Ok, folks. After much delay, here it is. I present to you the (Modified):

COMMODORE MAGAZINE FAQ (3/4) V1.0 - COMPUTE!'s GAZETTE

NOTE: The format for this FAQ will be different than previous ones. To conform to standards already in place, I have updated this format in a question and answer session (i.e. 1.0 What was COMPUTE!'s Gazette?). Also note: The information contained within this edition of the (3/4) FAQ is believed to be entirely correct and free from error. However, due to typos and/or misinformation on my part, some misinformation may appear. I promise the reader(s) to update this FAQ upon reader-submitted and/or self-corrected submissions as necessary. Enjoy the FAQ!

CONTENTS:

3.0 - What was COMPUTE!'s Gazette?

COMPUTE!'s Gazette was a monthly publication put out by COMPUTE! Publications in conjunction with the ABC Publishing Company. The Gazette originally started in July 1983 as a spinoff from the regular COMPUTE! magazine, this was done to accommodate the growing number of VIC-20 and 64 owners. The full time staff of COMPUTE! just did not have enough time to handle ALL the computers covered (i.e. Atari 400/800,Vic-20 & 64,IBM PC).

COMPUTE!'s Gazette, more than any other Commodore-specific magazine, was easily read by the average reader in clear, easy-to-understand terminology and language. This worked against COMPUTE!'s Gazette in its later days, as the general reader audience matured somewhat are realized that CG was merely candy-coating everything and not adequately telling things "how they are".

Nevertheless, the Gazette began in July 1983 covering the Vic-20 and Commodore 64 computers. A welcome feature was extensive coverage of CES (Consumer Electronics Show) every January and June. The Gazette changed its focus with the February 1985 issue to "COMMODORE" users, not just Vic-20 and 64 coverage exclusively. As the Vic-20 waned in popularity, coverage of it diminished, while newer computers (such as the Plus/4,16,and 128) received more attention.

The content of the magazine became repetitive after awhile, and readers probably no doubt grew tired of it. Re-releases of "old" programs as "new" hardly added to the quality of the magazine. In earlier years, the Gazette's quality was much better than later on.

COMPUTE!'s Gazette ceased publication as an individual entity and merged with COMPUTE! as a separate magazine "within" a magazine from 1990-1993. Afterwards, the Gazette continued in its disk format and ceased in February 1995.

3.1 - What articles were in COMPUTE!'s Gazette?

______________________________________________________________________________ 
    FEATURES
______________________________________________________________________________ 
     The Move Toward Integrated Software  Selby Bateman ..............26 *
     Inside View: Bruce Artwick, The Designer r etc. Kathy Yakal .....32 *
     A window to the world: Modems in the Home  Sharon DArling .......38 *
______________________________________________________________________________ 
    REVIEWS
______________________________________________________________________________ 
     Seven Cities of Gold  Gregg Keizer ..............................98 64
     Childpace  C. Regena ...........................................104 64
     Also Worth Noting ..............................................110 *
______________________________________________________________________________ 
    GAMES
______________________________________________________________________________ 
     Trap 'Em  Jon Rhees .............................................54 V/64
     Chomper  George Hu ..............................................56 V/64 
     Kablam!  Stephen Ressler ........................................60 V/64 

The above example was given from the January 1985 issue (Vol. 3, No.1) Below everything was printed:

*=General, V=VIC-20,64=Commodore 64, +4=Plus/4, 16=Commodore 16.

And later was added:

128=Commodore 128.

Thus the numbers and asterisk following each page number. Other departments etc. included Education/Home Applications,Programming,Departments,and Program Listings.

Here is a breakdown of the many features and articles in a typical issue of the Gazette:

1. Features

These articles where the main "theme" if you will of each issue. The focal point and main topic addressed. The bar above the title "COMPUTE!'s GAZETTE" on the front page (in the above example of the TOC, "The Move Toward Integrated Software") would often be one of the "Features" articles.

Also included from time to time would be an interview with a software designer behind a successful game or utility (hence the feature column "Inside View: etc.").

Also, if the CES was covered, it would appear in the "Features" area as well. CES coverage was extensive and well-written.

2. Reviews

Often the latest software and games were covered this column, but hardware also from time to time. In general, the Gazette made an effort to candy-coat reviews, but were for the most part reliable and fair.

3. Games

This section included Type-in programs for various Commodore computers in the form of exciting games. Examples of such include "Enchanted Journey" (May 1985/Vic-20 only),"Power Poker" (November 1985/64 only), and Nevets (April 1984/64 & Vic-20).

Occasionally, games would be included with "how-to" projects, such as adding a second-joystick to the Vic-20 (Tank Mania,April 1984/Vic-20).

4. Education/Home Applications

Sometimes articles for general audiences would appear, other times educational type-in programs. Examples of this included "Math Dungeon" (January 1985/Vic & 64), Stars II (August 1989/64), and "Aardvark" (October 1983/Vic-20).

These articles and programs were useful for teaching the younger readers about computers, and educating parents about the various features and aides available for their kids.

5. Programming

VARIOUS articles and programs appeared in this section. Occasional programs (such as "Disk Merge",January 1985/Vic-20 & 64) would appear, other times regular articles are programs provided monthly installments to the reader ("Power BASIC",Hints & Tips,Machine Language for BEginners,BASIC Magic, The Beginners Corner,etc.)

Most of these programs and articles provided short, useful information and routines for everyday use in programming,home applications,software,etc.

6. Departments

The Editor's Notes (Robert C. Lock and later, Lance Elko) was were the editor expressed his views on various issues concerning the Commodore community, and sometimes served as a sort of announcements page for the magazine.

Gazette Feedback (Editors and Readers) was a question and answer forum supplied by the readers and answered by the editors of the magazine.

Simple Answers to Common Questions (Tom R. Halfhill) was a column that answered everyday questions submitted by the reader. More in depth than Gazette Feedback, and more specific too.

Horizons: 64 (later became Horizons- Charles Brannon) was a column that delved into a number of topics and interests, general and specific.

News & Products - was a column that let the reader know about new developments and products available in the Commodore community.

D'iversions (Fred D'Ignazio) - a later column much like Horizons, but even more specific in scope and interest. Sometimes a "theme" would reoccur every so often, from issue to issue.

Other articles in "Departments" that appeared less frequently:

Bug-Swatter: Modifications & Corrections - This infrequent column provided corrections and suggested modifications from programs and articles in previous issues of the Gazette.

User Group Update - A useful column that provided to the reader a list of user groups throughout the country and in local areas.

3.2 - Who was responsible for contributing to COMPUTE!'s Gazette?

Lots of people. Here is a list:

(1983-1987 or so)

Publisher - Gary R. Ingersoll
Editor in Chief - Robert C. Lock
Director of Administration - Alice S. Wolfe
Senior Editor - Richard Mansfield
Managing Editor - Kathleen Martinek
Editor - Lance Elko
Assistant Editor - Todd Heimarck
Production Director - Tony Roberts

(1987-1993 or so)

Publisher - William Tynan
Associate Publisher - Lance Elko
Managing Editor - Kathleen Martinek
Editorial Operations Director - Tony Roberts
Senior Art Director - Janice R. Fary
Editorial Marketing Manager - Caroline D. Hanlon
Executive Assistant - Sybil Agee
Senior Administrative Assistant - Julia Fleming

There are others who contributed less frequently to the Gazette. Among them Charles Brannon,Selby Bateman,Kathy Yakal,Sharon Darling,Gregg Keizer,C. Regena,Fred D'Ignazio,Michael S. Tomczyk,William A. Yarberry, Jr.,Richard Mansfield, Lawrence Cotton,Tom R. Halfhill,Robert Simms, among others.

Others not mentioned...hats off to them as well.

3.3/3.4 - Other Frequently Asked Questions about COMPUTE!'s Gazette

Where can I obtain back issues to the Gazette?

You may still be able to obtain back issues by writing the publisher directly. They are cleaning out old inventory and want to get rid of some of the back issues remaining. Here is there snail-mail address:

ABC Consumer Magazines, Inc.
c/o Robert G. Burton,President
825 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019

This is the address as listed in the August 1989 issue of the Gazette. It may have changed since then. I will post a revision to this FAQ should that be the case.

Otherwise, hit as many garage sales as possible.

What was the distribution numbers for the magazine?

The circulation numbers for SUBSCRIBERS ONLY reached about 80,000 on its best years. TOTAL circulation may have been as high as 90,000.

Why did the magazine cease publication?

A number of reasons, many of them financially interrelated with the Commodore 8-bit market in general. With the waning popularity of the C-64/128 line of 8-bit computers, subscription numbers dwindled. Thus, the Gazette was forced to wither lower its standards to less articles and programs per issue ( and less pages per issue ) or fold. They chose the latter.

Re-prints editions of this FAQ are available from this newsgroup, or by e-mailing me at: pap@dana.ucc.nau.edu