Family Computing, Volume 1, Issue 1, September 1983 

In the early days of Family Computing, it was very much like other multi-format computer magazines of the time. It supported multiple computers with type-in programs, reviews, and various articles. Family Computing was somewhat unique in that it supported, at least to some degree, a large number of computers, including ones that were orphaned or no longer supported by the manufacturer (e.g. the Coleco Adam). Family Computing was published from 1983 until 2001.

Contents of the September 1983 issue include:

Features

• How to Program Success Into Your Computer – An articles about computers and education though not strictly about programming.

• The Bad Boy of Computing – An interview with Peter McWilliams. Peter McWilliams was an author who ultimately wrote over 40 books. He wrote on a variety of subjects but he wrote several computer related books in the early 1980s.

• Meet Tom Ball: Game Maker – An interview with Tom Ball, computer programmer and developer and co-developer of several fairly popular games at the time, including Falcons. Radar Rider and Warp Destroyer.

• How to Build a Compact Computer Console for $25 – “Computer Console” in this context means computer desk.

• Portrait of a Computing Family: Part 1 – The Conningtons Buy a Computer – The first part of a series of articles that cover a family’s journey of picking out, buying, setting up and learning to use a computer. In this installment they visit various retailers from Sears to Radio Shack to Toys R Us and more to pick out a computer. They considered several options, including the TI-99/4A, Radio Shack Color Computer and others. Ultimately, they wisely selected the Commodore 64.

• Computer Buyer’s Guide: A Look at the Leading Brands – An overview of the various computers on the market, including features and price. Computers detailed include the Apple IIe ($1395), Atari 600XL ($199), Commodore 64 ($595), Commodore VIC-20 ($199), IBM PC ($1355), TI-99/4A ($225), Timex Sinclair 1000 ($49), TRS-80 Color Computer ($299), and TRS-80 Model IV ($999-$1995).

• When Kerrie Holton Talks, Atari Listens – An article about Kerrie Holton, high school computer programmer and member of the Atari Youth Advisory Board.

Programming

• The Programmer – Simple programs to figure out how hold you will be on a certain date; answer some questions to get a Mad Lib style nursery rhyme; and memorize names.

• Programming Guide – A detailed tutorial to help you understand how one of the programs above works (Aging Fast While Learning BASIC).

• Puzzle – Program your way through a maze…with paper and pencil.

• Reader Written Programs – A Pig Latin translator and a program to help you determine cost effective insulation.

• Software Guide – A listing of two dozen of what Family Computing considers to be the most noteworthy and/or best programs on the market.

• Software Reviews
  • The Alphabet Arcade – An educational game to help learn the alphabet for the Atari 400/800.
  • Ernie’s Quiz – An educational title for the Apple II that consists of four simple games for 4-7 year olds.
  • Gortek and the Microchips – Computer programming for kids for the VIC-20.
  • Hey Diddle Diddle – An educational game in which you unscramble nursery rhymes for the Apple II, Commodore 64, Atari 400/800 and IBM PC.
  • Square Pairs – An game in which you match pairs of things (e.g. country/capital city) for the Apple II, Atari 400/800, TI-99/4A and VIC-20.
  • Flight Simulator – A flight simulator for the TS 1000.
  • Key Quest – A simple collect the treasure and avoid the things that kill you arcade game for the VIC-20.
  • Wizardry – One of the original computer role-playing games for hte Apple II and IBM PC.
  • Zork I – The famous text adventure/interactive fiction game for the Apple II.
  • The Organizer – A sort of home database for the Timex 1000.
  • Screenwriter II – A word processor for the Apple II.
  • Computer Mechanic – A program for keeping track of car maintenance including diagnostic steps to take when you are having various problems. For the Commodore 64.

• New Hardware Announcements – New hardware this month includes the SV-318 computer from Spectravideo, the Timex Sinclair 1500, the Atari 800XL, CS 4800 Printer/Plotter, Impact “40” Printer, Microline 82A printer, Gorilla Monitor (green-screen), Koalapad Touch Tablet, and Voice Box II speech synthesizer.

• Novelties and Notions – Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Home Computers…on record and tape; The Official Computer Hater’s Handbook; Apple Harvest – autumn Apple Collection catalog; floppy disk pins; computer travel case; and more.

• Book Reviews – Books reviewed in this issue include The Complete Handbook of Personal Computer Communications, Computers for Everybody, Katie and the Computer, Pilgrim in the Microworld, and others.

Departments

• Editor’s Note – About the focus of Family Computing going forward.

• Behind the Screens – A look at the expected growth in careers in the computer and related industries; credit cards with a “mini-microcomputer chip”; a new TV series called Whiz Kids; and more.

• The Primer – Part of a three part series on the basics of computers. This part covers the basics of what a computer does and how it works and includes a glossary.

• Home-School Connection – The story of one school that decided to start investing in computers in a big way with help from parents.

• Home Business – The story of a woman who runs her own word processing business from home using a Commodore PET 8032, two disk drives and NEC Spinwriter printer.

• Computing Confidential – The story of one person’s transition from computer phobe to teacher.

• Computing Clinic – Questions from readers about buying the same computer for home as their kids use at school, locating user groups, copying disks and more.

…and more!