BASIC
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From the mid-1970s through the early 1980s, the transmission of BASIC in print took several paths, three of which will be the main focus of the rest of this section. [newsprint, magazines, & books] | From the mid-1970s through the early 1980s, the transmission of BASIC in print took several paths, three of which will be the main focus of the rest of this section. [newsprint, magazines, & books] | ||
First of all, programs in BASIC were made available inexpensively in cheaply produced newsprint magazines of the sort one might buy today to do crossword puzzles or play ken-ken. Little can be said about these material objects and how they cast might on the transmission of BASIC, except to say that the fact of their impermanence reflects the way were seen, by publishers and/or users, it is difficult to say. One can surmise that they were, relatively speaking, inexpensive and readily available at counters and newsstands. Since these are not the types of items most libraries would have collected and conserved over the decades, they are very difficult to find. | First of all, programs in BASIC were made available inexpensively in cheaply produced newsprint magazines of the sort one might buy today to do crossword puzzles or play ken-ken. Little can be said about these material objects and how they cast might on the transmission of BASIC, except to say that the fact of their impermanence reflects the way were seen, by publishers and/or users, it is difficult to say. One can surmise that they were, relatively speaking, inexpensive and readily available at counters and newsstands. Since these are not the types of items most libraries would have collected and conserved over the decades, they are very difficult to find. | ||
| − | By the 1970s, the practice of turning to electronics and computer magazines was common. Ziff-Davis’s ''Popular Electronics'', launched in 1954, was perhaps the first broadly available computer magazine. It developed a strong following among computer specialists and hobbyists alike, and because of its success was only the first of Ziff-Davis’s magazines about computer technologies over the next five decades [Ziff-Davis filed for bankruptcy in 2008]. In the early 1970s the magazine’s format grew to letter-size (8.5 x 11 in), and the magazine’s tagline "World's Largest Selling Electronics Magazine" would grace its cover. Many claim that the image of the new Altair computer on the January 1975 issue of ''Popular Electronics'' triggered the age of home computing. Not even a decade later, in November 1982, Popular Electronics was renamed; under the name ''Computers & Electronics'', the magazine reviewed hardware and software products. | + | By the 1970s, the practice of turning to electronics and computer magazines was common. Ziff-Davis’s ''Popular Electronics'', launched in 1954, was perhaps the first broadly available computer magazine. It developed a strong following among computer specialists and hobbyists alike, and because of its success was only the first of Ziff-Davis’s magazines about computer technologies over the next five decades [Ziff-Davis filed for bankruptcy in 2008]. In the early 1970s the magazine’s format grew to letter-size (8.5 x 11 in), and the magazine’s tagline "World's Largest Selling Electronics Magazine" would grace its cover. Many claim that the image of the new Altair computer on the January 1975 issue of ''Popular Electronics'' triggered the age of home computing. Not even a decade later, in November 1982, ''Popular Electronics'' was renamed; under the name ''Computers & Electronics'', the magazine reviewed hardware and software products. |
| − | During that same decade, spurred by the growth of home computing as well as nurturing it, many other computer magazines came and went. Several, however, are worth mentioning here because they trafficked in BASIC and catered to BASIC learners and aficionados alike – namely Byte, Commodore Magazine, Creative Computing, Run, Rainbow, and Dr. DOBBS. These magazines, which themselves changed over the years, offer a window into the range of BASIC users and programs as well as reviews and discussion of new hardware and software that be and remain of interest to BASIC-using communities. | + | During that same decade, spurred by the growth of home computing as well as nurturing it, many other computer magazines came and went. Several, however, are worth mentioning here because they trafficked in BASIC and catered to BASIC learners and aficionados alike – namely ''Byte'', ''Commodore Magazine'', ''Creative Computing'', ''Run'', ''Rainbow'', and ''Dr. DOBBS''. These magazines, which themselves changed over the years, offer a window into the range of BASIC users and programs as well as reviews and discussion of new hardware and software that be and remain of interest to BASIC-using communities. |
| − | CREATIVE COMPUTING was an early magazine in the world of micro-computing. Founded by David H. Ahl, it focused on publishing for the home hobbyist, and it survived from 1974 to 1985. | + | ''Creative Computing'' was an early magazine in the world of micro-computing. Founded by David H. Ahl, who also wrote some ground-breaking books [later], ''Creative Computing'' focused on publishing for the home computer hobbyist; launched in 1974, it survived until 1985. |
| − | RUN was a monthly magazine published by IDG Communications that didn’t start publication until 1984 and devoted itself to all things Commodore. There was also a German edition on RUN. | + | ''Run'' was a monthly magazine published by IDG Communications that didn’t start publication until 1984 and devoted itself to all things Commodore. There was also a German edition on ''RUN''. |
| − | RAINBOW Magazine was a monthly magazine for the TRS-80 Color Computer, and it was published from July 1981 to May 1993. Rainbow featured a Rainbow on Tape and Rainbow on Disk services to supplement the type-in programs the magazine offered. The magazines offered type-in programs, recipes, math games, etc. | + | ''Rainbow'' Magazine was a monthly magazine for the TRS-80 Color Computer, and it was published from July 1981 to May 1993. Rainbow featured a Rainbow on Tape and Rainbow on Disk services to supplement the type-in programs the magazine offered. The magazines offered type-in programs, recipes, math games, etc. |
| − | BYTE was a monthly magazine with wide-ranging coverage that appeared first in September 1975 on the heels of the early personal computers manufactured and sold as kits. It survived under several owners until 1998. | + | ''Byte'' was a monthly magazine with wide-ranging coverage that appeared first in September 1975 on the heels of the early personal computers manufactured and sold as kits. It survived under several owners until 1998. |
| + | '' | ||
| + | • Dr. DOBBS'' | ||
| − | • Dr. DOBBS | + | • ''Sinclair User'' (UK) – from April 1982 thru April 1993 |
| − | • Sinclair User (UK) – from April 1982 thru April 1993 | + | [More to come on magazines-- please feel free to add to these magazine entries. Question: does anyone know of any foreign magazines worth mentioning here besides ''Sinclair User''? Or any foreign editions of any of these besides ''Run''?] |
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| + | [More to come a whole chunk of writing about books dealing with BASIC] | ||
== Programs in Human Memory == | == Programs in Human Memory == | ||
