Not everything good and/or technical comes from Commodore
Hacking, which is as it should be. (We still think we have the
most, though...) Thus, let's spotlight some good and/or technical
reading from the other Commodore publications.
If you know of a magazine that you would like to see summarized here, let C=Hacking know about it. These summaries are only limited by Commodore Hacking's inability to purchase subscriptions to all the Commodore publications available. We are very grateful to those publications that send complimentary copies of their publications for review.
Although a bit late, Issue 15 made its way to our mailbox and opened with an apology from VP Charles Christianson detailing why the current issue took so long to reach subscribers. As we suspected, it was due to SuperCPU shipments and general bug-swatting. However, another factor that wasn't as obvious was some personnel changes in the publication. Gaelyne Gasson goes over the various graphics formats and how to convert them to viewable formats on the Commodore. The GEOS programmers will appreciate Maurice Randall's article on VLIR files, and Doug Cotton presents Part 2 of his discussion on file transfer utilities. The demo scene gets a little press with Sherry Freedline's piece on demos, including a section on _Driven_, reviewed below. Commodore Hacking even got a mention or two in Max Cottrell's report on the Lansing Area Commodore Club Expo '96.
Arriving on the Internet October 1st, Issue 2 of this new publication maintains the level of content started in Issue 1. We suppose it's too early to tell, but it looks like one will show up every 4 months. The issue starts with three detailed pieces on VIC video techniques, including a discussion of the Super Hires FLI technique by Roland Toegal and 'Count Zero', a starter article on using raster interrupts by Mike Gordillo and 'Dokken', and how to use simple text scroll routines in programs by Mike Gordillo. Steve Judd details the basics of using the SID chip, and Andreas Varga steals the issue with an interview with SID creator Bob Yannes. The article is a must read. The highlights of the hardware section is a Atari 2600 cartridge reader for the VIC-20 by Ravid Noam and how to upgrade a Commodore 16 to 64 kB by Martin Gierich.
In addition to the funky banner on Driven #15, the issue mentions the resurgence of the Demo Scene and congratulates all the recent Driven 4kB Competition entrants. If you are interested in demos and what effects are possible, be sure to check out the recent entries. #15 details the CMD Swiftlink in an article by Perry Eidelbus. Users undecided on purchasing a SL, or programmers unsure of whether to develop for the unit should read this piece. In a look back, 'The Hobbitt' runs through the history of the NTSC demo scene. Also, if you didn't get a chance to take a look at DisC=overy yet, there's an interview with editor Mike Gordillo in this issue.
In between #15 and #16, Driven published the "Driven 4K Compo Edition", containing reviews and comments on the entries submitted for the recent Driven competition.
Driven #16 contains a look into the world of Computer Workshops, Inc. (CWI) by Cameron Kaiser, as well as a detailed description of Craig Bruce's ACE OS, available on the Internet. As well, there are the usual notices of new demo releases and groups. The editors remark that they feel #16 is the best Driven yet.
Sometimes, we read LOADSTAR purely for the entertainment factor. And I don't mean the games on the disk. In Issue 145, Jeff Jones outlines his top ten email pet peeves. #145 delves into a rare topic in C64 circles: Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI). Fender goes over the protocol and how it can be used with a 64/128. On the heels of that article is a piece by John Serafino that creates MIDI tracks for your own enjoyment. Bo Zimmerman presents a "Presenter" for LOADSTAR that utilizes GEOS. In addition, Bo gives GEOS users a handy utility that archives files and can even create .d64 images. To supplement Maurice Randall's _Commodore World_ article on VLIR files, Roger Detaille details the revisions in the directory that GEOS disks dictate. As a bonus, Issue #145 contains Driven 12, reviewed in C=Hacking Issue 13 (Reference: mags) as well as DisC=overy #1, also reviewed last time.
Issue 146 starts off on an apologetic note, as Jeff repents for redistributing DisC=overy #1 not in its entirety. It brings up an important point that compilations like DisC=overy and C=Hacking can only be freely redistributed in their entirety. Diving into the issue, developers looking to design their own fonts might find use in Anthony Rose's Font Studio, Bob Markland's Font Viewer II, or Bob's Font Studio Printer. Jeff presents his entry in the Directory Editor arena: DirectoMeister I.
Demo Scene folks will enjoy "Omni's First Demo" on Issue 147. Continuing with the video theme, Andrew Martin present Hires Sketch II, an art creation application. Of interest to GEOS DTP (Desktop Publishing) folks is a set of two GEOPaint documents containing some clip-art.
As mentioned in Newsfront (Reference: news), Issue 148 has been released to the Commodore community as a "pass-around" issue. Distribution is encouraged. Although not technical in nature, everyone should read the piece describing this issue. It gives some insight into the workings of LOADSTAR and its ex-parent company, SOFTDISK. Fender Tucker shows how to add a bypass switch to a Super Snapshot cartridge, while Jeff revamps his Directomeister I into version II. As well, Menu Toolbox III, included in this issue (Reference: toolbox) is available on LS148. As well, Commodore Hacking #13 is included on the 3.5" disk version.
Issue #14 is the last issue for this publication. It has merged with LOADSTAR LETTER. See Newsfront (Reference: news) for more information. We were hoping to get the last issue in to review it, but C=Hacking's recent relocation sent the issue off into never-never land. Anyway, we wish Scott Eggleston and his family the best. He will continue to edit LOADSTAR LETTER.
Other magazines not covered in this rundown include:
Notes on Legend:
In addition, others exist that C=Hacking is simply not aware of. As soon as we can snag a copy of any of these, or get the foreign language ones in English :-), we will give you the scoop on them.
C= Hacking Home | Issue 14 Contents
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Last Updated:
1997-03-31 by Jim Brain