• Tag Archives CBM

  • Compute! (March 1982)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Compute! – March 1982

    Compute! was an early multi-format computer magazine that prospered from the early 1980s until the early 1990s. In 1982, computers such as the Commodore PET, VIC-20, Atari 400/800 and Apple II were covered among others. The March 1982 issue includes:

    Features

    • The Winter of Our Content: A Report on the January Consumer Electronics Show – There was an impressive line-up of new products revealed at this CES including the Commodore Ultimax, Commodore 64, Bally Astrocade plus the official home version of Pac-Man was released among many other items.
    • Twenty Questions Revisited – A type-in program for a computerized version of twenty questions.
    • Energy Workbook – A type-in program to help you determine the best improvements you can make to your home to increase energy efficiency.
    • Two Short Programs of CAI for Teaching BASIC – I was trying to work out what CAI even stands for. Computer Aided Intelligence maybe?
    • Infinite Precision Multiply – Normally, the Commodore PET has 9 digits of precision for mathematical operations. This program gets around that limitation.
    • More About Numbers – Proving Ulam’s Conjecture and the 6174 problem.
    • Word Hunt – A type in program to generate word hunt games in a 10 by 10 letter matrix.
    • Count the Hearts – A type-in counting game for kids for the VIC-20.

    Education and Recreation

    • Family: A Simulation in Genetics – A type-in program for the PET that demonstrates heredity with a hypothetical Martian couple.
    • Large Alphabet for the VIC – Generating a double size character set on the VIC-20.
    • Concentration – A type-in game based on the classic card game, Concentration.
    • Comment Your Catalog – A program to add comments to disk directory listings on you Atari 8-bit computer.
    • Starfight3 – Involves Klingons and the Enterprise. Sounds suspiciously like Star Trek to me? For the VIC-20.
    • Swirl and Scribble Two type-in Atari programs. The first generates various swirl patterns on the screen. The second is a simple drawing program that can be used with a joystick.
    • WEBS – A type-in game for the PET.

    Reviews

    • Votrax Type ‘N Talk: TNT – A simple to program speech synthesizer that works with various computers via an RS-232 interface…for $375.
    • Olympia’s ES 100 KRO Typewriter/Printer – An typewriter that also works as a printer (or is it the other way around?). It isn’t cheap though at $1680.
    • RPL: A FORTH Sequel? – RPL is a FORTH-like computer programming language. Versions for PET/CBM machines are looked at here.
    • Ricochet – An odd combo of checkers and pool by Automated Simulations (which would later become Epyx) for the Apple II, Atari 8-bit and TRS-80.
    • Atari Microsoft BASIC (Part I) – The first part of a three part review of Microsoft BASIC for Atari 8-bit computers.

    Columns/Departments

    • The Editor’s Notes – Editorial commentary on the new format of the magazine, the importance of reader feedback, and more.
    • Ask The Readers – Various question and answers about Atari BASIC, support for the 6502 processor, programming, and more.
    • Computers And Society – The merging of technology and art from lasers, to cameras to computers.
    • The Beginner’s Page: How Computers Remember – A discussion of computer memory and how it works.
    • Basically Useful BASIC: Tabulation – A subroutine for justifying text the way you want in BASIC.
    • Learning With Computers: Word Processing In The Classroom – Even as early as 1982 computers were being used in the classroom and word processing was one of the first truly useful applications. This article discusses using word processors to make the physical act of writing easier so more attention can be paid to the creative aspects.
    • Friends Of The Turtle – Drawing using Atari PILOT.
    • Telecommunications: MODEM Applications – A discussion of Computerized Bulletin Boards (BBS), multiuser systems (time-share computer systems), and more.
    • Machine Language: Loops and Quality – Creating efficient and reliable loops in machine language.
    • Insight: Atari – Using interrupts on Atari 8-bit computers.

    The Journal

    • Disk Checkout For 2040, 4040, and 8050 Disks – Part 1 of 2. This part discusses manipulating disks/disk drives via machine language.
    • Organizing Data Storage – Sequential vs. Random files.
    • Machine Language Sort Utility – An efficient, machine language sorting routine. Why machine language? The fastest BASIC sort of 200 records in this test was 8 minutes but only 3 seconds for Machine Language.
    • Dynamic Renumber – A program to renumber your BASIC programs.
    • Disk Data Structures: An Interactive Tutorial – The details on how data is structured on a disk.
    • Apple Addresses – Addressing memory in machine language, BASIC floating point and BASIC integer on Apple II computers.
    • More VIC Maps – A discussion on VIC-20 memory maps continued from the previous issue.
    • EPROM Reliability – A detailed analysis for determining EPROM reliability focusing on the 2708 EPROM.
    • Random Music Composition On The PET – A type-in program for generating random music on the PET with various parameters that can be easily changed.
    • Ghost Programming – A method for running many BASIC programs that normally require 24 or 32K of RAM on an Atari with only 16K.
    • BASIC 4.0 To Upgrade Conversion Kit – Converting BASIC 4.0 programs to run on PETs that have been upgraded.
    • Screen Save Routine – A type in program routine for capturing a screen and saving it to disk.
    • A Superboard II Monitor (Part I) – An improved, faster monitor for the Superboard II.
    • New Products – New products mentioned include the VICMODEM, a 300 baud modem for the VIC-20 for $109.95; MatheMagic which turns your computer into a programmable calculator; Scratchpad, mailing list software for Commodore computers; Dragon’s Eye, a fantasy role-playing game for the Atari 400/800 by Epyx; several new Atari 8-bit games and applications including Pac-Man, Centipede, Caverns of Mars, The Bookkeeper and The Home Filing Manager; and more.

    …and more!


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  • Commander (January 1983)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Commander – January 1983

    Subtitled “The Monthly Journal for Commodore Computer Users”, this was one of the early magazine for Commodore related computers. In 1983 the Commodore 64, VIC-20, and PET/CBM were being covered. The January 1983 issue includes:

    VIC-20

    • Enterprise – A type-in Star Trek themed game. It was supposed to be in the previous issue but the code listing was left out.
    • Ravings of a Madman – An overview of where to get games for the VIC-20 and what is available.
    • Gobble – A type in program that generates random mazes that you must navigate while eating dots and avoiding the enemy.

    64

    • Peek & Poke – Programming the SID, the Commodore 64’s sound chip.

    PET/CBM

    • Review: A ROM for the PET “COMMANDER” – A ROM chip for the PET that could be added to provide additional high level commands that can be used from BASIC. Some examples include RE-DIMENSION which resizes arrays and COMPUTED GOTO which allows a GOTO statement based on a variable.

    Special Features

    • Single Drive Copy – A type-in program for making disk copies with a single disk drive.
    • RADIX-50: Pack & Unpack – A program for packing ASCII bits (24-bits to 16-bits) in order to save memory and disk space. Originally developed for the PDP-8.
    • COMAL: A Closer look – A look at the COMAL programming language and a sample program.
    • Assembly Language Programming on the VIC – Part II – Part 2 of a multipart series on using assembly language on the VIC-20. This part covers assemblers and monitors.
    • USCD PASCAL for the Commodore 8096 – A look at the PASCAL programming language, in particular some speed test between PASCAL and BASIC.
    • Commodore Character Set vs. ASCII – Commodore defined two sets of 8-bit character sets vs. one 7-bit set for ASCII.

    Departments

    • Letters to Editor – One reader’s opinion of various VIC-20 games plus praise for the new magazine.
    • Editorial – As some computer makers suffer huge loses (Atari lost $1 billion in 1982), they turn to distributing the product in retail chains such as Sears and K-Mart. Just don’t expect to get your technical questions answered there…
    • News Releases – A list of companies and retail establishments supporting the VIC-20.
    • New Products – Vanilla Pilot for the Commodore 4000,8000,9000 and Commodore 64; Magnum Insulator, a spike/surge protector; and Smartcom II communications software from Hayes.
    • Game Contest – Complete all nine levels of Escape MCP, a Tron inspired game, for your chance to win Comm*Data VIC-20 software packages valued from $50 to $200.

    …and more!


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  • Compute! (April 1983)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Computer & Video Game Magazines – Compute! – Issue Number 35 – April 1983

    Compute! was one of the most popular multi-format computer magazines of the 1980s. It covered mostly the popular 8-bit home computers of the time including the VIC-20, Commodore 64, TRS-80 Color Computer, Apple II, Atari 400/800, TI-99/4A, etc. Compute! also produced the very popular Commodore specific Compute!’s Gazette and a number of other computer specific publications. At more than 288 pages, the April 1983 issue of Compute! had a LOT in it, including:

    Features

    • Selecting The Right Word Processor – An overview of what a word processor is and what features you should look for. Some of these features include things like Block Move, Headers/Footers and Page-Numbering among other things. There are no actual product reviews in this article.
    • Air Defense – A type in program for a game similar to Missile Command. It is in BASIC and was designed to work with the VIC-20, Atari 400/800, TRS-80 Color Computer, Apple II, TI-99/4A, and PET/CBM.
    • VIC Editype: A Text Editing And Storage Program – A type-in program for the VIC-20. VIC Editype is basically a mini word processing program. Word processing seems to be the theme in this month’s issue.
    • Scriptor: An Atari Word Processor – A somewhat more advanced type-in word processor for the Atari 400/800 written in both BASIC and machine language.
    • Retirement Planner – This type-in program asks you a few questions and then helps you determine how much you should save/invest for retirement each year. There are versions here for the VIC-20, Apple II, Atari 400/800, TI-99/4A, and TRS-80 Color Computer.

    Education and Recreation

    • Typing Teacher – A type-in program to (ironically) teach you typing. Basically it measures your character speed and word speed by presenting random characters for you to type. There are versions here for the Atari 400/800, VIC-20, TI-99/4A and Apple II.
    • Chutes for Atari – A type in program for the Atari 400/800 that uses 3D graphics or what passed for them then. It reminds me of a very, very primitive Star Fox.
    • Cash Flow Manager – This article consists of instructions to create a monthly cash report and forecast spreadsheet that can be printed in VisiCalc.
    • TI-99 Match-Em – A type-in program for the TI-99/4A for a matching game. This is one of those games where you have to select a square to see what is under it and then guess (or remember) where its match is. Milton Bradley produced a board game version creatively titled “Memory” that was a popular kids game in the 1980s but there have been endless variations.
    • Atari Math Fun – A type-in educational math program for the Atari 400/800. It provides six categories and six skill levels. Honestly doesn’t sound like much fun to me.

    Reviews

    • VIC-20/C64 World Processor: The Quick Brown Fox – A very simple and easy to use word processor for the VIC-20 and Commodore 64 that came in cartridge format.
    • Atari Data Perfect – A database program for the Atari 400/800 described as the most powerful yet for that computer. It was compatible with Letter Perfect (a word processor) making it easy to generate form letters and various record formats.
    • VIC Practi-Calc – Essentially a much cheaper version of VisiCalc but for the VIC-20 and with fewer features.
    • Paperclip Word Processor For PET/CBM – The PET/CBM were more business oriented but this was a popular word processor that was ported to several other computers.
    • Silicon Office for PET – A combination of two applications, a word processing program and a database program. This was a relational database but with its own programming language.
    • Turbocharger For Apple – A program for speeding up DOS commands for the Apple II. It also added the capability of date stamping files.
    • Pathfinder for Atari – A game with a rather bizarre concept. You make your way through a multi-screen maze collecting nuclear waste which gives you energy. Another entity is trying to do the same thing. You must beat him while avoiding his mine-laying friend and phantoms.
    • ZX-81 Home Computer Package For Sinclair/Timex – A package of four programs for the ZX-81/TS-1000. It includes titles that are mostly self explanatory including Etch-A-Screen, Music Composer, Checkbook Balancer and Billboard (scrolls messages across the screen).

    Columns and Departments

    • The Editor’s Notes – This month’s editorial discusses the rapidly falling prices of computers.
    • Readers’ Feedback – Questions and comments from readers about using a TV as a monitor, incompatibilities with Atari’s “Revision B” of their OS, and translating programs to the TI-99/4A among other things.
    • The Beginner’s Page – A column for computer beginners, this month starting a series discussing the various categories of software (music and graphics are covered here).
    • Computers And Society – The best and worst of the Winter CES. The worst was the introduction of x-rated software including games for the Atari 2600, the best (at least according to this article) were games with unique goals. One example given is Choplifter in which you get points for rescuing people as opposed to blowing things up.
    • Questions Beginners Ask – Questions answered about typing in programs and the differences between a TV and a monitor among other topics.
    • Micros With The Handicapped: Developing A Communications Program – Yes, “handicapped” was the politically correct term then even if it isn’t now. Anyway, this is part 4 of a continuing series with type-in programs included for making communication easier.
    • Machine Language: Numeric Input, Part II – The second part of a Jim Butterfield article on inputing decimal numbers with machine language programs.
    • The World Inside the Computer: Children, Computers, And Values – An article that contemplates a child becoming friends with a computer.
    • Friends of the Turtle – Sounds like some kind of secret organization, but no, this is just an article on programming in PILOT, a Logo derivative, on the Atari. Recursion in particular is discussed.
    • Programming the TI: Secondary Education – An article about the secondary education software available for the TI-99/4A.
    • Insight: Atari – Atari 8-bit computer discussion including news about Atari COBOL and a few programming tricks.
    • Extrapolations – A type-in program that lets Apple II users load BASIC programs for PET/CBM computers from tape.

    The Journal

    • Dr. Video – A type-in program for adding additional capabilities to the screen editing abilities of the PET/CBM including the ability to clear the screen above or below the cursor and sending the cursor “home” (to the bottom left of the screen).
    • Atari Filefixer – A type-in program that serves as a tool for editing data files for machine language programs. At least that’s what I think it is for.
    • Using the Atari Word Processor With An Epson Printer – This article describes how to add Epson MX-80 compatibility to the Atari World Processor.
    • Commodore 64 Video – A Guided Tour, Part III – Part 3 of a Jim Butterfield series on the Commodore 64’s video capabilities. This one discusses creating and moving sprites.
    • Update On Sinclair/Times Sound – An update and fixes to a previously published sound program for the Timex 1000/Sinclair ZX-81.
    • Computer Literacy And The Three R’s On The Sinclair/Timex – A series of small type-in programs for the Timex/Sinclair that teach some simple computer literacy and math.
    • Center The VIC Screen – Apparently the VIC-20 screen would sometimes not be centered when displayed on a TV. This small program helps you to center the screen and can be added to your own programs.
    • Applesoft Printer Control – This is a type-in program for making the selection printer mode (typeface, etc.) simpler.
    • Video 80: 80 Columns For The Atari – By default, the Atari 8-bit computers could only display 40 columns of text. This is a type-in program that works as a software solution to increase that to 80. This doesn’t actually increase resolution so the quality won’t be as good as a hardware solution but it was still quite useful.
    • VICword – A type-in program that gives you shortcuts for 52 BASIC commands. For example, it lets you hold down SHIFT and press ‘L’ to type LOAD instead of having to type the whole command.
    • CRAB (Cross Reference For Atari BASIC) – A very short type-in utility that will print a list of all the variable used in a given BASIC program and on which line numbers they appear on.
    • Programming Characters On An Expanded VIC-20 – Defining and using a custom character set on the VIC-20. Memory expansion is needed.
    • Magic Commodore BASIC – BASIC programming tricks for the PET/CBM, VIC-20 and Commodore 64, including invisible lines, backward line numbers, highlighting REM statements and more.
    • Rainbow Atari Graphics – Various techniques for using colors in games on Atari 8-bit computers.
    • VIC Automatic BASIC – A type-in program for creating text animation and prompts that can be used in your own programs.
    • Tester – A simple program for the TRS-80 that can be used for testing. Essentially, it asks a series of questions and gives multiple choice answers then grades you. It can easily modified with your own questions.
    • Estimating TI-99 Memory – Memory was highly constrained in old 8-bit computers and it was easy to run out of it. This article gives you some techniques to estimate the array sizes you can use.
    • Commodore Structure-BASIC – A program for simulating structured programming on Commodore computers.
    • Hexedit: A BASIC Hex Editor For The VIC – A type-in program that lets you do hexadecimal-decimal conversion and to create machine language programs on your VIC-20.
    • PET Searcher – A type-in program for searching random access files for a string on your PET/CBM computer.
    • The Atari Return Key Mode – A program that lets you write self modifying code on your Atari 8-bit computer.
    • Apple II Bar Charts – A type-in program that serves as a tool for creating bar charts on the Apple II. Up to 30 bars can be created in one chart. It also provides options for printing.
    • Major & Minor: VIC Music Theory – A music type-in program for the VIC-20. It is an educational program that teaches keys, signatures and scales.
    • Atari Digitizer – A type-in program for drawing with your joystick on Atari 8-bit computers.

    …and LOTS more!


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