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The Computer Programme (1): It's Happening Now (Introduction to Computing)

The Computer Programme (1): It's Happening Now (Introduction to Computing) on HackerTube: recommended by 1 Hacker News commenter across 1 month, 2014–2025.

Jesús Zafra (Lobogris)

documentary · dated

Open on YouTube

The first episode of the BBC's 1982 television series The Computer Programme, introducing home computing to a general audience. It surveys mainframes, early personal computers such as the BBC Micro and Commodore PET, and the changing computer market of the time.

Why Hacker News recommends it

Cited as nostalgic period documentation of the early UK microcomputer era, with commenters fondly remembering the series and the BBC Micro.

people recommended it
1
separate months
1
strong recommendations
0
discussed on HN
2014–2025
“A very good look at changing markets.”
— brudgers, Dec 2015, in “The Computer Programme and Micro Live”

What HN commenters said

3 Hacker News comments link this video. Each one links back to its thread.

brudgersDec 2015Recommends

Episodes: 1. It's Happening Now: ▶ this video 2. Getting Down to Basic: [link] 3. Micro Live [with visit to Alan Turing play]: [link] 4. Clive Sinclair and Alan Sugar: [link] A very good look at changing markets. 5. -- Compilation 6. Blocked by YouTube.

in “The Computer Programme and Micro Live” · View on HN

AlbertoGPAug 2025Cites it

That man, Rex Malik, participated in (among other things) the 1982 BBC series “The Computer Programme” ( [link] ), typically in a small section at the end on an episode but also as narrator in other parts and is credited as “Programme Adviser”: Episode 1 - “It’s Happening Now”: ▶ this video Episode 4 - “It’s on the Computer”: [link] Episode 5 - “The New Media“: [link] Episode 10 - “Things to Come”: [link]

in “The man with a Home Computer (1967) [video]” · View on HN

dtfFeb 2014Cites it

I loved that programme and I loved my Model B. Serle & Mac were so easy to watch. It was on BBC2 (then so were a bunch of great early morning Open University programmes on subjects that were way over my young head). ▶ this video Wasn't there also a weekly Radio 4 computer programme where they'd transmit a program that you could record on tape and then load onto your computer?

in “Mac and the Micro – memories of Ian McNaught-Davis” · View on HN

Topics & tags

History of computingDemoscene & retrocomputingbbc micro1980s computingtelevision seriespersonal computerscommodore pet