soft-eng@MITRE.ARPA (Alok Nigam) (12/31/88)
Software Engineering Digest Friday, 30 Dec 1988 Volume 5 : Issue 51 Today's Topics: Re: Professional Programmers (was: Seeing the future) MUMPS (was: Professional Programmers) Re: The High Cost Of Software Practice & Experience (4) Re: software complexity measures Re: Vendors of Ada ADTs Software Developers Looking for Publishers HICSS-23 SESSION/MINI-TRACK PROPOSALS CONFERENCE CALL Is KBEmacs from MIT's Programmer's apprentice available? ------------------------------------------------------------ Date: 24 Dec 88 15:54:37 GMT From: mcmi!hdr!unocss!mlewis@uunet.uu.net (Marcus S. Lewis) Organization: U. of Nebraska at Omaha Subject: Re: Professional Programmers (was: Seeing the future) > ... it is a safe bet > that someone who knows MUMPS will know something about medical practice.) I love sweeping generalizations! Sorry, I have to cut in. I run a machine for a stock brokerage and our entire back office system, as well as out front office system is written entirely in MUMPS. We also have a product for brokers not in our office based on a multi-user PC based MUMPS. Not a medical person in the bunch. BTW, any person hiring a MUMPS programmer is likely more concerned with the "MUMPS mindset" than familiarity with the actual application. "Good programmers" who don't have the mindset to deal with the MUMPS paradigm make lousy MUMPS programmers. ------------------------------ Date: 25 Dec 88 21:37:07 GMT From: mcvax!enea!sommar@uunet.uu.net (Erland Sommarskog) Organization: ENEA DATA AB, Sweden Subject: MUMPS (was: Professional Programmers) This reminds me of when I after my first year at the University was a summer practicant at the hospital in Lund where they used MUMPS. My impression was that not only MUMPS discouraged what is known as "structured programming", its syntax(*) even made it impossible. When I said this to one in the ordinary staff, the comment was: "Structured programming, we don't occupy ourselves with that here". I hope this is not what you mean with "MUMPS mindset". (*) Unless the langauge has changed since I played with it, this is the langauge where indentation was a syntax error. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 26 Dec 88 11:54:33 PST From: ide!tonyw@Sun.COM (Tony Wasserman) Subject: Re: The High Cost Of Software Practice & Experience There was a question as to whether Software: Practice and Experience pays its authors. As of 7 years ago, when I had an article published, the answer was clearly no, and I have the impression that this remains the case. It is just a scientific journal published by a commercial publisher, in the same way as Information Systems (Pergamon), Acta Informatica (Springer), and numerous others from them and North Holland. All of these journals come with formidable subscription prices, although many of them have relatively attractive (less than $100) prices for individual subscribers. Because of the small circulation, especially in North America, articles published there are seen and cited less frequently than are articles in IEEE and ACM publications in the US, so that is a factor for potential authors who like to have their work seen and known. ------------------------------ Date: 26 Dec 88 18:41:15 GMT From: tektronix!reed!psu-cs!warren@bloom-beacon.mit.edu (Warren Harrison) Organization: Dept. of Computer Science, Portland State University; Portland OR Subject: Re: The High Cost Of Software Practice & Experience The authors of paper which appear in SP & E receive no money for their articles, and in fact, as is customary within such circles, sign the copyright of the paper over to Wiley & Sons meaning they cannot publish it (though they do have some liberal rights to use it in "noncommercial settings") elsewhere (e.g., in an anthology) without Wiley's permission. Further, the reviewers of papers in SP & E (again, as is customary in such circles) receive no pay for their efforts. I would imagine the editor-in-chief(s) receive some compensation for their efforts, but no where near a full time salary (maybe $1000/month or so ... anyone know for sure???). The high cost of SP & E is due in part to (1) Wiley & Sons is a for-profit outfit and (2) they accept very little advertising. In contrast, the Communications of the ACM only costs about $40 a year (or it is thrown in with your ACM membership), and accepts (editorial on {way too much editorial off) advertising. In addition, authors of papers are not only not paid for the papers, but they have to pay $125 a page for "page charges" to help offset the typesetting and production charges. This does not imply that the CACM will accept anyone's paper, in fact there are 4 to 5 times as many papers submitted than are published. The party line is the page charges are always "voluntary" but I have always opted to have my school pay them. As far as people's motivations for publishing in these journals, it is usually based on several things: (1) since the paper is accepted or rejected based on the recommendations of 2 to 5 referees who are usually experts in the field, publication of your work is indication that your work is technically sound ... this is important since others in your department may not be expert enough in your particular field to determine that on their own. (2) many government grants require publication so the results you come up with (and the govt paid for) will be disemminated to others (3) it is (I think) human nature to want to tell others that you respect about the stuff you're doing ... publishing in these journals (as opposed to Dr. Dobbs Overbyte ...) will ensure that these people will read about your work (4) it keeps others from reinventing the wheel. As far as motivations go for serving as an editor or a referee, I can only speak for myself, but I feel that it is an obligation I owe since I expect others to serve as referees for my work or to edit journals and conference proceedings that my stuff might appear in, or that I might even read. If you want to get involved, and have some specific expertise, write the editor in chief of your favorite journal and volunteer. They may or may not be able to use you, but I know it's always nice having a group of people instead of just one or two to send a paper to. Likewise, get involved with ACM Computing Reviews (BTW this is the only chance you'll ever get for a signed review - all other refereeing is anonymous) - they can always use reviewers. If you like what is appearing in today's journals, you can keep it going by serving as a reviewer, if you don't, you can change it. ------------------------------ Date: 27 Dec 88 12:46:29 GMT From: pdn!reggie@uunet.uu.net (George W. Leach) Organization: Paradyne Corporation, Largo FL Subject: Re: The High Cost Of Software Practice & Experience >But more importantly, for-profit publishers (as opposed to non-profit >organizations such as ACM) charge what the market will bear. Because >of its quality, "Software--Practice and Experience" is a "must have" >for any library and for many individuals. And it is one of the few "must have" journals that can command such a price. It is perhaps the *only* monthly journal that I just had to check each and every month. Unfortunately, I no longer have access to it and can not affort to subscribe. I do miss reading it. ------------------------------ Date: 28 Dec 88 05:24:23 GMT From: tikal!sigma!uw-nsr!john@beaver.cs.washington.edu (John Sambrook) Organization: UW-Bioengineering, Seattle, WA Subject: Re: The High Cost Of Software Practice & Experience I also received a copy of this flyer, and was ready to subscribe until I saw the price. In my opinion the price is much too high. If I remember correctly my dues in IEEE and a couple of IEEE societies was less than $ 150.00 per year. I may make a fat salary, but not that fat :-) ------------------------------ Date: 27 Dec 88 17:27:00 GMT From: apollo!marc@eddie.mit.edu (Marc Gibian) Organization: Apollo Computer, Chelmsford, MA Subject: Re: software complexity measures The last time I visited the issue of complexity measures the problem was one of finding a measure that was valid for the intended purpose. There was a very good article in an ACM communications on this issue (sorry, but I have forgotten the issue). The crux of the problem is that none of the measures that are in use have successfully been proven valid for their use... most of the time, to help a developer generate "Better" programs. Better translating into: Fewer bugs; easier to maintain; or something related. In fact, the arcticle I refer to gave examples where use of the measure would in fact generate "Worse" programs. I had personal experience demonstrating this problem. Does anyone know if any complexity measure has successfully been validated against the "better problem" type of criteria? ------------------------------ Date: 27 Dec 88 02:52:17 GMT From: portal!cup.portal.com!Jerome_V_Vollborn@uunet.uu.net Organization: The Portal System (TM) Subject: Re: Vendors of Ada ADTs I have used the GRACE package from EVB and it did implement the ADT's well. The test programs and documentation are excellent. The design methodology used was Grady Booch's version of object oriented design as filled in by Ed Berard. The modules furnished were worth the price ($50 000 for a site license which I understand is no longer available) as examples of object oriented design. BTW EVB Software Engineering furnishes a warranty with the product (apparently Ed doesn't like to be considered legally insane (i.e., not responsible for his actions)). ------------------------------ Date: 27 Dec 88 13:19:23 GMT From: kong!emory!stiatl!todd@gatech.edu (Todd Merriman) Organization: Sales Technologies Inc., Atlanta, GA Subject: Software Developers Looking for Publishers Apparantly, quite a few programmers would like to publish their software; and there are a number of software publishers willing to evaluate their work. My original posting seems to have generated a fair amount of interest. I have attempted to contact all respondents via e-mail, but some messages have bounced. Any other interested parties wishing to join the list of publishers or developers should e-mail a note to me. ....!gatech!stiatl!todd ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Dec 88 13:12:41-1000 From: Bruce Shriver <shriver@uhccux.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu> Subject: HICSS-23 SESSION/MINI-TRACK PROPOSALS CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR HICSS-23 SESSIONS AND MINI-TRACKS You are invited to submit a proposal for a session or mini-track for HICSS-23. The HICSS series of conferences has become a unique and respected forum in computer and information systems and technology for the exchange of scientific ideas among researchers in North America, the Asian and Pacific Basin Nations, and Europe. We are continually working toward increasing the overall quality and utility of this meeting. Proposals are being solicited for HICSS-23 for sessions and minitracks on timely and important topics in the field. Your proposal should be from four to five pages long and should: 1) Define the proposed technical area, discuss the topics the session/mini-track will address, and describe how they fit into the area; 2) Discuss how these topics have recently been covered in other conferences and publications to substantiate that HICSS is not only an appropriate and timely forum for the topics but also that there is a body of unpublished good work to draw from; 3) Contain a short bio-sketch and explicitly state that your organization endorses your involvement and has the infrastructure to support that involvement as described in the attached sheets giving the responsibilities of session/mini-track coordinators. Interacting with authors and referees in a fair and professional manner and employing control mechanisms that increase the overall quality of the meeting are among the major responsibilities. Send six copies of proposals to the appropriate Track Coordinator listed on the HICSS-23 Call for Papers and one copy to Prof. Bruce D. Shriver, Conference Co-Chairman. We encourage the submission of proposals by e-mail. DEADLINES: Jan. 31, 1989 Proposals Due Feb. 15, 1989 Notification Regarding Proposals Each proposal will be evaluated by an advisory body appointed by the Conference Chairmen and Track Coordinators and which includes some of the nation's leading experts in computer and information systems and technology. The decision of the advisory body will be based on the overall technical merit of the proposal. Since there is only a limited amount of space for conducting the meeting, the number of proposals that will be approved in each track is limited. I am looking forward to receiving a proposal from you. Prof. Bruce D. Shriver HICSS Conference Co-Chairman ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 28 Dec 88 15:26:35-1000 From: Bruce Shriver <shriver@uhccux.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu> Subject: CONFERENCE CALL Sorry, but in the Call for Papers for HICSS-23, I sent you the incorrect dates. The meeting will not be from Jan. 9-12, 1990 as the call stated, it will be from Jan. 2-5, 1990 as the following call indicates. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Bruce ===== copy follows ===== CALL FOR PAPERS -- HICSS-23 Twenty-third Annual HAWAII INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE on SYSTEM SCIENCES January 2-5, 1990 Twenty-third in a series of conferences devoted to advances in the information, computer, and system sciences, this Conference will encompass developments in both theory and practice. Papers are invited in the areas shown and may be theoretical, conceptual, tutorial, or descriptive in nature. Submitted papers will be refereed and those selected for presentation will be printed in the Conference Proceedings. Submissions must not have been previously published. HICSS is sponsored by the University of Hawaii and the Pacific Research Institute for Information Systems and Management (PRIISM) in cooperation with the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Computer Society of the IEEE. The purpose of the HICSS conference is to provide a forum for the interchange of ideas, research results, development activities, and applications among academicians and practitioners in the information, computer, and system sciences. HICSS-23 will consist of advanced seminars, tutorials, open forums, task forces, a distinguished lecture series, and the presentation of accepted manuscripts which emphasize research and development activities in software technology, architecture, decision support and knowledge-based systems, emerging technologies, and advanced applications. The best papers, selected by the program committee in each of these areas, are given an award at the meeting. There is a high degree of interaction and discussion among the conference participants because the meeting is conducted in a workshop-like setting. All registrants are expected to attend the entire conference and actively engage in these discussions. All registrations must be received no later than November 10, 1989. Applications received after this deadline may not be accepted for registration due to space limitations. Since HICSS is a non-profit activity funded primarily by registration fees, all participants and speakers are expected to have their organization bear the costs of their expenses and registration. Relevant topics include: ARCHITECTURE * Advances in High Speed Computing * Advances in Networking and Telecommunication * Distributed Processing * Implementation Issues in Neural Computing * Optical Computing * Parallel Processing * RISC (Silicon and GaAs) SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY * Advances in Programming Languages and Their Implementation * Alternative Design and Programming Paradigms * Application Enabling Technologies * Computer Aided Software Design and Engineering * Design and Software Reuse * Distributed Operating Systems and Databases * Rapid Prototyping DECISION SUPPORT AND KNOWLEDGE-BASED SYSTEMS * Computer Based Decision Support Systems * Executive Information Systems * Expert Systems * Group Decision Support Systems and Electronic Management Support * Knowledge-Based Systems * Model Management in DSS EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS * Advanced Authoring Systems * Advances in End User Computing * Computer Supported Cooperative Work * ISDN Services, Systems, and Technology * Multi-lingual and Multi-cultural Software Systems * Technology Absorption, Deployment, Impact, and Transfer * Very High Bandwidth Networks INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING PAPERS: 1. Submit six (6) copies of the full paper, consisting of 22-26 double-spaced, typewritten pages, including diagrams, directly to the appropriate track coordinator listed below, or if in doubt, to the conference co-chairmen. 2. Do not submit the manuscript to more than one Track Coordinator. 3. Each paper must have a title page which includes the title of the paper, full name of all authors, and their complete addresses including affiliation(s), telephone number(s), and e-mail address(es). 4. The first page of the manuscript should include the title and a 300 word abstract of the paper. DEADLINES: * Abstracts may be submitted to track coordinators for guidance and indication of appropriate content by March 1, 1989. * Full papers must be prepared and sent to the appropriate track coordinator by June 5, 1989. * Notification of accepted papers will be mailed to the author on or before August 31, 1989. * Accepted manuscripts, camera ready, are due no later than October 1, 1989. * All registrations must be received no later than November 10, 1989. Applications received after this deadline may not be accepted for registration due to space limitations. TRACK COORDINATORS ARCHITECTURE Dr. Veljko Milutinovic Dr. Lee W. Hoevel School of Electrical Engineering Dir. of Advanced Systems Architecture Purdue University NCR Corporation W. Lafayette, IN 47907 World Headquarters 5E (317) 494-3530 Dayton, OH 45479 FAX: (317) 494-6440 (513) 445-1279 Internet: hicss@ee.ecn.purdue.edu Internet: lee.hoevel@dayton.ncr.com SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY Bruce D. Shriver HICSS-23 Software Tech. Track Coordinator Department of Decision Sciences University of Hawaii at Manoa 2404 Maile Way Honolulu, HI 96822 (808) 948-6606 Internet: shriver@uhccux.uhcc.hawaii.edu DECISION SUPPORT AND KNOWLEDGE BASED SYSTEMS Jay F. Nunamaker, Jr. HICSS-23 DSS & Knowledge Based Systems Track Coordinator MIS Department Eller Graduate School of Management University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 85721 (602) 621-4475 FAX: (602) 621-2433 BITNET: nunamaker@arizmis EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS Ralph H. Sprague, Jr. Emerging Technologies and Applications Track Coordinator Department of Decision Sciences University of Hawaii at Manoa 2404 Maile Way Honolulu, HI 96822 (808) 948-7082 Internet: sprague@uhccux.uhcc.hawaii.edu ------------------------------ Date: 29 Dec 88 18:49:13 GMT From: sunybcs!sbcs!cchen@rutgers.edu (Chyouhwa Chen) Organization: State University of New York at Stony Brook Subject: Is KBEmacs from MIT's Programmer's apprentice available? Does anybody know if the demonstration system KBEmacs from MIT's programmer's apprentice project is available for research institutions? Or if you have their email addresses, I would appreciate it very much if you can send it to me. Thank you very much. ------------------------------ End of Software Engineering Digest **********************************