BBC gives children mini-computers in Make it Digital scheme

**Maggy** · 12-03-2015, 14:55

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-31834927

Quote:

The BBC will be giving away mini-computers to 11-year-olds across the country as part of its push to make the UK more digital.
One million Micro Bits - a stripped-down computer similar to a Raspberry Pi - will be given to all pupils starting secondary school in the autumn term.
The BBC is also launching a season of coding-based programmes and activities.
It will include a new drama based on Grand Theft Auto and a documentary on Bletchley Park.

Quote:

The initiative is part of a wider push to increase digital skills among young people and help to fill the digital skills gap.

Anyone got a child starting secondary school in September?

Taf · 12-03-2015, 15:39

Maybe this is why they need to curtail Jeremy Klaxon's wage?

**Maggy** · 12-03-2015, 16:25

I doubt it.They sell enough of Top Gear around the world to be able to keep paying the old SOB his paycheck.Anyway this is only a step up from the old Acorn project and I should think it's even cheaper than that was.

Gary L · 12-03-2015, 17:27

How much will they be worth on Ebay when they sell them?

tweetiepooh · 12-03-2015, 17:42

Well the Pi2 is still around £30 so some what less than the old Acorn. Shame the Archimedes wasn't supported properly then maybe we wouldn't have the PC and M$ and maybe the world would be using a UK designed computer.

**Chris** · 12-03-2015, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by tweetiepooh

Well the Pi2 is still around £30 so some what less than the old Acorn. Shame the Archimedes wasn't supported properly then maybe we wouldn't have the PC and M$ and maybe the world would be using a UK designed computer.

The Archimedes has had the last laugh and the world is using a UK-designed computer, though most people don't realise it. Its RISC architecture is still developed in Cambridge, by ARM Holdings, the company founded by Acorn in order to licence its CPU designs (ARM was originally an acronym for Acorn RISC Machine).

Processors using architecture designed and licensed by ARM Holdings are in most smartphones, and smartphones are what ensures that most people's everyday computing experience is no longer dictated by MS Windows.

Oh, and the original RISC CPU, as used in the Archimedes, was designed using a BBC Micro.

heero_yuy · 12-03-2015, 19:03

Whilst I agree with giving children the chance to program I question why the BBC should be involved as it gives them the perfect excuse to perpetuate the TV tax.

Hom3r · 12-03-2015, 19:34

My nephew got the Raspberry Pi brought to his junior school.

The teacher had to go to night school to learn how to use it.