Popular Computing Weekly (December 18, 1986)

about 14 hours ago

_{Cover of the December 18, 1986 issue of Popular Computing Weekly}

As the name suggest, Popular Computing Weekly is a weekly publication about computers. It was published in the U.K. in the 1980s. The December 18th, 1986 issue includes:

Games

Adventure Corner - A look at The Colour of Magic game based on the Terry Pratchett book of the same name.

Arcade Action - Tips for finding you own cheats in games that run on Z80 based machines, tips for Firelord on the Spectrum, and more.

Reviews - Reviews of SAS: Operation Thunderflash (Spectrum), Sky Runner (Commodore 64), Terra Cresta (Commodore 64), Defcom (Spectrum), Top Gun (Amstrad CPC), and Scalextric (Spectrum).

Hardware

Amstrad - A look at the new Amstrad PCW 8256. This computer was designed specifically with word processing in mind.

Software

Forth - A look at an implementation of Forth for the Amstrad PCW.

Programming

Commodore - A type-in program called Toolkit that adds 21 new commands to the Commodore 64's BASIC.

Spectrum - A type in text editor for the Spectrum.

Amstrad CPC - A type-in arcade adventure game called Khandal for the Amstrad CPC.

BBC - A type-in game called Hurles for up to four players where you must specify various parameters to try and throw you ball closest to a line.

Bytes and Pieces - Short type in programs for changing text color on the Commodore 64, clear the last Gosub address on the Spectrum, and create a revolving text effect on the Spectrum.

Peek and Poke - Questions answered about converting VIC-20 programs to the Commodore 64, using both sides of a floppy disk, and Atari ST pricing.

_{Table of Contents from the December 18, 1986 issue of Popular Computing Weekly}

Regulars

News Desk - The new Atari 520STFM on sale before Christmas, Amstrad to launch PC 1512 in the U.S. in January, Microprose ends relationship with U.S. Gold, Atari revenue increases, tape release of Marble Madness for the Commodore 64 delayed, and more.

Letters - Letters from readers about copyrighted game names, improved BASIC, RAM disks, upgrading to a 1541 disk drive, and more.

Soundcheck - A look at music software and hardware for the Spectrum including Micon, Casio CZ Editor, Ram Music Machine, and more.

Communications - A look at the latest features of Compunet, an online service for Commodore 64 users.

New Releases - A look at the latest releases including Top Gun (Amstrad CPC), Jail Break (Amstrad CPC), One (Amstrad CPC), Golf (Amstrad CPC), Super Soccer (Amstrad CPC), Electric Lantern Show (Amstrad CPC), Timelink (Atari ST), Rhythm (Atari ST), Power Pack (BBC B, Electron), Colossus 4 Chess (BBC), Back to Reality (Commodore 64), Assault Machine (Commodore 64), Legend of the Apache Gold (Commodore 64), Avenger - Way of the Tiger 2 (Commodore 64), Micro Rhythm (Commodore 64), The Prince (Commodore 64), Firelord (Commodore 64), Top Gun (Commodore 64), Howard the Duck (Commodore 64), Moonmist (Commodore 64), Graham Gooch's Test Cricket (Commodore 128), The Dam Busters (MSX), Spitfire 40 (MSX), Wizard's Lair (MSX), Battlefield Germany (Spectrum), and much more.

Ziggurat - Programs that help you solve crossword puzzles.

Christmas Features

The Readers' Poll Awards - A look at the best products of the year as voted by readers including Starglider (Program of the Year), Uridium (Arcade Game of the Year), Leaderboard (Simulation of the Year), The Pawn (Adventure of the Year), Mini Office II (Business Program of the Year), Graphic Adventure Creator (Utility of the Year), the Commodore Amiga (Most Exciting New Computer), and more.

Now That's What I Call Software - The staff of HCW picks their favorite software of the year. Some choices include Leaderboard, Dan Dare, On-Field Football, Leaderboard, Microsoft Basic on the Mac, The Bard's Tale, and more.

Review of the Year - A look back at all the Amstrad news of the last year.

Program Blues - Struggles with programming on an Amstrad 464.

In The Money - A guide to getting into commercial programming.

Special Supplement

Computer Graphics - Animator 1 for the Spectrum from Softcat, Degas Elite for the Atari ST, Artscribe for the Atari ST, Electronic Studio's Amstrad video digitiser, and more.