''Popular Computing Weekly'' was a
computer magazine
Computer magazines are about computers and related subjects, such as computer network, networking and the Internet. Most computer magazines offer (or offered) advice, some offer Programming language, programming Tutorial, tutorials, reviews of the ...
in the
UK published from 1982 to 1990. It was sometimes referred to as ''PCW'' (although that abbreviation is more commonly associated with ''
Personal Computer World
''Personal Computer World'' (''PCW'') (February 1978 - June 2009) was the first British computer magazine.
Although for at least the last decade it contained a high proportion of Windows PC content (reflecting the state of the IT field), the mag ...
'' magazine).
Overview
The magazine was first published on 23 April 1982.
Its subject range was general, covering gaming, business, and
productivity software
Productivity software (also called personal productivity software or office productivity software) is application software used for producing information (such as documents, presentations, worksheets, databases, charts, graphs, digital paintings, ...
. The founding company was Sunshine Publications
based in London and the launch editor was Duncan Scot.
During 1989 it incorporated ''
Computer Gamesweek''.
It was noteworthy for being the UK's only national weekly computer magazine of the time, and for its back page being dominated by an advertisement in the form of a comic strip, ''
Piman
Piman (or Tepiman) refers to a group of languages within the Uto-Aztecan family that are spoken by ethnic groups (including the Pima) spanning from Arizona in the north to Durango, Mexico in the south.
The Piman languages are as follows (Campb ...
'', by the firm
Automata UK
Automata UK was a software house which developed and published ZX Spectrum video games between 1982 and 1985. Significant releases included '' Pimania'' (1982), '' My Name Is Uncle Groucho, You Win A Fat Cigar'' (1983) and ''Deus Ex Machina'' (19 ...
between the years 1983 and 1986.
A further noteworthy feature of the early editions was the high-quality artwork on the magazine covers. These had disappeared by 1983.
One other noteworthy and regular column was about adventure games, notably text adventures. Reviews and cryptic spoilers were eagerly awaited. Readers who had completed the hugely successful text adventure
The Hobbit
''The Hobbit, or There and Back Again'' is a children's fantasy novel by English author J. R. R. Tolkien. It was published in 1937 to wide critical acclaim, being nominated for the Carnegie Medal and awarded a prize from the '' ...
, first released on the
Sinclair ZX Spectrum
The ZX Spectrum () is an 8-bit home computer that was developed by Sinclair Research. It was released in the United Kingdom on 23 April 1982, and became Britain's best-selling microcomputer.
Referred to during development as the ''ZX81 Colour ...
were invited to add their names to a "Hobbit Hall of Fame." The magazine folded with the number 415 published in June 1990.
See also
Popular Computing Weeklyscanned issues on the
Internet Archive
The Internet Archive is an American digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It provides free public access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, software applications/games, music, ...
References
1982 establishments in the United Kingdom
1990 disestablishments in the United Kingdom
Video game magazines published in the United Kingdom
Weekly magazines published in the United Kingdom
Defunct computer magazines published in the United Kingdom
Home computer magazines
Magazines published in London
Magazines established in 1982
Magazines disestablished in 1990
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