std-unix@ut-sally.UUCP (Moderator, John Quarterman) (02/23/86)
[ The following is reposted from UNIX-WIZARDS. -mod ] From: bzs%bostonu.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa (Barry Shein) Date: 17 Feb 86 18:56:14 GMT INFO-FUTURES Sunday February 16, 1986 Volume 1 Number 1 Purpose: To provide a speculative forum for analyzing current and likely events in technology as they will affect our near future in computing and related areas. This is a moderated list, submissions should be sent to: ARPA: info-futures%bu-cs@csnet-relay.ARPA CSNET: info-futures@bu-cs UUCP: ...harvard!bu-cs!info-futures Membership and address changes to info-futures-request --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNOUNCEMENT OF INFO-FUTURES This list has been formed to fill a need that appeared to not really be served by any existing list. Although the topics it addresses are often touched upon in almost every other major forum the goal is to provide a place for more eclectic and speculative discussions generally discouraged in technical newsgroups. The original discussion for formation of this list occurred among readers of the unix-wizards mailing list, the desire for such a forum seemed obvious. I hope the source of participation spreads far beyond the original discussions from which this list was founded. In broad terms, topics of interest include developments in both computing research and industry which are likely to affect our decision making, particularly decisions we are probably grappling with right this minute. Technologies can change so rapidly that simply forecasting for needs within any organization one or two years in advance can be extremely difficult, frequently we are forced to provide foundations that effectively lock us into a technology for longer periods of time. I would hope the information this list provides can help both the practitioner and researcher determine where best to expend resources. It is difficult, probably impossible, to separate what is often termed 'politics' or 'religion' from facts in such a discussion. Those that believe in a particular future and proceed to implement it will often find their prophecies to be self-fulfilling, it will become their future and the future of those whom they influence. My only hope is that, through moderation, we can provide a steady flow of information who's content is apparent and useful. I have never felt uncomfortable with people who are excited about their ideas. Feel free to post this announcement on other bulletin boards. Moderator Barry Shein Boston University Volume-Number: Volume 5, Number 59