PC World (September 1997)

PC World (September 1997)

Commodore Microcomputers (November/December 1984)

Commodore Microcomputers (November/December 1984)

Commodore had a number of official publications over the years. Well, really there were two, and then one, and they went through a couple of different name changes. In 1984, Commodore Microcomputers was covering at least the Commodore 64, VIC-20, and Plus/4 (which had a very short commercial life). The November/December 1984 issue includes:

Departments

• Industry News - A look at the 1984 Summer Consumer Electronics Show. This year was dominated by software and hardware for the Commodore 64.

Understanding Your Computer

• Technical Tips - A list of disk and DOS wedge commands for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20. Plus a memory map for the Plus/4 and C-16.


• Telecommunications - All about BBS systems including what they are, who runs them, what you can do on them, and much more.

Reviews

• Music Construction Set - An excellent music composition program from Electronic Arts for the Commodore 64.


• Studio 64 and Add Mus'in - This software package allows you to easily add sound and music to your own BASIC programs.

_{Table of Contents from the November/December 1984 issue of Commodore Microcomputers}

Features

• Physics of Sound: how Computers Make Music - A look into the technical details on how computers are able to generate music.


• MIDI: A Marriage of Convenience - MIDI, which stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, was still relatively new at the time. It is the standard by which instruments can communicate with computers.


• Ryo Kawasaki: Sonic Innovator - A musician who also developed software for the Commodore 64 including Kawasaki Synthesizer and Kawasaki Rhythm Rocker.

Using your Computer

• Business - How the Commodore 64 became the star of a cable TV show called The Program Critic Computer Show.


• Education: Special Supplement - A complete list of the educational software available for the Commodore 64 (no doubt out of date by the time it was printed), contact information for educational software vendors, and much more about the Commodore 64 in the education market.

_{Back cover of the November/December 1984 issue of Commodore Microcomputers}

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MacAddict (April 1998)

MacAddict (April 1998)

I was never really a Mac person but if I had been, this is the magazine I would have read. It reminds me of boot/Maximum PC on the PC side. Also, Macs make great retro machines offering the most accessible architecture alternative to x86 with their 68000 and later PowerPC processors. The April 1998 issue of MacAddict includes:

Highlights

• The Microsoft Office Makeover - A look at Microsoft 98 which was a major update to the suite for the Macintosh platform.


• When Worlds Kaleidoscope - a guide to Kaleidoscope, a utility that let you customize the Mac OS desktop in a variety of ways.

_{Table of Contents from the April 1998 issue of MacAddict}

How To

• Publicize Your Web Site - Using bots to help publicize your web site. These days you just have to obey the Google gods of SEO.


• Know It All About Type and Creator Codes - Type and creator codes are specific file properties used on the Mac that responsible for determining things like default applications, icons, etc.

_{Table of Contents from the April 1998 issue of MacAddict (continued)}

Every Month

• Editor's Note - An introduction to a new editor and changes to the magazine.


• Letters - Letters from readers about the "It's a Wonderful Mac" movie included with a previous issue (on disc), Apple decor, and more.


• Get Info - A look at Apple's finances, Rhapsody applications, recent 3D graphics and animations packages (some of which are ports from the Amiga) such as Lightwave 3D, Cinema XL, and others.


• Cravings - A look at new gadgets (software and hardware) including the bluVenom anti-theft device, Orb 2.1 GB disk system, TK11 145 piece Deluxe Tool Kit from Curtis, Surf Express web caching software, Ray Gun audio editor, and more.

_{Back Cover of the April 1998 issue of MacAddict}

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Computer Shopper (January 1987)

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.

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.

_{Table of Contents from the January 1987 issue of Computer Shopper}

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

_{Back cover of January 1987 issue of Computer Shopper}

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