I'm pleased to announce the release of BBC BASIC for Windows version
5.80a.  This update includes the following new features:

* Improved support for 'console mode' programs.
* Improved compatibility with QBASIC.
* Support for right-to-left (etc.) printing languages.
* Support for high-numbered I/O devices (e.g. COM99:).
* A few minor anomalies fixed.

If you already have the full version of BBC BASIC for Windows you can
update your copy, free of charge, by downloading and installing
UPGRADE.EXE from here:

  http://www.bbcbasic.co.uk/bbcwin/download.html

If you don't yet have BBC BASIC for Windows but you would like to try
it, you can download a free non-time-limited evaluation copy (capable
of running many useful programs) from the same address.

BBC BASIC is the language specified and adopted by the British
Broadcasting Corporation for its groundbreaking Computer Literacy
Project of the early 1980s.  It is ideally suited for the complete
beginner yet is powerful enough to write complete Windows
applications.  Some of the features which make it unique are:

* More than 25 years of development.
* Simple, intuitive, user interface.
* Syntax colouring and live indentation.
* Live trace and listing of variables at run time.
* Single-step and breakpoint capability.
* Easy access to the Windows API.
* Up to 256 Mbytes available for user program.
* Embedded assembler for ultimate speed.
* Generates compact standalone executables.
* 970 page manual.
* 190 page beginners' tutorial.
* More than 50 example programs included.
* 20 software libraries, including 3D graphics.

Here are some useful links:

http://www.bbcbasic.co.uk/bbcwin/
http://bb4w.wikispaces.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_BASIC
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bb4w
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/91575/bbc-basic-the-peoples-language....

Richard.
http://www.rtrussell.co.uk/
To reply by email change 'news' to my forename.