Loadstar
Loadstar was a disk magazine for the Commodore 64 computer, published starting in 1984. It derived its name from the command commonly used to execute commercial software from a Commodore 1541 disk: LOAD "*",8,1, with inspiration from the word "lodestar".
Loadstar was launched as a sister publication of
Softdisk, based in Shreveport, Louisiana. It was the second platform for which Softdisk produced a disk magazine, after the Apple II. At the time, the Commodore 64 was a very popular home computer due to its inexpensive price and advanced graphics and sound capabilities. Early issues of
Loadstar were produced by the Softdisk staff, most of whom had more experience with Apple than Commodore computers at the time, and much of the content was ported over from the Apple. However, over time, Commodore-specific staff and freelance contributors came aboard. In addition,
Loadstar was the official disk magazine for magazines published by Commodore, including
Power/Play and
Commodore Magazine. Users could find type-in programs from these publications featured on
Loadstar.