80 Microcomputing (April 1980)

in #retrocomputing2 days ago


Cover of the April 1980 issue of 80 Microcomputing


80 Microcomputing was a magazine that was dedicated to the TRS-80 line of computers. The Model I was released in 1977. The Model II really doesn't belong to this series as it was largely incompatible and more of a professional workstation, the Model III was released in 1980 and the Model 4 was released in 1983. I never owned one but in my freshman year of high school, we used Mode IIIs and Model 4s in a BASIC programming class. The April 1984 issue includes:

Application

  • Itinerary - A type-in program designed to help you plan an itinerary.

  • Magazine Index - A type-in program that allows you to index up to 300 articles in your magazine collection.

  • Titler - A type-in program that lets you generate captions for video productions.

  • I Ching - Type-in I Ching for your TRS-80.

Education

  • More Night School - The second part of an article on a computer education course at Loyola University.

  • Pre-School Math - A type-in educational program to help teach pre-school math.

Games

  • Ball Box - A type-in game that is a more complex version of pong.

  • Rock, Scissors, Paper - A type-in game that simulates Rock, Paper, Scissors.

General

  • Computer Derelict - Confessions of a computer addict.

  • A Dealer's Experience - The difficulties dealers have dealing with Radio Shack.


Table of Contents from the April 1980 issue of 80 Microcomputing


Hardware

  • Build a Light Pen - Instructions for building a light pen. Before the mouse completely established its dominance as an input device, light pens were a popular choice in some circumstances.

  • Reverse Video - How to get reverse video with your TRS-80.

  • Mork & Mindy Monitor - Using a TV instead of a dedicated monitor with the TRS-80.

  • CTR-41 Modifications - Improving the CTR-41 cassette recorder.

Reviews

  • RSM-2 Monitor - A review of the RSM-2/2D monitor from Small Systems Software.

  • CBASIC Review - A review of CBASIC, a CP/M based BASIC interpreter.

  • dilithium Tapes - A review of five new tapes from dilithium press, each having assorted software in different categories.

Style

  • INKEY$ - A technique for accepting user input without the use of the enter key.

  • Break Disable - A type-in program for disabling the break key.

Utility

  • Level II to Level I - Instructions for converting software designed to load on "Level 1" TRS-80s to load on "Level 2" TRS-80s.

  • Babybeep - A type-in machine language utility for creating sound effects.

  • Multiple USRs - A technique for using up to ten USR subroutines.

  • MACROPOKE Monitor - A technique for incorporating machine language code segments to your BASIC programs.

  • Service Tape - Loading your favorite utilities with a single command.

  • KBFIX Fix - A type-in program for changing the memory addresses that KBFix uses.

  • BASIC Terminal - A terminal program written in BASIC.

Regulars

  • 80 Remarks - A look at enhancements in recent versions of BASIC.

  • 80 Applications - Using ports to control things with the TRS-80.

  • Captain 80 - A brief look at new software for the TRS-80 including Temple of Apshai, Night Flight, Jet Fighter Pilot, and more.

  • The Assembly Line - An assembly language tutorial.

  • 80 Accountant - A type-in accounting program for the TRS-80.

  • Reviews - Reviews of 80 Programs for the TRS-80 and The Individual Study Center.

  • Input - Letters from readers about Sargon II, Amadex, allocating memory, and more.

  • NEWS - The TRS-80 Expo '80, Invaders (a Space Invaders clone), Enchanted Island-Plus, Eliza, and more.

  • Preview - A look at what's in the next issue including mass storage alternatives, programming languages, a tape monitor, business programs, and more.


Back cover of the April 1980 issue of 80 Microcomputing


...and more!


Check out some of my other recent posts:

Vintage Photos - Lot 3 (209-212)
https://ecency.com/photography/@darth-azrael/vintage-photos-lot-3-209

How I got my PowerPC Macs Crunching Tasks in BOINC Again
https://ecency.com/boinc/@darth-azrael/how-i-got-my-powerpc

Vintage Photos - Lot 3 (205-208)
https://ecency.com/photography/@darth-azrael/vintage-photos-lot-3-205

Digital Archaeology: Floppy Disk #14 – DM0123B.DOC
https://ecency.com/retrocomputing/@darth-azrael/digital-archaeology-floppy-disk-14-050eeba202953

Vintage Photos - Lot 3 (201-204)
https://ecency.com/photography/@darth-azrael/vintage-photos-lot-3-201

Computer Gaming World (March 1989)
https://ecency.com/retrogaming/@darth-azrael/computer-gaming-world-march-1989



Check out my other Social Media haunts (though most content is links to stuff I posted on Hive or reposts of stuff originally posted on Hive):

Wordpress: https://www.megalextoria.com/wordpress
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/darth-azrael
X: https://x.com/Darth_Azrael
Blogger: https://megalextoria.blogspot.com/
Odyssee: https://odysee.com/@Megalextoria:b
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-2385054
Daily Motion: https://www.dailymotion.com/Megalextoria


Books I am reading or have recently read:

The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777 by Rick Atkinson
Total Power by Vince Flynn
Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr by Nancy Isenberg


Mine Monero in your browser!
Earn Gridcoin while also helping various scientific projects by sharing your computer's idle CPU time!