Jim Butterfield
Teacher of a generation
Jim Butterfield educated countless Commodore users through his magazine columns, books, and conference talks—making complex technical topics accessible to beginners.
Overview
Jim Butterfield was the voice of Commodore education. His columns in COMPUTE! magazine explained everything from BASIC programming to machine language, always with clarity and patience. His book Machine Language for the Commodore 64 and Other Commodore Computers remains a classic introduction to 6502 assembly.
Fast facts
- Background: systems analyst in Toronto before personal computers.
- Platform: focused almost exclusively on Commodore machines.
- Teaching style: patient, methodical, never condescending.
- Availability: answered letters and attended user group meetings.
Contributions
Magazine columns
- Long-running column in COMPUTE! magazine.
- Technical explanations that assumed no prior knowledge.
- Practical programs readers could type in and learn from.
Books
| Title | Year | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| First Book of PET/CBM | 1979 | PET introduction |
| Machine Language for the Commodore 64 | 1984 | 6502 assembly |
| Machine Language for Beginners | 1984 | Assembly fundamentals |
Community
- Regular speaker at Commodore expos and user group meetings.
- Personally answered technical questions from readers.
- Contributed to development of Commodore KERNAL documentation.
Teaching philosophy
Butterfield believed anyone could understand computers if given proper explanation:
- Start with fundamentals before advanced topics.
- Provide working examples to experiment with.
- Explain the “why,” not just the “how.”
Legacy
A generation of Commodore programmers learnt their craft from Butterfield. His patient, clear explanations turned curious users into capable programmers. The educational approach he pioneered—accessible yet technically accurate—influenced computer writing for decades.