Although the Commodore 128 did make it to market eventually.
But I'm not sure you are getting my point.
The computer literacy project was supported by both the BBC and the UK government.
The BBC is a UK Broadcaster funded by the TV licence (which is a form of tax) (and at the time, government money for the World Service). The BBC takes notice of government policy as it's the government that determines the licence fee amount. BBC Education also received government funding.
The Department of Trade and Industry (part of government) also supported the project.
And the government’s computers in schools project helped schools to buy computers (mostly BBC Micros).
The government almost certainly wanted the BBC to go to UK companies. The BBC would have likely wanted a UK computer company anyway. Hence Microsoft being a non-UK company, would likely not have been considered.
Now, had there been a version of BASIC that had been developed by a UK company that could have been modified to meet the requirements, what you suggest may have been possible. It may have even been desirable if it would have been seen to promote UK computer companies and their computers. But, that assumes said company would have wanted that.
See this post
Details on the computer literacy project
Oh, and its not necessary to quote the entire post of members that you are replying to. This can be annoying to members reading on their mobile devices, as they have to scroll through text they have already seen. Please either edit the quote so that only the relevant part is used, or use the Post Reply button instead of the Quote button.
Mark
I get your original point. Yes, that could have been done.I think you are missing my original point
But I'm not sure you are getting my point.
The computer literacy project was supported by both the BBC and the UK government.
The BBC is a UK Broadcaster funded by the TV licence (which is a form of tax) (and at the time, government money for the World Service). The BBC takes notice of government policy as it's the government that determines the licence fee amount. BBC Education also received government funding.
The Department of Trade and Industry (part of government) also supported the project.
And the government’s computers in schools project helped schools to buy computers (mostly BBC Micros).
The government almost certainly wanted the BBC to go to UK companies. The BBC would have likely wanted a UK computer company anyway. Hence Microsoft being a non-UK company, would likely not have been considered.
Now, had there been a version of BASIC that had been developed by a UK company that could have been modified to meet the requirements, what you suggest may have been possible. It may have even been desirable if it would have been seen to promote UK computer companies and their computers. But, that assumes said company would have wanted that.
See this post
Details on the computer literacy project
Oh, and its not necessary to quote the entire post of members that you are replying to. This can be annoying to members reading on their mobile devices, as they have to scroll through text they have already seen. Please either edit the quote so that only the relevant part is used, or use the Post Reply button instead of the Quote button.
Mark
Statistics: Posted by 1024MAK — Sun Feb 04, 2024 1:14 am