[jmann99999]

OMG, I just watched that. Amazing. I get it now, and it is supremely simple but jaw-droppingly so.

When would a show like this be on? I don't remember anything like in the States in 1985 (I was rural though).

This video is like today's YouTube.

[hakken306]

Apparently it was on at 17:30 on Channel 4, listed as "4 Computer Buffs" [0]. Channel 4 was an independent TV station, and one of only four over-the-air channels.

From another site [1] the show was one of a short series of 7 programmes, probably hosted by a professor on a sabbatical. You can cross-reference the time slot on the first site. In the same time slot, at other dates, are other computer-related shows like Me and My Micro [2].

In the UK, it was an era of affordable home computers and hobbyist activity in the media. There was a large variety of microcomputer systems, with one or more hobby-level magazines dedicated to each manufacturer. Television programs would often partner with magazines to present a column, recap, or serve as a reference for more detailed work. You see some screen time dedicated to building hardware, as I/O was very primitive and you had to do the grunt work yourself. Made to order PCBs and surface mount was quite a way off.

[0] https://tvrdb.com/listings/1985-02-11 [1] https://epguides.com/4ComputerBuffs/ [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSzIXg6jmZQ

[jmann99999]

This is so great. Thanks for the context.

What a wonderful time.

[shakna]

That particular show was broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK, at 6PM. So when most people were watching the news on a Channel 1.

Channel 4 was mostly just advertising, at the time. This show is selling you on computers. It's just that what they were selling was awesome.