Commodore Free Magazine Issue #48

Free to download Commodore magazine dedicated to Commodore Computers.

source: commodorefree.com

Sorry, this entry is only available in Italian.

If you are interested in BASIC programming for the C-64, then you have probably used a BASIC Extension at some point.  Most of us are familiar with Commodore’s Simons’ BASIC cartridge.  Unfortunately, most of these extensions aren’t very useful.

Simons’ BASIC, for example, has a pretty lousy set of commands.  Many of them are basically (pun) useless.  It’s also a very confusing set of commands — there are no consistent conventions used, making it necessary to constantly refer to the manual.

Further, a program written with Simons’ BASIC can only be run on a C-64 with a Simons’ BASIC cartridge.  Pretty limiting. DotBASIC Plus is similar to other extensions in one way: you get a lot of new commands (or DotCommands, of course) — over 100 so far.  But that’s where the similarities end.

Download: DotBASIC Plus (855)

source: 8bitcentral.com

Char Pad is a cross-development tools aimed squarely at developing graphics for Commodore 64 games and will hopefully ease and inspire the production of new games software for this immortal and unique platform.

New features:

• Variable tile sizes, currently 1×1, 2×2, 3×3, 4×4 or 5×5.
• Pixel level editing of whole tiles.
• 80×50 and 40×25 map editor modes.
• Map flood-fill + copy & paste any map area.
• Move & Mirror tiles or maps.
• Powerful character set optimizer.
• Collision “material” editing & grouping for easy software collision detection.
• Export any data in raw or PRG formats.
• Load and save SEUCK compatible background files (including Jon Wells’ sideways SEUCK mod).

source: code.myby.co.uk

x1541, a user of the forum64.de has decided to scale down and update the pcb of the Micro SwinSID.

Download: NanoSwinSID PCB (33.34 Kb)

Features:

• ISP Connector.
• Same size as the original SID.
• 6581/8580 Jumper.
• Smd ATmega.

source: forum64.de

Micro SwinSID (SwinSID88) is a hardware replacement for legendary SID sound chip which was placed in every Commodore C64 computer and other devices. Firmware update (27022011):

• This new firmware brings 6581 filter emulation by connecting B0 AVR pin to ground (on the Photo).
• Filter distrortions are still not emulated, only filter cutoff is affected.

source: forum64.de

A new version of Vice is released, the famous C64 (VIC-20/DTV…) emulator comes to the version v2.3.

What is new with the 2.3 release? Click here.

source: vice-emu.sourceforge.net sourceforge.net

Sorry, this entry is only available in Italian.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Italian.

CBM prg Studio allows you to type a BASIC or Machine Code program in using a nice Windows environment and convert it to a ‘.prg’ file which you can run on an emulator, or even a real C64 or VIC20 if you’re feeling brave and have the right kit.

CBM prg Studio is a replacement for C64PrgGen and VIC20PrgGen and is designed to be a single development tool which will cover some of the early CBM 8-bit machines.

source: ajordison.co.uk

Skoe has released a trained, patched and digiboosted version of Myth (Commodore 64) for the Easyflash cartridge.

source noname.c64.org

Micro ZoomFloppy is a reduced version of the ZoomFloppy interface.

The interface Micro ZoomFloppy will sit in the 6522 IC socket of the Commodore Floppy Drive and provides the complete ZoomFloppy functionality.  The only external connection is a USB connector.

source: go4retro.com

Technische Maschinenfabrik (TMF) has released a new game for Commodore 64, Lady Kakerlak.

This game reminds the coin-op game Lady Bug, if you like original coin-op, you’ll love “Lady Kakerlak”.

source: noname.c64.org

This program is basically a utility created to edit your D64 files. Hopefully when it is done it will have all of the features you’d expect from a c64 based disk editor, as well as additional features that make it easier to manage your D64 files.

Here some features:

• Read D64 files, display the directory, move files around the directory, rename files.
• Export files from the D64 into PRG files.
• Import files into the D64 with autodetection for P00 files.
• View/Edit the BAM.
• View the block chain of files on the D64.
• Create new blank D64 files, clean existing D64′s.
• View and modify blocks on the disk in hex.
• Automatic check for crosslinked files on the D64.
• View the directory using the native c64 font.
• SEQ File Viewer using the c64 font with PETASCII->ASCII conversion option.
• Drag and Drop functionality. Drag D64′s onto the main screen to load them, drag other files to import them.
• Preliminary support for importing T64′s.
• A filename builder to enable easy use of the C64 Characterset in filenames.

Read more…

Program that detects type of your hardware in Commodore 128.

Also added recognizing CMD Hardware FD/HD/RAMLink/RAMDrive/JiffyDOS/SuperCPU/RR-Net/SD2IEC and a better detection of MMU and RAM size (SuperRAM), not works correctly in VICE.

The program is optimized for 80 columns mode.

source: mirkosoft.sk