Commodore Magazine Nostalgia: Ahoy!, RUN and Compute!'s Gazette!

Commodore Magazine FAQ version 2.2 (March 2000)

Scroll down for the interviews! (Last Updated: November 22, 2003)

Ahoy! - Ion International (January 1984-January 1989)
 

The most overlooked of the "Big Three", Ahoy! magazine was also arguably the best of the group. With contributors such as Cleveland M. Blakemore, Morton Kevelson, Buck Childress and a host of hard working individuals, ION International helped improve the computing lives of hundreds of thousands of Commodore users. Begun in January 1984, the fledgling computer magazine from New York City produced quality content from day one. Although a few glitches hit the first issue with regards to the "Type-In" programs, the overall flavor and impact of Ahoy! still rings as clear today as it did 16 years ago.   Ahoy! was more than just a magazine; Ahoy! was a way of life. For 30 days each month, Commodore users where blessed with quality programs, reviews, "insider" information and, of course, outstanding humor.   One person personified Ahoy! to it's very core: Cleveland Mark Blakemore. From mid-1986 until his departure after the July 1988 issue, Blakemore produced -- one after another -- 30+ outstanding pproooograms and games for both the Commodore 64 and 128. Who can forget his 3-D RPG quests such as "Vault of Terror" (Oct. 1986), "Crypt of Fear" (Feb. 1988) and "Tomb of Horror" (July 1988)? Or lesser known gems such as "Galactic Cab Co." (July 1987), "Planet Patrol" (April 1987), "Jungle Jake" (January 1988), "Vee Kloros" (March 1988) and "Lunar Buggy" (July 1988)?   When Ahoy! succumed to lingering debt and publishing difficulties after the January 1989 issue, part of the Commodore 8-bit world died with it. No one can ever forget the sleek looking cover, irresistable content and outstanding coverage that Ahoy! brought to the Commodore 8-bit community.   "Insider" Interviews: Morton Kevelson - Consulting Editor to Ahoy! magazine - Hardware guru - Commodore/General Tim Little - Senior Editor - Columnist - Commodore/General Cleveland M. Blakemore (nuy) - Consulting Editor to Ahoy! magazine - Programmer - Commodore/General David Allikas(nuy) - Publisher to Ahoy! magazine - Chief Ediitooor - Commodore/General Mike Davila - Editor to Ahoy! magazine - Second Editor - Commodore/General Bob Sodaro - Managing editor of Ahoy! magazine - Published author - Commodore/General

RUN - IDG Communications (January 1984-Nov/Dec 1992)
 

RUN magazine deserves a special place in every Commodore user's library...with a ton of impressive "Magic Tricks", programs (Run Paint), and contributing authors, RUN embodied the very spirit of the Commodore community with down to earth coverage and outstanding leadership. When 1984 rolled around, RUN magazine was in the same boat as Ahoy! magazine and half a dozen other start ups: make money, stay afloat for the first year, and increase readership. But with outstanding content and quality from Issue 1, RUN developed a deep raporte with the Commodore community seldom approached by any other entity.   At the very heart of RUN magazine were the infamous "Magic Tricks". Every month, RUN produced quality programs -- often less than 2 blocks long -- that greatly enhanced the programming lives of thousands of Commodore users world wide.   Contributors such as Lou Wallace, editor Dennis Brisson, and programmer Tony Brantner provided the Commodore community with solid, first rate content.   At the end of every calendar year, RUN also put out an outstanding "Special Issue", with hundreds of "Magic Tricks", type-in programs, reviews and reports on the world of Commodore computing. As a special bonus, RUN also included pull out calendars, programs and offers that made the "Special" issue truly special.   RUN did very well until the early 1990s, when the Commodore 8-bit world began to wane. After going bi-monthly in  1990, RUN ceased publication with the November/December 1992 issue. Even to the very end, RUN remained fresh and consistent.   "Insider" Interviews: Lou Wallace (not up yet) - Consulting Editor to RUN magazine - Commodore Clinic - Commodore/General Dennis Brisson (nuy) - Editor to RUN magazine - Witty, intelligent - Commodore/General Joey Latimer - Freelance programmer to Family Computing and RUN magazines - Song writer - Commodore/General

Compute!'s Gazette - ??? (July 1983-January 1993?)
 

The most universally accepted Commodore specific magazine, Compute!'s Gazette was the source of both great enthusiasm and great frustration with the Commodore world. On one hand, you had the great reviews, useful programs, and worthy "In-Depth" interviews, while on the other hand you missed out on the "technical" side of Commodore computing put forth by Transactor and Ahoy! But without the success of Compute!'s Gazette, it is highly doubtful that the other Commodore magazines would have survived. Begun in July 1983, the Gazette provided the Commodore community with a first rate publication at a reasonable price.   With "Type-In" programs, "In-Depth" reviews and interviews, and a host of features not found in other Commodore magazines, the Gazette was at the forefront of the Commodore computing revolution.   Every issue was different from the last, providing unqiue and fresh coverage each and every month. With outstanding CES coverage and a nice "Feedback" forum, the Gazette produced a quality magazine enviable even today. Compute!'s Gazette  went to an all Disk format in 1992, and even shared space with parent magazine Compute! from 1990 to 1992.   "Insider" Interviews: Jim Butterfield - Freelance Commodore author/programmer to CG/Transactor - Hardware guru - Commodore/General<<< Charles Brannon - Not up yet Michael S. Tomczyk - Author of "The Home Computing Wars" - Contributing author to Compute!/Compute!'s Gazette Fred D' Ignazio - Author of over 32 computer and educational books. Contributed to Compute! and Compute!'s Gazette from 1983 to about 1988. Richard Mansfield - Not up yet Gregg Peele - Co-Author of "80 Columns on the 64" and other cool programs! - Commodore/General<