As always, I'd like to welcome everyone to the November/December 1992 edition of ReRUN. Fall is in the air, the leaves are beginning to turn color, and we've already seen a little frost on the pumpkin. As many long-time computer users will attest, cool weather is conducive to sitting down with your Commodore and logging some quality time with various programs.
Of all the computer work that I do, nothing is more relaxing on a cool autumn day than sitting down and tapping away with a good word processor. We computerists take our computers' ability to process words for granted, but before computers were common, the best thing for writing was the electric typewriter. As I think back on the experiences I suffered with them, I'm amazed to think that some people still rely on those noisy machines. When asked why, most of these folks shrug and usually cite their fear of computers as the reason they are not ready to give them up quite yet, thank you.
I recall some of the long writing projects I embarked on over the years, and how much easier they would have been with a computer. With no "cut and paste" features in typewriters, no spell checkers, no thesaurus, and no video games to play when the writing got to be too much, there wasn't much excitement to typewriters. Except for the fact it was the fastest way to get one's thoughts on paper. I'm still amazed I accomplished as much as I did as frequently as I did.
Times sure have changed. Even the so-called home computers, such as the Commodore 64 and 128, played a big role in getting people in the habit of word processing with their computers. Once you get the hang of it, few folks ever go back to the typewriter.
With that said, let's take a look at this month's offerings. Tony Brantner's Bombard 64 kicks off this edition of ReRUN. In this fast-paced game, you must race against a madman dropping bombs from atop a building to the the street below. With only a bucket of water to catch and diffuse the bombs, you are the only one who can save the block from destruction. Bombard is packed with the great graphics and fresh, original ideas we've come to expect from Tony.
One of the better disk utilities that we've published in recent memory is Universal Directory Sort 64. Use it to sort your disk directories, alphabetically and by file type. Universal Directory Sort works on 1541, 1571 and 1581 drives. The program also handles disk errors, and resets the drive.
Traditionally, balancing the checkbook was a sure-fire reason used to convince a spouse that a computer would be a good household investment. While we've published checkbook balancing programs in the past (Money Manager, January 1990), the November/December 1992 heralds the debut of our check printing program, Check It Out. It lets you print information onto your wallet-sized checks; all you need to do is sign them. Check It Out works on either the C-64 or the C-128 and with almost any printer.
Just in time for all the holidays we celebrate this time of the year, Ken Hoke bring us Happy Holidays for the C-128. Santa, his sleigh and accompanying reindeer in flight bring some uplifting animation to the 40-column screen.
128 Mode this month is Droplines 128, a challenging word game. Type in a famous or not-so-famous quote and see if anyone can solve the mystery. You're certain to find this one of the most challenging games you've played in quite some time.
We've got quite a collection of bonus programs this time around, too. First, there's the Caverns of Tundor by Tony Brantner. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to pilot a lone fighter jet deep into hostile caverns, shooting at all manner of other fighter aircraft. It's a great game that's hard for kids of all ages to resist.
Bizarre is the one word that sums up our next program, Face Invaders. Loosely based on the classic Space Invaders, your mission in this game is to blast away at faces moving down the screen. Be on your toes, though, as these falling faces are also dripping drops of burning acid. Sure, it's gruesome, but it's also a lot of fun.
The next program on the list is both a 64 and 128 program. Desktop Dialer is a computerized phone directory written by airline pilot Ken Hoke that lets your video monitor's speaker generate dial tones for your telephone. As a result, your Commodore can dial the phone for you!
Ken also brings us Balloon Derby 128, a hot air balloon game. Your goal is to drop "bombs" on a target below your moving balloon. Finally, there's Silicon Cobbler, a autoboot utility for the C-64.
Letters
In mid-December, my son broke his wrists in a fall and I started typing for him in his computer class. My dad gave me his C-64 and 1525 printer in January. I purchased a 1541 disk drive and other items since then. Naturally, I was really excited to find a copy of RUN at the local store.
Now, with RUN's Super Starter Pak, I can really get involved. My only problem is keeping the kids from constantly playing games on the computer. I just built a shelving unit for all the components. This week alone I fell asleep three times at the keyboard! Thanks for the new adventure in my life.
H.L. Robinson
West Jordan, UT
Recently, I heard that it is possible to run an IBM disk on a C-64. Is this possible? If this is true, is there a program available that does this? I would appreciate any information to achieve this goal.
Jerry Littman
Channel Islands Harbor, CA
Editor's Note: In response to Mr. Littman's inquiry, the answer is no. While there are no utilities to run or execute pc-compatible programs on the Commodore, disk utilities such as The Big Blue Reader (SOGWAP Software), are available for converting IBM text files to and from Commodore DOS-formatted disks.
Just got my ReRUN disk with the GEOS program Lace, used to view geoPaint screens in interlace mode. This reflects the increase in GEOS and 128 support that you have promised. Please keep up the good work. Perhaps a GEOS interlace paint program would be in order.
Patrick J. Greene
APO AA
ReRUN is one of the most remarkable disk products I have ever seen. It makes for a friendly forum for people like myself to be heard. I especially like the small, subtle improvements that we've seen in recent times. Do us a favor--keep up the good work.
Ellen Harris
Springfield, OH
Co-workers in my office often brag about their new Macintosh and fast PC-compatibles. Once I thought my C-64 was pretty hot, but not in comparison to the new machines. Recently, I upgraded my system with a 4-megabyte RAMlink unit from Creative Micro Designs. Needless to say, my computer is not so hot anymore. On the contrary, it's positively on fire! With its battery-backup system, my applications at always there when I need them. Thanks RUN and thanks, CMD.
Peter Wilson
Huntington, MA
As a long-time user of ReRUN disks, and an equally long-time reader of RUN, I want to congratulate you folks for a couple of reasons. First, you've done a lot to keep the machine alive and to give people like myself a reason to hang on to our computers longer than we ever dreamed. Second, your disks are great. Finally, thanks for taking the time to publish this letter. I can't wait to show it to the grandchildren.
Thomas Joslin
New York, NY
Your questions in ReRUN are too tough! Try making them a little easier. While I can solve crossword puzzles in a short amount of time, your questions require too much research. Still love the disk, though.
Mary Thomas
Tampa, FL
Tips on Using ReRUN
As always, I like to pass along helpful tips on using the ReRUN disk at the end of each editorial. If you are using this type of ReRUN disk for the first time, be sure to read the following instructions carefully. While all the programs on this disk are listed and described above, neither Menu 64 nor Menu 128 displays all of them.
Because it only operates in 64 mode, Menu 64 only lists those programs that run in 64 mode, or both 64 and 128 mode; it does not list 128 mode programs. Similarly, Menu 128 (which only works in 40-column mode) displays programs that run in 128 mode, or both 64 and 128 mode; it does not list 64-specific programs.
