Popular Computing Weekly (October 31st, 1985)

2 months ago (Edited)

_{Cover October 31st, 1985 issue of Popular Computing Weekly}

I would have loved to have had a weekly computer publication back in the day. As far as I know though, there weren't any widespread ones available in the U.S. in the 1980s. None I ever saw anyway. Popular Computing Weekly was a U.K. based publication and the issue from October 31st, 1985 includes:

News - Commodore releases the 1570 disk drive and 1901 monitor designed for the Commodore 128; Rumbelows retail stores discontinue sales of Sinclair Spectrum plus other retailers plans for Christmas; Amstrad's PCW8256 in short supply for Christmas; and more.

Micro Magic - A contest in which you can win a Amstrad CPC6128.

Software Reviews - Reviews of Protext (a word processor for the Amstrad CPC), Fighting Warrior (an Egyptian themed action game for the Spectrum), One Man and His Droid (and action game for the Spectrum), Orm and Cheep: The Birthday Party (an educational game for the Commodore 64), Shadowfire Tuner (a game modification tool for Shadowfire for the C64 and Spectrum), Zyto (an arcade style game for the Commodore 64), and Mcoder III (a BASIC compiler for the Spectrum).

Hardware Reviews - Specdrum (a drum machine peripheral for the Spectrum), Turbo 50 cartridge (a utility cartridge that provides new BASIC commands for the Commodore 64), AMX Mouse (a mouse for the Amstrad CPC), and more.

_{Table of Contents from the October 31st, 1985 issue of Popular Computing Weekly}

Amstrad - A type-in program that quizzes you on chemistry, specifically in identifying salts.

The QL Page - The final part of a type-in arcade adventure game for the Sinclair QL.

Arcade Avenue - Hacks for various Commodore 64 games (via POKE commands) including China Miner, Arabian Nights, Jungle Story, Bounty Bob Strikes Back, Suicide Express, Pyjamarama, and more.

Adventure Corner - A detailed look at The Quill which is a package of adventure writing tools for various systems. Plus a look at some games created with The Quill.

Adventure Helpline - Questions answered about Castle Quest on the BBC, Mission One on the Amstrad, The Hobbit on the BBC, Dragontorc on the Spectrum and Emerald Isle on the Amstrad.