Commodore World was a publication started by Creative Micro Devices (CMD) after the last major Commodore related magazine ceased publication in 1994. It continued bi-monthly until 1999 when it merged with GO64!
Issue Number 8 includes:
Read more: https://blurt.blog/retrocomputing/@darth-azrael/commodore-world-issue-8
Random Usenet post of the day:
---
Subject: Pioneer 6 CD-Changer
From: ohohelp@usaor.net (Anthony Talavera)
Date: 1996/12/16
Newsgroups: alt.bbs.renegade
Organization: Operatioh HELP Organization
Reply-to: ohohelp@usaor.net (Anthony Talavera)
2 Pioneer 602X Dounle-speed disc changer for sale with 7 through 17
Night Owl cd-roms "The best of shareware". Interface: SCSI-2; Access
time 300ms; disc change time less then 5 seconds; internal data buffer
256kb; one connect cable (to connect each together). You will need
SCSI card. $ 400.00 or Best offer takes both, you pay shipping (14.1
lbs gross weight each).
Anthony Talavera
ohohelp@usaor.net
voice: 412-438-8184
---
https://www.megalextoria.com/usenet_archive/alt.bbs.renegade/msg11530.html
Stary Olsa performs "Bransle Les Lavandieres" at the 2018 Brevard Renaissance Fair in Melbourne, Florida (2018-01-21).
See the video here: https://blurt.blog/music/@darth-azrael/7y75y1-brevard-renaissance-fair-2018-stary-olsa-part-23-bransle-les-lavandieres
In early 1989, Nintendo Power only had the NES to cover. Nintendo Power was only a few months old but the NES had already been around for several years. The January/February 1989 issue includes:
Read more: https://hive.blog/retrogaming/@darth-azrael/nintendo-power-january-february-1989
The next three photos are all undated but were almost certainly taken in the mid to late 1960s. The frequently featured older couple is here again and this seems to be a birthday celebration for the guy. At least he's blowing out candles in one of the photos and all three were clearly taken at the same party.
For more info and photos from this set: https://hive.blog/photography/@darth-azrael/vintage-photos-ebay-set-1-6034e78ac4b72
The Sony HiT BiT HB-55 released in 1984 was an early Sony MSX computer (their first I believe) and was fairly typical of computers following the MSX standard. It featured 16 KB of RAM (plus 16 KB of video RAM), included RF video output, composite video output and mono analog sound output. One unique feature of the HB-55 was a battery backed-up SRAM cartridge that could be used for storing data instead of a cassette or disk. It could store a whopping 4 KB of data. Japan was much better at making their computers seem sexy and futuristic. The fact that J-Pop star Seiko Matsuda was used to advertise the HiT BiT probably helped with that first part for Sony. The HB-55 also came in red and grey when computer makers in the U.S. could only even think in various shades of beige.
Read more: https://hive.blog/retrocomputing/@darth-azrael/sony-hit-bit-hb-55
Originally a quarterly released and later bi-monthly, Sega Visions was Nintendo's answer to Nintendo Power though I don't think it ever reached monthly status. The Winter 1991/1992 issue covers the Sega Master System, Genesis and Game gear and includes:
Read more: https://hive.blog/retrogaming/@darth-azrael/sega-visions-winter-1991-1992-b5aaba925d9b5
All of the photos in this set were processed in August 1966 and were probably taken around that time. I can't be sure but I'm guessing that these were all taken at a motel somewhere in the Miami Beach area. They feature the older couple that appears throughout many of the photos in this batch so I think they were probably the owners of the camera. The first two appear to have been taken inside a motel room while the second two were taken outside and they appear to be dressed up for a night on the town.
For more info and photos from this set, see https://hive.blog/photography/@darth-azrael/vintage-photos-ebay-set-1-5f2c6dac9305b
The Amstrad CPC was a line of 8-bit personal computers based on the Z80A CPU that was popular in the U.K. and other parts of Europe. For the most part, nobody in North America has ever heard of it so looking through a magazine dedicated to it has a bit of an alternate reality feel. Like the Commodore 64, The CPC line in large part was though of as a games machine. However, it could also run CP/M software so there were tons of business related apps as well. Having said that, CP/M was already well on its way out in 1984 when this line was first introduced. The Commodore 128 introduced in 1984 also had CP/M capabilities but it was really little used. The CPC 464 was the first and most popular model. It included 64KB of RAM and a built-in cassette deck. Amstrad Computer User was a magazine originally dedicated to this machine and the April 1985 issue includes:
Read more: https://hive.blog/retrocomputing/@darth-azrael/amstrad-computer-user-april-1985
Random Usenet post of the day:
---
Subject: Re: MotoGP of car games?
From: jojo@cox.net (MS#1Fanboy-JoJo)
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2003 19:58:58 GMT
Newsgroups: alt.games.video.xbox
Organization: Your Organization
References: <de92be2a.0312121131.76d31e43@posting.google.com>
Xref: archiver1.google.com alt.games.video.xbox:15519
In article <de92be2a.0312121131.76d31e43@posting.google.com>,
mulleteer@ziplip.com says...
>
>I'm looking for a really good (car) driving game. Any suggestions?
>MotoGP is the best motorcycle game for XBOX - What driving game is in
>the same league as MotoGP?
>
>The audience is furious about PGR2's framerate so please, no 30 fps
>games... =)
PGR2, Pro Race Driver, PGR, Rallisport Challenge, NFS:Underground, Apex,
Midnight Club 2, Colin McRae Rally 3, Sega GT, Nascar Heat and Nascar Thunder.
All these titles are great racing games at any frame rate. Look for my other
post this morning about another great racing game coming to Xbox from
Codemasters.
---
https://www.megalextoria.com/usenet_archive/alt.games.video.xbox/msg236593.html
RUN was one of the most popular Commodore 64 magazines in the U.S. and the one that I bought the most, mainly because it was what I found on the shelves near me most often. It also covered the Commodore 128 and in earlier days the VIC-20 with perhaps a tiny bit of Commodore 16/Plus 4 coverage. The June 1988 issue includes:
Read more: https://hive.blog/retrocomputing/@darth-azrael/run-the-commodore-64-128-5af611732ee33
Stary Olsa performs "Town Gates" at the 2018 Brevard Renaissance Fair in Melbourne, Florida. (2018-01-21)
For more info and to see the video: https://blurt.blog/music/@darth-azrael/brevard-renaissance-fair-2018-stary-olsa-part-19-town-gates
Computer Play was briefly a competitor to Computer Gaming World. In 1989 there were a variety of computer formats covered, including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST and of course the DOS based PC. In also included some console coverage. Contents of the February 1989 issue include:
Read more: https://hive.blog/retrogaming/@darth-azrael/computer-play-february-1989-3900a6af4699a
Is the Compaq Presario 2240 a retrocomputing pleasure or a piece of junk? It turns out that those are not mutually exclusive categories. If you were a PC power user in the late 1990s looking at computers, then this particular PC would have looked like one of the biggest pieces of junk out there. However, from the perspective of nostalgia, the unique though flawed design helps to make it a fun and interesting machine.
So what is so bad about this machine that some would look on it as a piece of junk? First some basic specs:
CPU: AMD K6-200 w/256KB pipeline burst cache on the motherboard
Memory: 32MB 66MHz SDRAM standard (currently 48MB)
Video: S3 Trio V2/DX w/ 1MB
Hard Drive: 2.1 GB (currently using 64GB compact flash)
Sound: ES1888 Audio Drive
Of course those don't mean a whole lot without the context of the time this machine was available and the cost. As far as cost, this computer (without monitor) retailed for $799 though I've seen another document that says $1200 so I'm not sure. But it could have easily varied by that much through the course of a year. It would have been in stores some time in 1998. I found an announcement for it dated January 1998 and have seen claims of it being purchased at the end of May 1998. For some context, I got my 333MHz Pentium II based Gateway 2000 computer on Christmas 1997.
Read more: https://hive.blog/retrocomputing/@darth-azrael/digital-archaeology-compaq-presario-2240
Random Usenet post of the day:
---
Subject: Build a dream machine for video editing?
From: hotister@hotmail.com (T.T. Lee)
Date: 29 Nov 2002 21:29:12 -0800
Newsgroups: alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt
Organization: http://groups.google.com/
Xref: archiver1.google.com alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt:117136
Hi, all:
I'm thinking of building an PC for video editing purpose and would
like to hear your opinion about this. Would it be a better idea to
select a Dual AMD Athlon 2700+ CPU/motherboard, or a Intel 3.0Ghz
CPU+Motherboard, for better rendering time? Also, for the real-time
rendering card, which would be a better choice (Pinnacle, etc...), if
I have a powerful CPU (single or dual), would I still be able to
benefit from a real-time rendering card (e.g., Pinnacle DV500)?
Thanks!
---
https://www.megalextoria.com/usenet_archive/alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt/msg177198.html
The hardware of the Atari 7800 was not inferior to the NES (in some ways it was better), but Atari's decision to first delay its release and then to concentrate on yet another iteration of its various arcade classics instead of emphasizing new games doomed it. Double Dragon is one of a relative few new style games that appeared on the system and it was done by Activision.
Read more: https://blurt.blog/retrogaming/@darth-azrael/double-dragon-atari-7800-atari-2600
ACE, short for Advanced Computer Entertainment, is a computer gaming magazine that was published in the U.K. though it also had some non-gaming content. In its later days it covered only 16-bit systems but earlier on it covered a wider variety of computers. The October 1988 issue was the one year anniversary issue and includes:
Read more: https://hive.blog/retrogaming/@darth-azrael/ace-advanced-computer-entertainment-october
Random Usenet post of the day:
---
Subject: mouse/USB problem W2K
From: "Bob" <bob1030@telerama.com>
Date: Sun, 12 May 2002 09:51:34 -0400
Newsgroups: alt.os.windows2000
Organization: Posted via Supernews, http://www.supernews.com
Xref: archiver1.google.com alt.os.windows2000:68726
This may be a hardware problem but who knows. I'm running a AT motherboard,
AMD K6 233, Award BIOS with Win98 on it (I've also tried W2K). The problem
is that neither OS will detect a mouse or USB devices, mouse, scanner, etc.
I have tried 2 motherboards, both OSs, numerous mice, both USB and serial,
USB network connectors, scanners, etc. There is no detection process and I
cannot force it to sense the devices with Add New Hardware. I have replaced
the cables, ports, etc. for the USB interface and serial port. Using Device
Manager, I checked the USB Root Hub and Controller, both of which are
running fine as is the serial port. I've also uninstalled and reinstalled
all devices and made sure all the drivers are the most recent. None of the
devices I'm using are weird, they are all commonplace Microsoft, logitech,
HP, Linksys devices. The only thing that I can think of at this point that
I haven't changed is the Processor. I'm not too familiar with Processor
functionality but is there an instruction set or something in the Processor
that could be damaged that is controlling or in this case not controlling
these devices? I'm at a loss! Any and all suggestions encouraged because I
can't figure it out.
Bob
---
https://www.megalextoria.com/usenet_archive/alt.os.windows2000/msg65907.html
The Craic Show performs 'Douce Dame Jolie' at the 2018 Brevard Renaissance Fair in Melbourne, Florida. (2018-01-21)
See the video here: https://blurt.blog/music/@darth-azrael/brevard-renaissance-fair-2018-the-craic-show-part-14-douce-dame-jolie
Amiga World was really the main Amiga magazine in the U.S. 1985 was very early in the life of the Amiga and the Amiga 1000 was the only model available at that time. The November/December issue of Amiga World includes the following:
Read more: https://hive.blog/retrocomputing/@darth-azrael/amiga-world-november-december-1985-970f5e0e0cd89
Usenet post of the day:
---
Subject: Re: Duke and XP
From: "Jennifer Anderson" <jander@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2001 02:50:16 GMT
Newsgroups: alt.games.duke3d
Organization: Excite@Home - The Leader in Broadband http://home.com/faster
References: <9vj65m$3ma$1@nreada.inwind.it>
Xref: archiver1.google.com alt.games.duke3d:2745
Some anonymous guy gave me a tip on running Duke3d under Windows XP with
full high quality sound.
Make sure you download VDMSound at ntvdm.cjb.net and download cli2nop at
http://www.livsy.kiev.ua/download/cli2nop.zip
Unzip the cli2nop.zip file to your duke3d dir on your hard drive and go
there and type
cli2nop -2 duke3d.exe dukent.exe
Install VDMSound and edit the VDMS.INI file to make sure your sound
emulation is set at 44.1 Khz (the instructions are commented in the .INI
file).
Make sure you have the latest audio drivers for Windows XP especially since
that'll help you get general midi.
Finally, right click on the dukent.exe file and choose to "run with vdms" .
That got rid of all the sound stuttering and the audio and high res video
played perfectly. Finally, you can forget DOS for this one. I myself forgot
to use cli2nop as this also worked for Shadow Warrior. Read the text file on
cli2nop and you'll see what it's all about.
"Avatar" <andrea.prn@wind.it> wrote in message
news:9vj65m$3ma$1@nreada.inwind.it...
> I'm a very new user of Win XP, and this evening i've tried to install Duke
> in my new pc.
>
> Well the setup program run correctly in full screen mode, but, when I
launch
> the game, it seems to start correctly, but when it should show the
starting
> image it return in a window the title of wich is: "[unactive SETUP]".
>
> If I try to start directly the game from the file "duke3d.exe" it start,
but
> windowsXP close the program when it should show the starting image without
> giving any explanation.
>
> Please help me!!!!!!!!!
>
> Avatar
>
> P.S.: sorry for my bad english, but I'm italian.
>
> Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
>
---
https://www.megalextoria.com/usenet_archive/alt.games.duke3d/msg02696.html
The contents of this post is from a document called RONPOEM.DOC. Apparently the Close Encounters SIG had a poetry section and this is one example...
Read more: https://blurt.blog/retrocomputing/@darth-azrael/digital-archaeology-codex-floppy-disk-8-part-16
The last photo was processed in June 1965 and shows two young women standing by a fireplace. Looks like they might be dressed to attend a wedding too.
For more info and photos from this set, see https://hive.blog/photography/@darth-azrael/vintage-photos-ebay-set-1-672b0950fed4f
Usenet post of the day:
---
Subject: Re: Differences Between Versions
From: Bateau <ItsFAKE@Not-A-Real-Address.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 22:49:05 +0800
Newsgroups: alt.games.x-com
References: <u469r7io77gh58@corp.supernews.com>
Xref: archiver1.google.com alt.games.x-com:5352
____ On Mon, 14 Jan 2002 18:46:50 -0000
\__/___ DervMan ran through the
LI-\o-' streets of alt.games.x-com
| waving an axe and screaming:
/ \
>I am looking forward to a totally new X-Com game, for me at least. I know
>what to expect in both TEU and TFTD (but it doesn't make individual missions
>that much easier, except in knowing where the bad guys are likely to be
>lurking).
Don't forget to check out Julian Gollop's other squad level tactical
games:
Rebelstar Raiders
Rebelstar
Rebelstar II
Chaos - The Battle Of Wizards
Chaos 2 - The Battle In Future
Lords of Chaos
Laser Squad
--
| _ .\ ~~ _ ^~
| <')_,/ , ; .\ >(')__, . ` ' ,
| (_~=/ \._`.'. .\ (_~_/ _, _..-''-._,____,----,____
| ='- \=~_) ; .\ ~^~~^~ ` (_~_/ `'--'` `~~~~)_)=\_\-.(
| -'= .\ ~^~ ~^~~^~
ICQ:11367619 EMAIL:bateau:-)jupiter-io.net WEB:http://tyrian2000.cjb.net
Defender was created at a time when some of the basic video game genres were still being defined. While it was not the first game that could be categorized as a side-scrolling shooter, it was the first that extended beyond a single static screen. Defender was unique for its time in that the screen would continuously scroll in whichever direction you travelled.
Read more: https://blurt.blog/retrogaming/@darth-azrael/defender-atari-2600
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time, A.K.A. Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles IV: Turtles in Time was released in arcades in 1991 and then on the Super Nintendo the following year. By the way, does anyone know why they are referred to as the Teenage Mutant "Hero" Turtles in Europe? It seems like an odd name change...
Read more: https://ecency.com/hive-140217/@darth-azrael/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-iv
Random Usenet post of the day:
---
Subject: Re: 'Flesh and Blood' rant
From: "David B." <bothecat@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2002 19:15:42 -0800
Newsgroups: alt.tv.star-trek.voyager
Organization: Enterprise NX-01
References: <20020316173442.05002.00001613@mb-mt.aol.com> <20020316191738.06002.00002575@mb-fo.aol.com>
Reply-to: bothecat2@hotmail.com
Xref: archiver1.google.com alt.tv.star-trek.voyager:132304
Arlie wrote:
>
> >>>>Are you sure? "The Jem Hadar" aired in 1994.
>
> This is correct. Everyone thinks the Jem' Hadar was a late phenomenon in the
> DS9 timeline, but they actually appeared fairly early on. <<
>
> Interesting. Why does everyone think they were a late phenomenon?
That's a good question. Maybe it's because many fans don't remember
canon/continuity as much as they think they do.
---
https://www.megalextoria.com/usenet_archive/alt.tv.star-trek.voyager/msg62883.html
The cast, performers, and everybody else that was left singing "Health to the Company" at the closing pub sing at the end of the first day of the 2018 Brevard Renaissance Fair.
See the video here: https://blurt.blog/music/@darth-azrael/brevard-renaissance-fair-2018-health-to-the-company
This was the official Sega Saturn magazine in the U.K. I believe that the October 1998 issue was nearly the last issue and it was already heavily covering the Dreamcast. The writing was on the wall for the Saturn and had been for a while. This issue includes:
Read more: https://hive.blog/retrogaming/@darth-azrael/the-official-sega-saturn-magazine
Random Usenet post of the day:
---
Subject: Re: SALVAGE
From: not@here.com (Phil)
Date: 2000/04/14
Newsgroups: alt.games.mechwarrior3
Organization: EarthLink Inc. -- http://www.EarthLink.net
References: <CWJI4.34657$m5.631537@news1.rdc2.on.home.com>
I also ran into an issue where I received in salvage, a Thor, and
there wasn't even one in the mission. It's the first undergound
mission where you have have to prevent the mechs from blowing the gas
containment container.. has two orions, a bushwacker, a blackhawk, and
one more light mech in addition to a bunch of elementals.. just does
not have a Thor.. ended up giving me the mech anyways.. go figure..
On Tue, 11 Apr 2000 18:12:50 GMT, "Iain Coelho" <otislee@home.com>
wrote:
>Hey guys,
>
>Does anyone know how salvage works? Is it totally random? Is it arbitrary?
>Or does how you take out the mech have any effect on it? I figure if you
>neutralize every mech in a mission by shootin off it's legs, you should be
>able to salvage each of them, right?
>
>Any ideas?
>
>Iain Coelho
>aka
>Otis Lee
>aka
>Coleho
>
>
---
https://www.megalextoria.com/usenet_archive/alt.games.mechwarrior3/msg05858.html