Budgeteer – A type-in program for the VIC-20 and Commodore 64 that helps you balance your budget.

    Programming

    • BASIC Magic: The Four Most Important BASIC Commands – A look at four commands that can help you get started quickly with BASIC: PRINT, GOTO, FOR-NEXT, and INPUT.
    • Machine Language for Beginners: Getting Started – An introduction to machine language including a type-in assembler.
    • Power BASIC: Slowpoke – A short machine language program that allows you to control the speed of the PRINT command.
    • Hints & Tips – Tips for adding comments to machine language programs, LISTing BASIC programs to a file, and more.
    • Programming Sound and Graphics With The Super Expander 64 – The Super Expander 64 is a cartridge from Commodore for the C64 that adds a variety of powerful graphics and sound commands to BASIC.
    • Function Key – A type-in utility for the VIC-20 and Commodore 64 that lets you define the function keys.
    • Disk Auto Load – A type-in utility for the Commodore 64 that lets you modify your programs so that they will automatically run when loaded.

    Departments

    • The Editor’s Notes – A commentary on the new Amiga which had just been shown in prototype form at the June CES.
    • Gazette Feedback – Letters from readers on the purpose of DATA statements, reading joystick movements, turning off the disk drive when not in use, implementing cursor control, connecting a printer to the SX-64, and more.
    • Simple Answers To Common Questions – A discussion on troubleshooting modem connections.
    • Horizons: 64 – An in-depth look at the new Commodore Plus/4.
    • VICreations: VIC Mailbag – Letters from readers about adjusting the speed of the 1541 disk drive for the VIC-20, converting BASIC programs from the C64 to VIC-20, using VIC-20 sound with a BMC monitor, using a Commodore 1526 printer with the VIC-20, and more.

    …and more!


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  • Compute!’s Gazette (December 1984)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Compute!’s Gazette – December 1984

    Compute!’s Gazette was the most successful spinoff of the more general Compute! magazine. It covered 8-bit Commodore computers. For most of its life that really meant the Commodore 64 and 128 but in 1984 it was mostly the VIC-20 and Commodore 64. The December 1984 issue includes:

    Features

    • What if…? – A feature on simulation games. Games covered here include Ringside Seat (a boxing sim), various Avalon Hill battle simulations, SSI’s Rails West! (puts you in the role of a railroad baron), various chess games, and more.
    • Electronic Trivia – Trivial Pursuit had been released a few years earlier and had become very popular leading greater popularity of computer based trivia games. This article covers some of them including Trivia Arcade, Trivia Fever, Computrivia, Facttactics, Fax, Master Trivia, Trivia Trek, and Trivial Compute.
    • Inside View – An interview with Byron Preiss and Ronald Martinez, software designers for Trillium who create games such as Fahrenheit 451, Rendezvous with Rome, and Dragonworld.
    • Gazette Telecommunications Software Part 2: C/G Bulleting Board System – The second part of a type-in communications package for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20. The first part was a terminal program for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20 and this part is a BBS system for the Commodore 64.

    Reviews

    • Microfiler – A cartridge based database system for the Commodore 64.
    • NATO Commander – A strategy game from MicroProse for the Commodore 64 that pits NATO forces against Warsaw Pact forces.
    • Road to Moscow – A strategy game for the Commodore 64 that recreates the Russian/German part of World War II.
    • Also Worth Noting – Short reviews of The Castles of Dr. Creep, Dragon’s Keep, Troll’s Tale, Rug Rider, and Impossible Mission.

    Games

    • Cosmic Combat – A type-in Space Invaders style game with versions for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20.
    • 3-D Labrynth – A 3D maze game for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20 in which you must escape the maze (with an optional time limit).

    Education/Home Applications

    • Computing For Families: An Adventure in Telecommunications – A look at SkiWriter II, a combination word processor and telecommunications program.
    • Word Guess – A type-in hangman style game for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20.
    • Letter Attack – An educational type-in game for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20 that teaches typing.
    • Programming Commodore’s Magic Voice – A guide to programming the Magic Voice speech synthesizer for the Commodore 64.

    Programming

    • BASIC Magic: A Christmas Assortment – A Christmas themed BASIC tutorial for both the Commodore 64 and VIC-20. Basically a sort of electronic Christmas card with sound.
    • Machine Language for Beginners – This tutorial guides you through creating a customized directory command for the Commodore 64.
    • Hints & Tips – A guide to controlling the keyboard buffer on the VIC-20 and Commodore 64.
    • Auto Line – A type-in program that will automatically number the lines in a BASIC program.
    • Power BASIC: Time Clock – A type in program that creates a digital clock on the Commodore 64 and VIC-20.
    • Cassette Index – A short type-in program for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20 that will create an index of files on a cassette.
    • Disk/Tape Backup – A type-in backup program for the VIC-20 and Commodore 64 that will backup files from disk to cassette or from cassette to disk.

    Departments

    • The Editor’s Notes – A summary of recent happenings at Commodore as well as a look ahead to the year to come.
    • Gazette Feedback – Letters from readers about reducing disk drive chatter when using copy protected disks, typing in programs on the VIC-20, programming the SID, cooling the 1540 and 1541 disk drives, and more.
    • Simple Answers to Common Questions – Questions answered about converting Atari BASIC programs to the Commodore 64 and transferring files between the Commodore 64 and IBM PC via and RS-232C interface,
    • Horizons 64 – A guide to drawing on the Commodore 64 including a look at programs like Tech Sketch and Peripheral Vision as well as options for controllers including a mouse, light pen and KoalaPad among others.
    • VICreations: Key Memory Locations – A look at various memory locations in the VIC-20 and their uses.
    • News & Products – A look at new products including the Access-M 64-128K memory expansion, Magic BASIC for the VIC-20, PRONTO home information and banking service for the Commodore 64, new peripherals for the VIC-20 and C64 from Maxtron (printer interface, printer, power supply, cassette drive, and speech synthesizer), Versaterm II terminal software for the C64, and more.

    …and more!


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