In the first programme in the series, Ian shows how versatile the modern micro computer is. Richard Gomm suffers from cerebral palsy and uses micro to lead a fuller life - including getting a PhD in Philosophy. Bruce Banks Sails Ltd: Ian rep from Southampton on a firm which produces sails for yachts, designing them by micro. Looks at valve computer they used to use, which was installed in the late "50"s. Ian demos new micro computer and holds up what has replaced the valve computer between his finger & thumb. Ian and John Coll talk thru a demo he gives with BBC Micro, explaining peripherals & how to load the program. Ian is superimposed on enlarged inside of a BBC Micro look-ing at varioud parts of the computer & explaining what they are there and how they work (eg memory chips).
Ian presents the second programme in the series on using micro computers; intros computer language of BASIC and with aid of children at Queen Junior Schooll Richmond, explains how BASIC is structured by writing a simple program
Ian presents the third programme in the series about micro-computers and how to use them. Today Ian looks at how computers handle words, "string" handling, word processing and at the techniques of good and bad programming.
Ian looks at the graphics versatility of modern micro-computers with the help of John Coll.
Ian presents a programme looking at the fundamental principles behind the idea of a database and begins his explanation in the BBC Gramophone Library amongst a million records.
Ian introducess this programme which looks at the application of the micro-computer in small businesses.
Ian presents a studio based programme on micro computers, with David Ellis he looks at sound generation both simple and sophisticated and examines elements of a music editor then looks at other languages than Basic.
In the eighth programme of the series, Ian examines a variety of micro-computer controlled device applications, from a sophisticated mechanical hand for disabled people to robot vehicles.
In the ninth programme of the series, Ian who with the help of Ian Trackman, Software Consultant, investigates the extent to which the personal micro-computer can be used for computer graphics and animation.
Ian and John Coll presents the final programme in the seriew which looks at the use of computers for communications via networking, telephone and electronic mail.
In a live edition of Making the Most of the Micro, Ian McNaught-Davis is joined in the studio by an audience of micro users and a team of experts. There are demonstrations of hardware and software, including a live download of a program from the BBC's new Telesoftware service, and a look at how the micro can be used to subtitle home videos. Dave Ellis makes micros make music, John Coll demonstrates an electronic mail service, and three teams of programmers, working on different micros, write software against the clock. And a national software competition is launched by the Minister for Information Technology, Kenneth Baker. Whether you are expert or novice, you can take part in the programme by joining in the phone-in, and putting questions or comments to the experts.
Ian McNaught-Davis risks the failure of both hardware and software as he introduces the second live programme of items about the world of microcomputers-among them: the computer 'hackers'-who are they? BBC Radio's Basicode explained; American reporter Freff attempts to send a computer program live from New York and also delves into the world of computer-generated art as he meets graphics artist Loretta Jones. Plus the announcement of the winners of the BBC's National Schools Software Competition - with 930,000 worth of prizes - which was launched in the first Micro Live last October.
