A Buyer's Guide to Graphics Programs

COMPUTED $3.00March 1987 Issue 45, Vol. 5, No. 303220 $4.25 CanadaFOR COMMODORE PERSONAL COMPUTER USERS

Color CraftA clever, colorful programfor the 64 that makes anartist out of any child oradult.

Power BASIC:128 PartitionerTurn your 128 into four independent computers.

Also In This IssueRAM Plus For The 64Simple Answers ToCommon Questions

Software ReviewsAnd More

RAM ExpansionFor The 128Commodore's new modules can do much morethan add memory. Here's

how to greatly enhance thepower of your 128.

0 H86 "02220 6

03

RingsideBoxingHow many rounds can youlast in the Friday night titlebout? An exciting, arcade-style two-player game forthe Commodore 64.

Sprite ManagerEasily design, edit, and animate sprites with thissophisticated utility for the Commodore 64.

(Top Guns don't always fly on air... Some fly on water)

US lRed Alert!! Red Alert!!0800 hours: Terrorists attack

U.S. naval base off Sicily...Intelligence reports enemy

missile corvettes fleeingtoward Libya ... Additional

enemy patrol craft seen inarea... Seek out and destroy

... Take no prisoners...

The Need for Speed ...Yoursearch helicopterspots

the Soviet-built Nanuchka IImissile corvette chargingacross the "Line of Death."

Foilborne and closing in at50 knots, you've got him in

your sights. Guns blazing,you lock-on and launch a

Harpoon guided missile.Through the water spouts of

his near misses, you see himexplode into flames. Another

mission accomplished. ' ' -f*

The PatrolHydrofoil Missilecrall.

So agile, enemy radarmistakes it tor low-flying

aircraft.

So last, enemy farceshave only minutes to react.

So deadly, thereis no socond chance.

A Commanding Simulation ... Authentic speed and handling characteristics

of three different NATO ally hydrofoils: U.S.,Italian, and Israeli. Advanced instrumentation and weapons systems

include: 76 mm water-cooled naval cannon,Exocet, Harpoon and Gabriel guided missiles,rapid blooming defensive chaff, radar indicatorand damage control sensors. Full control of search helicopters and convoy

ships.

[ 8 real-life missions in today's danger zones likethe Persian Gulf, the Eastern Mediterraneanand the Gulf of Sldra.I Time compression speeds action to 12Sx normal.I Comprehensive operations manual includes

mission briefings and enemy vessel spottercards.I Technical consultant: Boeing Marine Systems.

HOW to Order: Vlsll your letallet, or call 800-243-4525 !oi dlrnct VISA or MiiUrcird orders |ln CA call BOO-a82-11II).Tho dlroci price Is $3dr95 lor Ihe Commodore version and 139.95 for thp Apple II varalon. To Buy tay mail, sendcheck ot monay ordarto Electronic Arl3 Diroct Sales, P.O. Boi 7530. San Maiao, CA 04403 Ada S3 lor stilBUlng end handling ($5 Canadian). Please allov) 4

wnekB for dnli weiy. Screen shoi- represent C64 version. Others may vary. Cornmodore and C64 are registered trademarks of CommodoreElnclronleH Limited. Apple II is a registered trademark of Apple Computer. Inc. Lucasfilm Games, PHH Pegasus, and all element! olHie (inrno Inntntiy:'- 8 ^ 1987 Lucaifllm LIB (L F.L.|. All right, reserved. Electronic flrls, Butnorlied user. ELECTRONIC ARTS"1

ofessi rbrd-Processor

processor av,- RtlfyMAGAZIM

m m

Advancednewfeatures includemultiple columns,wordwrap, automatic

chapter numbering andmuch more Faster program loading, easier texthandling, faster loading and saving of textto disk

Built-in telecommunications module letsyou communicate with other coir.putets

Built-in 30,000 word spoiling checker foeerror-free documents

Alt the standard word-processingcapabilities, from insert/delete to globalsearch/replace and much more

Based on the #1 best-selling Commodoreword-processor, row foster, easier and

much more powerful!Compafibte with the iheCboadfart" 128Database Management System.

MMODORE128DISK

"IT'S ALL HERE... WORD PROCESSING, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, SPELLINGCHECKER AND DICTIONARY!... AN EXCEPTIONAL VALUE." - RUN MAGAZINE

BATTERIES INCLUDED BlITMHS INCLUDED, an IIM c. -.:j,-n. 3D MilllSllltt. i;,c!.i.wi I KIN. (Inun.. Ui.-li. UB 18S. (4161 U1-99II. Daman r.,ft,,n ,., |.1!(,| l!H nai[- II ,1.1 r.mrlinill,-. i.o.lin .1 ,, ! , .,, ,., ln ,, ,., ,, 1,,,,,, . . . ,. M ,,..., 1(, | |,., ,,, .h|1 S!eM>r(iieiirslfi!rriilrii-..ihrH.|i,i(!,n.-,(ilAPP[f rni'l'ljifBSiNCnV^LJ-n-i^M ATARI (OftPOfl*T

In a market full of helicopter simulations like Super Huey II, Gunship, and Infiltrator, it's niceto find a product like ThunderChopper that flies high above the rest!Colonel Jack Rosenow USAF (Re!.).

President of ActionSoft Corp., has theexperience to provide all of thehe I i copier action and strategy you'vebeen looking (or! ThunderChopper incorporates the most advancedgraphics, (light systems, and game-

playing factors to provide a sensationalbalance of strategy and fun:

' I'

>(.[ > '''[

IBii

I

Action-packed animated graphicsinclude real 3D scenery and airbornethreats. The competition's graphicsjust don't compare.

A sophisticated instrument panel letsyou scan all vital information at a

glance whether performing combat,exploration or rescue operations.ThunderChopper's advanced

instrumentation includes Forward-Looking Infra red. C02 laser radar,zoom television, and ECM.Armament includes TOW andStinger missiles, a Hughes ChainGun. and Zuni rockets.

Better program and documentationdesign gets you up flying exciting

combat missions in minutes.

As Colonel Jack says:-ThunderChopper is the ultimate in

helicopter action and realism. Nothingelse even comes close. No othersimulation can boast this much lun!"

derChoppeSimulation animation and 3Dgraphic technologies licensee

Up Periscope!The new state of the art in submarinesimulation. The superior strategic playaction and 3D animated graphics of thissimulation put it generations ahead ofthe pack.

See Your Dealer...Or write or call us for more information.ThunderChopper and Up Periscope!

are available on disk for the Commodore 64/128, Apple II, and IBM PC lineof personal computers for thesuggested retail price of $29.95. Fordirect orders please specify whichcomputer version you want. Include$2.00 for shipping and specify UPS orfirst class mail delivery. Visa. MasterCard. American Express, and DinersClub cards accepted.

- $29.95 -Better Engineering at a Better

Price

1 1906 ActionSoft Corporalion3D Graphics and special effects courtesy

SubLDGIC Corp.Commodore 64 and Commodore 12B atetrademarks of Commodore Electronics Lid.Apple II is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.

IBM is a registered trademark of InternationalBusiness Machines Co'p.

"GENERATIONS AHEAD It STRATEGV ACTION SOFTWARE

122-4 S RACE ST UFIBANA .IL 61801I2T7)367-102")

I I ..

WRESTLINGTONIGHT

; EjuakeiRwex

a -]v,- k~\ T wny go out when you can have so much I f\ I fun at horne? ^us{ tatli.lOM4B)momiOlevArr'igjawJAH(,5T

iHi-clui{ria'I iwdV!SAiyMaiWCJini-mB(Biwiicip'olwiOUo.clcko'rionyDiOwloMiiOiatje.int.PO Bo.

March 1987 Vol. 5, No. 3

featuresThe Commodore Graphics Connection Kathy Yakal 20 *

A Buyer's Guide to Commodore Graphics Programs 30 The Fundamentals of Commodore Graphics Lee Noel, Jr. 38 *

reviewsThe Commodore 1670 Modem Todd Heimarck 66 128/64Alter Ego and Mind Mirror Scott Thomas 70 64

Trinity Scott Thomas 73 128

gamesTile Trader Michael Wiens and Kevin Black

Ringside Boxing Anthony Bertram58 12860 64

education/home applicationsColor Craft Cynthia DevilleComputing for Families: Beyond the Desktop-

Soap Bubbles, Forests, and Hot-Air Balloons Fred D'lgnazlo

62 64

91 *

programmingRAM Expansion for the Commodore 128 Jim Butterfield

Using RAM Expansion with CP/M Todd HeimarckText Sequencer Greg DixonSprite Manager Hubert Cross

RAM Plus Buck ChildressCP/M PIP on the Commodore 128 Richard TerryCustom Keys Amy Gaitman ,ROM Enhancer Joseph T. Heaverin ,Power BASIC: 128 Partitioner Shawn SmithBASIC for Beginners: More on IF-THEN Larry CottonMachine Language for Beginners: ML Mailbag Richard MansfieldHints & Tips: Useful WAITS Andrew S. Wong

74 12876 12879 64/+4/1680 6485 6486 12888 6489 6490 128

92 128/64/+4/16/V93 6494 128/64

departmentsRobert C. Lock ...Editors and ReadersThe Editor's NotesGazette FeedbackUser Group UpdateSimple Answers to Common Questions Tom R. HaifhillHorizons: What Is Memory? Todd HeimarckBug-Swatter Modifications and CorrectionsNews & Products

.. 6

. 10

. 18

. 36

. 95111128

program listingsHow to Type In COMPUTEI's Gazette ProgramsThe Automatic ProofreaderMLX: Machine Language Entry Program for Commodore 64COMPUTEI's Gazette Author's GuideAdvertisers Index

*=General, V=VIC-20, 64=Commodore 64, +4-Plus/4, 1S=Commodore 16, 128-Commodore 128

. 96

. 97 128/64/+4/16/V

. 98 64130 *132 *

COMPUTE'S CAitilt is published monthly by COMPUTE Publications. Inc.. 825 7lh Avenue, N(w York. NY 1M19 USA. Phone: (211] ;W-83W. Editorial offices are located (I 324Wesi Wendovei Avenue, Greensboro. KC 27408. Domestic Subscriptions: 12 iisgn. \lt POSTMASTER: Send address changes !o COMPVTEVs GAZETTE. V.O. Boi 10957, DeiMoines, [A 5034 0. Second dsss application pending a I Greensboro, rJC 27403 nd additional mailing offices. Entire comma comrlHrrl (BI987 by COMFtfTIl Publications Inc AllnSh:s reserved. ISSN 0737-3716.COMPI/1U Publicitioin, Inc. il pjrt of ABC Coniumer Mijizlnd. Inc. One erf the ABC Publflhing Compinlw ABC PubUjhl, Prwldmt. Robert G. Burton: 13.10 Avenue of theAmericas; New Ycrt. Nrw York 10019.

The following editor's notes arereprinted from the February issueof COMPUTE!.

This is the 81st issue of COMPUTE!, an effort now in its ninthyear. Writing the "Editor'sNotes" for all of those years hasbeen a fascinating challenge.

When you add to this the 43 issues of COMPUTES's Gazette(through January 1987), and afew assorted odds and endssuch as Home and Educational

Computing, COMPUTE'S PC &PCjr Magazine, COMPUTE'.'s Apple Applications Special, and another special issue here andthere, you discover a quiltwork

of topics that extend backthrough much of the history ofthe home and consumer computing industry.

The topic for this issue is ahighly personal one. This is my

last set of notes as Editor inChief of COMPUTE!. Beginningnext issue, Richard Mansfield,presently Senior Editor andsoon to become Vice President

and Editorial Director, will takeover the task of providing editorial leadership, and "Editor'sNotes," for all of COMPUTE!Publications. Richard has beenvery much a part of COMPUTE!and its vision and voice since hejoined us in 1981.

My own relationship withCOMPUTE!, as founder, President, Chief Executive Officer,and finally Editor in Chief, hasbeen in a state of beneficial evolution since we sold the company to the American Broadcasting

Companies in 1983. As my relationship has evolved, so too hasthe industry, and our presentmarketplace is far stronger than6 COMPUTEfs Gazelle March 1987

it was even two years ago. I remain very much a part of theABC Consumer Magazines/COMPUTE! Publications effort,and will continue to lend myvoice and experience to thiscompany. At the same time, my

diminishing involvement in theday-to-day activities of the company and its management willallow me the time to explorenew horizonsa challenge Ican only look forward to.

COMPUTE! and ABC Publishing share a long tradition ofcustomer enthusiasm and loyal

ty. We are at the forefront ofproduct introductions that con

tinue to keep us and our readersat a pace with the evolution ofour industry. We were among

the first of the publishing housesto commit to the validity and future of the home computer market, and you have never let usdown. While we have been occasionally sharp in print over theebbs and flows of certain manufacturers and their products, wehave enjoyed a long and pleasant vantage point on this industry. When I wrote my very first

COMPUTE! editorial, a companycalled Atari, Inc. had just introduced its first computers. Single-

board computers were big. AndOhio Scientific was threateningto become one of the biggestplayers in the industry. Commodore had introduced a computerwith a "real" keyboard (the

CBM) and a then-incredible 32Kof memory. The top magazinesin the industry had names like

Kilobaud, Micro, Creative, Recreational Computing, and others.Only a few remain.

From the very first issue ofthis magazine, we've had a

unique relationship with you,our readers. You've been sup

portive; you've encouraged;you've sometimes grown angry,but usually for the best of reasons: We were late deliveringyour issue, or we stepped on the

toes of your particular computermanufacturer. In all candor, Icannot imagine an industry witha more vital and resourcefulreadership than an industrysuch as ours. We have readers/

authors from ages 8-80, from allover the world, who are shapingthe face of this industry and ourfuture, and opportunities likethat simply don't happen veryoften. Personal computing is ahighly individual revolution,

and its publishing shape andpractices have in many ways re

flected that.So, I guess that's it. Withthis last editorial (oh, perhapsI'll write a guest one or so nextyear) I'd like to send a very per

sonal thank-you to each and every one of you, our readers.

Robert C. LockFounder, Editor in Chief

The Great CommunicatorTHE Direct connect Hayes/Commodore 1670compatible 1200 Baud modem for ONLY $119.95Now that you're able to do ail those stand alone applications with your Commodore, like word process

ing, spread sheet analysis, and many others, you areprobably thinking "It would sure be nice if I could expand the amount of data I have access to." You arequite right, everything from Electronic Mail (E-mail) tostock quotes and huge databases of every imaginable type is now on line to Ihe small computerowner. You can even send and receive lelexesanywhere in the world- Ail you need is a telephone

and a modem which allows your computer to communicate with others through these many services.

The next, question is: "Which modem is best forme?" Let me first say that almost all modems (andservices) are set up to communicate in one of twospeeds; 300 and 1200 Baud. If you look around youwill find that there is a flood of 300 baud modems onthe market and sometimes at very low prices. The

reason is simple, they are being dumped becausemost computer users prefer 1200 Baud. {1200 Baudis about 4 times as fast which means you spend lesstime and money getting the data you want and moretime enjoying it.) Virtually everyone who has a 300would rather have a 1200. You will also notice a fe*very cheap 1200s on the market al "too good to be

true prices". They are. The reason is that they areeither not truly Hayes and/or Commodore compatibletherefore not usable in all situations and all services.The Aprotek-1200C is both Hayes and Commodorecompatible and 1200 baud. Why not get a modemthat will satisfy your present AND future needs by going directly to an inexpensive Aprotek-1200Cespecially when we have it on sale?

What do you get for $119.95? Everything! Youdon't need to worry about cables, compatibility oranything else! We don't just sell hardware, we sellsolutions. The Aprotek 1200C plugs directly intoyour Commodore Vic-20, C-64, C-64C or C-128 userport. It is unique in that il has two separate (switch-able) emulation modes (Hayes and Commodore1670) to make it compatible with ali available software. The Aprotek 1200C is a full feature, 300 and

1200 Baud modem with Auto Answer, Auto Dial.Touch-Tone or rotary dialing, has the full complement of 8 status LEDs on the front panel and has abuilt In speaker with volume control. Just plug it intoyour computer and standard phone jack with the supplied cables. Also included is a free trial offersubscription to Quantum-Link, a very useful Commodore user database with local access numbersand about every feature imaginable.

Do you have more than one computer or do you planto get another computer? You can have your cakeand eat it too. Simply order our Universal RS-232 Interlace #5232 along with the standard Aprotek-1200which you can use with any computer that has a

RS-232 serial port as well as your Commodore. TheUniversal RS-232 interface can also be used to connect your Commodore to any other RS-232 device.NO RISK POLICYTry the Aprotek 1200 for two weeks and if you arenot satisfied, send it back for a prompt refund.

The bottom line:Aprotek 1200C (for Commodore)

order #1200C $119.95Aprotek 1200 (for RS-232 with DB-25)

order #1200 $119.95Aprotek USR-232 (Commodore-to-RS-232

Interface order #5232 $ 39.95Modem shipping-Coni. US $5.00. UPS Blue $10.00USR-232 shipping-Conl. US $3.00, UPS Blue $6.00ORDER INFORMATION California residents add 6% tax. Allprices are cash pricesVISA and MC add 3% to total. We shipthe next business dav on money orders, cashier's checks, andcharge cards. A 14-day clearing period is required for checks.

Prices subject to change CALL. Dealer inquiries invited.For information and in Calif, call 805/987-2454

TO ORDER CALL TOLL FREE1 (800) 962-5800 - USA

(7-7 PST)Or send order to:

1O71-A Avenida Acaso, CamarHIo, CA 93010

COMPUTE! Publicationsjnc

Publisher James A. CasellaFounder/Editorial Consultant Robert C. LockEditor in Chief Richard MansfieldManaging Editor Kathleen Martinek.Executive Editor Selby BatemanEditor Lance ElkoAssistant Editor Rhett AndersonProduction Director Tony RobertsEditorsTom R. Halfhill, Editor, COMPUTE!'* Atari ST Disk &Magazine; Stephen Levy, Editor, COMPUTE! Books Division;Ottis R. Cowper, Technical EditorAssistant Editors

Gregg Keizer, Ann Davies (Books); George Miller, DaleMcBane, (Technical); Philip I. Nelson (COMPUTE! Magazine);Todd Heimarck, (COMPUTE!'s Atari ST Disk & Magazine);Kathy Yakal, Assistant Features Editor; Tammie Taylor, Karen

Uhlendorf, Karen Siepak, Copy Editors; Caroline Hanlon,Editorial Assistant; David Hensley, Submissions ReviewerEditorial ProgrammersPatrick Parrish (Supervisor), Tim Victor, Tim MidkiffProgramming AssistantsDavid Florance, Troy TuckerAdministrative StaffExecutive Assistant, Debi Nash; Julia Fleming, Iris Brooks,Mary Hunt, Sybil Agee

ProductionIrma Swain, Production Manager; Janice Fary, Art & DesignDirector; Lee Noel, Assistant Editor, Art & Design; De Potter,Mechanical Art Supervisor; Terry Cash, Carole Dunton,TypesettingArtistsDabney Ketrow, Robin Case (Publications); Harry Blair,

Illustrator

Associate EditorsJim Butterfield (Toronto), Fred D'Ignazio (Alabama)

Customer ServiceDiane Longo, Customer Service Manager; Orchid Tamayo,Dealer Sales Supervisor; Cassandra Greene, Customer ServiceSupervisor

Receptionist, Anita ArmfieldWarehouse Manager, John Williams

President James A. CasellaVice President, Editorial Director Richard MansfieldVice President, Advertising Richard J. MarinoVice President, Finance & Planning Christopher M. SavineAdvertising Sales

Richard J. Marino, Vice President, Advertising Sales; PeterJohnsmeyer, Director of Advertising Sales; Bernard J. Theobald,Jr., Associate Advertising Director; Kathleen Hanlon,

Production CoordinatorSafes RepresentativesJerry Thompson

Lucille DennisTom Link

415-348-8222415-348-8222

212-315-1665919-275-9809Harry BlairAddress all advertising materials to;Kathleen Hanlon, COMPUTED GAZETTE324 West Wendover Ave., Suite 200, Greensboro, NC 27408Sales OfficesNortheast 212-315-1665Mid-Atlantic 212-315-1665Southeast 212-275-9809

Sates Offices, Jules1290 Howard AvenueSuite 303Burlingame, CA 94010MidwestTexasPacific NorthwestNorthern CASouthern CAArizonaNew MexicoColorado

E. Thompson, Inc.

312-726-6047713-731-2605415-348-8222415-348-8222415-348-8222415-348-8222

415-348-8222303-595-9299

m it aMiloABCft

Audit BqEIIUel CSihIiUfeuj

COMPUTEI Publications, Inc., publishesCOMPUTE! COMPUTEI Books COMPUTE'S GAZETTE

COMPUlEi's GAZETTE Disk Apple ApplicationsCOMPUTEI's Atari ST Disk ft MagazineEditorial Office:324 West Wendover Ave., Suite 200, Greensboro, NC 27408Corporate Offices:825 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10019Customer Service:P.O. Box 5038, F.D.R. Station, New York, NY 10150Telephone; (In NY) 212-887-8525;

(In U.S.) Toll free 1-800-346-6767Office Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday-Friday

Subscription OrdersCOMPUTE!'* GAZETTEP.O. Box 10957, Des Moines, IA 50340

TOLL FREESubscription Order Line

1-800-247-5470In IA 1-B00-532-1272

COMPUTEl's GAZETTESubscription Rates(12 Issue Year): US (one year) $24. Canada, Mexico and ForeignSurface Mail $30. Foreign Air Mail $65,

The COMPUTE11* gazette subscriber list is made available to carefullyscreened organizations with a product or service which may be ofinterest to our readers. If you prefer not lo receive such mailings,please send an exact copy of your subscription label to: computedQAZETTB, P.O. Box 10958, Des Moines, IA 50950. Include a note indicating your preference to receive only your subscription.

Authors of manuscripts warrant that all materials submitted toCOMPUTE CAZtTTU are original materials with full ownership rights

resident in said authors. By submitting articles to computersgazette, authors acknowledge that such materials, upon accep

tance for publication, become the exclusive property of COMPUTEIPublications, Inc. No portion of this magazine may be reproducedin any form without written permission from the publisher. Entirecontents copyright 1987 COMPUTEI Publications, inc. Rights toprograms developed and submitted by authors are explained in ourauthor contract, Unsolicited materials not accepted for publicationwill be returned if author provides a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Where programs are included in an article submission, atape or disk must accompany the submission. Printed listings areoptional, but helpful. Articles should be furnished as typed copy(upper and lowercase, please) with double spacing. Each articlepage should bear the title of the article, date, and name of theauthor. COMPUTEI Publications, inc., assumes no liability for errors

in articles or advertisements. Opinions expressed by authors arenot necessarily those of COMPUTEI Publications, Inc. COMPUTEIPublications assumes no responsibility for damages, delays, or failure of shipment in connection with authors' offer to make tape or

disk copies of programs published herein,PET, CBM, V1C-20, Commodore 64, Plus/4, 16, and 128 are trademarks of Commodore Business Machines, Inc., and/or Commodore Electronics Limited. Other than as an independent supplierof quality information and services to owners and users of Commodore products, COMPUTEI Publications, Inc., is in no way associated with Commodore Business Machines, Inc., or any of itssubsidiaries.

COMPUTE! Books'COMMODORE

FIRSTBOOK

Commodw

These outstanding books for the Commodore 128 in 128mode contain something for every 128 userprogrammingguides, memory maps, games, applications, and tutorials.And all programs take full advantage of the 128's power:

Each is used in 128 mode. All the listings are carefully tested,and the information Is dependable and current. Plus, each

book is written in COMPUTEI's popular, easy-to-understandstyle to offer you hours of entertainment, education, andchallenge.

Look for these titles at your local computer or book store,or order directly from COMPUTE! Books,To order, call toll-free 1-800-346-6767 (In NY 212-887-8525), orwrite COMPUTE! Books, P.O. Box 5038. F.D.R. Station, New York,

NY 10150.COMPUTEI's Kids and theCommodore 128Edward H. Carlson

Si 4.95ISBN O-8M5&M2-7 275 paget

Over 30 sectionsall with instructornotes, lessons, assignments, and livelyIllustrationswill entertain and amuseyou as you learn about this powerfulcomputer. For kids and adults alike.

126 Machine Languagefor BeginnersRichard Mansfield$16,95ISBN 0-SM55-033-5 392 pagesA new edition of COMPUTEI's bestseller.Machine Language for Beginners, thisbook Includes everything needed tolearn to program the 128 effectively:numerous programming examples,memory-management tutorials, and adictionary of all major BASIC words andtheir machine language equivalents.Plus, there's a high-speed, professional-quality, label-based assembler that'sboth easy to use and full of special features that take lull advantage of the extra speed and memory of the 128. Adisk is also available lor $12.95 which Includes programs In the book. 335BDSK.

NC residents please add 5 percent and NY residents add 8.25 percent sales tax.Add $2.00 shipping and handling per book or disk; $5.00 airmail.

Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.

COMPUTEI's 128 Programmer'sGuideEditors of COMPUTE I$17.95ISBN D-874S5O31-9 AA4 pagetThe complete guide to the Commodore

128, this book thoroughly explores BASIC7.0: shows you how to create grapnlcs.music, and program peripherals; and introduces you to machine languageprogramming, A clear yet exhaustivereference and tutorial to the 128.

COMPUTED First Book of theCommodore 128Edited315.95ISBN 0-a?5.0&5-9 217 pogeiGomes, programs, and tutorials for theCommodore 128 exclusively in 128mode that teach everything from howto create windows to programmingsound and making disks autoload.There's even a map of all the Importantmemory locations A disk is available far$12.95 which includes all the programsin the book, 599BDSK.

New Release

MAPPINGTHECOMMODORE

Mapping the Commodore 128Ottis R. Cowper

$19.95ISBN 0-8M5SO60-2

This clearly written, comprehensivememory map and programmer'sguide, by the technical editor of COM-

PUTEI Publications, provides a detailedexplanation of the inner workings ofthe Commodore 128 computer. Topicsinclude memory management, BASIC

7.0, I/O chip registers, the operatingsystem, system RAM, and much more.This is an important reference for bothBASIC and mochine languageprogrammers.

COMPUTE! Publicationsjncfl!Port of ABC Consumer Magazines. IncOne of me ABC PuWisnir>g

Editors and Readers

Do you have a question or a problem?Have you discovered something that

could help other Commodore users?We want to hear from you. Write toGazette Feedback, COMPUTED Gazette,P.O. Box 5406, Greensboro, NC 27403.

We regret that due to the volume ofmail received, we cannot respond individually to programming questions.

Printing BiorhythmsI have a biorhythm program which wasoriginally written for the PET/CBMcomputer and was converted to work on

the 64. It only prints to the screen. Howcan I m.ike it print to a printer?

Ruth WelzenThe CMD statement allows you to divertoutput to a previously opened file. To sendoutput to the printer instead of the screen,you could try adding this line to the begin

ning of your program:10 OPEN 1,4: CMD 1

Theti, at the end of the main routine,add this Hue:499 PR1NT#1: CLOSE 1

The OPEN statement opens a file tothe printer, and CMD rechannels to theprinter all output that would otherwise go

to the screen. If you'd prefer to see the results in upper/lowercase mode, change thefirst Une to OPEN 1,4,7.

This technique may not work, however. There are times when CMD will fail;

if the GET statement is found anywhere inthe program, all output after the GET willgo to the screen instead of the printer,

To insure that everything is printed tothe printer, you should place the OPENcommand at the beginning and then gothrough the program, changing all occur

rences of PRINT to PRlNTttl, (be sure thecomma follows the number 1). To send output back to the screen, change the first line

to OPEN 3,3. The screen is device 3.This technique, too, may not work. Ifthe program POKEs the biorhythm chartdirectly to the screen, there are no PRINTstatements to intercept.

GAZETTE Disk Problems?I own both a 64 and a portable SX-64.The GAZETTE Disks work as they shouldon the 64, but not on the SX-64. Some of10 COMPUTErs Gazorte March 1987

the programs load OK, but then thescreen goes blank. Is there some modification that I can make to use the programs on my portable 64?

Tony VecchiWhen you turn on the 64, the screen isblue. The SX-64 starts out with a whitescreen. Some of the programs on the GAZETTE Disk change the character color to

white because white on blue provides abetter contrast of colors, especially forreaders who have their 64 hooked up tomonochrome monitors or black-and-whitetelevisions. But white characters on theSX-64's while screen are impossible to read.

If you'll enter POKE 53281,6 beforeloading the disk menu, you won't be facing a blank screen. The programs shouldrun fine if you change the screen color toblue.

CSnooze AlarmI've been using a certain filing programfor over a year and until now I've beenvery happy with it. But I've run across amajor problem. The more files I havestored in the program the longer it takesto print them out. It takes 22 hours to

print 470 files. Three files will print, followed by a ten-minute pause, then three

more will print, and so on.Is there a way to speed up this process? It's hard to sleep with a printer in

terrupting every ten minutes.Gary CiuffetelliNot knowing more about how the program

runs, we can only guess at a solution.V-irst try this: Run the program andStart printing the files. When the ten-

minute pause begins, put your hand on thedisk drive. Can you feel the disk drive spin

ning for the whole ten minutes? If so, theslowdown can be blamed on disk access

time. The program spends the ten minutesreading through the file searching for thefiles to print. There's not much you can do

about speeding up the disk drive. Youmight gain some time with a turbo-disktype of program, or by using a 128 and1571 drive, or by rewriting the program touse relative files instead of sequential files.

If the disk drive whirs for a while andthen falls silent, the delay is probablycaused by something the program is doingslowly. It might be performing complicatedcalculations, in which case you'd probably

have to rewrite parts of the program tospeed it up.

It might very well be a problem with"garbage collection" of strings. If garbagecollection is the culprit, you can quicklyand easily solve the problem with the shortmachine language program called "Sanitation Engineer,' from last month's "PowerBASIC" column.

Strange ExponentsWhile using my 64 for math homework,1 have run into a problem. When raisinga variable containing a negative numberto a fractional exponent, the computergives an 71LLEGAL QUANTITY ERROR.

It does not happen with constants. Forexample, PRINT - 8 T .5 will work, butX 8: PRINT X T .5 does not. Why is

this?Guy KellerComputers follow a rule called "order ofoperations" or "operator precedence,"which tells them which functions or operations to perform before others. For example, PRINT 3 + 2*7 will give you aresult of 17, not 35, because multiplication has a higher precedence than addition. The result of 2*7 is calculated before

the i is added in.The up-arrow function 0) has a higher precedence than the negation (} function, as you'll see if you PRINT 4 T 2.The 64 prints 16 as the answer. Butsquaring 4 should result in a positive(not a negative) 16. What happens is that

the result of 41 2 is calculated first; thenthe minus sign is appended.

Although PRINT -8 T .5 seems towork, you'll get an error message ifyou tryPRINT (~8) T .5, So it's not a matter ofvariables versus constants; it's strictly aproblem with raising a negative number

to a fractional power.Raising to the .5 power is the same asfinding the square root of a number. The

square root of 8 would have to be anumber that multiplied by itself yielded

8. But whenever you square a real number, the result is positive, so there's nosuch thing as a square root of a negative

number, at least among the real numbers.Mathematicians use imaginary numbers

to handle square roots of negative numbers, but your 64 isn't built to handleimaginary numbers.

WFRE SELLINGTHEONETHING

WECOUNTONEVERYWW.Running a software companyis no picnic. We have to do majorcalculations every day. Thingslike payables and receivables.Taxes. Budgets. And lord onlyknows how many quarterlycost projections.

That's why we developedgeoCalc. The spreadsheetprogram for GEOS-equipped

Commodores.You see, we not only sellsoftware for Commodores,we actually use them inour own offices. So when

Lee needs to project inventory costs, or Brianwants to figure employeebonuses, me firstthing they do is loadup geoCalc.

The very same spreadsheet you can use at home for

figuring finances, mastering math

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mysteries or personal productionpredictions.

With geoCafc, you get 112columns and 256 rows to fill withall kinds of text and numbers.And formujas that range from

simple addition to arctangentsand cosines that could knock anyphysicist cold.

BerkeleySoftworksThe brightest minds are working at Berkeley.

There are investmentfunctions. Averages. Even arandom number generator.And writing your ownformulas is as easy as, umm...one, two, three.

With mouse in hand, youcan zip all over the hugespreadsheet, solving whatif' questions with a few quickclicks. Questions like, "IfSheila takes the waitress job,how much can we expect ourtaxes to increase?" Or "Howmuch faster will the Chevy go ifwe rip out the muffler and theback seat?"

No matter what the problem,if it has to do with numbers,geoCalc can solve it. Fast.

So if you notice a need todecimate digits, considercrunching them with geoCalc. Werely on it for our business. In fact,we couldn't manage without it.

To order call 1-800-443-0100 exl. 234geoCalc $49.95(California residents add6.5% sales tax.]

S2.50US/$5.5()FordKn for shipping andhandling. Allow six weeks for delivery.

A Program Rewrites ItselfI am not very knowledgeable wherecomputers are concerned, so I don't really know how to ask this question. Enclosed is a program where line 80 shouldread NEXTJ instead of NEXTG and theG in line 75 should be a semicolon. If 1correct these two lines, then run the program, the Gs come back. Why?

Roderick MooreScreen memory takes up 1000 bytes at lo

cations 1024-2023 on the 64. If you POKEto any one of these bytes, a character appears in the corresponding spot on the

screen, just beyond the screen, from locations 2049-40959, you'll find the memorythat holds BASIC programs.

There are two places in your programwhere the line POKE Q,71 appears. From

the way the variable Q is calculated, it'sclear that the purpose of the POKE is toput a graphics character on the screen.But at some point, the variable Q is assigned a value that's past the end ofscreen

memory, in the realm of the BASIC program. Since the number 71 is the ASCII

code for the letter G, the result is spuriousGs sprinkled throughout your program.

One way to solve the problem is totrace through the program by hand andfigure out how the variable Q is changed

by various lines in the program. Anotherdebugging technique that might take lesstime is to insert the following commandson a separate line before the POKE statements:117 PRINT Q: IF

I' ! "I. I iiiiiu; i.11 i I it ,

111 IM 1" > HIIIIIXii i mi iihiiif >11 II i u i ii ii i,n >

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BYTHETIMESHEGETSTO'PHOENIXr

HE'LL BE SLEEPING.Having thousands of facts is onething. Finding the ones you need isanother. Which is whv you shouldconsider buying geo?i!e. Theeasy-to-use database manager for

GEOS-equipped Commodores.Whether they'rereceivables or recipes, once you havegeoFile, you can flythrough facts in seconds, clicking andpicking the ones youwant, just the wayyou want them.

It's as simple as fillingouta form.

The geoFile "form" organizes allkinds of information. Like names,numbers, rates of objects' acceleration when dropped from two-storybuildingsyou name it. As much asyou can fit on a printed page.

--.-

Once your data is in, the realfun begins.

You want names of bus drivers?From Arizona? Under five foot six?Between the ages of 33 and 35? Withincomes of $22,396 or more? Who

sneezed inJune?Just click yourmouse and watchgeoFile go to work.Searching. Sorting.Comparing and listingthe data alphabetically.Or numerically. Or inwhatever priority yourform specifies.

You can put the datainto form letters and lists with geq-Merge. Or into math functions, withgeoCalc. Or if you really want to get

BerkeleySoftworks

fancy, you can display your information graphically with geoChart.

And geoFile does it all inseconds.

Now, with all that in mind, whatare you going to dospend a fewbucks on geoFile?

Or spend all night wishing thatyou had?

To order call 1-800-443-0100 ext. 234geoFile $49.95(California residents add IS. 5% sales tax.)

$2.50 US/55.50 Foreiyn for shipping andhandling. Allow six weeks for delivery.

*".--in..hre*Inli

GEOFILE !:*/

The brightest minds are working at Berkeley.

THESTRONBUIITWmWhether you're building anargument or just hammeringout a memo, any project looksbetter when you put it togetherin Writer's Workshop. The

supercharger that powers yourGEOS-equipped Commodorethrough even the most wrenching assignments.

Sharpen your skills. Thefirst thing to do in the Workshopis plug into geoWrite 2.0, whichcontains all the brand new toolsyou need to hone any roughconcept into a well-crafteddocument.

You get headers. Footers.Subscripts and superscripts.You can center your text. Rightjustify. Full justify. And nail

' - \ r [f l ^ ' " 1

down formatting problems withvariable vertical spacing andadjustable margins.

The Workshop cuts downon your manual labor, loo. Withone-stroke, "shortcut" keyboardcommands. They keep yourhands off the mouse so you can

keep your mind on your work.In fact, there's a completeset of heavy-duty accessoriesthat not only strengthenyour writing, but reinforce itsstructure, as well.

Th* tontlulLon if iidi (rrriin. but hihihIih-i ic . #n i i t i i.Indlcittf that lh *30-bartng Caittr Dunnu.

Replace old, worn-outparts. You can build anythingwith Writer's Workshop. Andrepair old stuff, too. Just decide

which parts have to come outand which new ones go in.

Then hit the key and standback.

Instantly, the "search andreplace" drills through your old

GESTCASESiAWORKSHOP

THE EASTER BUNNY:Rodenl of Reality or Man-Made

Myth?

The conclusion is noi cenain, buimourning scientific evidence now indicatesthai the egg-bearing Easter Bunny1 we allloved os children may indeed be as real as

we had hoped.Although traditionally reclusive, thebashful bunny has been sighted withincreasing frequency, over the past fiveyears. As illustrated in Figure 6, the annualnumber of sightings has steadily giownfrom a low of 1.876 in 1982 to over 5,346sofarihis yew.

NEWEVIDENCEABOUNDS

"The problem isn't so much thebunny, as it is the eyewitnesses." addsDr, Dougherty. "Many of them areunreliable, with nothing to show for theirclaims eicept for big baskets of chocolateeggs' leading us la beleieve we're notdealing with a rabbit as such, bui perhaps

an Easter Chicken,"At first, the sightings were attributed tocrackpots who saw The Easter Bunny as

part of a religious ritual. However, sinceThe Easter Bunny has been seen by adults

as well as children, scientists havebecome less skeptical.

In fact, as Dr. Llevano points out."The Easter Bunny must be takenseriously by everyone from schoolchildren to the President of the UnitedStates."

text, replacing worn-out wordsand phrases with your brandnew ones.

For more serious cases, handthe job over to the WorkshopsText Grabber. It takes text from

several word processorslikePaper Clip1" and lets you overhaul them with new GEOS fonts,formats and graphics.

A few more built-infeatures. Every project leaves

the Workshop looking beautifullyfinished, too. Because it notonly comes with LaserWriting

compatibility, there's even a

nBerkeleySoftworks

LaserWriter for you to print on.You simply upload your filesto QuantumLink." Then they'reprinted and mailed back.

Convenient, or what?[ 9*14, It*' Mt l WBrtf l

- _ . ,- -if. -"

A couple of solutions are available.The first is to avoid writing a null string ifyou're going to use INPUT;* to read thefile. Instead, send some character to indi

cate a null entry. INPUT and INPUT* ignore leading spaces, so don't send a space.You should be able to use any other charac

terincluding a shifted space, CHR$(160). The second is to avoid using INPUTS. If you use GET# to retrieve one

character at a time, you can concatenatethe string until a CHRS(13) is encountered.

It's difficult to say what the problemwith IMP.COM is. There has been some

talk on telecommunications services thatan early version of that program workedonly with 1200-baud modems, which

could be one source of difficulty. Anotherpossibility is that the program dials with

Hayes-type commands (ATDT or ATDP).If this is the case, you'll have to dial thenumber yourself instead of relying on theprogram to dial.

There's another terminal program forCP/M mode called MEX.COM. It doeswork with 300-baud modems, but beforeyou begin, you have to type SSET 1650 or

SSET 1660, because the version we'veseen defaults to the 1200-baud 1670 modem. You may have to use an overlay forIMP or a command that sets the speed to300 baud.

Who's In Charge Here?1 have a 64, a 1541 diskdrive, an EpsonRX-80 printer, and a Turboprint/GT interface. In using the Homeward software, my son wrote a multipage reportwith top, bottom, and side borders defined according to trie Homeward instructions. When the report wasprinted, the first page was OK, but eachsucceeding page went beyond the bot

tom border and crossed over the pageserrations.

When I initially set up the printerand interface, I set the DIP switches by

the instructions. I did find that I had toset switch 2-3 in the printer to Off toprevent double-spacing because thecomputer controls the linefeed. The testprogram built into the printer workedperfectly across multipage prints, recognizing the end of the page and goingto the next page.

Is the software at fault? Is it the interface? Or did my son program theborders incorrectly?

K.J. HaltinerThere are a couple of solutions to yourproblem. But first here's an explanation

which applies to printers and interfaces ingeneral.

When the printer finishes printing aline, two things need to happen: Theprinthead should move to the beginning of

the line, and the paper should advanceone line. Traditionally, a Carriage return16 COMPUTE! s Gazette March 1987

(CR) only moves the printhead to the beginning of the line it's on. It can thus be

used to print a line and go back to the beginning to underline or overstrike various

characters that are already printed. A separate linefeed

AREYOUSEAROMGFORFRIENDS?

5

>sU#X^If you're finding it increasinglydifficult to find anything at all,maybe it's time you found outabout geoDex. The GEOS-com-patible directory that generatesmailing lists. Prints addresslabels. And sorts out all sorts ofthings for your Commodore.

TVy directory assistance.With a little help from geoDex,you can call up a directoryorganized from any three categories you choose. Which meansyou can list your friends by name,telephone number oralmost anything else

that can be assignedits own three-character code.

Like "MEN" forguys you know. Or"GRL" for girls youknow. Or "FOX" for girls or guysyou'd like to know.

But no matter how you chooseto categorize them, if you can

ipoint and click amouse, you can callup any list of friendswith geoDex's easy-to-read graphics.

Our most inviting feature. Ofcourse, once you'vegotten your friendsorganized, the next thing we

recommend you do with geoDexis really very simple.

Throw a party.You see, geoDex comes with

geoMerge, a mailmerge program thatcustomizes form letters, announcementseven party invita

tionswith thenames and addressesstored in geoDex.First you write the letter withgeoWrite. Then you select alist from geoDex.

Put them bothtogether withgeoMerge and it'stoga time!

The search isover. So if you'retired of lookingfor friends, waltzright down to yoursoftware dealer and ask him forgeoDex. We can't guarantee it'llwin you more friends, but it'll certainly keep you from losing them.

To order call 1-800-443-0100 ext. 234tieoDex $39.95(California residents add 6,5% Bales tex.)

$2.50 US/S5.50 Fun:ign for shipping ,-iiulhandling. Allow si* weeks for delivery.&*rn*ji^ pddademartof Cn^miKkircFJetfmnKH, Utf.(WIS.

GEODEXBerkeley

SoftworksThe brightest minds are working at Berkeley.

User Group UpdateWhen writing to a user group forinformation, please remember toenclose a self-addressed envelopewith postage that is appropriatefor the country to which you'rewriting.

Send typed additions, corrections, and deletions for this list to:

COMPUTE! PublicationsP.O. Box 5406

Greensboro, NC 27403Attn: Commodore User Groups

User Group NotesThe correct address for the EdisonCommodore User Group (ECUG)is Code 8103, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375-5000.The Akron Area CommodoreUsers Group (AACUG) haschanged its address to P.O. Box685, Akron, OH 44309.The American MIDI UsersGroup (AMUG) provides information about the MIDI and usingcomputers to produce music. Thegroup operates a BBS network

called MidiNet. Affiliate chapterswill be set up around the countryso members can hold regularmeetings. Membership is free forLevel 1 members, $20 for Level 2,and $75 per year for Level 3. Formore information, write toAmerican MIDI Users Group,

7225 Fair Oaks, Ste. 515, Dallas,TX 75231.Ministers' Users Group (MUG) is

for any 64 user who ministers toothers in a church/synagoguecontext or is a church/synagogue

worker, The purpose is to compileand exchange information and

ART COLLECTOR,EDITOR,TIMEKEEPERSCARDSHARK

FOUND STUFFED IN BOX.Okay, so maybe we'rebeing a little dramatic. But

when you see how muchDeskpack 1 adds to your

GEOS-equipped Commodore, can you blame us?

First, there's theGraphics Grabber. Itruns through clip art

7 The Icon Editor canreplace your GEOS icons

with whatever art you've

ULV

galleries like Print Shop,1Print Master'" and Newsroom and copies them intoyour GEOS photo albums, so

that you can use them withgeoWrite and geoPaint.

created. Or borrowed.The Calendar letsyou book appointmentswell into the year 9999,with full monthly displays and

a memo reminder.And when workgets too boring, ourBlackjack dealer popsup to give you a fast shuffle,

complete with sound effects.Deskpack 1. It's not onlyloaded. It's practically

stuffed with practical stuff.To order call 1-800443-0100 ext. 234

Deskpack 1 $34.95(California residents add 6.5'S sales tax. |

52.50 US/$5.50 Foreign for shipping andhandling. Allow six weeks for delivery.

t EkcUUIA Lid.VTiiHShnnijlradenlaikiJIInkTHimL MmIi-ii* ' uxiimM*'iV'iu-''*>V*xV In.- Nryilnn*Vrrurl.JSwi-i^.u:Jb.;i- ''i ! CFtfci. [>cipjcl.l jnrtHrfhrkl Wii**Vi lie Intaum

programs that can be used in religious work. The group is open topeople of all faiths who are involved in religious education andministry. The mailing address isMUG, 9 Lamport St., Vittoria,Ont., Canada NOE 1WO.

New ListingsARKANSAS( l..limn,!,ii, M/IZB I .i-f. Group, P.O. Box 2481.

Hot Springs, AR 71914CALIFORNIACinlell Commodore M/138/CPM Mail Users

Group , c/o Cant ell Computer Services,3119 Isabel Dr.. Los Angeles, CA 90065COLORADOFirst United Noclurnal Golden Users' Service

(FUNGUS), 1869 West Campus Rd., Coldsn,CO 80401INDIANAQSI Alliance (QS/INKY), P.O. Bo* H03, New Al

bany, IN 47150

Fort Dodge Commodore Users Group, 1606 Second Ave. North, Fort Dodge, IA 50501KINTUCKY( lu i'.ii.lii Courtly Commodore Computer Club

ICCCCC), 1611 S. Main St., Hopkinsville, KY42240Furchue CM User's Group, Rt. 1, Box 209A, Cal-

vert City, KY 42029MONTANACommodore dawk User Group, P.O. Box 3454,

Creat Falls. MT 59403I'i:nnsviv\niaW-B Commodore Usera Group, 249 S. Hancock

St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702WASHINGTON64/128 Commodore Users Exchange, P.O. Box

1801, Walla Walla, WA 99362WISCONSIN'Price County Computer User Group, Rt. 2, Box

532, Phillips. Wl 54555

Outside the U.S.

Giebelsladt Commodore Users Group (GCUG),SFC Willie R. Obic, P.O. Box 154, APO, NY091S2AUSTRALIAMelbourne Commodore Computer Club Inc.,

P.O. Box 177, Box Hill, Victoria, 3128, AustraliaCANADAPort Coquitlam Computer Club, 1752 Renton

Way, Port Coquitlam, B.C., Canada V3B 2R7(OlOMHIAColumbia C-64 Users Group, Pedro Allima &

Heman Zajec. A.A. 81119. Bogota, Colombia

DO YOU LOOKGOODON PAPER?Once you load Fontpack 1into your GEOS-equippedCommodore, your papersare never the same.

You see, Fontpack 1 letsyou feel mean and nastyOr coysticAL. Or colm

good. And it's great forthose times you're feeling

absolutely ch/W/sh.But sometimes you haveimportant things on your

mind. ILiita pSo Fontpack 1 comes with atotal of ^O $t>1e$ thatwork with your GEOS

system.You see, with Fontpack 1,you're not just writing astatement; you're EggMNJ @LsMBtM&EMil about your

writing.So if you wantyourpapers to make you look

good, follow these simplewords of wisdom;

font Pack 1. op eJSe,fl lFriend.

To order cali1-800-443-0100 ext. 234

Fontpack 1 $29.95(California residents add 6.5*J? sales tax.)

S2.50 US/J5.5(1 Rireign for shipping andhandling. Allow six weeks fur delivery.ran.*m n , irjiimrt. ,t l.._d. Bull.. LW CDA

nF0NTPACK1Berkeley

SoftworksThe brightest minds are working at Berkeley.

'/'

m

Kathy YakalAssistant Features E

GRAD

It was first conceived as primarily a computerized game system, with flashy color graphics and multivoice sound. So it'snot surprising that the Commodore 64's remarkably sophisticated and versatile graphics still stack up well even against

the new 68000-based computers. With the right software, the64 is an inexpensive graphics tool that's surprising in its flexibility and power,

engineers at MOS Technology hadbeen developing two remarkable

custom chips: the VIC I! graphicschip and the SID (Sound Interface

Device) chip. When they began, theidea was to create custom chips thatcould form the foundation of a first-rate videogame machine, not a personal computer.

But, happily, Commodorechief Jack Tramiel changed hismind, and headed the chips towardwhat would soon become the Com-

The Commodore 64's introductionat the Consumer Electronics Showin January 1982 created a sensationbecause of the machine's exceptional color graphics, advancedsound and music chips, and relatively low price (about $600 at that

time). No one had yet put togethersuch a package in the emerging

microcomputer field.Competing against the popularity of both video arcade gamesand the video cartridge system(VCS) game markets, the Commodore 64 was itself a hybrid systemthat started out to be a videogame

machine even before it was turnedinto a computer. For almost a year,20 COMPUTEIS Gazette March 19B7

modore 64. Dozens of game titleswere soon developed for it, therewere some original designs, andsome programs were ported overfrom the Atari 800 computer, an

other graphically advanced micro.

Other applications were also created for it, making it a good home

productivity and educational tool.But it was the abundance of graphically superior games that helped tospur sales tremendously.

More than five million Commodore 64s have been sold now,and much of the reason still centerson the graphics capabilities and the

uses to which those features havebeen put by software developers.

First, it's a superb game machine, and games still sell homecomputers. Second, many artists

and would-be artists have foundthe 64 to be an innovative and exciting drawing and painting tool,

thanks to the many graphics packages that have been introducedover the years. And finally, the

Commodore 64at less than$200can be outfitted to function

as a graphics workstation for sophisticated applications thatusually require equipment costingmany thousands of dollars.

S P OFrom the incredible realism andpayability of Football...

U

Ifl

Bl

.... i .-,.. ;

...to the sophisticated statisticalsimulation of Baseball...

In

H

See Your Dealer. For additional productordering information or the name of thedealer nearest you, call (800) 637-4983.

HiI

...SubLOGIC. The State of theArt in Sports Simulations.

Corporation713 Edgebrook DriveChampaign IL 61820

BeIfif I Ordet Line: (BOO) 637-4983

Better GraphicsMeans Better GamesOnly with the introduction of such

16-bit personal computers as theAtari ST and Commodore Amigahave we seen better color graphics

for widespread consumer and business use. In fact, for the price, the

Commodore 64 is still in manyways the machine to beat.

But it's taken game designersseveral years to become very proficient at using all of the Commodore

64's graphics powers, and for anumber of reasons.

First, familiarity with the machine's capabilities took time and

much effort. Whenever a new computer is introduced, it takes a while

for potential superstar developersand development teams to learn themachine inside and out, allowing

them to create the best possiblegraphics. The learning curve varies

from computer to computer, depending on how thorough the programmers' documentation is, how

many upgrade stages a chip goesthrough before there's a "final"version, and the accessibility ofhigh-level programming languages, in most cases, as with the

64, software developers over timelearn to create effects with particular computers that the original designers never envisioned.

Market pressure may also haveplayed a part in the learning curve.The Commodore 64 was introduced at an extremely volatile timein the history of microcomputers.The heat was on everyone to getsoftware out en masse as fast aspossible to take advantage of the

enormous increase in the numberof computer users. Instead of learning slowly and carefully, programdesigners were often required torush products out the door as soonas possible to beat the competition.That meant less time for careful

study and stretching of the machine's capabilities.

That same market pressureforced some companies to quicklyconvert their software programsinto Commodore format from othercomputer versions. But whatlooked best on one computer didn'tnecessarily take advantage of the64's features. Once designers started focusing their attention on theCommodore 64, many found it to

Though the Flexidraw Light Pen System is marketed primarily for business applications, it is one of the remaining light pens available for consumer use. Colorful pictures like the one shown here can be created by first designing a high-resolutionblack-and-white drawing and then adding color where necessary.

be an excellent game environmentwith a great deal of untappedpotential.

...for the price, theCommodore 64 isstill in many ways

the machine tobeat

Input from graphic artists onsoftware design teams has also con

tributed to better graphics in games.The team approach itself has madea marked difference in the qualityof the finished software in manycases, since it's a rather unusual individual who embodies all of the

widely varied skills necessary to develop a challenging, visually appealing computer game. Artistshelped tremendously in improving

the overall look of a game.

Making Graphics AccessibleIn the early days following the introduction of the 64, the only wayto make a picture appear on thescreen was by knowing a programming language well enough to manipulate colors and graphics.Except for professional program

mers, few people cared to take thetime to overcome these obstacles.The average consumer couldn't usethe computer as a drawing tool.

However, some software publishers began introducing simpledrawing and painting programs.

Often using joystick-driven menus,these programs allowed users to select from a variety of shapes, lines,colors, and fill patterns to produce

their own drawings. (See "A Buyer's Guide to Commodore GraphicsPrograms" elsewhere in this issue.)

To make this process easier, afew companies introduced consum-

22 COMPUTES Gazelle March 1987

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These were the silentkillers: Tench. Gato.

U-Boat.And now, they return.In this, the most realistic,all-encompassing simula

tion ever created: for the persona]

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TAKE OUR PREVIEW DISKFORA SPIN. I>mp this coupon in themail with yourrlwik or mi'my order and we'll gliutly send ytnt to theSouth Pacific to hair it mil ii'itli an enemy fleet,Mai! to Sub Bailie Pirriem EO. Hut W)20. Kcdmmd City. CA 940611

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The geoFaint drawing environment.Tool icons are at the left of the working

area. The tool being used to draw thewhite rectangle displays precise measurements at the bottom of the screen.

geoPaint's pixel edit option enables theartist to magnify any section of a designfor precise detail work. Note the small

status window (tower right) which indicates the working area's position in thedocument.

other schoolwork that much nicer-looking gives students more pridein their work."

A Similar SystemFor Hundreds LessGEOS comes bundled with the newCommodore 64C computer, or canbe purchased separately for $59.95.

At that price, you wouldn't expect itto offer the same speed and capabilities as those systems costing tentimes more.

But De Frisco and his team ofengineers encountered less troublethan might have been expected,

given the limited memory of theCommodore 64, "As far as theCommodore product itself, the microprocessor is pretty well suitedfor this type of application, becauseit can very efficiently move information around within the memoryof the computer," he says. "Even

though it runs at a lower clockspeed and is so much less expensive

than some of the other machines28 COMPUTED Gazetto March 19B7

that are available, when you actually sit down and figure out how longit takes to move informationaround the computer, it's not thatmuch slower than some of the othermachines out there. Through anumber of optimizationslookingat the capabilities of the microprocessorwe were able to get reasonable performance out of themachine where it hadn't reallybeen gotten before."

For the paint documents, theGEOS design team wanted to maintain as great a resolution as possi-ble. So they used the high-resolution graphics mode availableon the Commodore, which doesn'tallow you to specify one color foreach pixel on the screen, but speci

fies color for every 8 X 8-pixel grid.Another problem with creatinggraphics on the Commodore 64 isthe memory limitation. On theMacintosh, for instance, you havehalf a megabyte, a megabyte, ormore, to use for data and programspace. On the 64, you have at most64K. So the design team spent a lotof time compacting the code andmaking it more efficient, often developing fairly exotic representations for the data. Memorycontinues to be a problem withsome of the more intricate GEOSapplications currently under development. But De Frisco is looking tothe RAM-expansion cartridgeplanned for the 64 by Commodoreas one of the biggest performanceboosts for the machine.

Printing out high-resolutiongraphics is another problem. Inexpensive dot-matrix printers are capable of printing rather roughgraphic representations, not likesome of the crisp drawings that canbe viewed on the screen. As one so

lution, documents created usingGEOS can be uploaded throughQuantumLink, the Commodore-specific online news and information network; printed on a laser

writer at Berkeley Softworks; andthen mailed back to the user.

Does De Frisco think thegraphics capabilities of the 64 have

been stretched to the limit by thedevelopment of such tools asGEOS1 "I'd say so. We've poredover our code many times trying tofind ways to optimize the way itworks," he says. "The Commodorehas set video modes, and as far as

Using the Commodore 64 with a Fieri-draw Light Pen from Inkwell Systems,many professionals are getting resultssimilar to those previously obtainableonly from expensive high-end graphicsworkstations.

the quality on the screen, it can onlybe as good as the video modesallow you. The parameters for thatinclude the resolution and color capability of the different modes. As Isaid, we chose the highest resolu

tion mode, so I think the quality ofthe images on the screen in the different GEOS programs is as high asit could be."

Five years ago, the designers ofthe Commodore 64 could scarcelyhave envisioned a graphics-basedsystem such as GEOS being used ontheir newborn computer. In fact,many of the computer games, paintprograms, and design packages thathave emerged over the last year orso for the 64 have established newstandards of excellence for the machine. And, for now, there seems tobe no reason to assume those advances will stop. a

THESE TWO WARGAMESCAN KEEP YOU HAPPY.

On diskette /

A Buyer's Guide ToCommodore Graphics

ProgramsThe Commodore 64 has never lacked for programs that takeadvantage of the computer's graphics power and versatility.Listed below is a brief buyer's guide to a variety of paint,animation, design, drawing, and specialized print programsfor the 64.

Blazing PaddlesBaudville

1001 Medical Park Dr., SEGrand Rapids, MI 49506$34.95A drawing and painting program thatlets you mix colors to create over 200textured hues. Includes airbrushing,ovals, lines, a zoom feature, editingwith pixels, and a variety of brushes,

text fonts, and predrawn shapes.

Cadpak-64 or -128Abacus SoftwareP.O. Box 7219Grand Rapids, MI 49510$39.95 (64 version)$59.95 (128 version)A computer-aided design (CAD) package for creating high-resolution pic

tures and graphic designs. Draw andedit pictures, drawings, or layouts.

Other features include dimensioning,zoom, color-fill, and printoutcapabilities.

Certificate MakerSpringboard Software

7808 Creekridge CircleMinneapolis, MN 55435$49.95A design and printing program thatlets you create more than 200 awardsand certificates for schools, clubs,businesses, and other uses. Certifi

cates can be personalized, designed,and printed out. A variety of stickersarc included.

30 COMPUTED Gazelle March 1967

Chartpqk-64 or -128Abacus SoftwareP.O. Box 7219Grand Rapids, MI 49510$39.95A drawing program with which to design, draw, edit, and print pie, bar,and line charts or scatter graphs. Italso calculates and inserts statisticssuch as the mean, regression, andleast squares into the charts.

ColorMe: The ComputerColoring KitMindscape3444 Dundee Rd.Northbrook, IL 60062$29.95$9.95 (optional picture disks)$9.95 (ColorMe Supply Box)This introductory drawing package

lets children ages four and up practicefreehand drawing and coloring, orcutting and pasting predrawn pictures.Text can be added, and the finishedproduct can be printed out. Optionalpicture disks feature Rainbow Brite,Shirt Tales, Tiuk! Tank!, and HuggaBunch. The ColorMe Supply Box contains buttons, colored printing paper,and adhesive-backed paper for making stickers.

Desk Pack JBerkeley Softworks2150 Shattuck Ave.Berkeley, CA 94704$34.95The Graphics Grabber portion of thisdesktop utility package copies graphics from clip-art galleries like PrintShop, Print Master, and Newsroom foruse with geoWrite and geoPaint (fromGEOS).

DoodleCrystal Rose Software

109 S. Los RoblesPasadena, CA 91101$39.95A color drawing program for the

Commodore 64 that works in truehigh resolution.

Flexidraw Light PenGraphics, Version 5Inkwell SystemsP.O. Box 8152 MB 290

7677 Ronson Rd. #210San Diego, CA 92138$149.95; upgrade $12.95An advanced graphics and light-penpackage that includes shapes, fonts,and drawing enhancements.

FlexifontInkwell SystemsP.O. Box 8152 MB 290

7677 Ronson Rd. #210San Diego, CA 92138$29.95A font- and character-generatingpackage to use with the FlexidrawLight Pen that contains 33 letter stylesand has custom lettering and editingcapabilities.

Fontpak IBerkeley Softworks2150 Shattuck Ave.Berkeley, CA 94704$29.95Twenty fonts to incorporate intodocuments created using GEOS for the

Commodore 64.

geoPaintBerkeley Softworks2150 Shattuck Ave.Berkeley, CA 94704$59.95 (for GEOS)A full-featured, advanced color drawing and painting program that is partof the total GEOS package.

Graphics Expander,Volume 1Springboard Software

7808 Creekridge CircleMinneapolis, MN 55435$34.95More than 300 graphics symbols toadd to Brflderbund's The Print Shopand Unison World's PrintMaster. Includes drawing and editing tools as

well as text capabilities.

The Graphics MagicianJunior

Polarware/Penguin Software830 Fourth Ave., P.O. Box 311Geneva, IL 60134$19.95A painting program with a 256-itempalette and 100 brush sizes and patterns that lets you combine colors intopatterns and checkerboards. No printcapabilities.

The Graphics MagicianPainter

Polarware/Penguin Software830 Fourth Ave., P.O. Box 311Geneva, IL 60134$24.95A color drawing and paint programfor the Commodore 64.

Graphics ScrapbookEpyx600 Galveston Dr.P.O. Box 8020Redwood City, CA 94063$19.95A series of specialized graphics diskscompatible with Breiderbund's ThePrint Shop and Unison World'sPrintMaster. The first two units in theseries are Chapter I: Sports and Chap~ter U: Off the Wall.

Graph NowSupra

1133 Commercial WayAlbany, OR 97321$19.95A graphics and chart-generator program. The graphics are created withPaint Now, which is included in thepackage.

Mr. Pixel's ProgrammingPaint Set

Mindscape3444 Dundee Rd.Northbrook, IL 60062$9.95An introductory drawing program forchildren in grades 3-7. Requires ajoystick.

MovieMakerInteractive Picture Systems

distributed by Electronic Arts1820 Gateway Dr.San Mateo, CA 94404$34.95A graphics program that lets you create animated movies by drawing pictures and then animating them intosequences.

The NewsroomSpringboard Software

7808 Creekridge CircleMinneapolis, MN 55435$49.95A popular specialized printing program for creation of newspapers andnewsletters, mixing text and graphics.

Newsroom Clip ArtCollectionSpringboard Software

7808 Creekridge CircleMinneapolis, MN 55435$29.95 (Volume 1)$39.95 (Volume 2)Additional clip art to use with TheNewsroom. Graphics featuring everything from sports and famous peopleto religious symbols and animals. Volume 2 contains business-type clip artfor medical, retail, office, and otherapplications.

PrintMasterUnison World2150 Shattuck Ave., Suite 902

Berkeley, CA 94704$34.95A collection of 111 ready-madegraphics symbols plus 11 backgroundpatterns and 8 type fonts. Use thegraphics and text editors to create andprint your own designs.

The Print ShopBraderbund

17 Paul Dr.San Rafael, CA 94903$44.95

A popular graphics program for automatically designing and printinggreeting cards, stationery, and banners. Additional graphics libraries areavailable for use with the mainprogram.

The Print Shop GraphicsLibrary

Broderbund17 Paul Dr.San Rafael, CA 94903$24.95A collection of ready-to-use graphicsimages, fonts, and borders for usewith The Print Shop. Various editionsare available, including a special holiday edition which features holidaydesigns.

Rainbow PainterSpringboard Software

7808 Creekridge CircleMinneapolis, MN 55435$34.95Ten categories of line drawings, 50different brushes, and thousands ofcolor patterns to help children ages4-10 develop motor skills whiledrawing and painting.

COMPUTE! s Gazetta March 1987 31

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ToshibaModemsAvalei

321 P

Tom R. Halfhill, Staff Editor

Each month, COMPUTED GAZETTEtackles some questions commonlyasked by Commodore users. If youhave a question you'd like to seeanswered here, send it to this column, c/o COMPUTERS GAZETTE,P.O. Box 5406, Greensboro, NC

27403.

I recently acquired anApple Unidisk drive and amwondering if anyone makes aninterface to connect it to my Commodore 64. Are they compatible?Is it possible for me to make myown interface? I would love to use

the Unidisk as a second drive.

/\ To our knowledge, no onemakes an interface to connect a 3'/i-

inch Apple Unidisk drive to a Commodore 64. Building one yourselfwould be such a formidable electronics project that we think you'dbe better off buying a 1541 or 1571as a second drive. You could probably connect the Unidisk to your 64

via the Spartan Apple emulatormade by Mimic Systems, but thiswould cost you several times asmuch as a second 1541 or 1571.

We receive many letters everymonth from readers who want tohook up all kinds of incompatibleperipherals and accessories to theircomputers. In general, it's safe toassume that such shotgun marriages aren't possible or practicalunless the devices to be joined haveindustry-standard interfacessuchas an RS-232 serial port or Centronics parallel port.

^ What knocks a disk driveout of alignment? Can you fix ityourself? If so, how?

r\ The most critical mechanicalpart of a disk drive is its read/writehead. This is quite similar to therecord/play head of a tape recorder.When the computer is writing data36 COMPUTE'S Gazelle March 19B7

to the disk, the read/write head exerts magnetic force on the metal oxide surface of the floppy disk torealign the particles into a pattern ofbinary l's and O's. When the computer is reading data from a disk, theread/write head scans the particlesso the computer can interpret it.

The magnetized patterns onthe disk are laid out in concentricrings called tracks {unlike a vinyl record, which has one continuous,spiral ring). These tracks, in turn,are divided into arc-shaped segments called sectors. To access the

tracks and sectors, the read/writehead slides along a guide rail under

the control of a very precise steppermotor. Because the tracks and sec

tors are laid out very close together,proper alignment of the read/write

head on the guide rail is critical. Ifthe head becomes misaligned, itmay not be able to read the tracks atthe extreme inner and outer edgesof the disk, or it may confuse onetrack with another.

Read/write heads can be misaligned for several reasons: faultyassembly at the factory; hardknocks during shipment to thedealer; vibration (which is whycomputers installed in factories areshock-mounted); bumps and joltsinflicted while moving the drivefrom place to place (computer systems carted around to monthly usergroup meetings are prone to this);

and wear and tear due to heavy use.In addition, some copy-protection

schemes used by commercial programs force the read/write head

through some noisy acrobatics,which may accelerate wear.

A typical symptom of misalignment is when the drive balksat reading from or writing to certaindisks. It might be a disk that you'veused for monthsthen suddenly itbecomes unreadable. Yet, the drivemay have no trouble working withrecently formatted disks, since thetracks were laid out while the

read/write head was in its new(misaligned) position.

Adjusting a read/write head isa touchy job that is best left to aqualified technician. However, thereare kits and alignment programs

available if you want to tackle thejob yourself. You can find them advertised from time to time in COM

PUTED GAZETTE and other magazines. (In the October 1984 issue,we reviewed 1543 Disk Drive Align

ment from CSM Software, a verypopular package).

KJ With respect to possibledamage, is there any differencebetween physically plugging or

unplugging a cartridge on the expansion port of a computer while

the computer is turned on, andelectrically switching on or offthe same cartridge mounted on anexpansion board? I can see that inthe first case, contact is made orbroken between the mating portions of the components involved,while in the second case physicalcontact already exists and electrical contact is made or broken.

r\m Switching off a cartridge onan expansion board is a safe way ofelectronically "unplugging" it fromthe computer. In fact, that's one of

the advantages of multislot expansion boards, in addition to theirconvenience and the wear they saveon the computer's expansion slot.

Physically plugging or unplugging a cartridge while the computer

is turned on, however, is definitelyrisky. If you don't align the car

tridge perfectly with the connector,you could short-circuit the cartridgeand computer. If you're lucky,you'll just blow a fuse, but there'salso a risk of damaging the delicate

electronic innards of the cartridgeand computer. It's a good practice toalways turn off a computer beforeplugging or unplugging any kind ofexternal device. 9

"The Bard is Back!"77/""from impossible dungeons nnd spliiJL second snares, the Bard and his parly

emerge. The Sceptre, so lent; forgotten, gleams with power like an

exploding sun. Even Phen^leiKai, the ancient arclimauc,

bows his head in awe,

"I smell serpents!" Slipfinyersqueals, stealing away like

the thief he is. Two arch-dragons slither out of the

ground, their eyes burning with the relentless

fun' of treasure lost.

Protected behind the flamelizards, beyond the reachof normal weapons, a cack

ling wizard begins the eeriechants of a death spell. A spell

(hat can finish the Bardand his parly.

The time has come to battle-test themagic of the Destiny Wand-and reveal theawesome powers of The Destiny Knight.1"

The Best EverDungeon Role-Playing Game

50% bigger than Bard's Tale. An all-new story line.

Six cities and a huge overlandwilderness to explore.

Dozen! of new spells -79 spells in all.

New real-time dungeonpu::les. You have to get

through them before theclock stops ticking.

Summon and namemonsters to become a permanent part of your party. More strategy in combatencounters - the weaponsand spells you choose depend on the enemy's distance.

A bank and casino.A starter-dungeon for building up your low-level characters. 6 guilds for easier game saving.Optional use of Bard's Tale characters. Bard's Tale experience not required. Cluebooks available for both Bard'sTale and Bard's Tali? II

You get :i new elms of magic uier - theArchmage. With H powerful ipelh likeHi-al All, Kanskar's Nijiht Lance, ami the

awesome Mangar's Mallot.

There arc over 100 monsten,like tlii^ Kner Drone- Many animated.

All dangerous.

25 scrolling dungeon levels.All in color. All 3-D. Including 7different Snares of Death, a new kind of

real-time pu;:le.

The Bard's Tale IIThe Destiny Knight

from

Electronic arts-

how TO GET IT: Visit your mailer, or call 8OO.245-4525 (in CA all M00-562-] 111) fur VISA or Mastercard orders. To buy by mail, send a thrck, moneyorder, or VISA or Mastercard information la Electronic Art-, P.O. Ho* 75 50, San Males, CA 94403. The price is S39.9i fPr ihe Commodore 64 version. Add S5 for

tipping and handlinB (S7 Canadian]. Allow M week, (urdrlhcrv.TheBard'a Tile 11 and Electronic Arts arc reS isu-red trademark i of Elect runic Art*. Ultima is artgbund trademark .if Richard C.irrimt. Commodore ii a tradenurk of Commotion Electronic* Ltd. Fur a copy of our complete tatalof, -end 50( and a damped,

icll-.iddrcmd envelope in Electronic Aru Ciulcif, isio Gitemy Drive, San Marco, CA 94404.

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he FundamentalsOf Commodore 64

GraphicsLee Noel, Jr., Assistant Editor, Art and DesignThe Commodore 64's impressive graphics capabilities are the result of

the computer's remarkable, but initially bewildering, array of graphicsmodes and features. For a better appreciation of the 64's screen magic,here's a gentle hands-on introduction to the fascinating world of Commodore 64 graphics.

Five years have passed since the Commodore 64 was first introduced. Themachine, which has since become thebestselling personal computer in the

world, continues to se