Contents: 1981 – 1982
The magazine details below are assembled in chronological order (issue numbers are provided in parentheses). A brief description of the contents of each magazine is provided. Please select either the thumbnail image of the magazine cover or the ‘contents’ link to move to a more complete description of the articles in each magazine and also to the page which will allow you to access the articles proper.
If after having read an article you wish to go back to the contents of that particular magazine then please select the ‘Contents and Editorial’ link at the foot of the page. To return to this page simply select either the ‘Home’ link located at the foot of the article or the ‘Your Computer’ title at the top of the page.
For publications outside of the years 1981-1982, please select one the links below:
Contents: 1983
Contents: 1984
Contents: 1985
Contents: 1986
Contents: 1987
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June/July 1981 (Volume 01, Number 02). This issue includes a review of the Sinclair ZX-81, an interview with Kit Spencer of Commodore regarding the soon to be released Vic-20, and David Bannister takes a look at video games from Atari. John Dawson looks at the challenge of building a Microtan 65 computer and Peter Laurie compares the different types of Basic available. David Pringle introduces the Fingertips calculator column. Contents: |
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August/September 1981 (Volume 01, Number 02). This issue provides a review of the Commodore Vic-20 and also a cracking interview with Clive Sinclair in which he provides a time-line of how he became one of most successful figures in the UK computer industry whilst taking time out to issue a few swipes at the BBC and the Government. There is also an interesting investigation into the merits or otherwise of chess games. Contents: |
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October 1981 (Volume 01, Number 03). This issue contains an interview with Chris Curry of Acorn (it may be worth referencing this with the interview with Clive Sinclair in the previous months issue), reviews of the Tandy Colour Computer and Microtan 65, software reviews for the ZX-80, ZX-81 and Vic-20 and an article on how to use flow-charts to improve programming technique. Nick Hampshire looks at the high resolution capabilities of the Vic-20. Contents: |
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November 1981 (Volume 01, Number 04) In this issue, Tim Hartnell reviews the Texas 99/4 home computer making comparisons with the Vic-20 and Tandy. There are interviews with Paul Johnstone of Tangerine computers and John Rowland of WH Smith. Bill Bennett investigates the standard of music on home computers and Christopher Histed explains the principles behind computer art. Contents: |
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December 1981 (Volume 1, Number 5) This issue of Your Computer has a review of the ZX Printer and reviews of games available for sale during the forthcoming festive season. Mike Thompson shows how to make full use of String Functions. There is an article on chess programs on the ZX-81 and two articles on making music on the Tandy TRS-80 and Sharp MZ-80K machines. John Dawson continues his Computer Control series. Contents: |
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January 1982 (Volume 2, Number 1) This issue of Your Computer includes a close look at the newly launched BBC Microcomputer. There is an article on programming techniques to be employed when making games on the ZX-81 as well another piece on pattern and music-generating programs on the Vic-20. Kenneth Baker is interviewed about the government’s plans for the promoting of the use of personal computers. Contents: |
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February 1982 (Volume 2, Number 2) The ZX-81 is amply catered for in this issue, with details on how to creating a program for solving the Rubiks Cube and using machine-code to create animated graphics. The Pet has a listing for dominoes whilst the the Atom is provided for with a game of (unbeatable) noughts and crosses. The BBC (graphics) and Vic-20 (sound) are covered. Contents: |
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March 1982 (Volume 2, Number 3)The ZX-81 takes centre spot in this issue as it is the first anniversary of that machines launch. There are articles analysing the memory packs available, making a snakes and ladders game and an intriguing article looking at programming the soundless ZX-81 to play musical notes. The Nascom range of computers are reviewed and the Vic’s RS-232 ports are explained. Bev Mason shows how to plot graphs on the Genie. Contents: |
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April 1982 (Volume 2, Number 4) Tim Hartnell reviews a variety of add-ons for the Vic-20, whilst Nick Hampshire shows how to write a plotting program for that machine. Graham Thomson shows how to create your own Adventure program for the ZX-81, whilst the machine’s I/O ports are reviewed and David Lawrence looks at different sorting programs. There are also articles on line-labelling for the Atom and Graphics for the BBC. Contents: |
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May 1982 (Volume 2, Number 5) The ZX-81 gets preferential treatment in this issue, with a survey of its burgeoning software market, an article explaining how to adapt joysticks for the machine and also a piece on how to use the machines capablities to impress people. The BBC is covered with an article on how to make contoured landscapes whilst the Vic is also addressed with an article explaining how to make a tank battle game for two players. Contents: |
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June 1982 (Volume 2, Number 6) Your Computer gets its first glimpse of the Sinclair ZX Spectrum and compares the new machine to its rivals. The Vic-20 software market is surveyed whilst the ZX-81 gets the full treatment with a look at replacement keyboards and with Your Computer providing a free flexi-disc with an Othello program. The BBC is looked after with an article providing tips – not available in the manual – on how to use that machine. Contents: |
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July 1982 (Volume 2, Number 7) The newly launched ZX Spectrum has its graphics capabilities put to the test by Tim Hartnell. The ZX-81 has a colour board reviewed to see if it can rival the Spectrum. Over 100 Atom programs are reviewed by Eric Deeson. There are articles and programs for Genie, ZX-81, Vic-20 and ZX-80. David Pringle reviews the new Sharp PC-1500 pocket computer. Richard Altwasser is interviewed by Brendan Gore. Contents: |
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August 1982 (Volume 2, Number 8) The ZX Spectrum has its sound capabilities tested. There is another contender within the crowded but bouyant computer: The Dragon 32. This machine is reviewed by Tim Hartnell. Tony Baden of Bug Byte reveals how he turned a hobby into a thriving busines. There are a selection of programs for the ZX-81 and Vic-20 and an analysis of the software required to manipulate files in a database on the Atom. Contents: |
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September 1982 (Volume 2, Number 9) This month the software available for the ZX Spectrum comes under scrutiny. Simon Beesley reviews the Newbrain computer (two years after its launch). Meirion Jones interviews Hermann Hauser the Technical Director for Acorn. Tim Langdell attempts to coax sound from the notably silent ZX-81. Philip Horton and David Horne respectively provide details on a Vic-20 Assembler and ZX Spectrum Dissassembler. Contents: |
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October 1982 (Volume 2, Number 10) There are a plethora of new machines reviewed in this issue: Commodore 64, MPF-II, Colour Genie and Sanyo’s PHC range. The BBC has its range of software reviewed whilst Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is interviewed. The language Pascal is looked at whilst another article details the list of more commonly used Basic terms. There are also listings for the ZX-81, Spectrum and VIC. Contents: |
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November 1982 (Volume 2, Number 11) The Forth based Jupiter Ace is reviewed along with low-cost printers. Clive Sinclair is interviewed by Meirion Jones and offers a glimpse of the future of Sinclair. Eric Deeson reviews the quality of a variety of software for the ZX-81 and the Atom, Spectrum and BBC have their sound capabilities analysed. Tim Langdell shows how to get colour and 3D graphics displays on the Dragon, BBC and Spectrum. Contents: |  |
December 1982 (Volume 2, Number 12) A plethora of listings are available in this month’s issue with a games special. Machines covered include the Dragon, Spectrum, ZX-81, Vic, Atari and BBC. Neville Ash reviews the latest software for the Vic-20. Tim Langdell reviews the Sord M-5. David Horne embarks on a series of articles which will explain how to build a working chess game in just 1,000 bytes on the ZX-81. Contents: |
July 6, 2011 at 5:32 pm |
We demand more Commodore listings!
July 23, 2011 at 4:17 pm |
All in good time. Attempting to get the Commodore listings – particularly Vic-20 – onto a web page (as well as into an emulator) is a bit of a pain. Sinclair Basic is far more amenable. Could this be another example of the superiority of the Sinclair machine over the Commodore?
August 12, 2011 at 9:16 pm |
Fantastic website. I’ve got most of the issues of Your Computer (in pdf form) so if you want any help in typing things up, let me know. It will bring back good memories of typing in listings on the old VIC all those years ago !
August 13, 2011 at 8:10 am |
Thanks for the complement and comment. At the moment I am concentrating on getting interviews and reviews online. I will then turn my attention to the listings. I don’t have a Vic-20 and the emulator I use means that I am forever fiddling around trying to work out where the character/graphic symbols as well as trying to discern what they are from the magazine. This is extremely time consuming and not a little frustrating which is why there is currently a greater amount of Sinclair listings (as that is the machine I am more familiar with). However, the Vic was a great little machine and I am extremely keen to get listings and samples onto the site and as such I will be taking you up on your offer. Thank you.
August 13, 2011 at 3:02 am |
Nice job and THANKS! for republishing these online. The interviews with Sir Clive, Chris Curry, WHSmiths and Hauser are pure gold, they are a real insight into this key time in the uk’s computer industry and developing culture. And my own Zx81 type-in listing reproduced here, and unseen since late ’81 is surely just icing on the cake:)
Thanks again ! Iain
August 13, 2011 at 8:04 am |
It’s a pleasure (although I musty admit that things have been a little slow recently with regard to updates). If you don’t mind me asking, how old were you when you wrote your ZX-81 listing? I intend to type it into an emulator (at some stage) and get some screen shots of it onto the site. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
August 13, 2011 at 11:19 am |
16! I built the zx81 from a kit. I remember when it finally rrived I skived off from my Saturday job and put it together that same day. My dad was what they called at that time a ‘computer engineer’ and he got me a new ram chip- my zx81 had an amazing **2k** :)
One obvious thing about those listings sections: So many listings didn’t work! So I rewrote mine over and over. Submitting it was a great incentive! Cheers Iain
August 13, 2011 at 6:12 pm |
16 eh? A bit older than me. I know that general perception about the listings was that they never worked – and more often than not this was the case, but I always remained fascinated by the idea that the wierd symbols and words would create something on the screen. This probably stems from my initial wonderment at games like Space Invaders where I tried to puzzle out how the computer new when a missile had hit an alien. I can hrecall visiting a friends house sometime in 1982 just after he had been given a ZX-81. Most of our peers were – to put it bluntly – underwhelmed. Yet I remained intrigued by this tiny little box and the fact that it could move letters across the screen in order to represent invaders. How did it do that!
Thanks for responding, I hope that Your Computer paid you the £6 for your listing.
Barry
November 27, 2011 at 10:23 pm |
Ah – Southern Gas Computer Club and Microcosm!. Those were heady days when life ran to the sedate beat of a 1Mhz clock and our expectations were satisfied 8 bits at a time. Long live the Pet, the TRS80 Android the MZ80k.
February 23, 2012 at 9:38 am |
Wow. Cool. I had my first ever magazine article published in this magazine in, I think, September 1980. Thanks for the memories :)
March 3, 2012 at 7:16 am |
An excellent effort. Good to see all this original content preserved.
May 28, 2012 at 11:07 pm |
Heh. I learned more about programming by debugging the listings in the magazines than I did from books:)
This is a fantastic blog – thanks again.
September 18, 2012 at 4:15 pm |
Thanks for the kind words (apologies for not responding sooner). I agree, I also gained more from debugging magazine listings (and boy did they need debugging) than I did from books – which I found a bit expensive.
December 17, 2012 at 9:02 am |
Fantastic Website, I’ve been searching for a Dragon 32 Stunt Cycle game listing for about 20 years. Hopefully you’ll get all the 1983 & 84 issues catalogued at some point as I’m sure it’s in there somewhere. Back in the day I could never get the game to run but I’m hoping that if I ever find it I will be able to.