commodore_free_24.pdf

Issue 24 October 2008

Free to download Commodore magazine

Dedicated to Commodore Computers

Available as PDF Text SEQ HTML and D64 image

www.commodorefree.com

Editor

http://www.commodorecomputerclub.co.uk/

I am sure I mentioned this before but as it happened again and I

think the comments made prove a point I thought I would repeat

myself.

Contents

Recently I was watching an old Doctor who series on DVD,

well ok the dvd was new but the Doctor who series was from

some time ago, for any Doctor who fans it was the pilot episode

called an unearthly child nothing unusual there, I know many

Commodore fans are also SCI-FI fans. My wife came in the

room looked at the Tv and said something like "how can you

watch these old programmes", they aren`t even in colour. I

gazed up looked back at the Tv and though "your absolutely

right its in black and white The point here is a good program is a

good program, I was so engrossed I didn`t notice the program

was in black and white and this is my point, although long

winded in explanation.

NEWS

General News

Page 4

READERS COMMENTS

Page 3

INTERVIEWS

Interview with Raymond Bryan

Page 11

TUTORIAL

In the Beginning Part 9

I know games manufacturers have deadlines and programmers

have time limits etc but I have still to find anything that I get

hooked on as much as some of the old 8-bit games. I know some

were samey and we can all be accused of not putting in 100% as

I am sure many readers notice sometimes, Issues of Commodore

Free are rushed, only scanned quickly for errors.

Page 13

Hypersid Team

Page 20

REFERENCE

Raymond Computer store Page 10

LLAMASOFT The Dromedary Years part 2 Page 17

Hypersid

Page 19

So what is a good game? What makes a good program? What

makes a good piece of music? What has all this got to do with

Commodore Free magazine? Well the answer is "I don`t know"

I presume if I knew all these answers I would be a very rich

man. I have had a thought but don`t have the knowledge or

contacts` here is the idea and remember its copyrighted to me so

if you make vast sums of money, you need to send me

commission

PRESS PLAY ON TAPE

Page 22

competition winner

Commodore Computer Club U.k.

Page 23

IDEA

Design a game on an 8-bit system and give the game away for

free, monitor the downloads and create a blog for comments

from users, find the best game ie the game receiving the most

downloads and comments, then license or convert the game to

every and any other platform and charge the standard fee, so

convert to mobile, playstation x-box etc. This will ensure its

already a classic and a buzz has been created for the game, as it

was an 8-bit game, the format change to mobile phone should

not present any problems (although I am not a programmer so

its more of a guess) Maybe we could recreate the hey day of

programming (to my mind) when people who were just

ordionary people decided to write games and even start there

own companies, names springing to mind are Tony Crowther

and Jeff Minter

HOW CAN I HELP COMMODORE FREE ..

Ok the best way to help would be write something

about Commodore

articles are always welcome,..

WHAT ARTICLES DO YOU NEED ..

Well they vary, contact me if you have an idea but I

am looking for..

Tutorials..

(beginners and Expert),..

Experiences..

with Commodore,..

Well that`s my thoughts, I think the main element of a game is

the "gameplay" graphics sound don`t matter to me, heck how

many people have played rolpay games where its just a dice and

a piece of notepaper to record scores, yep I am guilty to that,

although I cant see it as a crime, imagination can create any

image you like any sound and it costs nothing. So where is this

leading us. Well in the words of the tv presenter this leads us

neatly into the news section of Commodore Free for no real

reason other than it`s the next page

Why I love Commodore machines,.

Interviews. .

maybe you have access to a power user.

News

Club meeting

General Commodore news

New Products

Thanks

Nigel

Readers Comments

From: Lorenzo Tonanni (in Italy)

Subject: Commodore Free

To: Commodore Free Magazine

Commodore Free Comments

I realise that English may not be everyone’s preferred language

of choice but as this is the only language I can write and speak

in (sometimes with grammatical errors and spelling may not be

to everyone else’s standard) If I had a choice I would prefer

someone to proof read my editing and get Commodore Free in

English to a very high standard rather then branching out into

multiple languages. I realise that this isn’t possible without other

readers help, and that many readers do not have the time to de-

vote to proofreading and its commitments preferring rather just

to read the magazine, let me say though that without readers

there would be no point creating a magazine, so even readers

have a valid input to its creation.

Hi,

I'm a C64 & Commodore user from the 70-80's. and I've discov-

ered Commodore Free magazine. I found the magazine very in-

teresting! I live in Italy, You know surely that there are a very

large number of Commodore fans. I think it would be Wonder-

ful to share your magazine in other languages, like Italian for

example...Do You think is a good idea? I can offer my collabo-

ration in this...

Lorenzo Tonanni

Pisa, Italy

However, as a reader you may like to send the odd link or news

item, that maybe I missed during the magazine production, or

suggest someone in the Commodore community for an inter-

view with.

COMMODORE FREE

Lorenzo

I unfortunately only speak English, so its impossible for me to

create another language version of the magazine. Also because I

only speak English its impossible for me to check the content; I

wouldn’t know if the translation was accurate,

Back to the language versions,

I know for example many websites are in existence that translate

text sites into other languages (you will need to search for these

but websites like bablefish and even Google can translate text to

some extent), this was the main motivation In producing a text

and later a html version of the magazine, hoping to obtain more

reader base from international readers, who don’t speak or read

English, So If you feel the commitment to translate Commodore

free into other languages than feel free to send me an issue and I

will (if web space permits) host this version of the magazine,

lets try it as a test, although I realise that it takes a large effort

and time dedication to translate technical text so I don’t expect a

great number of people who will write in.

I would however welcome other versions of the magazine in

different languages Spanish and German especially. I can trial

an issue if you wish, and see what feedback comes from users,

what version would you be able to produce a PDF or text issue?

Many thanks for your comments, you realise though it is a large

amount of work translating and checking magazines :-)

Best regards

Nigel

www.commodorefree.com

Also talking about writing in what happened to all the readers’

comments, you guys nothing to say?

Thanks

Commodore Free

NEWS

64JPX - JoyPad eXpander

for Commodore and Atari compatible systems

FURTHER INFO

Additional information can be found in the preliminary user

manual which can be downloaded here

http://www.64hdd.com/64jpx/64jpx.pdf (PDF format)

OVERVIEW

64JPX is a small interface designed to rejuvenate the way with

which you play your favourite games on the Commodore or

Atari system.

64jpx Update

The PCB has gone out for manufacture. The final PCB ended up

being very similar in size to the prototype shown.

Now I need to finalise orders for the parts; the micro being the

most expensive - and so I am hoping to avoid ending up with a

huge stockpile of them!

Whilst joysticks were all the range in the 70s and 80s,the 1990`s

saw a move towards joypad style controllers with more buttons

and ergonomic feel. 64JPY not only allows you to safely

connect Sega Genesis/MegaDrive 3 and 6 button controllers to

your retro system, it enhances game play with a number of on-

the-fly selectable play modes.

Plans are to support a variety of versions based on feedback.

Currently on the list to offer are:

64JPX will give your favourite old games a new lease of life,

and may actually make you play better!

-Sega only

-Sega/PCanalog combo

-Sega/SNES/NES combo

-SNES/NES enhanced combo

Note: an SNES version of 64JPX is also under development.

I was surprised by the interest in the older NES controller since

it doesn't have many extra buttons, but due to the interest I have

decided to support the controller.

Note: SNES/NES controllers have a specialised connector. The

cheapest hack is to splice a DB9 connector into the original

controller cable. Instructions will be supplied for this, but will

require some soldering skills. eBay has SNES/NES extension

cables for sale. I have a limited number which I can also provide

as pre-made pin-adaptors on a first-come-first- served basis.

FEATURES

-Simple to use plug-in smart interface

-Safely connect Sega MegaDrive/Genesis 3 and 6 button joypad,

and other controllers

-Enhances game play with a number of on-the-fly selectable

gaming enhancement modes

-Works out-of-the-box with Commodore, Atari and other

compatible systems

I will be working on finalising the software whilst I await the

components from suppliers. Last chance for some brainstorming

if people want extra enhancement functions!

A dual-ported version worked out to be more expensive than

two individual interfaces, so has been dropped.

CONNECTIVITY

-Provides diode protection to Commodore and Atari systems

-Provides signal conversion from Sega joypads (via adaptors)

Provides connection to other controllers such as PC Wheels,

flight yokes, 8-button joypads, and more...

Website has been updated with some extra pictures.

http://www.64hdd.com/64jpx/

Discount pricing will be given to those that pre-order by 28 Aug

2008. The early pre-order information you supply will help me

estimate and budget for the parts that need to be purchased.

ENHANCEMENT MODES (SEGA):

-default: A=fire, B=rapid fire1, C=rapid fire2

-racing: A=fire, B=up, C=down

-waddle: A=fire, B=waddle1, C=waddle2

-creep: A=fire, B=creep left, C=creep right

The Aztec C Website

C64 Coding: IRQ Coding Tutorial

Using the Monitor feature of "Action Replay Version 6"

Cartridge

The Aztec C Website has been updated and now has its own

domain: http://www.aztecmuseum.ca/

The history has been revised and since Harry Suckow (who

holds the Copyrights) has given permission for the site the

conditions of use have been revised and clarified. More updates

and complete revamping and expansion of the site are planned

in the near future, but this update and a dedicated domain was

long overdue. The site can still be accessed through the previous

links as well, since both point to the same server. Also getting

theirown domains are:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-AINpOulGs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfkcmBpwaxI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIwqrVT1guU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cefYKc7ziU&feature=related

Here is a nice tutorial on how to code an IRQ (Interrupt

Request) for the Commodore 64

http://www.appleoldies.ca/ and http://www.c64classics.ca/

Here is the code copied from the Program for people without

access to YouTube, and has been documented by the creator and

checked to ensure my typing was accurate. The Creator has also

added some comments about how to use action replay and has

turned into a mini tutorial in its own right.

These sites are related to Aztec C in a big way and will also see

major changes and expansion in the near future.

Have Fun! Bill Buckels

PS - any of you "Philadephia Lawyers" who have made

uncharitable comments about the Aztec C site's legitimacy and

my own as well in this effort can now return to normal

programming.

On the you tube video; the tutor loads a file using action replay

fast loader this is a music PRG file, action replay reports the

memory location of the file, Here is a note from the You tube

IRQ coding creator "Conrad" who describes each line of the

program

Programming protection manual

"Conrad"

This is a simple tutorial, taking the reader through the creation

of a simple IRQ music player. This player will run under

interrupt outside of BASIC or of any other assembler programs,

leaving your machine free for other tasks.

I found a book called "Program protection manual for the C-64

Volume I" by TN Simstad. I have two questions:

- The book mentions a floppy disk. Is anyone willing to share

the D64 of this with me?

- "Volume I" implies that there is a volume 2. Can anybody

confirm this and, even better, share a PDF of it with me?

Level type: Novice

In this example, we will the use ACTION REPLAY cartridge

(particularly version 4-6 or you can use the MMC Replay

version) to allow programming with a quick and dirty monitor

and dissembler.

I wish, but it's unlikely a part 2 was every written. I remember I

read about this underground pubblication around 1987 in mags

when did my first steps about game cracking and drooled at the

idea of getting a copy of this "phantom" book. :D Now I found

that contains nothing more than I have learned by myself, just

had to spend years to collect all these infos ;) On my turn I'm

willing to share the PDF of this book. was already posted here

and it's hosted there:

IMPORTANT NOTE!

Make sure that the music file you use is NOT a .SID file, but a

standard .PRG file.

1.) From start-up, Go into FASTLOAD mode on the Action

Replay menu by pressing (F7).

http://70.116.30.93:6809/

ppm1.pdf 37.9 MB

ppm1_36.pdf 3.63 MB

2.) Load a music file with the start at address of $1000 (4096

decimal) making sure that the init address is $1000 and the play

address is $1003. To check this, use a decent SID player on

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