Instant
iPlayer
The TV shows that are promoted on the
BBC’s main page are directly linked to their programme pages on iPlayer, so you
can click their images and go to the latest programme episode and watch them
immediately. You can also click their category – drama, for example – to see
similar shows, or the channel name to find other shows.
Instant
iPlayer
iPlayer is the BBC’s video
catch-up service. Available at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer, it enables you to watch recently
aired BBC programmes.
Category
links
Category
links
In
the same way that iPlayer entries on the main page work, other article types
have links for easy navigation. Try clicking the red links, such as ‘BBC news’
and ‘local news’ to go straight to that main news section, or the links that
turn yellow when a cursor is rolled over them to go to sports. The colour
coding runs throughout the site.
More
to see
More
to see
Clicking the large arrows that sit on
either side of the main page will scroll the view to reveal further pages of
highlights from the BBC’s websites. But you’ll want to glance at the links at
the bottom of this main revolving strip to narrow down your selection to the
area that most interests you, such as Entertainment, Lifestyle and Knowledge.
What
to watch
What
to watch
At the bottom of the main page on the
left-hand side there is a ‘Most Popular’ section list, which indicates the
programmes that are currently ‘hot’ on the BBC iPlayer. You can click the
‘Listened’ link to switch to the most popular radio shows, or the ‘Read’ link
to highlight the articles that are currently trending on the BBC site and
usually includes breaking news.
Now
and next
Now
and next
Next to the Most Popular section is
the ‘What’s On’, section which might not seem entirely useful initially. But
try clicking the drop-down boxes to select your preferred BBC channel and
you’ll see an easy at-a-glance view of current programmes. The box next to it
enables you to select ‘Now’ or ‘Evening’ to see what programmes are on offer
the remainder of the day.
Expanded
vision
Expanded
vision
You can get a little more out of the
sections at the base of the main page by clicking the arrow by their titles.
This will shuffle the other sections out of the new way to the right-or left-hand
side of the screen, depending on the section arrow you click, and brings out a
handy expanded view. To return to the default view, simply click the arrow
again.
Easy
navigation
Easy
navigation
At the very top of the page, you’ll
find a row of links that are highlighted as you run your cursor over them. Each
link will take you to a main section of the BBC website. By clicking the ‘More’
link on the right-hand side will reveal an additional list of sections (such as
History, Learning and Comedy) that drops down with even more sections to
explore.
Search
and find
Search
and find
If you still can’t find what you’re
looking for from the host of sections and clickable links and images, type your
request into the search box, which is found at the very top right of the
website. Wait a couple of seconds and a list of options will pop up – just
click on of these to jump straight there. And that’s it – you’ve mastered the
BBC site!
