Got in the "C64 Software Bonus pack"

[quarkx]

Please for give the complete Nub Questions here or if this is in the wrong topic.
I got in with a bunch of disks, the "Commodore 64 Software Bonus Pack" by CBM. I plan to have a look into the programs when I get my C128 up and running. Is anyone familiar with this software? In theory it should all run fine on the 128, but are any on the programs even worth running?
Whats funny is the manual. It is printed on fine glossy paper, but inside, it looks like a printout from a cheap printer from the time, or banged out of a typewriter.
Some of the utility programs are:
1) C64.Menu
2) Change Disk
3)Copy-All64
4)1541 Disk Backup
5)Dump
6) Load Adress
7) Supermon 64.v1
PET Emulator
9) DOS Wedge

Some Graphics:
1) Color test
2) Character Editor
3) HiRes Loader
4) Sprite Editor
and so on
They all look like simple fare (you should see the "Games" included, But I thought I would ask. I only paid a buck or so for a few disks, and this one kind of looked like maybe it had some potential.

[RobertB]

1) C64.Menu
2) Change Disk
3) Copy-All64
4) 1541 Disk Backup
5) Dump
6) Load Adress
7) Supermon 64.v1
PET Emulator
9) DOS Wedge

Some Graphics:
1) Color test
2) Character Editor
3) HiRes Loader
4) Sprite Editor
and so on

Heh, back in 1983, I got the Cassette Bonus Pack (after a bit of a struggle).  C64 Menu is o.k., but there are better ones.  CopyAll and 1541 Disk Backup are slow but reliable.  PET Emulator is limited.  IMO, the best of the bunch is the DOS Wedge.  With the wedge, you can execute disk commands in shorthand, instead of writing out long strings.
    However, if you get a utility cart (like Mach 128, Warpspeed) or JiffyDOS, those will come with a wedge and other convenient utilities which surpass those on the Bonus Disk.

            Back in California,
            Robert Bernardo
            Fresno Commodore User Group
            http://videocam.net.au/fcug
            The Other Group of Amigoids
            http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
            Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
            http://www.sccaners.org

[quarkx]

     Heh, back in 1983, I got the Cassette Bonus Pack (after a bit of a struggle).  C64 Menu is o.k., but there are better ones.  CopyAll and 1541 Disk Backup are slow but reliable.  PET Emulator is limited.  IMO, the best of the bunch is the DOS Wedge.  With the wedge, you can execute disk commands in shorthand, instead of writing out long strings.
    However, if you get a utility cart (like Mach 128, Warpspeed) or JiffyDOS, those will come with a wedge and other convenient utilities which surpass those on the Bonus Disk.

            Back in California,
            Robert Bernardo
            Fresno Commodore User Group
            http://videocam.net.au/fcug
            The Other Group of Amigoids
            http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
            Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
            http://www.sccaners.org

Thanks Robert,
That pretty much what I thought, I mean I can't see even Commodore giving top notch programs away. It looks like the "Cassette" version was the same as the disk, it lists the contents on the cassettes in the last page of the Manual.

[RobertB]

...I can't see even Commodore giving top notch programs away.

Commodore did its best when it gave away GEOS 1.5 with the C64 or when it bundled other software with the C64, like in the Test Pilot pack (several games included).  In England, Commodore had many more C64 packages, like the "Terminator" package with a big picture of Arnie on the box and games in the box.
     Unfortunately, I know of no C128 packages that came with extra software other than the regular utility disks.

               Feeling better after 12 hours of sleep,
               Robert Bernardo
               Fresno Commodore User Group
               http://videocam.net.au/fcug
               The Other Group of Amigoids
               http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
               Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
               http://www.sccaners.org

[quarkx]

I did find out though that the "test Pilot" Package was different in the UK and the US, In the UK you could get it with a Cassette deck, and  the softwhere was on Cassette. The TP pack that I got had the 1451 -2 Disk drive.

[airship]

I'll argue with you there, Robert. CBM didn't 'give away' those programs, they bundled them. The buyer got them at a bargain price, but they still paid for them.

[RobertB]

I did find out though that the "test Pilot" Package was different in the UK and the US, In the UK you could get it with a Cassette deck, and  the softwhere was on Cassette.

I did not know that.  I only have the TP package with the disks.

              Truly,
              Robert Bernardo
              Fresno Commodore User Group
              http://videocam.net.au/fcug
              The Other Group of Amigoids
              http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
              Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
              http://www.sccaners.org

[quarkx]

I believe Brian said in his book, that the majority of all Commodore Computers sold in Europe came with the Cassette Deck, making the Cassette much more popular than in North America.Because of this,The floppy disk was not as prevalent there, maybe Commodore could sell more of them in North America (the floppies)( or was too cheap to bundle in a Cassette with each unit here). Who knows anymore.

[RobertB]

Who knows anymore.

Those who worked for CBM would know.

              Truly,
              Robert Bernardo
              Fresno Commodore User Group
              http://videocam.net.au/fcug
              The Other Group of Amigoids
              http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
              Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
              http://www.sccaners.org