UPDATE: JUNE 16TH 1981 BBC CONTINUING EDUCATION TELEVISION BBC COMPUTER LITERACY PROJECT The BBC is to launch a major new project in the field of computer literacy, in January 1982. The aim of the project is to introduce interested adults to the world of computers and computing, and to provide the opportunity for viewers to learn through direct experience how to program and use a microcomputer. The project is built around a ten-part television series, and includes a book, a linked microcomputer system complete with User Guide, a range of applications programs, and an associated course in programming in BASIC provided by the National Extension College. This project forms part of a long-term commitment by BBC Education to public information in the broad field of microelectronics, which has included the three-part series 'The Silicon Factor', and in the current year also includes the five-part series on applications of computers in business and industry, 'Managing the Micro' (7th June - 5th July 1981, BBC-1, Mondays at 2330), an two programmes on the implications of microelectronics for teachers, 'Technology for Teachers' (28th September & 5th October 1981, at 1615-1640 on BBC-2). THE TELEVISION SERIES (also see attached sheet) The ten television programmes will be first broadcast on Sunday mornings on BBC-1, weekly from January 10th 1982, and repeated for schools and colleges weekly on Mondays at 1500 on BBC-2 from January 11th 1982. There will be a further repeat latenight on BBC-1 on Mondays from March 22nd 1982, and the series will probably have several further repeats in later years. The series aims to illustrate and explain the fundamentals of computing at both a practical and a theoretical level. The programmes will be built around themes and the examples of what computers can be used for will be drawn from a wide range in the real world. Although the use of large and small computers will be shown we will aim to illustrate principles through the use of the microcomputer wherever possible (see also the note on the supporting software for the BBC system). The explanation and use of a computer language will arise naturally out of the themes of the series and each programme will contain a practical illustration of the use of BASIC coding. The approach will be pitched at a level which beginners can understand. All the studio demonstrations will offer insights into the use of the personal microcomputer and, since the 'lay' presenter will himself be introduced to the techniques from scratch, these will encourage the audience to feel that they could perform similar tasks if they had access to a machine. Viewers who buy the book or follow the course should be able to go rather further into the subject; but since in the end the only way one can learn about computing in any depth is to gain practical experience of it, the hardware and software of the BBC Microcomputer system is being specially provided in order to create the opportunity for direct "hands-on" experience. All parts of the project will use the same dialect of BASIC. SOFTWARE SPECIFICATION The specification is fairly standard (quite close to Microsoft-5) and pretty well structured upwards. There is a powerful BASIC interpreter, compatible with standard MICROSOFT, however it has been possible to incorporate a number of extensions. These include long variable names, integer type and extensive string operations, all using normal MICROSOFT syntax. Attention has been paid to the need for structures and the BBC BASIC supports IF... THEN... ELSE, REPEAT... UNTIL, WHILE... ENDWHILE, and multi-line named functions and procedures with local variable declarations. Assembly language routines can be written into a BASIC program and high resolution colour graphics are well supported. There are numerous other powerful extensions. THE HANDBOOK This will look at the wide range of things computers can do in the real world, and, broadly, at how they work. There will be sections on personal computing - what's possible and what's not - and an introduction to problem solving in plain English, leading to a section introducing the basic principles of computer programming. It will be available in bookshops and from BBC Publications, 35 Marylebone High Street, London W1M 4AA, from January 1982. THE NEC COURSE The National Extension College is providing a 30-hour introductory course in programming in BASIC in association with the BBC project (with which it will be software compatible). It will be possible to follow the course as a home-based correspondence student, to use it as a flexi-study course with a combination of home-based work and work in a supporting college, or simply to buy and use the course material independently. Arrangements are being made for equipment to be made available to students in various institutions, on a workshop basis. It is hoped that this will be the first of a range of such courses in this field. For details of the course, and of supporting services write to THE NATIONAL EXTENSION COLLEGE, 18 Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 2HN. REFERRAL SERVICE A referral service will be available in association with the series, to put viewers in touch with local sources of advice and help. THE BBC MICROCOMPUTER SYSTEM The BBC Microcomputer system will consist of two alternative models of a microcomputer (which can both use either a domestic TV receiver or a monitor as the display unit), a range of expansion options, a Teletext receiver, a Prestel option, and a disk system. The greater part of the system will be available by cash post from the fourth quarter of 1981. 1. The Microcomputer (price £235 from Autumn 1981). The stanard model of the microcomputer is based on a 2 MHz 6502 microprocessor with 16k of RAM and 32k ROM; the ROM includes a 16k BASIC and a 16k operating system, which includes a machine O.S., a cassette O.S., a disk O.S., and a network 0.S. The system has a variety of eight different display modes, notably a teletext mode, a 80 x 25 characters mode, and a 320 x 256 high resolution graphics mode; it can display up to eight colours. The system has cassette, television, and video interfaces, and a full travel keyboard. It has been designed with the capability for substantial expansion in terms of RAM, second processor, and high-speed communication to other computers. The enhanced model of the microcomputer (price £335 from Autumn 1981) will have the following additional features: memory extension to 32k RAM, A-D interfaces, Centronics (printer) interface, RS232 (5-0-5V) interface, "Tube" and Bus connector. These will permit users to interface their equipment with a wide range of existing peripherals, including, for instance, printers. A User Guide, which will include an equipment manual, a detailed software specification, a guide to programming, and a range of simple introductory programs, will be boxed in with both models of the microcomputer and included in the price. It will also be separately available approximate price £8.50). 2. Additional interfaces - a disk interface (price £70) will be available from Autumn 1982, which can be connected to a range of disk drives. - a networking interface (price £47) will be available from Autumn 1982. This will make it possible to connect a number of microcomputers to each other, and to a central disk system or printer. 3. Second processor expansion options There will be a range of expansion options available in an add-on box. - a second 8-bit processor (3 MHz 6502 with additional 64k RAM) will be available from early 1982 (price £399). a second 8-bit processor (Z-80 with additional 64k RAM) will be available from March 1982 (price £399). This will give a CPM facility (see below). a further 16-bit microprocessor (with additional 128k of RAM) will be available from early 1982 (approximate price £995). 4. Disk expansion options - through the disk interface option (approximate price £70) it will be possible to use the system in association with a range of available disk drives. Two disk drives will be available as part of the system. A single drive (max. price £265) and a double drive (max. price £495). - through the Z-80 second processor expansion (available from March 1982) it will be possible to use the microcomputer in association with CPM-based disk systems. This will make it possible to run and store CPM-based applications programs. 5. Teletext receiver (approximate price £115). The teletext receiver will be contained in a separate case, and will be capable of receiving teletext transmissions from the BBC and IBA for display on a domestic TV receiver, and of downloading computer programs, transmitted in the form of telesoftware, directly into the memory of either model of the microcomputer. For an additional cost there will be a Viewdata option which will provide access to British Telecom's Prestel databank. SOFTWARE A range of compatible software is being developed in association with the BBC Microcomputer System Initial Inventory Many of the ideas in the television series will be supported by a range of applications programs designed to run on the BBC microcomputer. These are being commissioned to be part of the overall learning 'package'. In effect they are small scale programs which mimic the 'professional' programs used in the real world or which help to reinforce understanding of the principles of computing discussed in other parts of the project. It is hoped that this initial inventory of software will include: 1. An introductory 'systems' package 2. A home data base management program 3. A high level language utility (e.g. a quiz-writing program) 4. A music package 5. A simple computer aided design package 6. Some programs which 'learn' 7. Games 8. Simulations — scientific — business 9. A possible control 'kit' 10. Simple home finance package 11. Educational practice programs The programs would be available on cassette or as listings. Further software Available software will eventually include a wide range of applications programs, including games, instructional programs, programs of practical use in the home, programs for the use of hobbyists, and programs which should be of practical use to the small businessman. Some of these programs will be available in printed form, some in recorded form on disk or cassette, and some through telesoftware. Some of this software is being specially written, and some is being adapted from existing programs, and the BBC is actively interested in any available software which may be suitable for this system. At the simpler levels we are hoping it will be possible to run some BBC software on other similar systems, and other software on the BBC system, with comparatively little modification. Details of available software will be available later. Roberts Salkeld BBC, Broadcasting House, Room 125, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds. LS2 9PX