BBC WebWise
{{about|the website|the advertising service|Phorm}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox website
| name = BBC WebWise
| logo =
| screenshot =
| caption =
| url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise (part offline)
| alexa =
| commercial = No
| type = Learning
| language = English (UK)
| registration = Was required for official course content
| owner = BBC
| author =
| launch_date = 1998
| current_status = Online, but for some parts, offline
| revenue =
}}
BBC WebWise is both the BBC's archived guide to the internet for computer novices as well as some videos. Created in 1998, it consisted and on the archive, consists of a series of articles and videos.[http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/type/qcf/ict_tec/itq/documents/#Support_materials OCR Vocational Qualifications: ITQ 2009 Levels 1-3 in IT User Skills] It also incorporates elements of another BBC website, BBC raw computers.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/raw/computers BBC raw computers] All BBC websites are required to link to WebWise when using content which requires a plug-in.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/futuremedia/technical/multimedia_plugins_flash.shtml#s3_considerations BBC Future Media Standards and Guidelines: Multimedia Plug-in Content Standards]
History
BBC WebWise was created in 1998 to encourage new users to explore the internet, as part of a wider BBC campaign which included TV and radio programmes.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/campaign/index.shtml |title=BBC WebWise Arrivals Lounge |access-date=20 September 2010 |date=30 December 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000815074752/http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/campaign/index.shtml |archive-date=15 August 2000 |url-status=dead }} By December 1999 it consisted of articles, columns, a blog, message boards and a Q&A section.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/index.shtml |title=BBC WebWise homepage |access-date=20 September 2010 |date=30 December 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000815074709/http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/index.shtml |archive-date=15 August 2000 |url-status=dead }} A wide range of freelance writers were attached to the project, including Charlie Brooker and Bill Thompson{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/campaign/credits.shtml |title=BBC WebWise credits |access-date=20 September 2010 |date=30 December 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000611184035/http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/campaign/credits.shtml |archive-date=11 June 2000 |url-status=dead }} (resident columnist with WebWise until 2008{{Cite web |url=http://www.andfinally.com/2007/aboutwebwise.htm |title=andfinally: Bill Thompson's Blog |access-date=2010-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707141231/http://www.andfinally.com/2007/aboutwebwise.htm |archive-date=2011-07-07 |url-status=dead }}).
In 2004, WebWise launched a 10-hour accredited course, called Becoming WebWise.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/learn/faq.shtml |title=Becoming WebWise |access-date=20 September 2010 |date=3 February 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040503025439/http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/learn/faq.shtml |archive-date=3 May 2004 |url-status=dead }}
Current features
WebWise was completely redesigned and relaunched in September 2010,[https://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/comments/20100909-bill-thompson-being-webwise BBC WebWise Weekly comment: Being WebWise means more than clicking around] with articles on a variety of computer-related subjects written by well-known technology writers such as Bill Thompson, Wendy M. Grossman and Jack Schofield. It formerly contained new courses, and also has a weekly column, and a large A to Z of technical terms.