• Tag Archives Radio Shack

  • 80 Microcomputing (April 1980)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: 80 Microcomputing – April 1980

    80 Microcomputing was a magazine that was dedicated to the TRS-80 line of computers. The Model I was released in 1977. The Model II really doesn’t belong to this series as it was largely incompatible and more of a professional workstation, the Model III was released in 1980 and the Model 4 was released in 1983. I never owned one but in my freshman year of high school, we used Mode IIIs and Model 4s in a BASIC programming class. The April 1984 issue includes:

    Application

    • Itinerary – A type-in program designed to help you plan an itinerary.
    • Magazine Index – A type-in program that allows you to index up to 300 articles in your magazine collection.
    • Titler – A type-in program that lets you generate captions for video productions.
    • I Ching – Type-in I Ching for your TRS-80.

    Education

    • More Night School – The second part of an article on a computer education course at Loyola University.
    • Pre-School Math – A type-in educational program to help teach pre-school math.

    Games

    • Ball Box – A type-in game that is a more complex version of pong.
    • Rock, Scissors, Paper – A type-in game that simulates Rock, Paper, Scissors.

    General

    • Computer Derelict – Confessions of a computer addict.
    • A Dealer’s Experience – The difficulties dealers have dealing with Radio Shack.

    Hardware

    • Build a Light Pen – Instructions for building a light pen. Before the mouse completely established its dominance as an input device, light pens were a popular choice in some circumstances.
    • Reverse Video – How to get reverse video with your TRS-80.
    • Mork & Mindy Monitor – Using a TV instead of a dedicated monitor with the TRS-80.
    • CTR-41 Modifications – Improving the CTR-41 cassette recorder.

    Reviews

    • RSM-2 Monitor – A review of the RSM-2/2D monitor from Small Systems Software.
    • CBASIC Review – A review of CBASIC, a CP/M based BASIC interpreter.
    • dilithium Tapes – A review of five new tapes from dilithium press, each having assorted software in different categories.

    Style

    • INKEY$ – A technique for accepting user input without the use of the enter key.
    • Break Disable – A type-in program for disabling the break key.

    Utility

    • Level II to Level I – Instructions for converting software designed to load on “Level 1” TRS-80s to load on “Level 2” TRS-80s.
    • Babybeep – A type-in machine language utility for creating sound effects.
    • Multiple USRs – A technique for using up to ten USR subroutines.
    • MACROPOKE Monitor – A technique for incorporating machine language code segments to your BASIC programs.
    • Service Tape – Loading your favorite utilities with a single command.
    • KBFIX Fix – A type-in program for changing the memory addresses that KBFix uses.
    • BASIC Terminal – A terminal program written in BASIC.

    Regulars

    • 80 Remarks – A look at enhancements in recent versions of BASIC.
    • 80 Applications – Using ports to control things with the TRS-80.
    • Captain 80 – A brief look at new software for the TRS-80 including Temple of Apshai, Night Flight, Jet Fighter Pilot, and more.
    • The Assembly Line – An assembly language tutorial.
    • 80 Accountant – A type-in accounting program for the TRS-80.
    • Reviews – Reviews of 80 Programs for the TRS-80 and The Individual Study Center.
    • Input – Letters from readers about Sargon II, Amadex, allocating memory, and more.
    • NEWS – The TRS-80 Expo ’80, Invaders (a Space Invaders clone), Enchanted Island-Plus, Eliza, and more.
    • Preview – A look at what’s in the next issue including mass storage alternatives, programming languages, a tape monitor, business programs, and more.

    …and more!


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  • The TRS-80 Color Computer 2

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    The Radio Shack Color Computer was sort of a follow-up to the original TRS-80. It was designed more as a home computer to compete with the likes of the VIC-20 and Apple II originally. As the years went by, Radio Shack continued to upgrade the Color Computer line to keep up with the competition. However, the Color Computer never really got the third party support that Commodore, Apple and even Atari had.

    The original Color Computer had quite an advanced 16-bit CPU for the time with the Motorola 6809E though it typically ran at a slow 0.895 MHz. However, it was quite limited in other ways. For instance, it only shipped with 4K of RAM which was even less than the VIC-20.

    The Color Computer 2 was introduced in 1983 (the original Color Computer had been introduced in 1981). It featured a variety of improvements both in functionality and to reduce costs. Much of the circuitry was reduced to a handful of custom chips enabling the size of the unit to be reduced along with the power supply. This both reduced cost and increased reliability. This did break compatibility with some peripherals though.

    Also, the keyboard was vastly improved. The original Color Computer had a chicklet style keyboard whereas the Color Computer 2 had a real keyboard. The RAM situation was improved as well. The Color Computer 2 was initially sold with 16K or 64K, both of which were big improvements over the original 4K model. There were also a few other improvements such as an upgraded BASIC, improved disk controller and enhanced VDG (allowing lowercase characters for instance). The Color Computer 2 was made from 1983 until 1986 when the Color Computer 3 was released.

    The Color Computer line seemed to fit within a strange market segment. Though it was made for home and educational use, it was not well covered by computer magazines at the time. The vast majority of the software made for it was made by Radio Shack themselves as there was not a lot of third party support. Though supposedly supporting education, I never saw these in schools growing up. All I ever saw were Apple IIs. Commodore was also around though I think they were bigger in the education market in Canada than the U.S. My high school also had some TRS-80 Model IIIs and IVs which were already pretty old at the time but no Color Computers.

    Having said that, the Color Computer was pretty powerful for its time and if you were a hobbyist or programmer perhaps not a bad choice. It’s just that if you were counting on lots of games or commercial software packages you were going to have a hard time. Radio Shack did support this line for a very long time though.


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  • 80-U.S. Journal (May/June 1979 )

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: 80-U.S. Journal – May/June 1979



    80-US was one of the earlier computer magazines. It covered, as you might guess from the name, the TRS-80 computer. This issue from May/June 1979 includes:

    Features

    • Troubleshooting Hardware
    • String Packing Techniques Exposed!
    • Which Brain?
    • Chinese, Android and other Nims
    • Mind Reader
    • System/Command
    • The Monitor You Already Have
    • The Barber & Beauty Shop Cash Accounting & Payroll, Part II
    • TRS80 Fortran – an evaluation
    • Business Computing

    Departments

    • Random Access
    • Clubs & Publications
    • Letters
    • Software Review: Starfleet Orion
    • A Note on Basic
    • Hangups
    • Unclassified Ads

    Columns

    • Editorial Remarks
    • View From the Top Of The Stack

    …and more!


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