AMANDA'S DIARY
I was in a computer shop the other day, you know, squashed into the corner along with all the other fallen from grace 8 bits. Next to me was a guy looking through the C64 tapes. We got talking about the state of the software these days and he showed me the latest edition of a Commodore mag. I was suprised to find it still pretty thick and with bags of colour too. Anyway, we had a lovely chat and it was really refreshing to have a conversation with someone who had a different computer but who didn't give it all the mouth about specifications and street cred. I would probably get to like a C64 given the chance but I LOVE my Speccy! This guy seemed to pick up on this and said rather sadly how the C64 doesn't seem to have such a hold of affection over its users. That was really sweet I thought. Anyhow, I'm in a sentimental mood because of YS going down the pan but never a day goes by when I realise just how loved the remaining Speccys are! Fanzines and user groups are never going to let it die and that makes me feel very very happy. Nobody has offered me a copy of Football Director 2 yet you know. But I don't care because I'm well into Super Cars at the moment. I know most of these overhead 'scalextric' type games are very ropey but old Super Cars is very playable indeed.
Doubtless with the new football season ready to kick off (as I type) I'll be back on me simulations. I've had a couple of letters saying how come I like management games when I'm a girl? Well spotted TG from Leeds, I drink lager too!! Shocking eh? We were thinking of starting a user group for eight bit computers in the Notts area. Actually it never got past the planning stage as we all got too drunk and then fell over.
As well as writing this fanzine we've been doing the usual rounds of junk shops and boot fairs. We're also working on a few programs for the PD scene; a midi 8 track sequencer for Yamaha DX100 synthesisers and a Routemaster bus garage management simulator! Dave has always wanted one you know but no one has managed to write one for him. He is a strange boy and no mistake. As this is the last thing being programmed into the fanzine I have to watch the old memory free business. And although what I know about programming you could write on a er.. dole card, my handy dandy memory free routine will go a long way to making your lives complete. Simply type:
PRINT 65536-USR 7962press enter and there you go. I nicked it from Andrew Hewson actually but who cares. Next issue is looking pretty good on paper at least. We've got features on Hi-tec and D+H Games software and a poster of Richard Swann, which looks strangely like Mr. Logic from Viz. At least that's what I think he looks like. (Amanda)
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