• Tag Archives Computer Shopper

  • Computer Shopper (March 2001)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Computer Shopper – March 2001 –

    Computer Shopper, for much of its life, was a huge telephone book sized magazine with tons of ads of course but also tons of content. It had shrunk considerably by the turn of the century. The March 2001 issue, though much smaller than earlier years, was still a fairly hefty 250 pages. It includes:

    Features

    • Tower of Power – Reviews of “Power Systems” including the Compaq Presario 7000T, Gateway Performance 1500XL, HP Pavilion 9720A, IBM NetVista A60i, and Micron Millennia Max XP. These are all either 1.2 GHz Athlon systems or 1.5GHz Pentium 4 Systems with 128MB RAM and video cards such as the nVidia GeForce2 GTS Ultra and ATI All-in-Wonder Radeon. Prices range from $2513 to $3649 with the HP being the cheapest and the Compaq being the most expensive.
    • Handheld PCs – Reviews of five handheld PCs including the Casio Cassiopeia EM-500 (Microsoft Pocket PC), Compaq iPaq H3650 Pocket PC (Microsoft Pocket PC), Handspring Visor Platinum (Palm OS), Handspring Visor Prism (Palm), and Palm VIIx (Palm). Computer Shopper liked the iPaq ($500), Handspring Visor Platinum ($299), and Palm VIIx ($449) the best.
    • Take-Along Tunes – A guide to portable music players with a look at the various audio formats plus a look at various software players including FreeAmp, MusicMatch Jukebox 6.0, RealPlayer 8, SoundJam MP 2.5.1, Winamp 2.7, Windows Media Player 7, and X Multimedia System.
    • Many Happy Returns – Reviews of tax software including Kiplinger Taxcut Deluxe, Quicken Turbotax Deluxe, and TaxAct 2000 Deluxe.
    • Something for Nothing – Free stuff including free music at MP3.com, free clipart, e-mail, hosting, web access, phone, fax, and more.
    • Not of the Presses – A feature on eBooks with a look at the latest eBook readers such as the Franklin eBookMan, Palm OS Handhelds, Pocket PC Handhelds, RCA eBook REB1100, and RCA eBook REB1200 plus places to get free eBooks and more.

    News

    • Net Now – Arizona first to have public election using voting over the Internet, Zairmail offers letter service, an upgrade kit for furbies, and more.
    • Hot Gear – A look at some of the latest gadgets including the Cyber-shot DSC-P1 3.3 megapixel digital camera from Sony, the Pocket Concert Audio Player from Intel, the Kyocera QCP 6035 Smartphone, Kimar wireless audio streaming devices, and more.

    Opinions

    • Jack Blackford – The slow march towards seamlessly using all of your devices together (in this case, Cell phones, PDAs, LANs, and the Web).
    • John Dvorak – Thinner and flatter CRTs coming soon.
    • Jim O’Brien – A look at luxury shopping sites such as BlueNile, Ice, Millionaire, and Mondera.
    • Michael Slater – A look at multifunction devices and whether combining all those functions makes sense.

    Web Buyer

    • Site Reviews – A look at travel sites, online shopping sites, and more.

    Business Buyer

    • Off Site, on LAN – Keeping offsite workers connected.
    • e-Services and Tools – A look at the free online financial advice available on the Web from Intuit and Microsoft.
    • Building Your Business – Using cookies to add advanced features to your website.

    Help & How To

    • You Can Take It With You – A guide to moving your data, apps, and settings to a new PC.
    • The Hard Edge – The Pentium 4’s bus speed, DDR SDRAM, dealing with spam, and more.
    • Alfred Poor’s Computer Cures – Help printing to a file, upgrading RAM, checking your hardware configuration, and more.
    • Buying Advisor – Using the Panasonic Toughbook 47 for all your rugged computer needs.

    Reviews

    • Desktops – Reviews of the HP Pavilion 2755C (800 MHz Pentium III, 128MB RAM for $1049), Sony Vaio PCV RX280DS (1 GHZ Pentium III, 128 MB for $2199), and Tangent Medalllion Pro (1 GHz Pentium 3, 256 MB for $1995).
    • Hardware – Reviews of the Intel Pocket PC Camera and Kodak EZ200 webcams, Hercules Game Theater XP sound card, Matrox Marvel G450 ETV, Ricoh Mediamaster MP9120A Combo Drive, and Samsung ML-4600 printer.
    • Mobile – A review of the Acer Travelmate 351TEV, a laptop featuring a 700MHz Pentium III, 128MB RAM, for $2299, the Innogear Minijam, Motrola Timeport P8767, the NEC Versa SXI latptop, Sceptre Soundx 69502 laptop, and Tiny performance Notebook 800.
    • Software – Reviews of the newly released Netscape 6, Macromedia Dreamweaver 4, Documents to Go Professional Edition, and Psync.
    • Web Services – Reviews of homeadvisor.com and Phonefree.
    • Games – Reviews of You Don’t Know Jack 5th Dementia, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, and No One Lives Forever.

    …and more!


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  • Computer Shopper (November 1990)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Computer Shopper – November 1990

    This issue of Computer shopper weighs in at nearly 900 pages. How many people have even seen a magazine with 900 pages? For a while, Computer Shopper was regularly publishing these telephone book sized issues. While there were tons of ads, there was tons of great content too. It’s amazing how consolidated the computer market has become since the heyday of Computer Shopper. The November 1990 issue includes:

    Features

    • 80386SX Systems: Limo or Lemon – The difference between the 386 (or 386DX as it would become) and the 386SX was that the DX was fully 32-bit while the SX was 32-bit internally and 16-bit externally. This meant that theoretically that the DX could access more memory (up to 4GB vs. 16MB for the SX) and that memory access was much faster. The memory limit difference made little difference as few people ever put as much as even 16MB in a 386. The memory access speed was a much bigger deal. Clock for clock, the 386 DX was about 33% faster than a 286. The 386 SX was actually slightly slower at the same clock speed than a 286. 386SX systems were cheaper though and this article compares four systems including the CompuAdd 320s, Swan 386SX, Sunnytech STI 386SX-16, and MicroLab 386/168. All systems came with 40 MB hard drive and memory ranging from 1 MB to 4 MB. Prices ranged from about about $1700 to about $2900.
    • Exploding the Myth of the Mail-Order Market – There was a time when the mail order market for computers was a risky endeavor. However, even by 1990, there were many reliable vendors.
    • Mail-Order Buying: All About Delays – One person’s experience with endless delays when purchasing a variety of products via mail order.
    • Tightrope Walking – Concerns with buying a computer from little-known manufacturers.
    • Michael, It’s OK to Brag – How Dell became the success that it is.
    • Adventure in Mail Order: Desperately Seeking Hard Disks – A horror story about buying an 80MB hard drive for a Macintosh IIcx via mail order.
    • Attack of the Killer Virus – The story of one network’s virus infestation. In this case, it was Jerusalem Virus Version B [Jeru].

    Buyer’s Guide

    • 24-Pin Dot Matrix Printers: Still Kicking After All These Years – For a long time, dot-matrix printers were the only affordable printer options for the average person. Eventually ink jet would come along and replace them but it took a while. In the dot-matrix world, there were 9-pin and 24-pin printers with 24-bin being the better quality (and more expensive) option.
    • 24-Pin Printers: Technology Overview – A look at how 24-pin dot matrix printers work, or really dot matrix printers in general.
    • Comparison Charts – A comparison of 50 different 24-pin dot matrix printers. Prices range from $449 to $3595.
    • Listing of Manufacturers – The contact information for 22 manufacturers of dot matrix printers.

    Software

    • State of the Apps: Presentation Graphics – An overview of presentation software including Applause II from Ashton-Tate (DOS), Lotus’ Freelance Plus (DOS), PowerPoint 2.01 from Microsoft (Macintosh), and Aldus Persuasion (Macintosh).
    • Games – Reviews of Ishido: The Way of Stones (DOS, Amiga, Macintosh), Hoyle’s Book of Games II: Solitaire (DOS, Amiga), Blue Angels Formation Flight Simulation (DOS, Amiga, Commodore 64), and Railroad Tycoon (DOS).
    • New Stuff – A look at some new products including the ATFAX 9600 ($249 9600bps fax/modem board), Pocket Modem (2400bps modem), Envision It (a $399 tracing, shape recognition and raster-to-vector conversion program for DOS), RapidTax (tax software for DOS), and more.
    • Online! – An overview of proper etiquette in public message bases. Plus a look at what’s new on BIX, CompuServe, Delphi, GEnie, and Prodigy.

    IBM

    • Charles Bermant – Commentary on how the current age would be the most chronicled in history due to the personal computer.
    • IBM News – Gilbert Hyatt to be awarded to patent on the microprocessor; Intex updates products for new version of Lotus 1-2-3; QuarkXPress 3.0 shipping for $795; and more.
    • Northgate OmniKey Ultra – A PC, XT, AT, and PS/2 compatible keyboard for $149.
    • Spear 80386SX: A Well-To-Do Commoner – A customized 16 MHz 386SX based machine for $3390.
    • Home on the Range with Cote Computers 386/20 – A 20MHz 386DX based system with 4MB of RAM, 64K cache, 200 watt power supply, 40MB Quantum IDE hard drive, ATI Wonder Super VGA with 512K, and more for $3077.
    • Micro Express Regal 386LX Lunchbox: Raison D’etre? – A portable 16 MHz 386SX based machine with a 40MB Conner IDE hard drive, Teac 3.5-inch 1.44MB floppy drive, 1MB RAM, and a super EGA 640×400 gas plasma screen for $2599.
    • Canon’s LBP-8 Mark III Laser Printer: A New Standard Emerges – The latest laser printer from Canon for $2995.
    • What Can You Get for $5,000 – For $4897 from CompuAdd you get a 25 MHz 386 based computer with 2MB RAM, 1.2MB 2.5-inch disk drive, 1.44MB 3.5-inch disk drive, and a 150Mb ESDI hard drive among other things.
    • IBM’s LaserPrinter E: Turning New Ground – A $1495 laser printer from IBM that can be upgraded to support postscript ($499 with 17 fonts, $899 with 39 fonts) and faster speeds ($1099 to go to 10-ppm from 5-ppm), and more.
    • Ampro’s Little Board/386: The World’s Smallest Computer – A 20-MHz 386 based machine that is only 5.75×8 inches for $1695. It also is expandable via mini-modules to add things like modems, networking, etc.
    • Big League Teleprompting on Your IBM PC with Econo-Prompt – $40 teleprompting software for DOS. Included in the article is a design for a teleprompting box you can build yourself.
    • QEdit Text Editors: Small Size, High Quality – A look at two versions of this simple text editor. QEdit Advanced 2.1 and QEdit TSR 1.1.
    • PopDrop Plus: RAM-Cram Manager – A TSR manager that lets you load and unload TSRs from active memory as you need them.
    • Off-Track? The PC-Trac Trackball – A review of this somewhat flawed trackball controller for PCs. I know a guy where I work that still prefers to use a trackball to a mouse.
    • Lean And Mean: The IBM LaserPrinter – A $2395 laser printer from IBM.
    • Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows: Serious Fun in Business Presentations – One Presentation Manager to rule them all I guess. PowerPoint became so popular that people stopped saying Presentation Manager and just say PowerPoint.
    • A FAX in Your Pocket: CFAX/P – A small portable fax machine that can be used with laptops. It includes a scanner for scanning the item to fax but relies on a separate printer if you want to print out a received fax.
    • Life of a Salesman: Sales Associate – A software packagae and book for salesmen. Includes advice and database software.
    • Human Resources on the PC – A database designed for managing personnel.
    • KB 3270 PLUS Keyboard: An Impressive Debut – A $350 keyboard from Key Tronic designed to be used with a mainframe workstation or PC.
    • Spanish Assistant 4.0: Translation Software! – Such software is now pretty much obsolete. Google or your favorite AI can basically translate anything in real time. The age of the Universal Translator is here.
    • DirMaster for the IBM PC – A disk management program for DOS that can do things like copy, rename, delete, and move files among other things.
    • Proposal Tracker – A customized Paradox database for tracking marketing efforts.
    • WeatherBrief: An Armchair Meteorologist’s Dream – I would have loved this software back in the day. It basically lets you generate the sort of weather maps you see on TV. You can use it as a standalone product or also download data via a service.
    • Computer Tyme’s Directory Manager 3 – A file manager that also interfaces with other software products from Computer Tyme.
    • Powerful Scheduling Simplified – A look at Complete Calandar from Stevenson Software. Another type of software product that was consumed by Microsoft. Now it seems everybody uses Outlook.

    Macintosh

    • Steven Bobker – The dearth of serial ports on the Mac and ways to add more.
    • Mac News – New Macs reach retail shelves including the Macintosh Classic, Mac IIsi, and Mac LC; Northgate exists Mac keyboard market; dBASE IV 1.1 released; and more.
    • MathCAD And Theorist: Two Math Problem-Solvers – A look at two math software packages for the Mac.
    • atOnce! for the Macintosh – Accounting software designed for small businesses.
    • Abaton 300/GS: Almost the Supreme Scanner – A monochrome flatbed scanner for $1595.
    • MacRIP and Freedom of Press: PostScript Without the Price Tag – Freedom of Press offers 35 fonts for PostScript printing on more than 50 different printers. MacRIP is similar but comes with fewer fonts (17) and more limitations (like lack of color printing for most fonts).
    • Rodime Cobra Hard Drives: Take a Bite Out of Your Storage Requirements – The Cobra series of drives is available in a variety of capacities including 45, 70, 100, 210, 330, and 650MB. The 100MB external model is looked at here ($1949).
    • MacRecorder 2.0: Makes Recording Sound on the Mac Easy – The software you wanted if you need to record sound on your Mac.
    • Now Utilities: How Now Mac Utilities – A collection of 12 utilties including AlarmsClock, Customizer, DeskPicture, InstantAccess, MemorySetter, NowMenus, Persistence, Print Previewer, Profiler, RearWindow, Startup Manager, and WYSIWYG Menus.
    • WordMaker: A Low-Cost, Graphics Word Processor – A (relatively) low-cost and fairly average word processor for the Mac ($124.95).
    • Publish It!: Threat or Promise? – A basic low cost desktop publishing package.
    • Model-It!: Simulation Software For Macintosh – Software that allows you to build simulations graphically using block diagrams, objects, arrows and pipes.

    Unix

    • Saul Lubkin – A look at the kinds of changes that had to be made to port Norton Utilities to Unix.
    • Unix News – Report titled “Technical Guide to Unix Engineering Workstations” released which compares 119 workstations; Sun positions SPARCstation as direct competitor to high end PCs; and more.
    • A Developers’s Overview to the Motif Toolkit – Motif is a toolkit of C language libraries and implement a certain look and feel on top of X Windows.

    Amiga

    • Peggy Herrington – A look at the new Amiga CDTV.
    • Amiga News – Delays with NewTek’s video Toaster for the Amiga 2000/2500 and more.
    • The Art Department: Amiga Graphics Go Pro – A image-conversion and processing utility for the Amiga.
    • ProWrite 3.0 – A sold word processing program for the Amiga that includes both text editing and page layout features.

    Misc.

    • Feedback Forum – Letters from readers about IBM vs. clones, discontinuation of Apple II coverage, the PC3 portable computer, and more.
    • Ask Dr. John – Questions answered about upgrading from the Epson FX-80 to an HP LaserJet, getting two computers to communicate via LapLink, printing special characters, and more.
    • Coming Events – A list of upcoming computer shows/fairs. There are 17 listed here for November and early December. i don’t think these sorts of things even exist anymore.
    • Bulletin Board of the Month – The BBS of the month is Pro Tech BBS in Chickasaw, Alabama. It features approximately 3,000 files to download, baud rates of 300/1200/2400-14400 HST, and runs on a 20MHz ALR 386 computer with 570MB of hard drive space with WILDCAT! 2.10N BBS software.
    • Bulletin Boards – A list of Bulletin Boards all across the country.

    …and more!


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  • Computer Shopper (January 1987)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Computer Shopper – January 1987

    In 1987, Computer Shopper still hadn’t peaked yet and the page count was not as high as it would become. This issue still has over 400 pages though. I’ve mostly thought of Computer Shopper as a PC oriented magazine and for the most part it was. However, during the 1980s especially, it covered a wide variety of machines, even those that were by this time out of date and no longer old (like the TI-99/4a, Timex/Sinclair, etc.). The January 1987 issue includes:

    Articles

    • Hyundai Bets Its Blue Chip On Retail Distribution – Hyundai’s plans to export PC clones to the U.S. Market via Blue Chip Electronics of Chandler, Arizona. Apparently, Blue Chip retail stores primarily sold Commodore and Atari systems up until this point. However, as far as I can recall, Hyundai was not particularly successful in the computer market. The Blue Chip XT with a monochrome monitor could be had for about $800.
    • What’s new in 1987: A look Ahead – Computer Shopper’s list of top things coming in 1987 include cheaper laser printers, cheaper RAM, cheaper hard drives, CD-ROM and WORM drives, and the arrival of 386-based computers.
    • Comdex Round Up – Highlights include new PCs from Asia, business software for the Atari ST, mass market discount operators like Toys-R-Us, K-Mart and Wal-Mart to start carrying PCs, and more.

    IBM MS-DOS

    • NEC MultiSpeed: The Fastest Laptop Yet – The NEC MultiSpeed is based on the V30 CPU that runs at 4.77 MHz and 9.54 MHz. It includes 512K of RAM, two 720K 3.5″ disk drives, and a detachable 80 column by 25 line black and white LCD for $1995.
    • 80386 Computers Star At Comdex – While Compaq’s 386 based PC had been out several months at this point, many other manufacturers introduced their 386 clones at the 1987 COMDEX.
    • Timeslips – A time and billing system for the PC. While web based, the system I have to use today isn’t really all that different in terms of functionality.
    • How To Build An AT – A guide to building your own PC-AT compatible machine for less than $2000 (as opposed to the $7000 cost of an IBM PC AT).
    • INT.EXE – Listing Your Interrupt Vectors – A program written in Microsoft C Version 4.0 that lists interrupt info on your PC.
    • Prodesign II CAD System – A review of this CAD package for PC. Hardware requirements include a PC with at least 512K of RAM, two floppy drives (or hard drive), and a printer or plotter.
    • Surprise 286! – An expansion board for PC XT compatibles that basically upgrades the CPU to a 7.2 MHz 286. It includes 8K of cache memory and a socket for a 287 math co-processor.
    • Niceprint Hail A New Classic! – Niceprint is software that adds new capability to your dot matrix printer such as additional fonts, more control (e.g. you can do sideways printing), and more.
    • Latest PC-Write (2.7) – The latest version of the PC-Write word processor is trad-off of more features but more complexity.
    • Carousel! Software to Multiply Memory 10 Times – Carousel! is essentially a DOS virtual memory system for PC XTs and ATs.
    • Megatel’s Quark: PC On A Half Shell – A small single-board computer that includes a 10-MHz 8088 CPU, 512K of RAM, and other typical features of a PC XT.
    • Stamps World Program – Software to help you manage your stamp collection.
    • Too Much Computerized AUTOmation? – A look at new monitors that automatically detect the graphics signal (monochrome, CGA, EGA, etc.) and sets the right display mode. Unfortunately, at this time, there was a lot of software incompatibility.
    • Innovention’s SideClock – A clock/calendar expansion for your PC that snaps onto an expansion slot but still allows you to use that slot for other purposes.
    • Before DOS – Recollections – A look back at the pre-DOS world of computers (mostly CP/M). At this point in time, DOS was only about 5 years old.
    • Menu Relief for IBM/Compatibles – A look at a program called Menu Ease which allows you to create custom menus for starting your DOS based programs.
    • Bondwell Debuts $499 PC-Clone – A look at the X’Press 16, a PC XT compatible computer that includes 256K of RAM, color graphics, floppy drive, and 3 channel sound for only $499.
    • Cordata Integrated Desktop Publishing Systems – A complete desktop publishing system that includes an IBM PC AT compatible computer, laser printer, 15-inch display, mouse, and various software for about $12000.
    • CADpak Version 1.2 – The latest version of this low-cost CAD package would set you back about $125.
    • Lightning – A Disk Cache Program That Works – Disk caching software that could reduce disk access times to floppy disk by up to 75% and hard disks by up to 50%. A big deal when such things were quite slow.
    • Make Your XT Run Like An AT – The Digitronix VELOZ is an upgrade kit that includes for XT computers that features a V20 CPU to speed up your machine by up to 310% for only $98.
    • Modgraph Introduces The Prism – A high resolution graphics controller that offers resolution up to 1024×780, 16 colors from a palette of 4096, and a drawing speed of 1,000,000 pixels/sec for $1695.
    • PC-CICS for The IBM PC – A package for the PC that emulates CICS, the mainframe transaction processing monitor.
    • Floppy Drive For Portable Computers – A new 3.5″ 720k floppy drive available in both internal and external form factors.
    • VEGA Deluxe Extra High Resolution Graphic Adapter – A graphics card that offers resolutions 37% higher than EGA and also supports all common standards.
    • C.Itoh 333-CPS 24-Pin Dot Matrix Printer – A new dot matrix printer featuring speeds of up to 333 cps with a proprietary 24-pin diamond-shaped head for $1995.
    • Arabic/English/French Word Processor – A multilingual word processor from Computer Anyware, Inc. that is also capable of basic graphics.
    • One Adapter – One Monitor “Graphics Solution” – A unique EGA graphics adapter that can also display MDA, CGA, and Hercules and is able to display the Hercules graphics mode on the ENX Multisync Color Monitor.
    • AT&T Announces New PC Plus Model – The AT&T PC 6300 Plus features an 80286 processor, 40MB hard drive, 1.2 MB floppy drive, and 512KB of RAM for $4800.
    • Internal Solid State Memory System Boasts 80386 Compatibility & Ultra-High Access Speeds – An 8-MB to 192-MB solid state disk drive that can also be configured as memory expansion. Price is not listed here but my guess is somewhere between absurd and ridiculous.
    • CopyWrite For MSDOS Program Backups – Software useful for backing up your own copy protected software but was also probably used extensively for pirating software as well.

    Tandy

    • TRSCROSS Disk/File Transfer Utility – A DOS based utility that lets you read and write TRS-80 format disks.
    • CoCo 3 – Alive On Arrival – A brief look at the then brand new CoCo 3 from Tandy/Radio Shack.
    • CoCo 3 – Another Opinion – Another look at the CoCo 3 looking at things such as compatibility with the CoCo 2 hardware and software and the new features specific to the Coco 3.
    • The M: Loader – A tutorial for creating a loader disk to speed up the use of the utilities included in MonteZuma Micro’s CP/M 2.2 software for the TRS-80 Model 4.

    Apple

    • Ask The Guru – Quick looks at Passport (a program for converting Apple II files on the Macintosh), the LaserWriter Plus and other laser printers, Apple IIgs compatibility problems, and more.
    • Colossus Chess IV Popular Computer Chess Program – A look at this chess program for the Apple II and Commodore 64.
    • The Ditgital Talking Clock – A program written in Applesoft BASIC that will make your Practical Peripherals ProClock (or other ProDOS compatible clock) talk.
    • The Mysterious Slot 3 – Understanding which cards work in slot 3 on the Apple IIe when the AUX slot is occupied.

    Macintosh

    • MacUniverse – Question about Apple’s parts policy, a look at a terrible spell checker called Spellnow, and more.
    • New SCIS External Hard DRives – Rodime releases new Rodime 20 Plus and 45 Plus external hard drives for $1295 (20 MB) and $$1695 (45 MB) respectively.
    • LaserWriter Password Woes – Questions about an EEPROM access password in Apple LaserWriter printers and problems it can cause.

    Commodore

    • PC2COM: An IBM to Commodore Interface Standard – The second part in a series on building an inexpensive parallel adapter to allow communications between a PC and Commodore 64 equipment.
    • Some Commodore Buys For 1986 – Some of the best recent hardware and software for the Commodore 64/128 including the Model 1670 1200 Baud Modem, Commodore Model 1700 and 1750 RAM Expansion cartridges, MIDI Magic, BASIC 128 from Abacus, X-10 Powerhouse, and more.
    • Just Another Day In Mudanesville – A look at Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
    • Inside Commodore – A look at the 64K video upgrade for the C128, technical documentation for CP/M on the C-128, upgraded ROMs for the 1571 disk drive, and more.

    Amiga

    • The Amiga Workbench – A look at recent games and other software for the Amiga including The Pawn, Chessmaster 2000, MaxiPlan, and more.
    • The Amiga: A Computer For The Right Hemisphere – How the Amiga’s graphics and sound capabilities make it a right brain computer.
    • Logistix and Superbase Personal – Logistix is a spreadsheet program comparable to Lotus 1-2-3 while Superbase is a database program (a variation of which I had on my Commodore 64).
    • Organize – Database – Another database program for the Amiga.
    • MiAmiga Ledger – A review of this general ledger system for the Amiga.
    • Multi-Forth For The Amiga – A review of this Forth implementation for the Amiga by someone who is clearly a fan of the language.

    Atari

    • Applying The Atari – Questions answered about modifying some Atari BASIC assembly routines, getting your printer to print in cursive, and more.

    Atari ST

    • Hacking The ST – A tutorial for using the Setscreen call and switching the display area.
    • Degas Elite From Batteries Included – A review of this paint program for the Atari ST.
    • CP/M For The Atari ST – An emulator that allows you to run CP/M programs on your Atari ST.
    • Atari ST vs. Amiga Round 2: The ST Is Superior – Part of an ongoing debate about the Atari ST vs. The Amiga. I mean, I think it is safe to say that the Amiga was superior in almost every way except perhaps when it came to MIDI, and depending on the exact time period, price.
    • Starglider 3-D Combat Flight Simulation – A brief look at Starglider for the Atari ST.
    • Graphics Editors For The Atari ST – A look at Typesetter ST and Rubber Stamp ST.
    • Spreadsheet Package For The ST – PowerPlan – A spreadsheet for the Atari ST that features a size up to 65536×65536 cells.

    Sanyo

    • Market Trend Analyzer – A Microsoft BASIC program to analyze market trends for the Sanyo 55X or IBM PC (or presumably any compatible).
    • Sanyo/IBM WordFun! Is Fun – A combination of two word games designed for the IBM PC but also works on the Sanyo MBC 550.

    Texas Instruments

    • TI Forum – New EPROM available for the Foundation 128K memory expansion card that allows it to work with Myarc Extended BASIC II software; A type-in game called CINVADERS; a look back at the TI-99/2; and more.

    Heath/Zenith

    • Expanding Your Heath/Zenith PC-Compatible – A guide to adding a software speed selector tot he PC-Sprint turbo board for both the PC and H/Z-150.
    • Mouse Menus for Hard Disk Use – The process of installing a hard drive, controller and indicator light, and changing the cluster size on the Heath/Zenith 150 PC plus. Then what the name of article mentions, setting up a mouse controlled menu to launch programs from the hard drive.
    • A New Soft-sector Disk Controller – The H-89 – A new relatively inexpensive ($249) floppy controller that allows the H-89 to use more common (and cheaper) soft sectored floppy disks.

    Timex/Sinclair

    • Sinclair Survival Column – A guide to SuperBASIC on the Sinclair QL.

    Miscellaneous

    • UNIX Operating System Case Study – This article starts with a history of UNIX and continues with a guide to UNIX that includes standard features, process creation, file system, process termination, I/O system and more.
    • Modula-2 – A guide to the Modula-2 programming language.
    • XENIX To AT&T Unix System V Release 3 – IBM reaches agreement with AT&T to use the features from Unix System V Release 3 in Xenix.
    • Stan Veit’s History – Computer Camelot – The story of the Computer Mart of New York which when it opened it had 500 square ft. of space and included an inventory of five Sphere computers (mostly in kit form), five IMSAI computers, some 19-inch video monitors, one used Teletype ASR 33 and various computer books and magazine.
    • Toshiba’s PageLaser 12 – A laser printer from Toshiba that is 50% faster than most similar printers for $3499.
    • Kodak Unveils 14-inch Optical Disk Technology – This large (larger than a music record) optical disk format could hold up to 6.8 GB of data.
    • The SmartWatch: Real Time Clock Control In DIP Socket – No, not the kind you wear on your wrist. This was a essentially a pass through socket that included a real-time, battery backed-up clock chip.
    • New Life For An Old Printer – A new upgrade board for the Epson MX100 and other early Epson dot matrix printers that allows them to print in near letter quality.
    • Bernoulli Box – A Report On Its Long Term Use – The Bernoulli Box was an external disk format that essentially used an 8-inch floppy disk encased in a hard plastic shell (think of a giant version of the standard 3.5″ disk) and in part using the Bernoulli principle, could be made much faster than a standard floppy. In fact, it was even faster than a standard XT hard drive.
    • IBM’s PDS: The Joymouse! – An adapter for joysticks that, among other things, allows them to be used like a mouse.
    • A Real Chinese Copy! – A look at The Great Wall 0520C PC clone from China featuring an 8088 CPU and 512K of RAM.

    …and much more!


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