For the theme of our third special episode of Digital Planet, we're taking at look back at the history of computing with an episode recorded largely on location at Bletchley Park, which lies just outside Milton Keynes in the UK, a city which also happens to be home to The Open University.
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The Codebreakers of Bletchley Park
An unassuming building in what is now Milton Keynes played a pivotal role in the Second World War - and the development of computing.
Watch nowThe Codebreakers of Bletchley ParkLevel: 1 Introductory
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Colossus
At the heart of the code-breaking effort during WWII was an incredible piece of engineering - Colossus - the world's first programmable computing device.
Listen nowColossusLevel: 1 Introductory
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Chiptunes
It's not just the computer industry that took inspiration from the code-breaking machine Colossus. The BBC/OU series Digital Planet discovers a unique fusion of retro gaming and music
Listen nowChiptunesLevel: 1 Introductory
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The Birth of Modern Computing
The history of warfare has been a history of data as well as of violence - knowing your enemies' movements and plans has always been vital; keeping track of supplies and reinforcements crucial. But the Second World War was a conflict where the ability to use machines to crunch numbers proved decisive, as Mike Richards explains.
Read nowThe Birth of Modern ComputingLevel: 1 Introductory
Digital Planet: BBC World Service in more depth:
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OU on the BBC: Digital Planet: BBC World Service - Open source in South Africa
The World Service team visit Cape Town for a special edition discovering how technology is changing African lives.
Read nowOU on the BBC: Digital Planet: BBC World Service - Open source in South AfricaLevel: 1 Introductory
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OU on the BBC: Digital Planet: BBC World Service - IT challenges in Ethiopia
Alex Little explains why viruses and infrastructure are a bigger problem than shortage of PCs: IT challenges in Ethiopia. [Image: Terri O'Sullivan/CC]
Read nowOU on the BBC: Digital Planet: BBC World Service - IT challenges in EthiopiaLevel: 1 Introductory
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BBC World Service
In the UK, you can listen to the World Service on 648mw, digitally with DAB, Freeview or Sky; or through BBCWorldService.com.
Read moreBBC World Service
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