Loadstar

Issue 15 (1985)

Loadstar [ISSN 0886-4144] (1984-2007) was a monthly digital magazine (diskmag) for the Commodore C64 computer, originally published on 5.25 inch floppy disk by Softdisk Publishing. Disks were double-sided and occasionally an issue contained two double-sided floppy disks. Its name was derived from the command LOAD "*",8,1, which was commonly used to read commercial software on a 5.25 inch floppy disk for use with the Commodore 1541 disk drive. The name was also inspired, partially, by the term "lodestar".

History[edit | edit source]

Color Insert from Issue 48

Loadstar was the second platform for which Softdisk published a disk magazine. The first had been created for Apple II computers in 1981. By 1984, Commodore 64 was a very popular home computer due to its inexpensive price, advanced graphics, and sound capabilities.

When it was first published in 1984, Loadstar was the only digital publication for the Commodore 64. Early issues of Loadstar were produced by Softdisk staff. Most of the staff possessed more experience with Apple than with Commodore computers. Much of this early software content had been ported from programs originally written for Apple computers.

In time, however, staff and freelance contributors specializing in software written specifically for Commodore computers were recruited. Each disk typically contained software reviews, programing tips, how-to instructional articles, game reviews, and an assortment of software. Much of this content was submitted by Loadstar subscribers.

Readers of the magazine were encouraged to submit their own software and articles to Loadstar on floppy disk. They were also encouraged to review source code for the included programs, then submit their own improved versions back to Loadstar for publication. In fact, during the first year or so of publication, Loadstar included a floppy disk and return mailer along with the magazine disk for readers to mail in their comments, questions, or programs each month.

Another notable feature, in some early issues, was the inclusion of a disk with software to access a new online service named Quantum Link. This service had been fervently pitched to Loadstar by the head of marketing, Steve Case. Interestingly, Quantum Link eventually became America Online.

Loadstar diskmag proved to be quite popular. It quickly became the official disk magazine companion for traditional print magazines, including Commodore Power/Play and Commodore Microcomputers. In these traditional print publications, readers could find "type-in" versions of programs featured in issues of Loadstar disk magazine.

In 1987, Commodore 1581 disk drives were indtroduced for C-64/128 computers, designed to use 3.5 inch disks. By 1988, 3.5 inch disks were generally outselling 5.25 inch disks industry wide. Around this time period, Loadstar began offering products on 3.5 inch disk.

606 Common Street Shreveport, Louisiana in 2004. Basement offices where Loadstar was published for much of its history, despite references to the Loadstar Tower

In November of 1987, Fender Tucker was hired as managing editor of Loadstar. As such, he provided Loadstar with a rather distinctive style and atmosphere. For instance, Fender created a particularly memorable touch by including numerous references to the legendary Loadstar Tower, the supposed location where Loadstar was published. In fact, Loadstar's offices were located in the basement of a small single story building at that time.

Loadstar's staff soon expanded to include Jeffrey L. Jones, Barbara Schulak, and Scott E. Resh. Jeff Jones authored programs and served as editor of the Loadstar Letter, a printed publication which accompanied issues of Loadstar disk magazine. Barbara Schulak served as editor of the magazine's regular Puzzle Page featuring interactive crosswords, card games, and logic puzzles.

In 1989, Loadstar published DigitHunt, a mathematical numeric puzzle game, which quite possibly might have been the first home computer implementation of Sudoku. Also in 1989, Loadstar 128 was launched for the Commodore 128 personal computer. This disk magazine was published quarterly until its final issue #42 in 1998.

As years passed, the Commodore 64 was increasingly regarded as an obsolete computer. Softdisk shifted company resources to produce software for more current operating systems and computers such Windows or Macintosh. Nevertheless, Loadstar endured. Ultimately, it outlasted those disk magazines produced for newer platforms.

In April 1994, Commodore International discontinued the C-64. Before that year ended, the company filed bankruptcy. Still, Loadstar Tower remained standing.

By issue #146, published in 1996, Softdisk no longer wished to support Loadstar. It was purchased by J & F Publishing, a company co-owned by Fender Tucker and his wife, Judi Mangham, who was co-founder of Softdisk. Publication of Loadstar continued long past its natural lifespan, due to a cult-following of hardcore Commodore users and fans employing Commodore 64 emulators on other platforms.

In January 2001, while J & F Publishing retained ownership of Loadstar, Dave Moorman became editor of the monthly magazine and Sheri Moorman handled business matters through their company eTower Marketing located in Holly, Colorado. Publication continued in several formats, including "classic" floppy disks and e-mailed disk images (in .d64 emulator format). Dave Moorman kindly designated Loadstar #248 as a free pass-around issue in November 2007.

Officially, 249 issues of Loadstar were published in total. Publication was scheduled to cease after issue #256. However, Dave Moorman moved on in 2008, leaving issue #250 unpublished.

Originally, Richard Derocher assisted with beta-testing of Loadstar #250 in 2008. Subsequently, he edited the beta, removed most of the bugs, and released an unofficial version via the Internet on June 17, 2010. This release was made available as four disk images (in .d64 emulator format) and as a single disk image (in .d81 emulator format).

As of 2018, J & F Publishing still officially owned Loadstar. However, Fender Tucker currently concentrates on other ventures, such as publishing the works of Harry Stephen Keeler under Fender's Ramble House imprint. Although, Fender still offers the LOADSTAR COMPLEAT CD-ROM for sale via his Ramble House website. This CD-ROM is accessible by PC and Loadstar disk images function via Commodore 64/128 emulation software.

As of 2018, a supposed official Loadstar website presently exists at loadstargallery.webs.com. However, information pertaining to ownership, maintenance, and any means of contact for that website remains undisclosed.

Magazine Index[edit | edit source]

A few LOADSTAR disks

Issue No.	Funware	Helpware	Brainware	Other content	No. of Disks
001	Lunar Lander Hopper Cows & Bulls French Military Game Slot Machine "Blip" is "Bleep" for "Blap" How Smart Are You?	Color Lister Disk Scanner BAM Map 64 Binary SAVE Dynamic Renewers Sector Corrector	Decision Maker		1
002	Planet of the Robots Detective Cody Psymon Light Racers	Collection of Magic Address Keeper Loan Planner	Chemistry Drill Multiple Choice Tester Ocean of Life Crypto-Gram Helper Middle Earth Quiz		1
003	Smurk Head-On Guess What? Poker Parlor Tables & People	Checkbook Balancer Rate Exchange 4-Minute Copy Base Converter A Gardening Tool	Stress Test		1
004	Spectrum Spiders Madman Fireflies	Teacher's Gradebook Memo Pad	Western Writer Planet Program Reel Facts		1
005	Match Solitaire Sound Designer Left/Right Game Biorythm Electronic Palm Reader	Babysitter's Notes Nutrition Information Diet Program	Nominee 84 Sci-Fi Writer Addition Drill State Guessing Game		1
006	Othello Bingo Drawing Pad Horror Writer Jump Hangman Baseball Adventure	Sys Finder Delta Date Heat Stress Weights & Measures Snoopy Calendar Election Night	Typing Tutor Spelling Drill	Visual Bubble Sort Dos & Don'ts - Parts 12-14 Peek, Poke and Sys - Parts 11-13 User reviews: Comal, Power 64, Insta-Calc, Lemans	1
007	Super Keno Connect 4 Para-Tester Hangman Recollect	Loan Calculator Outstanding Grapher World Air Wind Chill Wind Chill Header Changer SYS Changer	Multiplication Drill Library Adventure Spelling Drill Dabble	Sound Phrases Interrupt Music Dos & Don'ts - Parts 15-17 Peek, POke and Sys-Parts 14-16	1
009	Poe's Adventure				1
011				States	1
012	Chopper	House Inventory Dosplus Gauss Net Worth Disdump> Aras.calc Budget-Master <Magazine Entry		July 4th Dallas Three Deep Life DOS & Don'ts - Parts 29-31 Peeks, Pokes and Syses - Parts 26-29 Comal Corner - Parts 2-6	1
013	Lunar Think Again Camel Trek Flip 64 Dice Master Necromancer II	RAM Disk Directory Editor EZ-DIR Get-Print Disk Format Peabody Label Maker Line Writer V/64 Magazine Entry (powerplay)	Language Translator	Open 4 PEEK-A-POKE Marquee LOGO routines DOS and Don'ts -- Parts 32-39 Peeks, Pokes, and Syses - #30/31</a> COMAL Corner - Part 6 Math Reflections	1

Screenshots[edit | edit source]

C64[edit | edit source]

Start info of issue 16 (1985)
An easy menu of issue 16 (1985)
Menu of issue 19 (1985)
Start graphic of issue 30 (1986)
Menu pf issue 30 (1986)
Issue 39 (1987).
Menu issue 99 (1992).
Start info of issue 170 (1997)
Menu issue 199 (2000) - last issue by Fender Tucker
Start graphic of issue 200 (2001) - first issue by Dave Moorman
Info of issue 235 (2007)
Menu of issue 236 (2007)
Menu last, official issue 249 (2007)
Start graphic of Jack Tramiel - last, inofficial issue 250 (2008, finished in June 2010)