May 2014 - Members - lists.sigcis.org

Donald Knuth's 7 May 2014 lecture
by Len Shustek 01 Jun '14

01 Jun '14

The video of Knuth's 2014 Kailath Lecture, which has been much discussed here, is now online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAXdDEQveKw -- Len

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Fwd: Historical Representation in Games - PhD Course
by Andrew Russell 31 May '14

31 May '14

FYI - a course “open to all PhD-students with an interest in historical games but is especially aimed at those who are interested in analysing these games and exploring their usage as a historical form in informal or formal learning contexts.” It’s probably most relevant for graduate students in Europe. Begin forwarded message: > From: Communication History Discussion List <communicationhistory(a)communicationhistory.org> > Subject: Historical Representation in Games - PhD Course > Date: May 31, 2014 at 7:47:56 AM EDT > To: discussion(a)communicationhistory.org > Reply-To: Communication History Discussion List <discussion(a)communicationhistory.org> > > (Mailing list information, including unsubscription instructions, > is located at the end of this message.) > __ > > The Linnaeus Centre for Research on Learning, Interaction and Mediated Communication in Contemporary Society (LinCS) http://www.lincs.gu.se/ invites PhD students to a course on the topic > Historical Representation in Games: Informal and formal learning about history through games > > 5 + 5 Higher Education Credits. > > Given the massive commercial successes of the medium in recent years, digital historical games (i.e. games that utilise historical settings) have rapidly become one of the most widespread and successful forms of popular history. This, alongside their chosen historical content, makes them potentially highly influential histories that are generally experienced in informal settings. Similarly, the possibilities of a new form of history also raises interesting new questions for formal educational settings that must be answered. Despite, the widespread nature of games as cultural products, historical game studies (though benefitting from disciplinary diversity and featuring much good research) is still a somewhat scattered and incoherent field that can therefore be difficult for students to access. The Historical Representation in Games course pulls these strands together into a unified curriculum that provides a foundational basis for approaching historical games (both digital an > d non-digital) and exploring their possibilities and limitations as a form of history. > > The course is open to all PhD-students with an interest in historical games but is especially aimed at those who are interested in analysing these games and exploring their usage as a historical form in informal or formal learning contexts. > > All participation is free of charge. Costs for participation will be covered (this applies also to students from abroad) by LinCS-DSES. Thus travel costs to course venues (including hotel, second class train or budget air-fare etc.) will be covered. Reimbursement will follow upon completion and passing of the course. > > Participants will engage in depth with selected writings from the historical game studies field. This literature will be both explored and contextualised, in lectures, seminars, and assignments suitable to an interest in historical games. The course will also provide insights in to how historical games are used by their players and the existing online community practices that have grown around the playing of these games. Similarly the course will also engage questions surrounding historical games design and participants will actively explore this issue. > > The course will have an online introduction the 3rd of September 2014 and 2 physical meetings in Gothenburg, Sweden. The first meeting is 1st –3rd of October 2014 the second is 12th-14th of November 2014. > > The course gives 5 Higher Education Credits with an option to take 5 more credits. > > To pass the course students need to participate in all meetings and undertake 2 assignments. For the extra 5 credits they also hand in a paper. > > The course will have 20 participants. If there are more applicants, a selection is made by judging the relevance of the student's research plan and qualifications in relation to the objectives of the course. The selection process is carried out by the course-leaders in collaboration with the leadership of the research school. > > To apply and for further information please go to: http://www.lincs.gu.se/dses/courses/historical-representation-in-games/ > > Questions regarding participation, eligibility, application etc. should be directed at Sylvi Vigmo, Director of Studies LinCS-DSES(a)ped.gu.se > > Questions regarding reimbursement and travel costs should be directed at Doris Gustafson, LinCS administrator doris.gustafson(a)ped.gu.se > > Questions regarding the content of the course should be directed at Adam Chapman, Course Leader, adam.chapman(a)gu.se > > Kind regards > Adam Chapman >

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Expedited publishing opportunities with IEEE Annals of the History of Computing
by Thomas Haigh 27 May '14

27 May '14

Hello everyone, The editorial board of IEEE Annals of the History of Computing was recently informed by Lars Heide, its editor-in-chief, that the journal has an unusual opportunity to provide rapid publication to its authors. Several projected special issues have run into trouble, with the result that the queue of accepted articles for regular issues has been drawn down faster than expected. So an article well enough developed to receive an "accept with minor revisions" on the initial round of reviewing might be published by the end of this year if submitted in the near future. In the past Annals authors often had to wait for a year or more after acceptance, so this provides a real benefit for those eager to get work published for hiring, promotion, or research assessment deadlines. Although Annals will not loosen its editorial standards, one might plausibly expect that under the circumstances its editors will be assiduous in sending reminders to reviewers and in expediting their own work on submissions. The content of Annals has become increasingly diverse over the past decade, including more work related to social history, gender, business history, etc. However one of Annals' enduring traditions has been to publish well researched technical histories, often written by computer specialists with an amateur interest in history, as well as articles by Ph.D. historians. Both go through peer review. Annals is a very well established journal, now in its 36th year of continuous publication. Being a publication of the IEEE Computer Society ensures widespread availability of articles via the IEEE CS and IEEE digital libraries. It is included in many indexes, including those produced by ISI and the ACM. The print edition reaches a core audience of historians of information technology and IEEE members with an avocational interest in matters historical, and there is also a nicely presented electronic version of each issue. The review process generally provides helpful and detailed feedback from experts on the history of information technology. IIRC the acceptance rate has been around 50% which is low enough to provide some quality control but not so low as to intimidate potential authors. After acceptance Annals still has real copyeditors and layout people who will make sure your article reads and looks its best. Since 2001 I have had 10 peer reviewed articles accepted by Annals. According to Google Scholar the first three of these to be published have now accumulated 33, 31, and 38 citations respectively - respectable numbers for history papers. Interested scholars have also made contact with me after the publication of many of those articles. Annals has thus proven itself to me as an effective way of reaching audiences interested in the history of information technology. You may also hear directly from an Annals board member familiar with your work. If you do, please take their invitation seriously - he or she would not be approaching you unless your work was suitable for the journal and could have a real impact if published there. Author guidelines are at http://www.computer.org/portal/web/peerreviewmagazines/annals. As that page mentions, you can reach Lars Heide at heide.lpf(a)cbs.dk if you have questions about how your work might be fit. The Annals website is at http://www.computer.org/portal/web/computingnow/annals. All back issues are available online via the IEEE digital libraries, so looking though a recent volume would give a good idea of the range of work Annals publishes. Best wishes, Tom

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Article on Sixties Computers in pop culture in "The Onion's AV Club"
by Andrew Meade McGee 26 May '14

26 May '14

I thought I would bring to the list's attention the article "The Monoliths: 17 Supercomputers from the ’60s," about portrayals of Sixties-era computers in media, just posted on The Onion's AV Club website: < http://www.avclub.com/article/monoliths-17-supercomputers-60s-204736 > The AV Club being widely read and reblogged among a certain net-savvy demographic, you might see variations or commentaries on this topic popping up around the web or on social media in the next few days. Nice opportunity for historians of computing to engage with a popularly-generated discussion of computers in cultural imagination. Best, Andrew

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Fwd: Game History Symposium - Montreal June 27-28
by Andrew Russell 21 May '14

21 May '14

In light of the discussion of games and computer history, this meeting looks like a good excuse to visit Montreal in the summer… Andy Begin forwarded message: > From: kelly boudreau <kelly.boudreau(a)gmail.com> > Subject: [Air-L] Game History Symposium - Montreal June 27-28 > Date: May 21, 2014 at 2:55:02 PM EDT > To: aoir <air-l(a)listserv.aoir.org> > > Might be of interest to some on the list. Access is free =) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > We are very pleased to announce the upcoming Game History Annual Symposium > to be held June 27 & 28, 2014 at Grande Bibliothèque, Montréal, 475, > boulevard De Maisonneuve Est, Montréal, QC. > > The 2014 edition of the symposium features panels on the many communities > and social practices that define the history of video games: the role of > engineers, game designers and store owners, the retro gaming phenomenon, > user generated content, marginal themes and the place of minorities, etc. > It is our pleasure to welcome four distinguished keynote speakers at the > symposium: Tristan Donovan (journalist, author of *Replay*), Mia Consalvo > (Canada research chair in game studies, author of *Cheating*), Philippe > Ulrich (founder of Cryo) et John Szczepaniak (journalist, > *hardcoregaming101*). > > Includes the exhibit* ‘Micromakers. Early ZX Spectrum Homebrew > Development’: *In 1982 the introduction of the ZX Spectrum color > microcomputer created an affordable platform which catalyzed hobby > programming cultures in the United Kingdom. This exhibition will chart > notable contributions by hobbyist Spectrum game makers, commenting on the > larger microcomputer development scene, and exploring possible connections > to contemporary independent game production. (Curator: Skot Deeming; > Consultant: Alisson Gazzard). > > The *Game History* annual symposium is a platform to connect media > historians, sociologists, museum curators and any other researcher > interested in the cultural history of games. The event is presented in > partnership with Université de Montréal <http://www.umontreal.ca/>, LUDOV > (Lab @UdeM for the Documentation and Observation of Video > games)<http://ludicine.ca/> > , Homo Ludens <http://www.homoludens.uqam.ca/> (UQAM), TAG (Technoculture, > Arts and Games research center) <http://tag.hexagram.ca/> (Concordia > University) and Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du > Québec<https://www.banq.qc.ca/> > . > > *Access is free!* > > *For information about the program and registration, please visit our > website <http://www.sahj.ca/> or our Facebook page > <https://www.facebook.com/events/1436887663230156/?source=3&source_newsfeed_…>* > > > > Nous sommes heureux d'annoncer l'édition 2014 du Symposium Annuel Histoire > du Jeu, qui aura lieu les 27 et 28 juin 2014 à la Grande Bibliothèque, > Montréal, 475, boulevard De Maisonneuve Est, Montréal, QC. > > Le symposium propose des panels sur diverses communautés et pratiques qui > ont forgé l’histoire du jeu vidéo : le rôle des ingénieurs, des créateurs > de jeu et des marchands, le phénomène du jeu rétro, la création de niveaux > par les joueurs, la place des minorités et des thématiques marginales, etc. > Nous accueillerons également quatre conférenciers invités : Tristan Donovan > (journaliste, auteur de *Replay*), Mia Consalvo (Chaire de recherche du > Canada en jeu vidéo, auteure de*Cheating*), Philippe Ulrich (fondateur de > Cryo) et John Szczepaniak (journaliste, *hardcoregaming101*). > > *Inclut l'exposition* *‘Microfabricants. Les débuts du développement ‘fait > maison’ sur la ZX Spectrum’: *En 1982, l’arrivée du micro-ordinateur > couleur ZX Spectrum a engendré une plateforme de création abordable, qui a > agi en tant que catalyseur pour la culture des programmeurs au Royaume-Uni. > Cette exposition s’attachera à retracer les contributions importantes des > créateurs de jeux amateurs sur Spectrum, proposant un commentaire sur le > milieu du développement sur micro-ordinateur, et explorant les connections > éventuelles avec la culture actuelle de création indépendante. > (Commissaire: Skot Deeming; Consultante: Alisson Gazzard). > > Le symposium annuel *Histoire du jeu* est un lieu d’échange pour les > historiens des médias, les sociologues, les journalistes, les conservateurs > et tout autre chercheur qui s’intéresse à l’histoire culturelle du jeu. > L’évènement est présenté en partenariat avec l’Université de > Montréal<http://www.umontreal.ca/> > , LUDOV (Laboratoire Universitaire de Documentation et d’Observation > Vidéoludique <http://ludicine.ca/en>, le groupe de recherche Homo > Ludens<http://www.homoludens.uqam.ca/>(UQAM), > le groupe de recherche TAG (Technoculture, Arts and > Games)<http://tag.hexagram.ca/> (Université > Concordia) et Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du > Québec<https://www.banq.qc.ca/> > . > > > *L’accès est gratuit!* > > *Pour plus d'informations sur le programme et l'inscription, veuillez > visiter notre site web <http://www.sahj.ca/?lang=fr> ounotre page Facebook > <https://www.facebook.com/events/1436887663230156/?source=3&source_newsfeed_…>*

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Teaching history with video games
by Dag Spicer 20 May '14

20 May '14

Dear group, There is a very thoughtful article on this often noisy topic in the current “Perspectives on History” by the AHA. It is entitled "The Assassin’s Perspective: Teaching History with Video Games,” by Nicolas Trepanier. I’d love to provide the link to it but SIGCIS has decided not to allow that. Best, Dag -- Dag Spicer Senior Curator Computer History Museum Editorial Board, IEEE Annals of the History of Computing 1401 North Shoreline Boulevard Mountain View, CA 94043-1311 Tel: +1 650 810 1035 Fax: +1 650 810 1055

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more Knuth (but not the same topic)
by Dave Walden 20 May '14

20 May '14

See http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=2213858&WT.mc_id=Author_Knu…

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List reminders: Links are OK, digest is available
by Thomas Haigh 19 May '14

19 May '14

Dag is confused. SIGCIS welcomes links, but bars large attachments because they don't archive, don't go in the digest version of the email, and are not something that everyone on the list would want chewing up their time and bandwidth. Again, links cause none of these problems and are fine. Every now and then we have a flurry of emails to the list. So I also want to remind those who would prefer their history of computing discussion compartmentalized rather than periodically flaring up to dominate their inbox that our mail management system allows mail to be dispatched in a once a day digest format. Just log in at http://sigcis.org/mailman/listinfo/members (you should receive an email every month reminding you of your login details and subscription options) and change the format option. Tom -----Original Message----- From: members-bounces(a)sigcis.org [mailto:members-bounces@sigcis.org] On Behalf Of Dag Spicer Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 8:52 AM To: members(a)sigcis.org Subject: [SIGCIS-Members] Teaching history with video games Dear group, There is a very thoughtful article on this often noisy topic in the current "Perspectives on History" by the AHA. It is entitled "The Assassin's Perspective: Teaching History with Video Games," by Nicolas Trepanier. I'd love to provide the link to it but SIGCIS has decided not to allow that. Best, Dag -- Dag Spicer Senior Curator Computer History Museum Editorial Board, IEEE Annals of the History of Computing 1401 North Shoreline Boulevard Mountain View, CA 94043-1311 Tel: +1 650 810 1035 Fax: +1 650 810 1055 _______________________________________________ This email is relayed from members(a)sigcis.org, the email discussion list of SHOT SIGCIS. The list archives are at http://sigcis.org/pipermail/members/ and you can change your subscription options at http://sigcis.org/mailman/listinfo/members

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PS re Knuth booklet
by Dave Walden 19 May '14

19 May '14

In my review http://www.computer.org/csdl/mags/an/2014/01/man2014010069.pdf I suggested that Knuth's view of history writing was among several topics suggested by the booklet that would be interesting discussion topics in a course where the students are just beginning to consider the issues in writing history. I believe our current discussion tends to confirm my assessment. -- home address: 12 Linden Rd., E. Sandwich, MA 02537 home ph=508-888-7655; cell ph = 503-757-3137 email address: dave(a)walden-family.com; website: <http://www.walden-family.com/bbn/>http://www.walden-family.com/bbn/

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Using history to teach computer science
by Thomas Haigh 19 May '14

19 May '14

Hello everyone, Recent emails on the Knuth thread have broached the potential of a possible meeting or initiative to try to raise the position of history within computer science, particularly the use of history in regular CS courses. Back in 2001-2 Bill Aspray raised some NSF money to explore this through the CRA, of which he was then executive director. I was a participant in both workshops, and developed the first version of what evolved into the SIGCIS history of computing resource guide (now in need of a new update). This was a valuable exercise, and has helped to inform what I write in my CACM columns in trying to explain historical thinking and scholarship to a computing audience. I hope that the other participants also found it useful. The proceedings, Using History to Teach Computer Science and Related Disciplines edited by Akera and Aspray, are at http://archive.cra.org/reports/using.history.pdf. Bill sent me some spare copies when moving office a few years ago, so if anyone would like one mailed to them just ask. My own chapter "The History of Computing: An Introduction for the Computer Scientist" is now a little out of date, but tried to explain to computer scientists what historical scholarship is and how it is different from computing research. http://www.tomandmaria.com/tom/Writing/HistoryOfComputingIntro.pdf However, I must confess that the meetings also made me appreciate the scale of the challenge involved, even when dealing with computing educators who care enough about history to want to incorporate it into their teaching. I think the biggest issue is that people with graduate degrees in history and computer scientists with avocational interests in history tend to have a different sense of what the purpose of teaching history is. Historians focus on transferrable skills such as historical styles of thinking, reading of evidence, construction of a well-documented argument, working around contradictory or patchy sources, etc. These can be developed to a large extent independently of the particular topics or readings chosen for a course. In contrast, computer scientists are more likely to think of history in terms of factual material that should be assimilated. In a way that is the unsurprising inverse of the complaint from expert CS educators that most computing education, particularly for children and non-majors, is focused on specific technologies rather than the broader development of computational or algorithmic thinking. It is hard for someone who does not themselves have advanced training and deep immersion in a field to convey its core values to students. Any future effort would do well to start with the Aspray & Akera volume as a starting point, and also to have realistic aspirations. A sequel might foreground the question of the history of computing, and information history more broadly, in information schools as well as in computer science departments since a number of us find ourselves in iSchools. The prospects for grant support for such a project should be relatively good, at least compared with trying to get a grant to do actual historical research. Best wishes, Tom

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