Editing Commodore 64 software (section)

== Applications, utility, and business software ==
The Commodore 64’s slow 1541 disk drive limited its suitability as a business computer,<ref name="ieee85">{{cite journal |last1=Perry |first1=Tekla S. |last2=Wallich |first2=Paul |date=March 1985 |title=Design case history: the Commodore 64 |journal=IEEE Spectrum |volume=22 |issue=3 |pages=48–58 |doi=10.1109/MSPEC.1985.6370590 |s2cid=11900865 |url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/ns/pdfs/commodore64_mar1985.pdf |access-date=2011-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513181613/http://spectrum.ieee.org/ns/pdfs/commodore64_mar1985.pdf |archive-date=May 13, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> yet it was used for tasks like graphics creation, desktop publishing, and word processing.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Commodore 64: A Cultural Icon |url=https://www.retrocomputing.net/commodore64/ |website=Retrocomputing.net |access-date=2023-10-15}}</ref> ''[[Info 64]]'', the first magazine produced using desktop publishing tools, was created on and dedicated to the Commodore platform.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Info 64: The First Desktop Publishing Magazine |magazine=Compute! |date=January 1985 |url=https://archive.org/details/1985-01-compute-magazine |access-date=2023-10-15}}</ref>

Popular graphics software included [[KoalaPad/Painter|KoalaPainter]], known for its [[graphics tablet]] interface,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=KoalaPainter Review |magazine=Compute! |date=December 1983 |url=https://archive.org/details/1983-12-compute-magazine |access-date=2023-10-15}}</ref> and Doodle!, a widely used drawing program.<ref>{{cite web |title=Doodle! for Commodore 64 |url=https://www.lemon64.com/games/details.php?ID=1234 |website=Lemon64 |access-date=2023-10-15}}</ref> Desktop publishing tools like [[The Print Shop]] and "The Newsroom" enabled users to create signs, banners, and newsletters.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Print Shop for Commodore 64 |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/c64/print-shop |website=MobyGames |access-date=2023-10-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Newsroom: A Review |magazine=RUN |date=June 1986 |url=https://archive.org/details/run-magazine-30 |access-date=2023-10-15}}</ref> [[Light pen]]s and [[Computer-aided design|CAD]] software were also available.<ref>{{cite web |title=Commodore 64 Peripherals |url=https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/Peripherals |website=C64-Wiki |access-date=2023-10-15}}</ref>

[[Image:C64 Multiplan.png|thumb|[[Multiplan]] - [[spreadsheet]] program developed by [[Microsoft]]]]

Word processors such as [[PaperClip]] and [[Vizawrite]] were popular,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=PaperClip: A Powerful Word Processor |magazine=Compute!'s Gazette |date=February 1984 |url=https://archive.org/details/1984-02-computegazette |access-date=2023-10-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Vizawrite for Commodore 64 |url=https://www.lemon64.com/games/details.php?ID=5678 |website=Lemon64 |access-date=2023-10-15}}</ref> alongside the [[type-in program]] [[SpeedScript]], published in ''[[Compute!'s Gazette]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=SpeedScript: A Powerful Word Processor |magazine=Compute!'s Gazette |date=May 1984 |url=https://archive.org/details/1984-05-computegazette |access-date=2023-10-15}}</ref> Spreadsheet programs included [[Multiplan]] by [[Microsoft]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Multiplan for Commodore 64 |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/c64/multiplan |website=MobyGames |access-date=2023-10-15}}</ref> and [[Calc Result]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Calc Result for Commodore 64 |url=https://www.lemon64.com/games/details.php?ID=4321 |website=Lemon64 |access-date=2023-10-15}}</ref> while [[Vizastar]] offered integrated software features.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vizastar for the Commodore 64 |url=http://www.personalcomputernews.co.uk/pcnb/html/075/personal_computer_news_075_vizastar.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130421030635/http://www.personalcomputernews.co.uk/pcnb/html/075/personal_computer_news_075_vizastar.html |archive-date=2013-04-21 |access-date=2023-10-15 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Office suites like [[Mini Office II]] and software from [[Data Becker]] were also available.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mini Office II for Commodore 64 |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/c64/mini-office-ii |website=MobyGames |access-date=2023-10-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Data Becker Software |url=https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/Data_Becker |website=C64-Wiki |access-date=2023-10-15}}</ref>

The [[GEOS (8-bit operating system)|GEOS]] operating system provided a graphical interface akin to the early [[Mac (computer)|Apple Macintosh]], with office applications and support for peripherals like printers and [[light pen]]s.<ref>{{cite book |last=West |first=Raeto Collin |title=Programming the Commodore 64: The Definitive Guide |publisher=Compute! Publications |year=1985 |isbn=0-87455-001-7 |pages=400–405}}</ref> It gained popularity for its affordability and capabilities.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=GEOS: A New Era for the Commodore 64 |magazine=RUN |date=December 1986 |url=https://archive.org/details/run-magazine-36 |access-date=2023-10-15}}</ref>

Music software included [[Music Construction Set]] and [[MIDI]] cartridges,<ref>{{cite web |title=Music Construction Set for Commodore 64 |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/c64/music-construction-set |website=MobyGames |access-date=2023-10-15}}</ref> with the modern [[Prophet64]] cartridge offering advanced sequencing and synthesis.<ref>{{cite web |title=Prophet64: A Modern Music Tool for the C64 |url=https://www.prophet64.com/ |website=Prophet64.com |access-date=2023-10-15}}</ref>