Telesoftware
Encyclopedia
The word Telesoftware was coined by W J G Overington who first proposed the idea; it literally means “software at a distance” and it refers to the transmission of programs for a microprocessor or home computer
s via broadcast Teletext
. Software bytes are presented to a terminal as pairs of standard teletext characters, thus utilizing an existing and well-proven broadcasting system.
Pioneered in the UK
during the 1970s and 80s.
During that time, software was broadcast at various times on all of the (then) four terrestrial TV channels. Telesoftware was available on Ceefax
(BBC
teletext service) for the BBC Microcomputer via its teletext adapter
from 1983–89 and was generally transmitted for a period of one week. Downloading could take place from Friday evening to the following Thursday evening. As the updating took place on a Friday, it was advised not to attempt to download software between 9am and 7pm on Fridays.
Other channels provided for several other computers via a range of adapters and set-top boxes.
The same delivery system was also used to deliver satellite weather images METEOSAT
for download.
Although none of the early Telesoftware initiatives survived, many of the techniques are now at the heart of the latest digital television
systems.
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
s via broadcast Teletext
Teletext
Teletext is a television information retrieval service developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1970s. It offers a range of text-based information, typically including national, international and sporting news, weather and TV schedules...
. Software bytes are presented to a terminal as pairs of standard teletext characters, thus utilizing an existing and well-proven broadcasting system.
Pioneered in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
during the 1970s and 80s.
During that time, software was broadcast at various times on all of the (then) four terrestrial TV channels. Telesoftware was available on Ceefax
Ceefax
Ceefax is the BBC's teletext information service transmitted via the analogue signal, started in 1974 and will run until April 2012 for Pages from Ceefax, while the actual interactive service will run until 24 October 2012, in-line with the digital switchover.-History:During the late 60s, engineer...
(BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
teletext service) for the BBC Microcomputer via its teletext adapter
BBC Cheese Wedge
BBC Micro expansion units, for the BBC Microcomputer were peripherals in a box with the same profile and styling as the main computer.-Second processors:...
from 1983–89 and was generally transmitted for a period of one week. Downloading could take place from Friday evening to the following Thursday evening. As the updating took place on a Friday, it was advised not to attempt to download software between 9am and 7pm on Fridays.
Other channels provided for several other computers via a range of adapters and set-top boxes.
The same delivery system was also used to deliver satellite weather images METEOSAT
Meteosat
The Meteosat series of satellites are geostationary meteorological satellites operated by EUMETSAT under the Meteosat Transition Programme and the Meteosat Second Generation program....
for download.
Although none of the early Telesoftware initiatives survived, many of the techniques are now at the heart of the latest digital television
Digital television
Digital television is the transmission of audio and video by digital signals, in contrast to the analog signals used by analog TV...
systems.
External links
- Telesoftware screenshots — The teletext then and now archive
- Program Examples - Teletext the early years
- Telesoftware archive
- Article on using teletext to support a home computer
- Article on home computing via broadcast teletext
- The micro user Telesoftware guide with a sample transmission schedule