C70:human-nets (08/02/82)
>From Pleasant@Rutgers Sun Aug 1 23:16:09 1982
HUMAN-NETS Digest Sunday, 1 Aug 1982 Volume 5 : Issue 74
Today's Topics:
Future Shock of videotext --> reading ability
Videotext Future Shock -- call waiting
Ignorance @i(isn't) bliss!
User interface design
DEC personal computer
Xerox 1100 (Dolphin) User Group
Call for Abstracts
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 17 June 1982 02:41-EDT
From: Robert Elton Maas <REM at MIT-MC>
Subject: Future Shock of videotext --> reading ability
Lauren points out that the low and falling level of reading ability
makes teletext/videotext infeasible for the general populace. Perhaps
the public-access el-cheapo bulletin board systems (CBBS et al) are
good for society in an unexpected way, despite their cruftiness by our
standards, they DO encourage youngsters to read. If everybody had
access to a bbs, maybe everybody would learn to read?
------------------------------
Date: 17-Jun-82 11:28-PDT
From: KELLEY at OFFICE
Subject: Videotext Future Shock -- call waiting
I find Lauren's list of problems a real (but hopefully not
unsolvable) challenge to the development in 18 years or sooner of a
viable (to the world) on-line market.
I have questions about one potential solution to tying up the only
line that most people can afford.
Could the "call waiting" feature, where a special signal is sent when
someone is trying to reach your busy line, switch you to voice I/O?
Of course this depends on
1) the spread of exchanges (Class IV?) that offer call
waiting
Are these installations at all driven by demand in the
market? Harder/easier for rural people?
2) communicating computers / terminals have a telephone
output.
3) software is available to detect a waiting call and switch
it.
4) that all of this does not cost more than a second line.
If the "hold" feature can not maintain a signal that the remote modem
needs to maintain the connection, then at worst, you would have to
re-establish your connection to the data service after a call
interruption. Not too bad if the remote service has a "detach"
command.
Are there solutions to the problems in this solution to this problem?
-- Kirk Kelley
------------------------------
Date: 25 May 1982 1255-PDT
From: William "Chops" Westfield <BillW@SRI-KL>
Subject: Ignorance @i(isn't) bliss!
The editorial from the May 12, 1982 issue of EDN, by Roy Forsberg:
(copyright 1982 by Cahners Publishing Company. Reprinted by
permission!) Quoted without comments....
"An interesting but alarming debate took place in print a couple of
months ago. It was interesting because of its topic - "Informing the
public (about science and technology)" and the debaters: Leon
Trachtman, a science writer, and Isaac Asimov, the well known author.
It was alarming because it occurred at all.
"Trachtman questioned the validity of three basic assumptions
underlying the need to keep a democratic society informed on science
and technology: (1) Knowledge is a good thing in itself; (2) Such
knowledge will make people wiser and better consumers; (3) The very
structure of a democratic society depends on an enlightened citizenry,
and the citizen's political and social behavior will be more
constructive when informed by a solid scientific understanding.
"The first assumption didn't bother Mr. Trachtman too much, although
he ventured that spending several hundred thousand dollars on making
the public aware of science and technology is a total waste of
resources. Asimov, arguing the pro-information side, countered that
compared with a quarter-trillion-dollar one-year defense budget full
of science-and-technology-related items, several hundred thousand is
insignificant - and a good investment.
"Regarding the last two assumptions, Trachtman showed a low regard
for the public. He maintained that any attempts to inform it about
science and technology only confuse it, in both its consumer and
social decisions -- and that such decisions are arrived at no more
rationally than if the public were totally uninformed and merely
making yes/no guesses.
"Asimov disagreed and cited several instances where death rates, for
example, are declining because the public is considering information
about medical science seriously. He closed his rebuttal thusly:
""One thing is true, attempting to educate the public in science
(and technology) is difficult. It's hard enough to get the essence...
across to graduate students let alone people who have never learned
the art of rational thought.
""The stakes, however, are very high, and we have no choice but to
try -- and, as we try, to endeavor to learn how to try even harder and
better -- and to remain undaunted by defeat.
""We may, in the end, lose. We may, in the end, have accomplished
nothing, and left the world uninformed after all. We may (as
Trachtman gloomily suspects) merely succeed in confusing the public,
at the cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars (half an advanced war
plane) a year.
""But what is the alternative? To abandon the fight? To hold high
the tattered banner of defeat? To leave the world to the @i(National
Enquirer), the astrologers and the creationists? Shall we march off
into the darkness loudly crying: 'We give up. They are just as well
off ignorant anyway. And at least we save a lot of money and in two
years we can buy one more beautiful warplane'?
""Never! As for myself, I may be defeated at last, but I intend to
struggle to the end. I will not surrender, embrace ignorance and kiss
its hideous face."
"Well said, Mr. (sic) Asimov."
------------------------------
Date: 31 May 1982 2358-EDT
From: Ron Fischer <FISCHER at RUTGERS>
Subject: Re: User interface design
Does anyone out there know of substantial literature specifically
about designing user interfaces for computer software? I have read
lots of individual articles over the years but would love to see some
overviews or summaries.
Please reply to me directly. If anyone would like I'll summarize and
reply to the lists.
(ron)
------------------------------
Date: 10 Jun 1982 1044-EDT
From: Kimberle Koile <KK at MIT-XX>
Subject: DEC personal computer
I have a couple of questions about the DEC personal computer:
Is there any way to hang more than one terminal off of it?
Is the file handler provided by DEC adequate for a database
of about 2000 records, record size about 1000 bytes?
(Send answer to KK@MIT-XX.)
------------------------------
Date: 18 Jun 1982 2123-PDT
From: T. C. Rindfleisch <Rindfleisch at SUMEX-AIM>
Subject: Xerox 1100 (Dolphin) User Group
This is to announce formation of a network user group for Xerox 1100
workstations (Dolphins). Its purpose is to stimulate communication
and sharing between computer science research groups that are using or
are interested in these machines. It differs from the WORKS group in
that it will focus on issues particular to Dolphins rather than on
workstations in general.
Xerox PARC and EOS people are included in the distribution list to
facilitate communications about new developments, bugs, performance
issues, etc. As with all network interest groups, however, this is
*NOT* to be used as a vendor advertising vehicle.
User Group Mechanics --
1) Network Addresses:
Dolphin-Users@SUMEX-AIM For mail distributed to the
entire user group
Dolphin-Requests@SUMEX-AIM For distribution list
maintenance, i.e., additions,
deletions, problems, etc.
2) Mail Handling: SUMEX-AIM will serve as the expansion point for
routing messages to group members. We run XMAILR and so can route
between most of the current internet community.
3) Administration: Initially, messages will be sent to the list as
submitted. Depending on the volume of mail, content, etc.,
messages may be collected and digested in the future.
I have assembled a list of known Dolphin users and liaisons from
various sources for this initial announcement. Please pass the word
on to others you think might be interested.
Tom R.
------------------------------
Date: 1 July 1982 16:08 cdt
From: VaughanW at HI-Multics (Bill Vaughan)
Subject: Call for Abstracts
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS (Abridged)
2d Annual Phoenix Conf. on Computers & Communication
March 14-16, 1983
------------
Sponsored by IEEE, IEEE Computer and Communications Societies, and
IEEE Phoenix Section. Topics appropriate for this conference include:
COMPUTER SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
Multiprocessing, functional distribution; performance
prediction/analysis; computer/communication networks; architectures
taking advantage of new technology
RAS (RELIABILITY/AVAILABILITY/SERVICEABILITY)
Systems/hardware/software testing methods, failure analysis, life
testing
COMPUTER AIDED PROCESSES
CAD: tools for S/W development; applications in electrical,
mechanical, robot design; CAM flexible automation; CIM (computer
integrated manufacturing); pattern recognition, resource planning; CAT
(computer aided testing), auto. test program generation; S/W
testability, test equipment
SOFTWARE FOR DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS
Data base; operating systems; high-level language support; debugging
and testing; decentralized control structure and protocols
INTEGRATED CIRCUITS AND DEVICES
Silicon/compound semiconductors; VLSI/VHSIC; micro/supercomputers;
radar, ECM/ESM;novel circuits and devices; direct satellite
communications
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY
All phases of S/W life cycle; real time and other systems; technical
and managerial aspects; tools, measures, methodologies; languages;
validation, verification; field support, enhancement; documentation
THE HUMAN ELEMENT
Ease of use; man/machine communications; psychology, human factors;
education and training; the effect on people/organizations/society of
networking, personal computers, electronic mail/meetings
Authors with papers on related topics are also encouraged to submit
abstracts. Papers covering innovative ideas in related areas are
especially welcome. Please include authors' names, return address,
telephone number on the abstract. Note these important dates:
September 15: Abstract (300 words) due
October 11: Completed papers due
December 1: Notification of acceptance
January 10: Camera-ready manuscript due
Send abstract and other correspondence to Gerald Fetterer, GTE
Automatic Electric Labs, 2500 W. Utopia, Phoenix AZ 85027.
------------------------------
End of HUMAN-NETS Digest
************************Pleasant@Rutgers (08/02/82)
HUMAN-NETS Digest Sunday, 1 Aug 1982 Volume 5 : Issue 74
Today's Topics:
Future Shock of videotext --> reading ability
Videotext Future Shock -- call waiting
Ignorance @i(isn't) bliss!
User interface design
DEC personal computer
Xerox 1100 (Dolphin) User Group
Call for Abstracts
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 17 June 1982 02:41-EDT
From: Robert Elton Maas <REM at MIT-MC>
Subject: Future Shock of videotext --> reading ability
Lauren points out that the low and falling level of reading ability
makes teletext/videotext infeasible for the general populace. Perhaps
the public-access el-cheapo bulletin board systems (CBBS et al) are
good for society in an unexpected way, despite their cruftiness by our
standards, they DO encourage youngsters to read. If everybody had
access to a bbs, maybe everybody would learn to read?
------------------------------
Date: 17-Jun-82 11:28-PDT
From: KELLEY at OFFICE
Subject: Videotext Future Shock -- call waiting
I find Lauren's list of problems a real (but hopefully not
unsolvable) challenge to the development in 18 years or sooner of a
viable (to the world) on-line market.
I have questions about one potential solution to tying up the only
line that most people can afford.
Could the "call waiting" feature, where a special signal is sent when
someone is trying to reach your busy line, switch you to voice I/O?
Of course this depends on
1) the spread of exchanges (Class IV?) that offer call
waiting
Are these installations at all driven by demand in the
market? Harder/easier for rural people?
2) communicating computers / terminals have a telephone
output.
3) software is available to detect a waiting call and switch
it.
4) that all of this does not cost more than a second line.
If the "hold" feature can not maintain a signal that the remote modem
needs to maintain the connection, then at worst, you would have to
re-establish your connection to the data service after a call
interruption. Not too bad if the remote service has a "detach"
command.
Are there solutions to the problems in this solution to this problem?
-- Kirk Kelley
------------------------------
Date: 25 May 1982 1255-PDT
From: William "Chops" Westfield <BillW@SRI-KL>
Subject: Ignorance @i(isn't) bliss!
The editorial from the May 12, 1982 issue of EDN, by Roy Forsberg:
(copyright 1982 by Cahners Publishing Company. Reprinted by
permission!) Quoted without comments....
"An interesting but alarming debate took place in print a couple of
months ago. It was interesting because of its topic - "Informing the
public (about science and technology)" and the debaters: Leon
Trachtman, a science writer, and Isaac Asimov, the well known author.
It was alarming because it occurred at all.
"Trachtman questioned the validity of three basic assumptions
underlying the need to keep a democratic society informed on science
and technology: (1) Knowledge is a good thing in itself; (2) Such
knowledge will make people wiser and better consumers; (3) The very
structure of a democratic society depends on an enlightened citizenry,
and the citizen's political and social behavior will be more
constructive when informed by a solid scientific understanding.
"The first assumption didn't bother Mr. Trachtman too much, although
he ventured that spending several hundred thousand dollars on making
the public aware of science and technology is a total waste of
resources. Asimov, arguing the pro-information side, countered that
compared with a quarter-trillion-dollar one-year defense budget full
of science-and-technology-related items, several hundred thousand is
insignificant - and a good investment.
"Regarding the last two assumptions, Trachtman showed a low regard
for the public. He maintained that any attempts to inform it about
science and technology only confuse it, in both its consumer and
social decisions -- and that such decisions are arrived at no more
rationally than if the public were totally uninformed and merely
making yes/no guesses.
"Asimov disagreed and cited several instances where death rates, for
example, are declining because the public is considering information
about medical science seriously. He closed his rebuttal thusly:
""One thing is true, attempting to educate the public in science
(and technology) is difficult. It's hard enough to get the essence...
across to graduate students let alone people who have never learned
the art of rational thought.
""The stakes, however, are very high, and we have no choice but to
try -- and, as we try, to endeavor to learn how to try even harder and
better -- and to remain undaunted by defeat.
""We may, in the end, lose. We may, in the end, have accomplished
nothing, and left the world uninformed after all. We may (as
Trachtman gloomily suspects) merely succeed in confusing the public,
at the cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars (half an advanced war
plane) a year.
""But what is the alternative? To abandon the fight? To hold high
the tattered banner of defeat? To leave the world to the @i(National
Enquirer), the astrologers and the creationists? Shall we march off
into the darkness loudly crying: 'We give up. They are just as well
off ignorant anyway. And at least we save a lot of money and in two
years we can buy one more beautiful warplane'?
""Never! As for myself, I may be defeated at last, but I intend to
struggle to the end. I will not surrender, embrace ignorance and kiss
its hideous face."
"Well said, Mr. (sic) Asimov."
------------------------------
Date: 31 May 1982 2358-EDT
From: Ron Fischer <FISCHER at RUTGERS>
Subject: Re: User interface design
Does anyone out there know of substantial literature specifically
about designing user interfaces for computer software? I have read
lots of individual articles over the years but would love to see some
overviews or summaries.
Please reply to me directly. If anyone would like I'll summarize and
reply to the lists.
(ron)
------------------------------
Date: 10 Jun 1982 1044-EDT
From: Kimberle Koile <KK at MIT-XX>
Subject: DEC personal computer
I have a couple of questions about the DEC personal computer:
Is there any way to hang more than one terminal off of it?
Is the file handler provided by DEC adequate for a database
of about 2000 records, record size about 1000 bytes?
(Send answer to KK@MIT-XX.)
------------------------------
Date: 18 Jun 1982 2123-PDT
From: T. C. Rindfleisch <Rindfleisch at SUMEX-AIM>
Subject: Xerox 1100 (Dolphin) User Group
This is to announce formation of a network user group for Xerox 1100
workstations (Dolphins). Its purpose is to stimulate communication
and sharing between computer science research groups that are using or
are interested in these machines. It differs from the WORKS group in
that it will focus on issues particular to Dolphins rather than on
workstations in general.
Xerox PARC and EOS people are included in the distribution list to
facilitate communications about new developments, bugs, performance
issues, etc. As with all network interest groups, however, this is
*NOT* to be used as a vendor advertising vehicle.
User Group Mechanics --
1) Network Addresses:
Dolphin-Users@SUMEX-AIM For mail distributed to the
entire user group
Dolphin-Requests@SUMEX-AIM For distribution list
maintenance, i.e., additions,
deletions, problems, etc.
2) Mail Handling: SUMEX-AIM will serve as the expansion point for
routing messages to group members. We run XMAILR and so can route
between most of the current internet community.
3) Administration: Initially, messages will be sent to the list as
submitted. Depending on the volume of mail, content, etc.,
messages may be collected and digested in the future.
I have assembled a list of known Dolphin users and liaisons from
various sources for this initial announcement. Please pass the word
on to others you think might be interested.
Tom R.
------------------------------
Date: 1 July 1982 16:08 cdt
From: VaughanW at HI-Multics (Bill Vaughan)
Subject: Call for Abstracts
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS (Abridged)
2d Annual Phoenix Conf. on Computers & Communication
March 14-16, 1983
------------
Sponsored by IEEE, IEEE Computer and Communications Societies, and
IEEE Phoenix Section. Topics appropriate for this conference include:
COMPUTER SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
Multiprocessing, functional distribution; performance
prediction/analysis; computer/communication networks; architectures
taking advantage of new technology
RAS (RELIABILITY/AVAILABILITY/SERVICEABILITY)
Systems/hardware/software testing methods, failure analysis, life
testing
COMPUTER AIDED PROCESSES
CAD: tools for S/W development; applications in electrical,
mechanical, robot design; CAM flexible automation; CIM (computer
integrated manufacturing); pattern recognition, resource planning; CAT
(computer aided testing), auto. test program generation; S/W
testability, test equipment
SOFTWARE FOR DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS
Data base; operating systems; high-level language support; debugging
and testing; decentralized control structure and protocols
INTEGRATED CIRCUITS AND DEVICES
Silicon/compound semiconductors; VLSI/VHSIC; micro/supercomputers;
radar, ECM/ESM;novel circuits and devices; direct satellite
communications
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY
All phases of S/W life cycle; real time and other systems; technical
and managerial aspects; tools, measures, methodologies; languages;
validation, verification; field support, enhancement; documentation
THE HUMAN ELEMENT
Ease of use; man/machine communications; psychology, human factors;
education and training; the effect on people/organizations/society of
networking, personal computers, electronic mail/meetings
Authors with papers on related topics are also encouraged to submit
abstracts. Papers covering innovative ideas in related areas are
especially welcome. Please include authors' names, return address,
telephone number on the abstract. Note these important dates:
September 15: Abstract (300 words) due
October 11: Completed papers due
December 1: Notification of acceptance
January 10: Camera-ready manuscript due
Send abstract and other correspondence to Gerald Fetterer, GTE
Automatic Electric Labs, 2500 W. Utopia, Phoenix AZ 85027.
------------------------------
End of HUMAN-NETS Digest
************************