Compute!'s Gazette (March 1987)

10 days ago

_{Cover of the March 1987 issue of Compute!'s Gazette}

Compute!'s Gazette was a spin-off of Compute! magazine that exclusively covered Commodore 8-bit computers (mostly the Commodore 64). It was probably one of the two most popular Commodore 64 magazines with RUN being the other one. The March 1987 issue includes:

Features

The Commodore Graphics Connection - The Commodore 64 had perhaps the most advanced graphics of any 8-bit home computer. In fact, the VIC-II graphics chip (along with the SID sound chip) were originally conceived as the basis for a new video game machine.

A Buyer's Guide to Commodore Graphics Progams - A brief overview of some of the many graphics applications available for the Commodore 64. Some of the titles mentioned here include Blazing Paddles (drawing and painting program), Cadpak-64 and Cadpak-128 (computer-aided design package), Certificate Maker (design and printing program), Chartpak-64 and Chartpak-128 (for creating pie, bar and line charts), ColorMe: The Computer Coloring Kit (introductory drawing package for kids), Desk Pack I (includes Graphics Grabber which converts clip-art from Print Shop, Print Master, and Newsroom to GEOS), Doodle (high res drawing program), Flexidraw Light Pen Graphics, Version 5 (advanced graphics and light-pen package), and many more.

The Fundamentals of Commodore Graphics - An introduction to the Commodore 64's array of graphics modes and features.

Reviews

The Commodore 1670 Modem - While the Commodore 64 could use most standard external modems with an adapter, Commodore's 1670 Modem (1200bps) was an inexpensive modem that could connect directly to the user port.

Alter Ego and Mind Mirror - Alter Ego is 'what if' fantasy role playing game from Activision while Mind Mirror was designed in part with Timothy Leary (published by Electronic Arts) and is a little harder to classify.

Trinity - The latest in interactive fiction from Infocom. In this text adventure you must, in part, survive a nuclear holocaust.

Games

Tile Trader - A type-in puzzle game in which you must slide the tiles around to get them in the correct order.

Ringside Boxing - A type-in two player arcade style boxing game.

Education/Home Applications

Color Craft - A type-in art program for the Commodore 64.

Computing for Families: Beyond the Desktop - Soap Bubbles, Forests, and Hot-Air Balloons - Metaphors, other than the Desktop, to make computers easier to use.

_{Table of Contents from the March 1987 issue of Compute!'s Gazette}

Programming

RAM Expansion for the Commodore 128 - A guide to using the new 1700 (128K) and 1750 (512K) ram expansions on the Commodore 128.

Using RAM Expansion With CP/M - A guide to using RAM expansion when using the Commodore 128's CP/M mode.
Text Sequencer - A type-in machine language program that can be used from within your own BASIC programs to print sequential files to the screen 15 times faster than with BASIC alone.

Sprite Manager - A type-in sprite designer, editor, and animator for the Commodore 64.

RAM Plus - A type-in machine language routine that can free up an additional 4K of RAM for BASIC programs.

CP/M PIP on the Commodore 128 - A detailed look at using CP/M's PIP command on the Commodore 128. This command can be used for file copying among other things.

Custom Keys - A couple of type-in utility programs that let you redefine the Commodore 64's keyboard.

ROM Enhancer - A short machine language program that offers improvements to BASIC 2.0.

Power BASIC: 128 Partitioner - A type-in program that allows you to load up to four independent programs in to BASIC at once on the Commodore 128.

BASIC for Beginners: More on IF-THEN - Part two of a guide on using IF statements.

Machine Language for Beginners: ML Mailbag - Questions answerd from readers about learning machine language, using flags, and more.

Hints & Tips: Useful WAITS - A guide to effectively using Commodore BASIC's WAIT statement.

Departments

The Editor's Note - Reprinted from the February issue of Compute!.

Gazette Feedback - Letters from readers about printing biorhythms, disk problems, using exponents in BASIC, and more.

Simple Answers to Common Questions - Questions answered about using an Apple disk drive with a Commodore 64, fixing disk drive alignment issues, and more.

Horizons: What Is Memory? - A look at how memory works on the Commodore 64.

News & Products - Accountant, Inc. for the Commodore 128, 128K ROMDISK with Hyperboot for the Commodore 64 and 128, Killed Until Dead from Accolade, and more.