There were a few different machine specific spin-offs from Compute! over the years but the only one that really seemed to have long term success was Gazette which covered Commodore 8-bit machines (which meant mostly the Commodore 64). The February 1984 issue of Compute!'s Gazette includes:
Features
PBS's New Computer Series - An article on a new PBS series called "Bits and Bytes". It was only around for one season but it was followed up by Bits and Bytes 2 in 1991.
The Inner World of Computers, Part 4: The Inside Story - The fourth part of this tutorial on the inner workings of computers covers binary arithmetic.
Getting Started With A Disk Drive, Part 4: Data Files - A guide to reading and writing files in BASIC.
Games
Haunted Mansion - A type-in action game in which you must rescue cats from ghosts. Versions for both the VIC-20 and Commodore 64.
Astro-PANIC! - A type-in arcade style game with a resemblance to games like Galaga for the Commodore 64.
React - An type-in action/strategy game for both the VIC-20 and Commodore 64.
Table of Contents from the February 1984 issue of Compute!'s Gazette
Review
Fourth Encounter (VIC-20) - A pretty generic space shoot-em-up.
Suspended (Commodore 64) - One of many classic interactive fiction games from Infocom.
Cassette Interface for VIC/64 - An interface designed to allow any cassette recorder to be used with a VIC-20 or Commodore 64.
Education/Home Applications
Computing For Families: The New King Of The Mountain - A detailed look at the KoalaPad and KoalaPainter.
Speed Reader - A type-in educational program designed to improve reading skills.
Typing Derby - A type-in program designed to improve your typing skills.
VIC Piano - A type-in music program that turns your VIC-20 into a piano.
Programming
Multicolor Character Generator For VIC-20 - A type-in program designed to simplify the task of designing multi-colored characters.
Machine Language For Beginners: Tapping Into BASIC - Looking at BASIC as a collection of machine language programs and tapping into those from your own ML programs.
The Beginner's Corner: String Variables And Functions - An introduction to string variables and functions in BASIC.
Departments
The Editor's Notes - An introduction to a new editor and new things coming up for Gazette.
Gazette Feedback - Letters from readers about pointers to the top of BASIC memory, how DATA statements are stored, abbreviated IF statements, Apple vs. Commodore variations of the GET statement, mixing upper and lower case letters, rounding errors, the RND function, merging programs, and more.
Simple Answers to Common Questions - Questions answered about printer (and other) buffers and the difference between "coldstart" and "warmstart".
HOTWARE: A Lok At THis Month's Best Sellers - A look at the top software in several categories. The number ones include Jumpman (Commodore 64 Entertainment), WordPro 3 Plus/64 with Spell Right (Commodore 64 Home/Business/Utility), Dungeons of the Algebra Dragons (Commodore 64 Educational), Gridrunner (VIC-20 Entertainment), Quick Brown Fox (VIC-20 Home/Business/Utility), Touch Typing Tutor (VIC-20 Educational).
Back cover of the February 1984 issue of Compute!'s Gazette
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.
PC Magazine was among the earliest magazines to cover the IBM PC (and compatibles) exclusively. The July 24th, 1984 features over 380 pages and includes:
Cover Story
Getting the Picture with CAD - An article on the move of CAD software to microcomputers. Some of the software looked at here includes AutoCAD 1.4, VersaCAD 3.0, Drawing Processor 1.01, and CADplan 1.35.
Features
A Sporty Compatible - A look at a (mostly) PC compatible called the MAD-1. It features an 80186 CPU, 256K RAM, and two 5.25" 360K floppy drives for $4195 or a version with a hard drive for $6295. It had a unique high-tech look for the time in various shades of grey.
The First Integrated Printer - A look at the Envision VectorPrinter 430 which combines letter and draft quality printing, color graphics, and plotting capabilities.
Jack2 Sprints to the Fore - An integrated software package that combines word processing, graphs and spreadsheet data in one document.
A Scope for Your Micro - A review of Infoscope, a database management system from Microstuf, Inc.
Stitching Creative Designs by Pixel - Using Laleida Designs to create needlepoint patterns on the PC.
A Casino Puts Its Chips on the PC - How Resorts International Casino Hotel in Atlantic City is using a combination of minicomputers and PCs to manage gaming operations.
Table of Contents from the July 24th, 1984 issue of PC Magazine
Pro Columns
For Crowded Courts: PC Spells Relief - One New York court participates in a pilot project to test how the PC can be used to reduce the paperwork load.
Balancing Act - Using a PC and spreadsheet to determine the appropriate minimum balance for banks.
An Eclectic Program Collection - A review of Science and Engineering Programs for the IBM PC. This is a paperback with a floppy disk that includes various mathematical, engineering and graphics programs.
Beyond Essentials - A look at features needed for a complete medical management system.
Table of Contents from the July 24th, 1984 issue of PC Magazine (continued)
Departments
PC News - A look at COMDEX; Morrow's new 'The Pivot' portable computer; and more.
Year of the Onion - "Onion" here is used as an analogy for multi-function software.
It's Time for a Change in MIS - How a change is needed generally in MIS departments. I guess they ultimate did change becoming IT departments.
Letters to PC - Letters from readers about macros, Lotus 1-2-3 sales, reducing electromagnetic interference, comparing the PC with a super computer, and more.
When DOS Is Not Enough - How not all programs that run on DOS will run on all computers that run DOS.
A Brush with Fun - A look at a few games for the PC including Rollo and the Brush Brothers, B-1 Nuclear Bomber, and Computer Football Strategy.
Back cover of the July 24th, 1984 issue of PC Magazine
I write scientific spine papers and health policy works. Again, I feel called to step out of that lane as the cancel culture religious cult is rising again.
NFL kicker Harrison Butker, a traditionalist Catholic, recently gave an invited commencement address at a traditionalist Catholic private liberal arts college where he expressed traditional Catholic viewpoints. This includes views on the current state of the Catholic Church, Covid-19, President Biden, abortion, homosexuality, birth control, and gender roles.
The media is crafting a narrative that fits their ideology to cancel him. It’s as if, somehow, his religion matters in regard to his ability and right to kick a football.
I stumbled upon this organically. Previously, I had only heard of Butker, again, for his ability to kick the ball through goalposts during football games. I was absorbing my typical news content, and the headlines were brutal.
I didn’t think all of that could possibly be true. So, I did something unique for most of us in 2024: I watched the original content so that I could make up my own mind.
My distinct conclusion is that the cancel cult either hasn’t seen the video or they are being completely intellectually dishonest.
It’s a typical play from the cancel culture playbook.
Quote out of context, use labels, assume moral superiority, focus on strawman argumentation, and, after that is achieved, use pure ad hominem to split debate into a black-or-white scenario allowing everyone to jump on the bandwagon. It’s kind of like reading one of those “common logical fallacies” posters that often hang on an undergraduate philosophy professor’s office door.
Some 220,000 people have signed a petition to dismiss the kicker from the Kansas City Chiefs. How many people actually watched or read the address?
If one watches the video, even though one may agree or disagree strongly, it’s clear that Butkerloves and respects his wife and his family. He’s not the best public speaker, and he becomes emotional and teary-eyed delivering comments about his family. He states to the Catholic women in the crowd at a Catholic college that:
Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world… And, it cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker.
He describes “homemaker,” in the context of his own wife, as one of the most important titles, but not the only title, for women. He also turns around then immediately to state that his first priorities are as a husband and father, not a football player or entrepreneur. For sure, it’s controversial and highly disagreeable to some or most, but it’s not dehumanizing.
He also spent a large amount of time criticizing the leadership of his own church. He conjured up a Theodore Roosevelt-type mantra to “do hard things.” He attacked the culture of violence only then to be criticized for not properly attacking the culture of violence. He criticized DEI only then to be told that he should be grateful for DEI because Patrick Mahomes is his quarterback.
The trial is over, and he has been declared guilty of a thought crime.
A major challenge for this jury of the virtue signaling mob is that the NFL has actual criminals who actually hurt women. Where is the outrage and where are the hit pieces?
In March, Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver, crashed his Lamborghini while drag racing at over 100 miles per hour. He crashed into a car with a mother and young child. He left the scene before making sure everyone was okay. He’s charged with aggravated assault and eight criminal charges.
But that doesn’t fit the narrative.
Last season, twenty different NFL players were arrested.
Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice, Kareem Hunt, Jerry Jeudy, Damien Wilson, Mario Edwards, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, Xavien Howard, and Johnny Manziel, to name a very select few, have actually hurt women or, in certain circumstances, children.
There is a question whether they were wearing their official pink NFL merchandise at the time of the abuse or not.
Butker was an invited traditionalist Catholic speaker for a small traditional Catholic college graduation speaking to a Catholic audience. If you don’t like what he has to say, it’s okay just to disagree with him.
The critical question is: Why is the mob so angry?
It means he’s poking at something real, something threatening, and something that is making them uncomfortable. That’s exactly where we should be having the greatest discussion, debate, and competition for ideas. Betsy Stevenson and Justin Wolfers noted the paradox in the American Economic Journal: Economic Policy that as objective measures of accomplishment increased for women over the past 35 years, subjective happiness declined absolutely and relatively to men. As a father of three young daughters, that’s alarming. The cause certainly has debate; let’s have those hard discussions to make things better.
The other problem is that Butker infiltrated the inner circle. The Chiefs are primetime. They won the Super Bowl, and their star player is dating the world’s most popular person. Butker has ideas, and those ideas have been deemed so dangerous that they must never see the light of day. In the cancel culture religious cult, thou shalt not tip the sacred cows. Best to shut down and not to engage.
This is a typical totalitarian zero-sum game.
To be very clear, I am not arguing for or against his viewpoints. I’m asking, based on the evidence, who are the actual narrow zealots intent on mandating that everyone worship at the one true altar that can never be questioned?
A quick look at the instant replay of this story makes the answer abundantly clear.
One thing that remains positive is that this saga will end with a whimper. The market will win. I refer to this Milton Friedman quote often: “The great virtue of a free market system is that it does not care what color people are; it does not care what their religion is; it only cares whether they can produce something you want to buy.”
And Harrison Butker can still kick a football better and longer than anyone.
