Compute! (December 1981)

Compute! was one of the earliest home computer magazines. Early in its history, it focused on 6502 based machines. In 1981 that meant the Commodore CBM/PET, Apple II, Atari and OSI. The December 1981 issue includes:

Compute! (December 1981)

Compute! (March 1981)

Compute! (March 1981)

Compute! was a popular multi-format magazine that covered various computers throughout its long life which started in 1979 and lasted until the 1990s. Throughout its early life, it strictly covered computers based on the 6502 processor. The March 1981 issue includes:

Table of Contents

• The Editor's Notes - The editor opines on software piracy vs. the right to back-up software that you buy.


• A 6502 Version of the Winter Consumer Electronics Show: January '81 - News related to 6502 based computers at the Winter CES. The biggest product introduced that year was the Commodore VIC-20.


• The Beginner's Page - Some beginner information about BASIC, operating systems, ROM, RAM and storage media.


• Computers and Society - A look at communications between user and computer via programming languages. LOGO and PILOT are emphasized while BASIC and PASCAL are also mentioned.


• Taking the Plunge - Machine Language Programming for Beginners - An introductory guide to machine language on the PET though it is applicable to other machines of the time as well. The differences between BASIC, machine language and assembly code are discussed.


• Computer Communications Experiments - An article on building an RS-232C interface which can be used for modems and other things.

The Apple Gazette

• Clearing the Apple II Low-Resolution Graphics Screen - Several BASIC methods for clearing the screen.


• Fun with Apple and PASCAL - A type-in PASCAL arcade style shooter game for the Apple II (basically shoot at the falling shapes).

_{Table of Contents from the March 1981 issue of Compute!}

The Atari Gazette

• Designing Your Own Atari Character Sets - Creating custom character sets on the Atari 8-bit.


• Atari Basic: A Line Renumbering Utility - A type-in utility for renumbering the lines of a BASIC program. This was important sometimes because you could run out of line numbers. Every line of code in basic started with a line number. If you needed to add code in between two lines then there would have to be available numbers to do so. If you were unwise enough to make every line number consecutive, that could be problematic. It was common practice to number lines by 10s (first line is 10 second is 20, etc.). However, you never know when you might need more extra line numbers in between.


• Atari Memory Dump and Dissassembler - A type-in program that will both dump the contents of memory locations to disk or disassemble lines of code.

The OSI Gazette

• A Small Operating System: OS65D the Kernel - The final part in a series on the OS65D operating system.


• A Six-Gun Shootout Game for the OSI C1P - A type-in BASIC game that sounds a bit like Outlaw on the Atari 2600.

The PET Gazette

• Learning About Garbage Collection - Garbage collection (memory reclamation) was necessary on PET machines with certain ROM revision in order to reclaim memory used by strings. Here are a couple of short routines to do that.


• PET Machine Language Graphics - A machine language graphics subroutine for the PET that provides a variety of graphics functions.


• Disk File Recovery Program - A type-in program for the PET that can recover accidentally deleted files.


• PET Exec Hello - A type-in program for automatically executing commands when booting from disk.

The SBC Gazette

• Experimenting with the 6551 ACIA - Information for interfacing, operating and controlling a 6441 ACIA with a 6502. The 6551 is used primarily for communications.


• A Vocal Hex Dump for the KIM-1 - A program designed to work with a speech synthesizer to speak the data in a given memory location.


• Expanding KIM Style 6502 Single Board Computers - Part 3 of 3 - The final part in a series on expanding the KIM (and KIM-style) single board computers. Basically a series on how to use the bus expansion connector of these machines.

New Products

• New Products - Commodore releases disaster relief software used during the fire at the MGM Grand Hotel on November 22, 1980, Personal Software Inc. releases MicroChess and Checker King for the Atari 400/800, Cimarron Corp. announces Legal Time Accounting (accounts receivable and matter tracking for the legal profession) for the Commodore 8032, Microcomputer Software Inc. releases The Landlord apartment management software for the Apple II, Microware releases Scientific Plotter graph producing software for the Apple II, Axlon announces 32K RAM expansion for the Atari 400/800, and much more.

_{Back cover of the March 1981 issue of Compute!}

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Compute! (October 1981)

Compute! (October 1981)

Compute! is a home computer magazine that got its start all the way back in 1979. Later on, it tended to be less technical than something like Byte but by today's standards, all computer magazines were somewhat technical when this issue was published in October 1981. At the time, Compute! covered computers based on the 6502 processors such as the Commodore PET, Apple II, Atari 400/800, VIC-20 and others. This issue includes:

Columns

• The Editor's Notes - Atari reduces prices in the wake of the introduction of the VIC-20 (they would ultimately lose the price war later on vs. the Commodore 64), IBM enters the personal computer market, Atari wins school contract in Minnesota, and more.


• Computers and Society - Appropriate applications for home computers.


• Readers Feedback - A commentary on the maturing of the computer industry and Computer Aided Instruction.


• Ask the Readers - A question answered about the Apple II and TV interference and questions asked about video terminal options for an OSI computer, the 3040 Floppy Disk Unit for the PET, and more.


• Basically Useful BASIC: Automatic DATA Statements For CBM and Atari - A type-in program that converts machine language code into BASIC DATA statements.


• The Beginner's Page - Organizing and processing data with computers.


• VIC-20 News - The latest released for the new VIC-20 including the VIC Graphics Printer from Axiom, a new disk drive (this would become the 1540), various memory expansion cartridges, an RS-232 adapter for connecting a modem, plus lots of software including Blackjack, Slither/Superslither, Biorhythm Compatibility, Space Math, Car Chase, Blue Meanies from outer Space, Programmer's Aid (adds new BASIC commands), and more.

The Apple Gazette

• Budgeting On the Apple - A type in program for the Apple II that helps with budgeting tasks.


• Named GOSUBs - A machine language routine that allows you to use named GOSUBs (instead of just line numbers) in BASIC programs.


• A Tape "EXEC" For Applesoft: Loading Machine Language Programs Part II - A program that allows you to load both a BASIC program and ML routines it uses from tape.

_{Table of Contents from the October 1981 issue of Compute!}

The Atari Gazette

• Cassette Boot-Tape Generation From DOS 2.0S Binary Load File - A technique for creating a bootable tape on the Atari 400/800.


• Beware The RAMTOP Dragon - A technique for creating protected memory areas...especially from Atari's memory management.


• Documented Atari Bugs - A detailed description of bugs in Atari OS and BASIC software.


• Graph It On The Atari - A type in program for creating plots and graphs.


• Extending Player Missile Graphics - A machine language program for enhancing the capabilities of Atari's Player Missile Graphics (sprites).


• Atari 400/800 Variable Name Utility - A type in program that will display the contents of the variable name table which lets you know which variable names are already in use.

The Pet Gazette

• Practical Pet Printing Primer for Perplexed Programmers - A type-in program that helps you to print out program listings in a reasonable format.


• Odds And Ends: A Fat Forty Bug - Illustration of a bug that sometimes occurs when running BASIC 4.0 programs on a PET with 12-inch screens that was originally written for 4-inch screens.


• Machine Language: What's Your Sign? - Using signed vs. unsigned numbers.


• Train Your Pet To Run VIC Programs - A technique for getting VIC BASIC programs to run on the PET.


• Converting To Fat-40 - A tutorial for converting programs written for 9/10-inch PET 4032 to the 12-inch 40-column PET 4032.


• High Resolution Bar Graphs For The Pet - A type-in program for creating bar graphs on the PET

The SBC Gazette

• AIM 65 BASIC Floating Point Arithmetic From Machine Language - How to use floating point numbers on the SBC.


• A General Purpose BCD-To-Binary Routine - A type-in program that will convert a BCD number with any number of digits to a binary number.

_{Back cover of the October 1981 issue of Compute!}

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Commodore Power/Play (Spring 1983)

Commodore Power/Play (Spring 1983)

Commodore Power/Play was one of Commodore's early official publications. This magazine emphasized home and entertainment usage. In 1983 this meant mostly the VIC-20 and the then still fairly new Commodore 64. The Spring 1983 issue includes:

_{Table of Contents from the Spring 1983 issue of Commodore Power/Play}

Features

• New Game Cartridges for the Commodore 64 - The cartridge format for games was really only briefly popular. Pretty soon most games were released on disk, at least in the U.S. Here's a look at some early cartridge games including Jupiter Lander, Radar Ratrace, Speed Math/Bingo Math, Kickman, and Tooth Invaders


• I Program with Gortek - A look at Gortek and the Microchips, a programming tutorial developed by Commodore for kids.


• Making Friends With SID, Part 2 - Part 2 of an ongoing series on the Commodore 64's SID chip including some examples of how to generate sound and music.


• Decwar! - A look at this multiplayer interstellar war game available on CompuServe.

_{Table of Contents from the Spring 1983 issue of Commodore Power/Play (continued)}

Departments

• Braindrops - The magazine reaches 100,000 readers plus a look at the changes in this issue.


• The VIC Magician - A guide to programming the function keys of the VIC-20.


• Butterfield - Learn how to make music on your Commodore 64.


• High Scores - High scores for Blue Meanies, Car Chase, Cosmic Cruncher, Draw Poker, Jupiter Lander, Gorf, Midnight Drive, Mole Attack, Omega Race, Pinball Spectacular, Radar Rat Race, Raid on Fort Knox, Sea Wolf, Sky Is Falling, Slither, Super Alien, Super Slither, Super Slot, Super Smash and VIC Avenger.


• User Group Spotlight - The story behind the New Mexico Commodore Users Group.


• Access: Commodore User Groups - A comprehensive list of Commodore user groups around the world.


• Jiffies - Brief looks at new software including two new cassette six packs for the VIC-20. The first includes NumBowl, LCM Machine, Sector Five, Backfire, Ruler Dueler, and Scare City Motel. The second includes VIC Synthesizer, Crawler, Alpha Draw, Super Seekers, Big Bad Wolf, and Treasures of the Bat Cave. Also reviewed are Pinball Spectacular for the VIC-20, The VIC Programmable Character Set & Gamegraphics Editor, and more.

_{Back cover of the Spring 1983 issue of Commodore Power/Play}

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Compute! (March 1982)

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.

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.

_{Table of Contents from the March 1982 issue of Compute!}

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.

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.

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.

_{Back cover of the March 1982 issue of Compute!}

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Commander (January 1983)

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.

_{Table of Contents from the January 1983 issue of Commander}

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.

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.

_{Back cover of the January 1983 issue of Commander}

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Micro: The 6502 Journal (October 1977)

Micro: The 6502 Journal (October 1977)


Micro: The 6502 Journal was an early computer magazine, or really technical journal, dedicated to computers and computer kits based on the 6502 CPU. These included the likes of the KIM-1, Commodore PET, Apple II, Atari 8-bit and later on the VIC-20 and Commodore 64 among others. The first issue from October/November 1977 features the brand new Apple II on the cover and the contents include:

• Cheap Memory for the KIM-1 - by Byron Salzsieder - has an expanded KIM-1, KIMSI, and is currently waiting for delivery of a Micromind.
• Terminal Interface Monitor (TIM) for the 6500 Family - by Oliver Hold - "The Computer Doctor" for Microcomputers, Inc., microcomputer teacher and consultant, micro-systems designer.
• We're Number One! - An Editorial
• Inside the Apple II - by Arthur Feruzzi - a confirmed "computer nut" who owns a number of 6502 microcomputers - assembled, kit and homebrew.
• Rockwell International and the 6502 - by Arthur Ferruzzi - currently designing some special purpose micro-systems, 6502 based, of course.
• The PET's IEEE-488 Bus: Blessing or Curse? - by Charles Floto - Editor of Buss and Yankee Bits and freelance writer and photography whose work has appeared in Byte, Personal Computing, and Kilobaud.
• 6502 Related Companies - by Mike Rowe - prefers hexadecimal notation since he has eight fingers on each hand.
• Hypertape and Ultratape - by Robert M. Tripp - Editor of MICRO, author of PLEASE and other software and hardware for the KIM-1.
• KIM-Based Degree Day Dispatcher - by Mike Rowe - Computer consultant for the Starship Enterprise.
• Computer Controlled Relays - by Robert M. Tripp - Microprocessor consultant and lecturer.
• 6502 Bibliography - by William Dial - Retired Research Chemist with a KIM-1 and several 6502-based OSI boards.
• 6502 Reference Car

...and more!

Commodore: The MicroComputer Magazine – Issue Number 27 (1983)

Commodore: The MicroComputer Magazine – Issue Number 27 (1983)



Commodore: The MicroComputer Magazine was one of Commodore's early official publications. In 1983 when this issue was published, Commodore was still yet to reach its peak. The VIC-20 had been around a couple of years and was around the 1 million in sales mark and would be the first home computer to reach that number. The Commodore 64 was brand new and would become the best selling home computer of all time. Older machines like the PET were still around too. This issue includes: Features

• In the Chips - Where microchips came from and how they are made.
• Millions and the Microchip - How many times is a million times a second? Jim takes a look at the scales of time and size as they relate to your computer.
• The Logic of Bits and Pieces - Part 2 in Jeff's series explains two-state logic and how it works in your computer.
• 6502 Op-Codes - For the more technical among you, we've provided a list of all the 6502 op-codes with a description of what they do and how they affect the status register.

Departments

• Editor's Notes
• Letters - Our readers offer opinions and advice
• Commodore News - Happy 25th Birthday Commodore!
• Business - Spread Sheet Programs: Expensive Gimmicks or Management Tools?
• Education
• Lincoln College Commodore Computer Club
• The Commuting Commodore
• Educational Programming: A Method
• Program Review - Easy Spell 64
• The Arts - Creating and Photographing Computer Screens
• Programmer's Tips
• On the Merits of Touching Up the X-Rays
• Random Thoughts, Part 3
• Using Picture Format
• Prints Charming
• Computer Languages - COMAL Graphics
• Product Review - Promqueen 64
• Technical - A Theory of Operation for the VIC/64 Boards
• Telecommunications
• The New Commodore Information Network
• The Model 1650 AUTOMODEM
• User Departments
• Commodore 64 - Commodore 64 Sprite Mover
• PET/CBM - Go Directly to XY!
• Commodore User Groups
• User Group Listings - User groups across the nation and around the world.
• User Bulletin Board - Messages from user groups to user groups.
• That Does Not Compute... - When we make a mistake, this is where we fix it.
• New Products - What's new from independent manufacturers.
• Advertisers Index

...and more!

Compute! (August 1981)

Compute! (August 1981)

If you happened to be a computer owner in 1981 then Compute! would have definitely been a magazine that you would have wanted to subscribe to. The magazine lasted for more than a decade and in these early days it was exclusively covering 8-bit computers based on the 6502 processor. There were more of these than you might think. The August 1981 issue includes:

• The Editor's Notes
• Ask The Readers
• Computers And Society: Some Speculations On The Well-Played Game, Part II
• The Beginner's Page
• Basically Useful Basic: Checking Randomness Of Random Number Generators
• Trenton: The Original Computer Festival
• Basic Oneliners: Minimize Code And Maximize Speed
• Computer Assisted Instruction - Worth The Effort?
• Wolves, Caribou, And Other Problems
• Add A Programmable Sound Generator
• The Carry Bit - What It Is And How It Works
• The Floating-Point Division Routine
• Practical Aspects Of Assembly Language: Part II


• The Apple Gazette
• Apple Disk Motor Control
• Interfacing The Apple To 6500 Family Peripherals
• A Cassette Tape Monitor For The Apple
• Diskette Sector Space In A Greeting Program


• The Atari Gazette
• Restoring And Updating Data On The Atari
• Easy Reading Of The Atari Joystick
• Poem Writer
• Supercube Update
• Atari Sound Utility
• Blockade For The Atari
• Define A Line On The Atari


• The OSI Gazette
• The OSI RS232 Port And The High Speed Printer Interface


• The Pet Gazette
• The CBM "Fat 40" - Boon Or Bane?
• Digital Arrayment
• Keyword
• CBM/PET Loading, Chaining And Overlaying
• Converting Pet Basic Programs To ASCII Files


• The Single Board Computer Gazette
• The Single Board 6502
• Nuts And Volts: Build Your Own Controllers Part II


• New Products
• Advertiser's Index

...and more!

Ahoy! (April 1984)

Ahoy! is a magazine dedicated to Commodore computers and covered most of them throughout the years. In 1984 it was primarily the Commodore 64 with some VIC-20 and a little bit of PET thrown in for good measure. The Commodore 128 and Amiga would come the following year and later the C-16/Plus 4 though its life would be short. The April 1984 issue includes:

Departments

• A View from the Bridge - A look at how the magazine has improved in its short existence thus far and an overview of what's in the issue.

• Scuttlebutt - The latest Commodore related news including More on Tramiel's resignation; delays in the proposed 264 and 364 models; Leonard Nimoy to appear in Hes-Ware ads; a variety of educational software including one of my all time favorite games, Agent USA; a music synthesizer system for the Commodore 64 called "When I'm 64"; a bunch of new games including Sorcerer, Slamball and and much more.

• Book Reviews - Reviews of new Commodore 64 books including Sprite Graphics For The Commodore 64 by Sally Greenwood Larson and The Commodore 64 Music Book: A Guide To Programming And Sound by James Vogel and Nevin B. Scrimshaw.

• The Rupert Report - A short guide to math on the Commodore 64 and how you may not always get the results you expect.

• Reviews - Reviews of Dino Eggs (Micro Fun, Commodore 64), Oil's Well (Sierra On-Line, Commodore 64), Blue Max (Synapse, Commodore 64), Lunar Leeper (Sierra On-Line, Commodore 64), Learning With Leeper (Sierra On-Line, Commodore 64), Final Orbit/Bumper Bash (Sirius, VIC-20), Cross Fire (Sierra On-line, Commodore 64 and VIC-20), Jumpman Junior (Epyx, Commodore 64), Purple Turtles (Quicksilva, Commodore 64), Beach-Head (Access, Commodore 64), The Search Series (T & F, Commodore 64), and Gateway to Apshai (Epyx, Commodore 64). Of the games in this list, there are several I played extensively including Blue Max, Jumpman Junior, Beach-Head, and Gateway to Apshai. Those were all outstanding games.

• Commodares - Problems for the reader to solve by writing (or fixing) small programs.

• Glossary - A glossary of computer terms.

Features

• Easy Script and Easy Spell - A review of this relatively inexpensive, full featured word processor (and spell checker) for the Commodore 64.

• Printer Interfacing, Part II - The results of a series of tests on a couple of printer interfaces for the Commodore 64 and VIC-20, including the Tymac Connection and the Cardco Cart?/+G.

• Introduction to Petspeed - Review of Petspeed, a BASIC Compiler for the Commodore PET/CBM.

• Playing the Light Fantastic - A look at lasedisc technology including laserdisc games.

• Who Programmed J.R.? - A detailed look at The Dallas Quest, based on the extraordinarily popular prime time soap opera. Includes a conversation with the creators.

• Educational Software, Part II - Part 2 of a guide to educational software for parents.

Programs

• Lunar Lander - A type-in game for the Commodore 64 in which you attempt to land you spacecraft on the Moon.

• Apple Pie - A type-in educational game for the Commodore 64 that lets you practice multiplication.

• Commodore 64 Bug Repellent - A proofreading program for type-in programs published in Ahoy!

• Lower Case Descenders - A program for creating a custom, and much improved, character set for the Commodore 1525 printer.

...and more!

WordPro 4 Plus (CBM 8032)

Today, the vast majority of people who use word processing software are using some version of Microsoft Office, or perhaps an Open Office variant or Google Docs. However, there used to be far more choices. This particular ad from the December/January 1982 issue of Commodore MicroComputers is for one such product called WordPro 4 Plus for the Commodore CBM 8032.

The Commodore 8032 was a later entry into Commodore PET line of computers. Initially considered home/personal computers, the PET line was popular in schools in North America, particularly in Canada. The 8032 was an enhanced version that included improvements like an 80 column display (vs. 40), a better keyboard and more memory. At a time when CP/M dominated the business world but before the days of the DOS stranglehold and before the Apple II dominated in schools, the PET line had a pretty successful run.

I believe that WordPro 4 Plus and WordPro 3 Plus were released close to the same time. The difference was that WordPro 4 Plus was for the Commodore 8032 and WordPro 3 Plus was for the Commodore 64. I couldn’t find what the original price for the 8032 version was but I suspect it was more than the $89.95 of the Commodore 64 version.

These versions of WordPro offered enhancements over previous versions including math functions, superscripts, subscripts, bold overstrike, exit to BASIC, variable lines per inch, additional pitch settings, audible feedback, pause command, and simultaneous input/output. All features that are either commonly taken for granted today or otherwise don’t apply.

Commodore Power Play – Winter 1982

For most of Commodore's life they published magazines for their computers. Sometimes there were multiple titles. Commodore Power/Play was a magazine dedicated to home uses of their computers, particularly entertainment and other mostly non-business type uses. Things like word processing, databases and spreadsheets were mostly left to their other publication. The Winter 1982 issue includes:

• Braindrops - from the editor
• We're Glad You Asked - Answers to reader questions
• Access: Commodore User Groups
• User Hints
• The Computer-Controlled Home - With devices like the Homebrain, you can manage your home more efficiently
• A VIC Piano - Use your VIC 20 keyboard to make a little music
• The VIC Magician - Random numbers and animation techniques from our resident wizard
• The Great Computer Rivalry - How the VIC 20 stacks up against the competition
• Joysticks, Paddles and Lightpens - An excerpt from the upcoming Commodore 64 Programmer's Reference Guide
• Coupon Control - Use this program to keep track of store coupons and save money
• Deflection - Type and save this game for any Commodore computer, and learn a little in the process
• A Joystick Version of Slither - For those who have the early keyboard version of Slither
• Omega Race: The Finer Points - Advice on how to score from the present champ
• Behind the Programs - An interview with Rick Adge, creator of Garden Wars
• High Scores
• VIC Baseball - Winner of the June Commodore Challenge contest. Type and save the program listing
• Making Friends with Sid - The first in a series on music synthesization on the Commodore 64
• A Little Exercise in Machine Language - Get a feel for your computer's native language
• Tele/Scope - Test your M.Q. (Modem Quotient)
• New Products
• Book Review - John O'Brien reviews Tim Hartnell's Getting Acquainted with Your VIC 20
• Program Review - Commodore's BASIC Programming, Part II teach-yourself-programming package
• No More Pencils, No More Books - How Captain Zurgle Saved His Ship with Commodore's Visible Solar System Cartridge, and Learned about Home Babysitter, Too.
• Get Serious - What's happening on the POWERful side of Commodore
• Program Review: VICMON
• Commodore VIC 20 Price List

...and more!

Commodore Power/Play (January 1982)

Commodore Power/Play was one of a few different magazines published by Commodore over the years (Commodore Magazine was the last). Commodore Power/Play focused on gaming and other fun or hobby related things you could do with your computer as opposed to business or productivity uses. The January 1982 issue would have been out before the Commodore 64 was released so its focus was on the VIC-20 with some coverage of the more business oriented PET line.

The January 1982 issue (which was the premiere issue) of Commodore Power/Play includes:

• Braindrops - An introduction to the brand new Commodore Power/Play magazine.

• We're Glad You Asked - Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the VIC-20. Why do I sometimes have problems loading programs from cassette tapes? How is a modem hooked up to the VIC? Answers to these questions and much more...

• And Now A Word From Our Sponsor - An intro to the magazine by Kit Spencer, Vice President of Marketing for Commodore at the time.

Fun...

• Access: Commodore User Groups - Contact information for Commodore user groups around the U.S. and Canada.

• The VIC Magician - Short little programming tricks for the VIC-20.

• Play Blackdragon - Blackdragon was an online role playing game available on The Source, one of the online services that were available at the time. This particular game happened to work well with the VIC-20. This article takes you through a session.

• A Little VIC Music - A type-in program that plays a song on the VIC-20. The song itself is not given so that it will be a surprise.

• VIC 20 Helps Deliver the News - A story about a kid who wrote a program on his VIC-20 to help with his paper route. It keeps track of customers, money owed, and even includes an animated map.

• Maryland "VIC-ar" Computerizes Sermons - A story about a minister who keeps track of his sermons using a VIC-20. I think this is the father of the kid in the story above.

• No More Pencils, No More Books - Educational software that (supposedly) makes learning fun.

Games...

• Joystick Control on the VIC - A technical article on reading joystick input with a VIC-20. Program samples are included.

• Great Cartridge Games for the VIC-20 - An overview of the best cartridge based games available for the VIC-20. Titles mentioned include VIC Avenger, Jupiter Lander, VIC Super Alien, Lord of the Skies, Gorf, Omega Race, Wizard of Wor, Midnight Drive, Radar Rat RAce, Raid on Fort Knox, Super Slot, Draw Poker, Adventureland Adventure, Pirate Cove Adventure, Mission Impossible Adventure, The Count Adventure, Voodoo Castle Adventure, Sargon II Chess, and more.

• Flip Out with VICFLIP-IV - A type-in program that gives you a game similar to Othello.

...And Beyond

• Tele/Scope - The VICMODEM brings mainframe computing home. This article gives an overview of the types of services you can access with your VIC-20 and a modem.

• JINSAM Gives a Golden Anniversary Party - Using the JINSAM database management system to organize an anniversary.

• Best Books - A list of some of the best Commodore related books as determined by the editors of Commodore Power/Play. Titles include Hands-on BASIC with a PET, VIC 20 Programmer's Reference Guide, BASIC from the Ground Up, and more.

• Book Review - A review of the VIC-20 Programmer's Reference Guide. I have the Commodore 64 version around somewhere...

• Program Review - A review of Commodore's Introduction to BASIC software package written by someone who used it to learn BASIC

• Get Serious - New products for "serious" computer usage including new hard drives (the D9060 and D9090), a new dual floppy drive (8250), Cobol for the SuperPET, UCSD Pascal, CMAR Multi-Key File Access System, and ATLAS 1200 Equipment Maintenance System.

• Future File - News about the upcoming Commodore 64 and Commodore MAX. The Commodore 64 would go on to become the best selling home computer in history. The Commodore Max was on the opposite end of that scale.

...and more!

Commodore Microcomputers – September/October 1984

Commodore Microcomputers was an official Commodore publication that covered all of Commodore's computers. In the September/October 1984 issue that included the Commodore 64, VIC-20, as well as the CBM, PET and SuperPET lines. The contents of this issue includes:

Features

• The Quest for Enhanced Productivity: Commodore Meets the Challenge - This article covers the various productivity software produced by Commodore. This includes the built-in software suite of the Plus/4, a spreadsheet program (Easy Calc), a financial package called Easy Finance, automatic spell correcting software called Easy Spell, home accounting software (Silent Butler), a business accounting software package (General Ledger), and graph creating software called B/Graph.

• Easy Script is Easy - A beginner's guide to Easy Script, Commodore's word processing software for the Commodore 64.

• Four Word Processors for the Commodore 64 - A comparison of four word process for the Commodore 64, including Bank Street Writer, Cut and Paste, Word Manager, and Super-Text

• Databases - An overview of the various database software available for Commodore computers and their features.

• Spreadsheets: Number Processing with Multiplan and Practicalc - An overview of two spreadsheet programs available for the Commodore 64, Multiplan and Practicalc.

• Productivity Software for Commodore Computers: A Complete List - It says 'complete' and I would take their word for it. A brief overview of dozens of spreadsheet, database, finance and word processing programs for various Commodore computers.

Using Your Computer

• Business - An article about using Commodore computers to help run a small city.

• Education - An overview of four educational software programs including a program teaching division (Frenzy), a geometry program (Flip Flop), a program providing addition and multiplication practice (Gulp), and a program teaching directionality (Arrow Graphics).

• Travel - An article discussing the perils, pitfalls and challenges of international travel with a computer.

Understanding Your Computer

• Programmer's Tips
  • Random Thoughts, Part 7: Fun and Games - Discussing the use of random number in gaming and in audio/video demos.
  • Cassette Files for PET/CBM - A program for creating files on cassettes written for the Commodore 8032.
  • Two High-Res Screen Dumps for the 64 - Two different programs (for different printers) to print out graphics saved with LOGO, KoalaPad or saved with standard Kernel routines.
  • Kaleidoscope for the PET and Commodore 64 - This type-in program generates a constantly changing kaleidoscope display on your Commodore 64 or PET.
• Technical Tips
  • Prime Numbers - A program for estimating the number of prime numbers between 1 and 1000.
  • Adding a Hex Keypad to Your PET/CBM - Instructions for constructing a Hex based keypad for your Commodore.
  • Inverse Trigonometric Functions - A program using inverse trigonometric functions to calculate distance.

• 64 Users Only
  • Screen Box Data Display Routines - Code to add input and output data boxes to your own programs.
  • Memory Loader/Saver for the Commodore 64 - A program for saving different sections of Commodore 64 memory to disk.
  • Appending Machine Code Routines to Your BASIC Programs for the 64 - A program for easily adding machine code subroutines to your BASIC Commodore 64 programs.

• PET/CBM Users Only: Line Formatting - A tool for making your program listings easier to read.

• SuperPET Users Only: SuperPET Potpourri - Using loops and other programming tips for the SuperPET.

Reviews

• Hardware: HesModem I - Review of a 300 baud modem for the Commodore 64 and VIC 20.

• Software
  • Database Manager - Review of a rather generically named database management program for the Commodore 64.
  • Tool 64 - A tool for programming that adds more BASIC commands as well as various editing and debugging utilities.
  • Write Now! - Review of a simple word processing program for the Commodore 64.

Departments

• Letters - Letters about cryptography and VIC 20s used in hospitals among other topics.

• Editor's Notes - Coverage of the June 1984 Consumer Electronics Show.

• Industry News - An article about the expected massive growth in software (sales not size though both had massive growth).

• User Groups - A list of Commodore related user groups throughout the country.

• That Does Not Compute - Correcting mistakes in past issues.

• Advertisers' Index

Commodore: A Company on the Edge by Brian Bagnall

Filled with first-hand accounts of ambition, greed, and inspired engineering, this history of the personal computer revolution takes readers inside the cutthroat world of Commodore. Before Apple, IBM, or Dell, Commodore was the first computer manufacturer to market its machines to the public, selling an estimated 22 million Commodore 64s. Those halcyon days were tumultuous, however, owing to the expectations and unsparing tactics of founder Jack Tramiel. Engineers and managers with the company between 1976 and 1994 share their memories of the groundbreaking moments, soaring business highs, and stunning employee turnover that came with being on top in the early days of the microcomputer industry. This updated second edition includes additional interviews and first-hand material from major Commodore figures like marketing guru Kit Spencer, chip designer Bill Mensch, and Commodore co-founder Manfred Kapp.

Commodore: The MicroComputer Magazine, Issue Number 19, August/September 1982

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TPUG Magazine: The official publication for the world's largest international Commodore users group, Issue Number 1, February 1984

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The February 1984 issue of TPUG

Commodore Horizons, December/January 1984

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Commodore Horizons: The Independent Commodore Magazine, December 1983 / January 1984

Personal Software, Summer 1983

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The Summer 1983 issue of Personal Software

Commander, April 1984

Source: Commander - April 1984

Commander was a relatively short-lived magazine dedicated to Commodore computers. It only lasted about two years, from 1982 to 1984, and was dedicated primarily to the VIC-20 and Commodore 64 but also covered other early Commodore computers. The April 1984 issue includes:
Education Sector

• BASIC Training: Beginner's Introduction to Commodore BASIC Programming - What does a dollar sign mean to your computer? The answer may be worth more than money.

 

• BASIC Education: Programming for Learning, Part IV-Getting Into Inputs - Interactive educational programs require well-defined input techniques to accept student responses. Example routines are presented, along with an illustrative program musical ear-training.

 

• Electronic Blackboard - In honor of springtime, a variety bouquet of software is reviewd - including a computerized introduction to the C-64, a vocabulary building game, and a multi-level math series.

 

• Data Organization for the VIC-20: Part IV - An examination of arrays completes our series on how BASIC stores data variables.

  Reviews and Recreation Sector

• BINGO Caller - A modern way to play one of the most popular games of chance.

 

• Along the Adventure Game Trail - What makes a good adventure game? Some crucial features and a few of the best game programs are described.

 

• The KoalaPad Touch Tablet: How To Bear With It-Part I: Overview - The perfect input device for artistically-inclined non-typists is reviewed.

 

• KoalaPad-Part II: Using "Koala Painter" Picture Files - For advanced programmers-how to make further use of the KoalaPad pictures after they are stored on disk.

 

• Rescue - Our Junior Programmer's contributions this month is a rather sophisticated VIC-20 game with custom characters and a non-violent theme.

  Features Sector

• Colin's Column - A guided tour through the VIC-20's memory blocks provides all you ever wanted to know about the structure of RAM and ROM, but were afraid to remember; plus tidbits for C-64 users.

 

• Command Post - Complementing last month's column, add transmitting capability to your ham-computer setup; also a look at log-in software.

 

• Explorations With Assembly Language - Start our newly-constituted assembly language series with an easy-to-use disassembler/monitor written in BASIC.

 

• Introducing Commodore's B-Series - A restyled keyboard and powerful extended BASIC are among the exciting features of Commodore's new family of business computers.

  ...and more!