Language English Media type Print ISBN 0201112086 OCLC 9016145 | Publication date 1982 Originally published 1982 Country United Kingdom | |
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Publishers Penguin Books, Addison-Wesley Similar Peter Laurie books, Computer books | ||
The Beginner's Guide to Computers is a book about microcomputers and general computing. It was published in 1982 as an accompaniment to the BBC Computer Literacy Project and The Computer Programme.
Its content covers the basics of the history of computing, programming languages, debugging, logic programming, semiconductor memory, printing, ADCs/DACs, flowcharts, as well as some technologies only found in Britain (such as Prestel, Ceefax, ORACLE). The possibilities of networks, robotics, electronic offices and publishing are also considered, with particular reference to the BBC Micro.
Reception
The book's square shape was described in The New York Times as "clumsy", although this does not stop it from being a "quite decent introduction" which is "easy to read". Those interested in actually using personal computers to "do something" were advised to look elsewhere. The World Yearbook of Education 1982/83: Computers and Education described it as "lucidly written and well laid out with profuse illustrations", noting the use of "appealing cartoons".