The year was 1979. Or maybe it was 1980. I’d been programming for a couple of years, but didn’t have my own computer. *Nobody* had their own computer. But I did have enough for a magazine subscription.

There were only a few serious choices. BYTE was one choice, but it was – even in those years – not terribly exciting. Another option would have been Dr Dobbs (Full Name – “Dr Dobbs Journal of Computer Calisthenics and Orthodontia“), if I’d know that it existed.

The third option was a publication known as “Creative Computing”. IIRC, I forked out the princely sum of $15.98 for a two year subscription, and never regretted it. Creative had a unique mix of information, entertainment, and irreverence. I kept a few articles over the years, but the majority were tossed out.

Today I came across an archive of computer books of the late 70’s and early 80’s at AtariArchives.org, and among those are 3 “Best of” volumes from Creative Computing.

If you’ve been waiting for a good ASCII art version of Snoopy and Charlie Brown, you can find one. Or, if you need a review of Wumpus 2, you’re in luck.  

Now, help grandad back to his rocking chair, will you?