COMPUTE! Publications

Founded in the early 1980s, Compute Publications! became renowned for its comprehensive coverage of personal computers and home computing. It started with a focus on Commodore computers, particularly the PET and VIC-20, and later expanded its scope to include other popular systems of the era, such as the Commodore 64, Apple II, Atari 8-bit family, and IBM PCs.

Compute! was known for its in-depth articles, programming tutorials, and type-in program listings. These listings allowed readers to manually enter code into their computers, resulting in games, utilities, and educational software. This hands-on approach was incredibly popular, as it provided a direct way for users to engage with their machines and learn programming.

The rise of the internet and the rapid evolution of technology in the 1990s brought significant changes to the publishing industry. Compute! Publications, like many of its contemporaries, faced challenges in adapting to the new digital landscape. The company struggled to maintain its relevance and readership in the face of increasing competition from online resources and the changing dynamics of the tech industry. Eventually, Compute! ceased publication in the early 1990s.