_{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 Programs - 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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