Click On

Series covering the latest developments and issues in information technology.

Also, Rajesh's dad explains why, at the age of 80, he's glad he has his computer, while Rajesh takes a look at exciting developments in replacing keyboard technology which will allow greater access to the internet for people with disabilities.

He investigates just how many people are using unsecured Wi-Fi networks - challenging the users and businesses who are leaving themselves open to hackers involved in illegal activities, including downloading child pornography and online banking details theft.

Rajesh also questions the use of Open Source software and considers the benefits and drawbacks for the voluntary sector where money saved on software may not offset the higher costs of IT support.

Rajesh Mirchandani investigates just how many people are using unsecured Wi-Fi networks.

Simon discovers how computer modelling technology used by Hollywood movies is being used to ease congestion in London's Oxford Circus. And he fills his home with gadgets to explore another type of congestion - how household devices could be interfering with WiFi networks.

Public wifi, penguin biometrics, and the technology helping to ease congestion in London.

Whether it's the device in your pocket, on your desk or built into nearly every part of the world around us technology is part our daily lives

This week Simon finds out what happens as soon as your child hits the panic button on a social networking site. And with the growing dispute between Facebook and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre he asks why Facebook still refuse to provide a link to CEOP.

Also social Networks for the aspiring author - Harper Collins are no longer intending to accept unsolicited manuscripts. Instead they've launched a social network where budding authors will review and rate each others work. So will this result in better books getting published, or will it be only the best self publicists who will see their work in print?

We also hear from regular technology expert Rupert Goodwins on why there's such flurry of litigation between mobile phone manufacturers. And also on the subject of mobiles how can teenagers avoid the scams inticing them to run up huge bills.

What happens when your child clicks on the panic button of a social networking site?

Don't do the Crime if you must be online - Is technology allowing criminals to continue their activities beyond their cell walls? Illicit mobile phone use by inmates has grown to the extent that authorities have promised to install jamming devices in all UK prisons. Meanwhile there's been a crack down on prisoners using social networking sites like Facebook. Balanced against this is the knowledge that allowing prisoners to keep social and family contacts prevents reoffending. So how has technology changed what it means to doing your time?

Lost in translation - we compare the various technologies aiming to translate foreign languages. Which is best; online tools, the latest app for your smart phone or the trusty phrasebook?

The future of the internet and how to stop it! Simon talks to Harvard Law School's Professor Jonathan Zittrain about why he believes the latest gadgets might be the undoing of the internet.

Voice synthesis - Ever wondered where the voices come from while you're hanging on the phone to a automated call handling service? Reporter Peter McManus visits one of the UK's leading designers of Synthetic voices - Edinburgh University spin out company Cereproc.

Simon Cox asks if technology is allowing criminals to continue their careers from prison.

In this week's programme, Simon Cox discusses the importance of open data, and finds out what happens when fridges get smart. Plus a look at the computer technology aiding crime scene reconstruction, and Australia's controversial internet filter.

Simon Cox explores the different ways the digital world is changing how we live our lives.

Shadows in the Cloud - Simon talks to one of the team who exposed a highly sophsticated cyber espionage ring that had infiltrated everyone from the Indian Military to the email accounts of the Dalai Lama. But who's behind these networks: criminals, hackers or state sponsored agents?

Robo-librarian - Click On reporter Peter McManus visits the world's most advanced automated book archive at the British Library's site in Boston Spa, West Yorkshire and comes face to face with a 60ft robot librarian!

Virtual Tradeshows - Planes may be be grounded by the volcanic ash cloud but international trade shows are still going ahead in cyberspace at least. Simon wanders between the stands and schmoozes with the exhibitors at a virtual drinks party all from the comfort of the studio. But can these events ever take the place of being there in person?

Votegeek - The general election campaign may be in full swing but how high up will technology be in the political parties agendas? For many the passing of the digital economy bill raised more issues than it solved and what was clear from the debate was how poorly informed many politicians are on technology. Simon talks to the founder of the website Votegeek who aims to get answers from the candidates on their technology policies and share them with the electorate.

In this week's show: Twittering Shakespeare; a look behind the scenes of video game development; and how smartphone apps are becoming a tool in some surprising workplaces. Plus the BBC's Broadcasting House gets tagged in a new project that mixes technology with social history.

Simon Cox presents a look behind the scenes of video game development.

Each week Simon presents a range of stories ranging from the latest cutting edge developments to the practical, day-to-day ways technology affects all of us. Be it exploring the psychology of online behaviour, asking when battery technology will catch up with the growing demands on our portable devices, or finding out whether 3D's time has finally come, Click On will be there to guide you.

Simon Cox presents a guide to the latest developments in the digital world.

Simon Cox presents a guide to the latest developments in the digital world.

3D cinema has strong showing this year, and now it's a big push for us to put 3D TVs in our living rooms. Is this the next big thing? Caz Graham takes a tour of 3D history in the National Media Museum to discover just how futuristic it is.

Simon hears about some very clever bins, and discovers what it's like to live with a teen addicted to their computer, and the therapy set up to cure them of their habit.

Produced by Lucy Lloyd.

Simon Cox presents a guide to the latest developments in the digital world.

Simon Cox with the latest news from the world of technology.

Reasonable people with unreasonable responses: why is it that message boards and forums often contain the most hostile of comments? Simon hears from the worst type of these offenders- a troll- and tries to understand the psychology of their behaviour.

And we discover how endangered animals' footprints are being tracked digitally to give scientists the ability to follow the movements of such species as the Bengal Tiger, Black Rhino....and the domestic dormouse.

Produced by Lucy Lloyd.

The personalities behind trolls, and monitoring flu, with Simon Cox.

Rupert Goodwins is back, learning how we'll be fighting crime in future.

The government has repeatedly looked to crowdsource us for ideas, but they aren't really using them. Should they bother at all?

And Simon discovers how the RNLI is using technology to save fishermen's lives.

Producer Lucy Lloyd.

Simon Cox investigates how technology is affecting the world.

With an ageing population many people are at work trying to find ways to protect our elderly selves in the home, in the least invasive way possible. Simon discovers some of the innovative developments.

And how Newcastle University set up the 'granny cloud' to teach children in developing countries, from their own living rooms.

Producer: Lucy Lloyd.

Creating the next silicon valley, and meeting part of the granny cloud, with Simon Cox.

High frequency trading relies on computers competing with each other to trade in the money markets. Simon asks who is regulating this need for speed and whether it could contribute to another financial crisis. We also hear concerns that the IT system used by the London Stock Exchange will in time struggle to deal with the ever faster algorithms used by traders.

Simon visits the Metropolitan Police's Digital and Electronic Forensic Lab, where police officers are now able to provide barristers and defence lawyers access to interactive evidence in court; allowing greater flexibility during trials, helping to engage jurors and helping in some cases to cut court cases by four weeks.

And George MacKerron an Environmental Economist from LSE discuses the results of his Mappiness, which collates information from thousands of people to find out when, why and where we are at our happiest.

Producer Kate Bissell.

Crowdsourcing radiation and the algorithmic arms race.

Rupert tries out an eye-tracking laptop and we ask whether the mouse could be on its last legs.

Some of the last diary entries of the explorer David Livingstone are being revealed through imaging technology, Simon hears what other famous historical characters could have previously illegible writings brought to light.

And the ash cloud and snow caused chaos last winter, but it lead to the evolution of Twitter being used for customer service. Are companies learning how to use this medium properly to keep people on the go, on the go?

Produced by Lucy Lloyd.

David Livingstone's last letters, customer service on Twitter and mouseless technology.

Professor Martyn Thomas of the Royal Academy of Engineering joins us in the studio to explain how solar flares could interfere with our Global Satellite Navigation System. We have become increasingly reliant on GPS and use it in our financial systems, for the emergency services and in shipping and air transport. Will a nasty spell of space weather bring our networks crashing down?

After a lengthy search using underwater robots we speak to the team who have discovered the wreckage of Air France 447 on the ocean bed off Brazil. It's feared that vital information stored in the black box will never be recovered - so can they be made more robust? We find out more about the technology inside these important flight recorders.

And Rupert meets up with a group of 'self-hackers' in London who use the very latest technology to log information about their lives. Are they just data obsessives or can there be positive results? We hear from Jon Cousins who has overcome depression through 'self-hacking'.

Produced by Kate Bissell.

Solar flares and STDs on smartphones, with Simon Cox.

Simon also looks into the other technologies that will connect us in the future including a revolutionary new approach using visible light.

Simon Cox with the latest news from the digital world.

Simon Cox with the latest news from the digital world.