_{Cover of the October 1985 issue of Byte}

Byte was among the earliest computer magazines. It was published from 1975 until 1998. It covered a wide range of computers through its life. The October 1985 issue includes:

Features

• Ciarcia's Circuit Cellar: Build The SB180 Single-Board Computer Part 2: The Software - This single board computer is small enough to fit inside a kids' metal lunchbox of the type common in the 1980s. There is a photo of this one in a Fraggle Rock lunchbox. This computer is based on the HD64180 which is a successor of the Z80. The first article discussed the hardware while this one discusses software. The operating system chosen was Z-System which was compatible with CP/M 2.2 but with additional enhancements.
  
• EGO: A Homebuilt CPU, Part 2: The Hardware - Part 2 of a step by step guide to the design of a CPU.


• Programming Project: Building a Computer in Software - Designing a virtual machine.


• Skycam: An Aerial Robotic Camera System - A look at the computer controlled cameras that traverse wires in stadiums to give an aerial view. I guess these were relatively new at the time.








_{Table of Contents from the October 1985 issue of Byte}



Themes

• Why Models Go Wrong - The importance of getting logic, statistics, and measurement all correct in a model.


• The Problem of Overfitting Data - A mathematical model to help you determine when to stop adding terms to a model.


• Testing Large-Scale Simulations - How to validate large simulations using TAC THUNDER as an example.


• Analyzing Government Policies - Using Lotus 1-2-3 for economic modeling.



Reviews

• The Ericsson Personal Computer - An IBM compatible PC with an 8088 CPU, 256K of RAM, and two 5.25" 360K floppy drives for $3295 or with one floppy and a 10MB hard drive for $5230.


• The Stearns Desktop Computer - This PC includes an 8 MHz 8086 CPU, 128K RAM, and two 360K drives for $2995.


• The Portable STM Personal Computer - This "portable" PC includes an 80186 CPU @ 8 MHz, 256K RAM, and two 360K disk drives (or optionally two 720K disk drives), and a built-in electroluminescent display for $2759.


• BetterBASIC - A powerful version of BASIC from Summit Software Technology.



_{Table of Contents from the October 1985 issue of Byte (continued)}

Kernel

• Computing at Chaos Manor: The Lord of the Manor Moves Upstairs - Includes a look at a variety of products including the Kaypro 286i, AT&T Unix PC, Ampro Little Board, XyWrite, and more.


• According to Webster: Commodore's Coup - A look at Commodore's impressive new Amiga along with some other products including Lattice C, Aztec C, ClickArt, Mac Spell Right, and more.


• BYTE U.K.: Computers as Consultants - A look at some Expert Systems from the U.K. including Expert-Ease and Tess.


• BYTE Japan: The Tokyo Microcomputer Show - A look at some new computers in Japan including the NEC PC-98XA, NEC PC-980IU2, the HP-9807, and more.


• Editorial: Building BIX With Micros - BIX was a online service offered by Byte that included e-mail and conference functionality among other features. This article is about its initial and future design.



_{Back cover of the October 1985 issue of Byte}

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Books I am reading or have recently read:
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling.
Thomas Cromwell: A Revolutionary Life by Diarmaid MacCulloch.
Eruption by Michael Crichton and James Patterson.


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