Utilities every c64/128 user must have:
ACE is a UNIX-like operating system for the c64 and c128. Remarkably, its
applications will work on either ACE kernel, making it a useful multi-platform
OS. If you need a quick term program for swiftlink, you'll find it here.
ARC is the PkZip of the Commodore world. It compresses! It
archives! Ok, its damn slow-- but it works! Its files, of
course, end in the extension ".arc", and this program is required for
uncompressing most of the others on this page.
Not a terribly common archiver, but its one of those "just in case"
programs. Ark is roughly like LYNX, in that it is a file archiver
that links the files together instead of copying them into the archive
file.
Blitz 64/128
If you do any BASIC programming, then you need this classic p-code
compiler. It's still being sold and supported if I recall, so check
the classifieds if you don't have it.
One of the most popular terminal programs for the Commodore 64. Easy
to use and configure. Not terribly powerful, but will get the job
done.
CS-DOS is a pseudo operating system for the Commodore 128 by Chris Smeets
(author of ARC). CS-DOS contains ARC128, which will run in 80 column mode
at 2mhz, which is why it is mentioned here.
I've only had need of this de-archiver once or twice, and both
recently. Where the "Comper" is, I have no idea, but this is
the de-archiver.
Some disk utilities you can't do without. Disk doctor is a standard and
easy to use sector editor. It defaults to drive 8 but this can be
changed in the first line of the program. Dir Edit supports the SFD
drives, the 1541, 1571, and 1581 directories. It will hold enough
entires for any of these drives, and is utterly simply to use.
If you have a lot of disks, and tons of programs on them all, you need
a good disk filenames archiver and this is it. Another product of Planet Ink.
EMUTIL will create and dissolve .D64 Commodore 64 emulator files. It will also create flat and compressed, single and multi-archive disk images of ANY disk drive you can hook up. Runs on a C64 or CBM PET. Another product of Planet Ink.
Fast Hack'em
Fast Hack'em is the fastest, most brutal, and most stable and effective
file and disk nibbler ever made. Get it if you can. The 128 version also
had a 1581 file copier that was fast as hell, but flaky.
If you do any artwork, any word processing, any desktop publishing, or just
like a friendly face on your computer, GEOS is it. GEOS (for the 1 or 2
left on the planet who don't know), is the Graphics Environment Operating
System by Berkely Softworks (now geoWorks). It is an entirely point and
click MacIntosh-like operating system that will flawlessly take advantage
of all the latest hardware. Click Here
for information about this awesome OS.
Everone needs a good graphics converter to change a picture from one
format to another-- and this one appears to be the mother of them all.
I don't even recognize most of these formats-- but they are all there.
PkZip has become the de-facto compression standard on the internet,
along with its UNIX counterpart GZIP.
This great program from Errol Smith will take care of those archives
for you.
You don't see near as many library files as you used to, but in case you do,
here is the packer/unpacker for it. Library files are uncompressed collections
of files packed into a single archive for easier uploading/downloading.
The 128 version and the above 64 version are by different people and are not
compatible with each other. This program is by Greg Pfountz of Color 64
fame. His library program is easy to use, and necessary should you run into
one of its products.
If you find yourself forced to put up with PCs on occassion, and use them
to get your ftping done, you especially need this little utility for the
Commodore 128. It will read from and write to MS-DOS formatted disks in
a 1571, 1581, or CMD FD 3.5" drive.
Lynx still enjoys very common usage as an archiving format. It is an
uncompressed archiver like library, but unlike library, links its files
together instead of copying them into the archive file. This means you
can use it with a single drive more easily. Unfortunately, it has been
my experience that no LYNX works with any other LYNX. Thus I've included
all of the 64 versions I can make work for your enjoyment.
Meta-BASIC 64/128
Another must for BASIC programmers, Meta-BASIC was originally released in
the old Compute's Gazette as a utility for BASIC programmers, and for my
part has certainly become indespensible. Includes commands like "find" for
hunting down particular commands in a large program, "renumber" for changing
line numbering, "replace" for changing parts of a program wholesale, and
"resave" to save a little typing during modifications.
Here are a couple of machine language monitors for general usage by BASIC
and machine language programmers who need to peek into memory on occassion.
Includes one at $c000 and one at $2000.
Relative files, due to the odd way in which their directory entries
are organized, are impossible to copy without special programs. This is
one such program.
Demos and SID music have been a beloved aspect of Commodore computing for
years and years. Countless SID tunes can be gotten over the net, including
this stereo or mono SID player provided here.
How you can get 5 and a half versions out of a SEQ file reader I have
no idea, but here it is! Includes printing options.
Lynx 128 is a awful looking half-done program, but as I mentioned
before, most versions of LYNX will de-LYNX their own creations only,
and this one is no exception. I've actually found LYNX files only
de-archivable with this version, so it is definitely needed.
Zipcode is the one and only standard disk image archiver for the Commodore
64 and single sided 1541/71 floppies. Use this program to unzip them.
When programs are transferred over the internet via e-mail, they must
first be converted to text so that the e-mail viewers and editors can
handle them. This program will create and dissolve .uuencoded archives.
This file archiver has been gaining more frequent use on the internet due
to its ability to handle GEOS file types. It's originally from LoadStar, and
requires GUNZIP to extract the files.
Whether you are a Commodore 64, or a Commodore 128 user, you will
appreciate this fantastic and full featured terminal program. It
supports all the latest hardware, and the best features of all
computers.
Last but not least is the monster SEQ file editor for the Commodore 128.
It will use every last stich of memory it can get its hands on, including
REUs and video memory, giving it the largest text buffer available on our
8-bits.
If you find anything in here you have questions or comments about, feel
free to leave me email right here.
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