BBC WebWise

Last updated
BBC WebWise
Type of site
Learning
Available inEnglish (UK)
Owner BBC
URL http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise (part offline)
CommercialNo
RegistrationWas required for official course content
Launched1998
Current statusOnline, but for some parts, offline

BBC WebWise is both the BBC's archived guide to the internet for computer novices as well as some videos. Created in 1998, it consisted and on the archive, consists of a series of articles and videos. [1] It also incorporates elements of another BBC website, BBC raw computers. [2] All BBC websites are required to link to WebWise when using content which requires a plug-in. [3]

Contents

History

BBC WebWise was created in 1998 to encourage new users to explore the internet, as part of a wider BBC campaign which included TV and radio programmes. [4] By December 1999 it consisted of articles, columns, a blog, message boards and a Q&A section. [5] A wide range of freelance writers were attached to the project, including Charlie Brooker and Bill Thompson [6] (resident columnist with WebWise until 2008 [7] ).

In 2004, WebWise launched a 10-hour accredited course, called Becoming WebWise. [8]

Current features

WebWise was completely redesigned and relaunched in September 2010, [9] with articles on a variety of computer-related subjects written by well-known technology writers such as Bill Thompson, Wendy M. Grossman and Jack Schofield. It formerly contained new courses, and also has a weekly column, and a large A to Z of technical terms.

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References

  1. OCR Vocational Qualifications: ITQ 2009 Levels 1-3 in IT User Skills
  2. BBC raw computers
  3. BBC Future Media Standards and Guidelines: Multimedia Plug-in Content Standards
  4. "BBC WebWise Arrivals Lounge". 30 December 1999. Archived from the original on 15 August 2000. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  5. "BBC WebWise homepage". 30 December 1999. Archived from the original on 15 August 2000. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  6. "BBC WebWise credits". 30 December 1999. Archived from the original on 11 June 2000. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  7. "andfinally: Bill Thompson's Blog". Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2010-09-20.
  8. "Becoming WebWise". 3 February 2004. Archived from the original on 3 May 2004. Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  9. BBC WebWise Weekly comment: Being WebWise means more than clicking around