• Tag Archives Commodore PET
  • Compute! (November 1981)

    compute_issue_018_1981_nov-001

    Source: Compute! – Issue Number 18 – November 1981

    Compute! was one of the better multi-format computer magazines of the 1980s (and early 1990s). In 1981, Compute! was focused on computers based on the 6502 CPU. At the time, this included the Commodore PET, Atari 8-bit and Apple II in addition to more obscure entries like the KIM and others. The November 1981 issue includes:

    Table of Contents

    • The Editor’s Notes – Atari educational sales in Minnesota; a preview of the SuperPET coverage in this issue; Recreational Computing merges with Compute!; and more.
    • Computers and Society – Simplifying computer interfaces to make home computers a mass market success.
    • Ask the Reader – Questions asked and answered by readers. Some topics in this issue include interfacing the Vortax Type ‘N Talk speech synthesizer to the Atari 800; graphics modes 9-11 on the Atari 400/800; the Commodore 4010 Voice Synthesizer; sequential file access on the OSI C3; and operating a Commodore 3016 and 3040 floppy drive via a marine 12v battery.
    • Guest Commentary: The Three Laws – Isaac Asimov writes about applying/adapting the Three Laws of Robotics to other things.
    • The Beginner’s Page – An example of creating a database management program in BASIC.
    • Basically Useful BASIC: A Flower Sale Program – A BASIC program written for the PET that keeps track of flower sales for a Cub Scout Den.
    • SuperPET’s Super Software – A look at the University of Waterloo’s design and use of the new Commodore SuperPET, a modification of the existing Commodore PET (8032) that adds a 6809 processor among other enhancements.
    • SuperPET: A Preview – A preview of the new Commodore SuperPET which enhances the original design by adding an additional 64K of RAM, the addition of a 6809 processor, and improvements to the I/O system.
    • Japanese Micros: A First Look – A summary of various computers available in Japan, including the Sharm MZ-80B (Z80A @ 4.7MHz with 64k of RAM), the NEC PC-8000 Series (PD780C-1 CPU @ 4MHz), the Casio FX-9000P (Z80A @ 2.75MHz and up to 32K of RAM), the Fujitsu Micro 8 (dual 6809 processors and 32K of available RAM), the Bubcom 80 (Z80-based with 64K of RAM), and several others.
    • Telecommunications. What is It? – An introduction to how modems work.
    • Bits, Bytes, and Basic Boole – How to use AND, OR, and NOT in BASIC.
    • The Practical Side of Assembly Language Part II: Loops and Arrays – Using loops and arrays in assembly and some of the differences vs. BASIC.
    • Introduction to Binary Numbers, Part 1 – The first part of a guide to binary numbers, including converting from binary to decimal.

    The Apple Gazette

    • An Apple Primer – Using PEEKs, POKEs and CALLs on the Apple II.
    • Page Flipper: Five Hires and Four Lores Pages for the Apple – Storing graphics and text in memory and switching between them.

    The Atari Gazette

    • Atari Data Management/Database System: An Atari Database – A database management system in BASIC to type in for your Atari.
    • A Program for Writing Programs on the Atari 400/800 Computers – This type-in program that will create BASIC statements for you based on a series of questions.
    • INSIGHT: Atari – The first of a multi-part series of interacting with Atari I/O via assembly.
    • Atari Timing Delays – A program for creating a precise timing delay in Atari BASIC.
    • Printing Numbers That Make Cents – A BASIC routine to print consistently formatted numbers, particularly for currency representation.
    • Formatting Input – Two BASIC routines for inputting data via a table.
    • Typing SHOOT – Some hints for typing in programs to reduce the possibility of errors.
    • TextPlot – A type in program for creating graphs that can be labeled.
    • Assembler Update – An update to a type-in program from an earlier issue. This adds SAVE and LOAD commands to Assembler in BASIC.
    • Maypole – A type-in graphics demo using obscure Atari graphics modes.

    The OSI Gazette

    • OSI Relocation Or What’s NEW? – Relocating BASIC programs and using the NEW command on OSI machines.
    • Data Handling – A guide to handling data on the OSI Superboard.
    • Keyboard Conversion Program For The OSI C1P – Dealing with the non-standard keyboard behavior of the OSI C1P and Superboard.

    The PET Gazette

    • COMPUTE! Interview: Kit Spencer, CBM’s New US Marketing Director – Some background on Kit Spencer, differences in marketing between the U.S. and U.K., the future of technology (an LED TV is mentioned) in general and the future of Commodore specifically.
    • COMPUTE! Overview: Power – An overview of POWER which is a ROM chip that plugs into the PET to provide additional BASIC commands.
    • The PET Speaks – A program for the PET that allows it to reproduce speech from audio cassettes.
    • Machine Language: Monitoring Progress – A guide to using the machine language monitor on the PET.
    • Directory For 3.0 – A program for displaying a disk directory from your own program when using BASIC 3.0.
    • Inversion Partitioning – A method of partitioning memory to store more than one BASIC program at a time.
    • A Personal News Service – Converting the PET into a VAX terminal.
    • FOR/NEXT GOSUB/RETURN, And The Stack – A program for examining the stack to help debug issues with loops and GOSUB statements.

    The SBC Gazette

    • Nuts and Volts: Build Your Own Controllers, Part III – Part 3 of an ongoing series about building a controller using a single board computer and using a home computer as a development system.
    • Review: DOS/64 A Disk Operating System (6502 Software) – Using DOS/64 with the KIM.
    • New Products – New products looked at this month include Home Accounting System for the Atari, The Depreciation Planner for the Apple II, an 80 Column adapter for the Commodore PET/CBM, the PEDISK II Floppy Disk System for the Rockwell AIM, Graphics Composer for the Atari 400/800, and more.

    …and more!


  • Commodore Power/Play – Winter 1983

    Commodore Power/Play Home Computing Volume II, Number 4 Winter 1983 Cover
    Commodore Power/Play Home Computing
    Volume II, Number 4
    Winter 1983
    Cover

    Source: Commodore Power Play – Winter 1983





  • Compute! (December 1982)

    Compute_Issue_031_1982_Dec-001

    Source: Compute! – Issue Number 31 – December 1982

    Compute! was an early and long running multi-format computer magazine. In 1982 it was covering systems such as the Apple II, Commodore PET, Commodore 64, VIC-20, Atari 400/800, TI-99/4A, Radio Shack Color Computer and other machines of the time. The December 1982 issue includes:

    Features

    • Computers In The home: 1990
    • How COMPUTE! Readers Use Their Computers
    • How To Select Your First Home Computer
    • Simulator: A Modeling Planner
    • CalCalc: Computerize Your Diet
    • All Sorts Of BASIC Sorts
    • Is Your TV A Radiation Hazard?

    Education and Recreation

    • How To Use SYS: Part 2
    • Name Play
    • VIC And PET PILOT Interpreter
    • An Atari For Christmas: Part 2
    • Hidden Maze
    • Understanding VIC High Resolution Graphics
    • Making The Turtle Count

    Reviews

    • Supergraphics For PET
    • TRS-80 Color Programs Book Review
    • Apple Adventures
    • The VIC “Cardboard”
    • Mikro Chip Assembler For The PET
    • Epson Graftrax-80

    Columns And Departments

    • The Editor’s Notes
    • Ask The Readers
    • The Beginner’s Page: Easy Changes
    • Learning With Computers: Computer Literacy
    • Friends Of The Turtle
    • The World Inside The Computer: Software, Sexism, And Other Topics
    • Computers And Society
    • Extrapolations: Beat The “Applesoft Renumber” Blues
    • Insight: Atari
    • Machine Language: Hexed

    The Journal

    • A Universal Program Lister
    • Renumber
    • VIC Block SAVE And LOAD
    • TextPlot II
    • Commodore 64 Sprite Editor
    • Tiny Aid For VIC-20
    • Atari PEEK And POKE Alternatives
    • Paper Monitor Switch For 2022 Printer
    • A Floppy With A Strange Device
    • VIC File Clerk
    • Undeletable Lines, Revisited
    • Atari Moving Message Utility
    • Restore (N) In Applesoft
    • Codemover
    • Checkbook
    • Speed Limit For Your Atari
    • A Graphics Pilot For The Epson MX-80 Printer
    • Flashing Prompt For VIC And PET
    • New Products
    • CAPUTE!: Modifications Or Corrections To Previous Articles
    • COMPUTE!’s Listing Conventions
    • Advertisers Index

    …and more!