''Making the Most of the Micro'' is a TV series broadcast in 1983 as part of the BBC's Computer Literacy Project. It followed the earlier series ''
The Computer Programme''. Unlike its predecessor, ''Making the Most of the Micro'' delved somewhat deeper into the technicalities and uses that
microcomputer
A microcomputer is a small, relatively inexpensive computer having a central processing unit (CPU) made out of a microprocessor. The computer also includes memory and input/output (I/O) circuitry together mounted on a printed circuit board (PC ...
s could be put to, once again mainly using the BBC Micro in the studio for demonstration purposes. The series was followed by ''
Micro Live
''Micro Live'' is a BBC2 TV series that was produced by David Allen as part of the BBC's Computer Literacy Project, and followed on from earlier series such as ''The Computer Programme'', '' Computers In Control'', and '' Making the Most of the ...
''.
Presenters
Ian McNaught-Davis (known as 'Mac') was once again the anchorman but
Chris Serle and
Gill Nevill were absent, instead various experts were brought in as required to demonstrate some of the more technical aspects of the microcomputers and their uses.
John Coll
John Alexander Coll was a British computer specialist. While teaching physics at Oundle school he built a number of computers and was involved in Micro Users in Secondary Education (MUSE). He helped write the functional description for the BBC Co ...
was the main technical 'bod' (he had also written the User Guide for the
BBC Micro along with other manuals) and
Ian Trackman also featured - he wrote most of the software that was used for demonstrating certain features of the microcomputer, not only for this series but also
The Computer Programme and
Computers in Control
A computer is a machine that can be programmed to carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (computation) automatically. Modern digital electronic computers can perform generic sets of operations known as programs. These progra ...
. The programme also featured location reports to demonstrate various practical and business uses of microcomputers.
The title and incidental music was by
Roger Limb
Roger James Limb is a British composer, specialising in electronic music. He is best known for his work on the television series ''Doctor Who'' whilst at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. He joined the BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going ...
of the
BBC Radiophonic Workshop.
Programmes
The series was split into 10 programmes, each about 25 minutes long and dealing with a particular subject area. They were as follows (original airdates in brackets):
# ''The Versatile Machine'' (10 January 1983)
# ''Getting Down to BASIC'' (17 January 1983)
# ''Strings and Things'' (24 January 1983)
# ''Introducing Graphics'' (31 January 1983)
# ''Keeping a Record'' (7 February 1983)
# ''Getting Down to Business'' (14 February 1983)
# ''Sounds Interesting'' (21 February 1983)
# ''Everything Under Control'' (28 February 1983)
# ''Moving Pictures'' (7 March 1983)
# ''At the End of the Line'' (14 March 1983)
See also
* ''
Micro Men
''Micro Men'' is a 2009 one-off BBC drama television programme set in the late 1970s and the early-mid 1980s, about the rise of the British home computer market. It focuses on the rivalry between Sir Clive Sinclair (played by Alexander Armstr ...
''
* ''
The Computer Programme''
* ''
Computers in Control
A computer is a machine that can be programmed to carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (computation) automatically. Modern digital electronic computers can perform generic sets of operations known as programs. These progra ...
''
* ''
Micro Live
''Micro Live'' is a BBC2 TV series that was produced by David Allen as part of the BBC's Computer Literacy Project, and followed on from earlier series such as ''The Computer Programme'', '' Computers In Control'', and '' Making the Most of the ...
''
External links
*
Ian Trackman's web site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Making The Most Of The Micro
BBC Television shows
Computer science education in the United Kingdom
Computer television series
1983 British television series debuts
1983 British television series endings
English-language television shows