BBC The Computer Programme 1982 #02

The Computer Programme was a TV series originally broadcast by the BBC (on BBC2) in 1982. The idea behind the series was to introduce people to computers and show them what they were capable of

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Ian
• McNaught-Davis
• Chris
• Serle
• Gill
• Nevill
• history
• computer
• BBC
• The
• Computer
• Programme

[bigants]

Yes, the host was Chris Serle and the older guy is Ian McNaught-Davis.

[Huttate1]

I first used a computer in 1973. Was first on the internet in 1981.

In 1989 I was using a stock control computer [Pick basic] that was so slow I could have a cup of tea between putting in a serial # and getting a stock item back.

I knew that was wrong and my early exposure meant it was not a black art so I tidied up the underlying tables and the tea breaks disappeared. That got me into computing proper and I spent the next 20 years as a DBA.

[wisteela]

I'm pretty certain I've still got one of those modem phones in my parents loft.

[edbbob]

Oh, the sweet sound of a matrix printer :) Rs232 terminal, monochrome, audible keyboard and the enthusiasm about this exiting new technology. Pure proper nostalgia!

My current Mac is amazing, but I programmed my vic20 to pull curtains, check if my kid brother entered my room when I was away and other wonderful stuff. I kind of miss those days ;)

[walter0bz]

does anyone remember the old LP-ROM drives ?

[ogicabp4u]

the beginnings of what we now know as 'google'.

[Joke9972]

I remember discussing these revolutionary things at school. Funny. 5 years on we had this gigantic floppies, another 3 years and they shrunk (8 inch ?, later 5 inch and than 3.5 inch)... pff, getting old (being not THAT old), it is like we 're aging faster, but things just change faster.

[Foebane72]

WTF's wrong with that keyboard? Sounds nuclear-powered! 8-P

[mistofoles]

How dare you! What do you mean , "Not a good look"? I still dress like that today!

[capricious71]

Computers were so much fun in the early 80s. Spectrum, BBC, C64, Oric, etc.

[yakacm]

You're correct to laugh, It does seem funny when we look @ it today, knowing what we know now. But it is all relative, if you put it into context with what they had back then and compare it to the time it would take to go and actually search the paper record by hand it is no time. In another 20 years from now current stuff will seem slow and clunky. What I think is funnier is the clobber they're all wearing, those pastel blue jackets and buff and beige kecks and shoes not a good look.