• Tag Archives Your Computer

  • Your Computer (April 1984)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Your Computer was a multiformat computer magazine published in the U.K. in the 1980s. It covered all of the popular computers in the U.K. The April 1984 issue includes:

    • Editorial and Your Letters – A request for help compiling a list of top 20 games and letters from readers about the Sinclair QL, Manic Miner, Monsters’ Lair, an editorial on the Sinclair QL, and more.
    • News – Virgin Games accuses UK government of supporting piracy, Acorn releases 6502 second processor for BBC, Elan Enterprise release imminent, Jupiter Ace price reduced, Microdrives available, and more.
    • First Bytes – Questions answered about Spectrum UDGs and other beginner tips.
    • Computer Club – How computers helped the handicapped.
    • Software Shortlist – Reviews of Snowman (Spectrum), Blue Thunder (Spectrum), Neptune’s Daughters (Commodore 64), Fred (Spectrum), and more.
    • Quest Corner – A look at new adventure games including Kingdom of Hamil (BBC), Heroes of Karn (Commodore 64), and more.
    • Aquarius II – This was basically a repackaged Aquarius with a better keyboard.
    • CBM-64 Games – A look at some recent games for the Commodore 64 including Bugaboo from Quicksilva, Megahawk from Big C, and more.
    • Dragon Games – A look at some available games for the Dragon 32 including Monsters from Softek, Avenger from Voyager Software, and more.
    • Design Your Own Micro – A look at the results of a design your own computer contest.
    • Games Writing Packages – A look at various packages designed to help you create games without learning machine code including Games Designer from Quicksilva, Scope from ISP Marketing, Simons Basic from Commodore, and more.
    • Easy Language Learning – A look at language learning on home computers.

    • Dragon Convoy – A type-in game for the Dragon 32 in which you must destroy enemy ship convoys with artillery from shore.
    • Oric Lander – A type-in Lunar Lander game for the Oric.
    • ZX-81 Laser Duel – A type-in two player game for the ZX-81 in which you must shoot your opponent.
    • Map Plotter – A survey method to produce maps on the BBC.
    • Spectrum Multi-Programs – A type-in program for the Spectrum that lets you load up to 10 BASIC programs at once.
    • Snapman 64 – A type-in game very similar to Pac-Man for the Commodore 64.
    • BBC Squares – A type-in game for the BBC in which you must fill in squares with your color.
    • Spectrum Space Quest – A type-in space shooter for the Spectrum.
    • ZX-81 Betta BASIC – A type-in program to add 14 additional BASIC commands to the ZX-81.
    • VIC-20 Labyrinth – A type-in program for the VIC-20 in which you must find your way out of a randomly generated maze as quickly as possible.
    • Dragon Sprite BASIC – A type-in program for the Dragon 32 that lets you create up to 30 sprites.
    • Spectrum Toolkit – A type-in program for the Spectrum that gives you tools to aid in programming.
    • BBC Graphics – The second part in a series on three-dimensional coordinate geometry for the BBC.
    • Zagorsk – The last part in a series on writing adventure games.
    • Monster Miner – A type-in game for the Atari 8-bit in which you have been hired to kill monsters.
    • Response Frame – Questions answered about sideways scrolling on the BBC, getting out of insert mode on the VIC-20, copying files on a microdrive, acoustic modems, computer camp, and much more.
    • Software File – Some type-in programs from readers including the game Jump Bug for the Spectrum, the game Buzz for the Dragon, a statistics program for the Dragon, a game called Trade for the ZX-81, and more.

    …and more!


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  • Your Computer (April 1983)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Your Computer – April 1983

    Your Computer was a popular home computer magazine that was published in the U.K. in the 1980s. In fact, it was the U.K’S most popular computer magazine for a time. The April 1983 issue includes:

    • Editorial and Your Letters – Letters from readers about Castle of Riddles, scrolling on the Spectrum, BBC BASIC, increasing usable memory in the Dragon 32, and more. Plus an editorial on increasing computer usage.
    • New – The Microdrive becomes available, Peanut Computers offers Apple II clone, TI releases new portable computer, Dragon to release new 64k machine, a price cut for the Atari 400, and more.
    • Computer Club – News and updates about local computer clubs throughout the U.K.
    • First Bytes – Questions answerd about how cursor control keys work, formatting printing in BASIC, debugging, and more.
    • Dragon Software Survey – A look at the best computer programs for the Dragon 32. Some titles include Dragon Trek, Roulette, 747 Simulator, 3D Maze, Samuraie Warrior, and many more.
    • BBC Buggy – Building a robot controlled by the BBC computer.
    • TEXET’s Colour Computer – A look at the TX-8000, a new low-cost color computer.
    • VIC-20 Snake – A type-in version of the classic Snake game for the VIC-20.
    • Dragon Rebound – A type-in game for the Dragon 32 that is sort of like Breakout.
    • ZX-81 Unifile – A type-in database program for the ZX-81.
    • BBC Machine Operating System – A deep dive into the built-in machine code routines of the BBC.

    • Atari Toad – A type-in game for the Atari 400/800 in which you control a toad trying to catch flies.
    • BBC Modes – A technique for mixing double-height, normal, and double-width text on the screen at the same time.
    • Ace Character Forming – Creating custom character sets on the Jupiter Ace in order to improve printing.
    • ZX-81 Ground Strike – A type-in game for the ZX-81 in which you control a combat aircraft conducting ground strikes.
    • Spectrum Death Duel – A type-in two player game in which you must trap your opponent.
    • VIC Variables – A crash course in using variables on the VIC-20.
    • 6502 Machine Code – A guide to 6502 machine language programming designed for creating faster games on the VIC-20, Atom Oric, and BBC Micro.
    • Spectrum Animation – Some machine code routines for creating smooth animation on the Spectrum.
    • Spectrum Complex Sounds – A type-in sound generator capable of creating complex sounds without slowing your games down.
    • History of Software – A history of software creation and how it has changed over the years since the earliest days of computers.
    • BASIC Dictionary – A dictionary of common BASIC commands.
    • Response Frame – Questions answered about blank spaces vs. unprintable characters on the Spectrum, expanding an Atom, choosing the right computer, finding cheaper memory for the VIC-20, books on programming the Dragon 32, and more.
    • Fingertips – Some type in programs for the Sharp PC-1211 calculator.
    • Software File – Short programs submitted by readers including a couple of games (Space Chase and Search and Destroy).

    …and more!


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