Ian McNaught-Davis
Making the Most of the Micro (1983)
Series 1
Making the Most of the Micro was 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 microcomputers could be put to, once again mainly using the BBC Micro in the studio for demonstration purposes. The series was followed by Micro Live.
Released Jan. 10, 1983
Episode 25 min
None+
S1E1 - The Versatile Machine
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 looking at various parts of the computer & explaining what they are there and how they work (e.g. memory chips).
Jan. 10, 1983, midnight
S1E2 - Getting Down to BASIC
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
Jan. 17, 1983, midnight
S1E3 - Strings And Things
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.
Jan. 24, 1983, midnight
S1E4 - Introducing Graphics
Ian looks at the graphics versatility of modern micro-computers with the help of John Coll.
Jan. 31, 1983, midnight
S1E5 - Keeping A Record
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.
Feb. 7, 1983, midnight
S1E6 - Getting Down To Business
Ian introducess this programme which looks at the application of the micro-computer in small businesses.
Feb. 14, 1983, midnight
S1E7 - Sounds Interesting
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.
Feb. 21, 1983, midnight
S1E8 - Everything Under Control
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.
Feb. 28, 1983, midnight
S1E9 - Moving Pictures
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.
March 7, 1983, midnight
S1E10 - At The End Of The Line
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.
March 14, 1983, midnight
Network: BBC One
Episode Runtime: 25 min.
Season Runtime: 250 min.
Released: Jan. 10, 1983
Last Air Date: March 14, 1983, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: NR
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