September 2016 - Members - lists.sigcis.org

IBM 610
by John Impagliazzo 25 Apr '18

25 Apr '18

Hi All, Allegedly, some consider the IBM 610 Auto-Point computer (1959) the ‘first personal computer’. http://www.columbia.edu/cu/computinghistory/plugboard.html Is this true – even slightly true?? John John Impagliazzo, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, Hofstra University IEEE Life Fellow ACM Distinguished Educator

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Planning for SHOT meeting in Singapore, June 26-29, 2016
by Andrew Russell 10 Nov '16

10 Nov '16

Colleagues - It was nice to see so many of you for the SHOT and SIGCIS meetings this past weekend in Albuquerque. From my point of view things went extraordinarily well, and I don’t have words to express how happy I am about the quality of scholarship and spirit of camaraderie that I felt throughout the weekend. I think we all owe Nathan Ensmenger a special thanks for such a fantastic keynote presentation on computing’s environmental history - throughout the day people were calling it powerful, moving, transformative, etc. Also on Sunday, we celebrated the achievements of our colleagues, including: - the ten young scholars who were awarded travel grants from MIT Press, the Computer History Museum, and the Mahoney Fund. - Rebecca Slayton, winner of the 2015 CHM Prize for her book Arguments that Count - David Nofre, Mark Priestley, and Gerard Alberts, winners of the inaugural Mahoney Prize for their article “When Technology Became Language” - Sarah McLennan, winner of SHOT’s 2015 Robinson Prize for her paper “Computing and the Color Line,” presented in a session organized jointly by SIGCIS and EDITH, thanks to Marie Hicks and Ruth Cowan. The main purpose of this message is to reinforce and amplify my call on Sunday morning for proposals for SHOT in Singapore in June 2016. SHOT will issuing its call for papers very soon, with a deadline in late 2015. In anticipation, please be thinking about participating in one of the following ways: 1. Put forth an Open Panel Proposal for the main SHOT meeting. SHOT will place a special emphasis on “open panel” topics that SHOT will circulate widely as it publicizes the CFP. 2. Organize a Complete Panel Submission of 3 or 4 papers for the main SHOT meeting. Please feel free to use the list or to contact me (or anyone on the SIGCIS Exec) if you want to float ideas and/or find extra panelists. 3. Submit a paper or panel for the SIGCIS 2016 Workshop that will be held, as usual, at the end of the SHOT conference in Singapore on Sunday, June 26. We expect to issue the CFP for the SIGCIS Workshop well after the SHOT CFP is issued; watch this space in mid-November or early December for details. As you contemplate your participation in the Singapore meeting, please keep 2 additional things in mind: 1. This is a terrific opportunity to forge new bonds with colleagues working on computing and information-related history and STS topics in Asia and the Pacific. To that end, if you have contacts there who have not been active in SIGCIS or SHOT, please do encourage them to join the SIGCIS list and to reach out to me if they want to join or help organize a session. 2. If you are in North America or Europe, try not to be too put off by the expense of the trip - particularly if you are in the early stages of your career. SHOT and SIGCIS have been raising funds for this conference for some time, and the generosity of our communities has been nothing short of inspiring. Travel support will be available! In summary: SHOT and SIGCIS 2015 were fantastic; it’s now up to us to make SHOT and SIGCIS 2016 even better. Please get in touch with me (or the list) if you have questions, suggestions, etc. about making the most of our opportunities at the Singapore meeting! Cheers, Andy Russell SIGCIS Chair

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University of Minnesota Libraries Archives and Special Collections --> deadline Friday 30 Sept.
by Thomas J. Misa 26 Sep '16

26 Sep '16

Hi all, CBI has an annual "travel to collections" competition with a due date in mid January http://www.cbi.umn.edu/research/ntravelfund.html. The deadline is THIS FRIDAY for a different means of travel support to use University of Minnesota collections, including those held by the Charles Babbage Institute. Several computer-history projects have artfully located materials, in addition to CBI holdings, in other UMN special collections. (see www at bottom of page) Such proposals have been very attractive to the Libraries award committee. Please address inquiries about CBI archival collections to CBI archivist-curator Amanda Wick <abwick(a)umn.edu>. See particulars below: ---Tom Misa ============================ The Elmer L. Andersen Research Scholars Program supports scholarly research projects using materials from the Libraries’ rare and special collections. Named for former governor and University of Minnesota regent Elmer L. Andersen, the new program honors the Governor’s passion for collecting and for expanding the use of the collections. The Research Scholars program is available to scholars including faculty, graduate, post-graduate, and independent researchers using the collections in the Department of Archives and Special Collections. This program is not available to currently enrolled University of Minnesota graduate or undergraduate students or UM faculty. The program will provide support for research projects that require use of one or more of the collections. Awards range from $500 to $2,000 and provide funds for travel, housing and other research related costs. The final research product (e.g., journal article, documentary film) must acknowledge the Libraries’ support and be deposited with the University Libraries. Applications should include the following: • Cover letter that provides a detailed project de- scription, placing the project in the context of its larger field of study and describing the anticipated result of the project (e.g. journal article, book, edited volume, etc.). The narrative should articulate the anticipated use of the University Libraries collections with reference to specific collections to be used and their relevance to the project. • The applicant’s curriculum vitae • Two letters of recommendation • A budget with estimates of related costs About the collections: The University of Minnesota Libraries Archives and Special Collections contain diverse holdings from clay tablets to documentation of the history of information technology, from children’s literature to University re- cords, from the literary and performing arts to gay and lesbian culture. Complete description of the collecting areas at https://www.lib.umn.edu/special/archives-and-special-collections-web-pages . Application deadline: September 30, 2016 Award announcement: November 11, 2016 Research must be completed: December 29, 2017

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VICE Motherboard Article on "Voice" and Disability in Tech
by Meryl Alper 21 Sep '16

21 Sep '16

Hi all, *Speechless*, a sitcom debuting tonight on ABC in the US, will be the first TV show to feature a disabled lead character who uses an augmentative and alternative communication system instead of oral speech to express themselves. In advance of the premiere, I've written an op-ed for *VICE Motherboard* on the show's potential to generate conversation about the complex intersections of voice, agency, and technology -- particularly in today's political environment: http://motherboard.vice.com/read/what-abcs-new-tv-series- speechless-can-tell-us-about-voice The commentary is based on my book *Giving Voice: Mobile Communication, Disability, and Inequality* (MIT Press, forthcoming 2017): https://merylalper.com/giving-voice/ Feel free to pass the article along! Also happy to hear any and all feedback. Best, Meryl -- *Meryl Alper* Assistant Professor Department of Communication Studies Northeastern University Holmes 217 m.alper(a)northeastern.edu merylalper.com

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Position: Founding Chair of Digital and Computational Studies at Bates College
by Rebelsky, Samuel 15 Sep '16

15 Sep '16

Forwarded for a colleague (who I think was forwarding for other colleagues) because it may be of interest to the members of this list. -- SamR --- Dear colleagues, Bates College is establishing a new program in Digital and Computational Studies and seeks an extraordinary individual at the Associate or Full Professor level as its founding Chair. Review of applications will begin 1 October. If you have questions about this position, please contact Paula Schlax at pschlax(a)bates.edu. Please also share this announcement as may be appropriate; the search aims to cast a wide net for creative folks in and around the fields of computing. Thanks! Lynn —— Lynn Andrea Stein Professor of Computer and Cognitive Science Olin College of Engineering Bates College: Faculty Position: Digital and Computational Studies Chair of Digital and Computational Studies, (R2155) Location: Lewiston, Maine Digital and Computational Studies at Bates College invites applications for the chair of this newly established interdisciplinary program. The program has been created to advance learning and scholarship across multiple disciplines by evaluating and harnessing current and emerging concepts, methods, and tools in computer science and digital studies. The program is envisioned as one that will attract, welcome, and train students from diverse backgrounds both in computer science and in the interrogation of the practices, values, cultures, and assumptions of a digital world. The chair will work with an established program committee to design the program curriculum and to hire two additional faculty, bringing a broad vision of the roles of digital and computational studies in a liberal arts environment to this process. The successful candidate will have a strong record of collaboration and will be an effective leader and communicator as well as an accomplished teacher and scholar. Further, the successful candidate will have a strong record of engaging people from underrepresented backgrounds--especially racial/ethnic minorities and women--in this area. This is a senior tenured position at the Associate or Full Professor level that will begin August 1, 2017. A Ph.D, use of computer science as a primary tool in scholarship and teaching, and a track record of interdisciplinary work are required. Experience leading or playing a major role in developing an academic program is desirable. Interest in designing a curriculum that builds bridges across the curriculum—including the arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and existing interdisciplinary programs— is essential. The field of specialization is open, but over a two to three year period, candidates will be expected to teach courses in all or most of the following: introduction to computer programming, data structures and algorithmic problem-solving, computer systems in society, and computational statistics. The teaching load at Bates is five courses per year with a one-course reduction possible for chairing the program. For more information about Digital and Computational Studies at Bates, see our webpage (http://www.bates.edu/digital-computational-studies/) The College and the Digital and Computational Studies Program Bates are committed to enhancing the diversity of the campus and the curriculum. We welcome applications from all individuals with the ability to contribute to the College’s continuing commitment to social and cultural diversity and inclusiveness. Review of applications begins on 1 October 2016, and will continue until the position is filled. QUALIFICATIONS A Ph.D, use of computer science as a primary tool in scholarship and teaching, and a track record of interdisciplinary work are required. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Cover letter that articulates your aspirations for a new major in Digital and Computational Studies at a small, residential, liberal arts college Current CV Teaching portfolio including a teaching philosophy, a description of a course you would want to develop for the new curriculum, a list of courses that you have taught or are qualified to teach, and teaching evaluations from all courses over two academic years Description of your research program directed to a hiring committee drawn from a committee of faculty and staff from disciplines across the college Statement describing previous work you've undertaken to develop inclusive environments (especially with regard to underrepresented groups) and how your teaching and leadership at Bates will support the institutional commitment to enhancing social and cultural diversity and inclusivity. Three letters of recommendation, at least one of which discusses your qualifications to serve as chair. https://apply.interfolio.com/36793

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contact of Andrew Butrica re antenna archives
by maxigas 13 Sep '16

13 Sep '16

hello members, i tried to contact Andrew Bustica who is supposed to be in charge of the online archives of Antenna Newsletter published by Mercurians, another special interest group of the Society for the History of Technology: http://www.mercurians.org/antenna.htm they are missing quite a lot of issues, including the one with an article i needed. i could get the article in question but i wondered if they need some help putting their stuff online or they could publish the scan that i received via Karl Stephan. Bustica's email address given there seems to be a very old one and not working. anybody has Andrew Bustica's current contact details? thanks, -- maxigas, kiberpunk FA00 8129 13E9 2617 C614 0901 7879 63BC 287E D166 http://relay70.metatron.ai/ In Solidarity with Library Genesis and Sci-hub http://custodians.online Share this letter - read it in public - leave it in the printer. Share your writing - digitize a book - upload your files. Don't let our knowledge be crushed. Care for the libraries - care for the metadata - care for the backup. Water the ❀❀❀❀❀ - clean the volcanoes.

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opportunities for book reviewers - IEEE Annals of the History of Computing
by Andrew Russell 12 Sep '16

12 Sep '16

Hi everyone - I hope most of you read the IEEE Annals of the History of Computing, and perhaps some of you have noticed that we’ve been trying to bring more variety to the Reviews column in recent years. (I’m the Reviews editor.) We’ve run reviews of technical histories, cultural histories, popular histories, edited volumes, computer game histories, and even a few films and TV shows. The reason I bring this up is that I’m always looking for people who would like to write reviews. I’m open to all sorts of suggestions and ideas. Perhaps you know graduate students who would do a good job with a review; perhaps you would like to write a review essay that draws on 3 to 5 recent books; perhaps you think that Annals readers would be interested to learn about books from areas where they don’t typically read. As we all know, the history of computing is quite a dynamic field that spills across all kinds of disciplinary lines. I think the Reviews column is a good place to try to capture at least a little bit of this dynamism. I’d be happy to hear suggestions from people who have specific books in mind, or who just want to let me know they would be available if something on a certain topic pops up. The process isn’t too formal or exotic - once I can find a good fit between books and reviewers, the publisher is usually good enough to send a free copy. Reviews are typically 800 words, but it’s not difficult to talk me into more (or less) space if you think the review needs it. Thanks and I hope to hear from you! Andy — — — — — — — — — — — Andrew L. Russell, Ph.D. Dean, College of Arts & Sciences SUNY Polytechnic Institute Donovan Hall - 2123B 100 Seymour Road Utica, NY 13502 t. 315-792-7317 w. https://sunypoly.edu/ e. arussell(a)arussell.org

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Computer History Museum: Business History Curator opening
by David C. Brock 08 Sep '16

08 Sep '16

The Computer History Museum is currently seeking a Business History Curator. The job listing may be found here: http://www.computerhistory.org/jobs/ab73d63f4ff9f0f368f4c966c3582fbd +++++++++++ David C. Brock Director Center for Software History Computer History Museum www.computerhistory.org<http://www.computerhistory.org> dbrock(a)computerhistory.org<mailto:dbrock@computerhistory.org> Twitter @dcbrock www.twitter.com/dcbrock<http://www.twitter.com/dcbrock> Skype dcbrock 1401 North Shoreline Boulevard Mountain View, CA 94043 USA direct line 650.810.1886 main 650.810.1010 fax 650.810.1055 Follow Us: CHM Blog www.computerhistory.org/atchm/<http://www.computerhistory.org/atchm/> Facebook www.facebook.com/computerhistory<http://www.facebook.com/computerhistory> Twitter www.twitter.com/computerhistory<http://www.twitter.com/computerhistory> YouTube www.youtube.com/computerhistory<http://www.youtube.com/computerhistory>

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Data systems still using COBOL is part of problem in managing U.S. Veterans Affairs Department; New Chief Information Officer of VA is a black woman
by Clarence Townsend 08 Sep '16

08 Sep '16

U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald on C-SPAN Washington Journal program 9/07/2016 indicating that one of the major issues in lack of proper administration of the agency was that the financial management software still being used was written in COBOL "which I wrote with in 1971 while going to West Point". Robert McDonald was brought in from Proctor & Gamble to lead VA on 7/30/2014. His statement on the use of antiquated management software by Veterans Affairs Dept. like COBOL is at 15min 40sec to 16 min. 20 seconds of the interview below: https://www.c-span.org/video/?414224-2/washington-journal- veterans-affairs-secretary-robert-mcdonald I have also seen statements he made in testimony to Congress about the antiquated use of COBOL software at the VA contributing to the lack of accountability before.Does anyone in this group know the extent of the US federal government's use of software still written in COBOL? Also an interesting story to pursue is that VA Secretary Robert McDonald brought in LaVerne Council as an Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology and Chief Information Officer for the VA in July 2015. She had been a corporate vice president and Chief Information Officer for Johnson & Johnson and is a black woman with one of the most senior positions in Information Technology in the country. Brief info on her is at: http://www.va.gov/opa/bios/bio_council.asp It seems like this would be an interesting story on diversity in the IT field to pursue. I have copied some of her bio below as a possible incentive for someone looking for a topic in the diversity and technology field to pursue. Clarence Townsend; Eugene Oregon Email: clarence1234(a)gmail.com LaVerne H. Council Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology and Chief Information Officer, Office of Information and Technology [image: LaVerne H. Council Official Biography Image] Ms. LaVerne H. Council joined the Department of Veterans Affairs in July 2015 as the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology (OI&T) and Chief Information Officer. In this role, Ms. Council oversees the day-to-day activities of VA’s $4 billion IT budget and over 8,000 IT employees to ensure that VA has the IT tools and services needed to support our Nation’s Veterans. Prior to joining VA, Ms. Council served as CEO of Council Advisory Services, LLC and Chair of the National Board of Trustees for the March of Dimes. In December 2011, she retired from Johnson & Johnson after serving as Corporate Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Johnson & Johnson’s global Information Technology group. In this capacity, she was responsible for managing information technology and related systems for the $61.6B Johnson & Johnson worldwide enterprise. She was a Member of the Corporate Global Operating Committee and her organization included more than 250 operating companies with over 4,000 information technology employees and 7,000 contractors. Ms. Council is a proven visionary senior executive with global experience in the development and execution of cutting-edge information technology and supply chain strategies in the healthcare/life sciences, consumer products and telecommunications/hi-tech industries. In 2011, Ms. Council received the Alumni Business Achievement Award from Ernst & Young. Business Trends Quarterly named her as one of the top four CIOs in America in 2010. The New Jersey Technology Council inducted her into their CIO Hall of Fame in 2009, and the Global CIO Executive Summit named her a Top 10 Leader and Change Agent in 2009 and a Top 10 Leader and Innovator in 2008. CAREER CHRONOLOGY: 2015 – Present Assistant Secretary, Information and Technology, Department of Veterans Affairs 2012 – 2015 CEO, Council Advisory Services, LLC 2011 – Present Chairperson of the National Board of Trustees, March of Dimes Foundation 2006 – 2011 Corporate Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Johnson & Johnson 2000 – 2006 Global Vice President for Information Technology, Global Business Solutions and Development Services, Dell, Inc. Ms. Council was also a partner with Ernst and Young and led the company’s Global Supply Chain Strategy practice. She also held leadership positions focusing on infrastructure engineering, networking, security and enterprise application interfaces. EDUCATION: 2010 Doctorate of Business Administration, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 1986 Master of Business Administration, Operations Management from Illinois State University, St. Normal, IL 1983 Bachelor of Science in Business, Western Illinois University, Macomb,the

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Fwd: EDSAC veterans visit to rekindle memories
by Brian Randell 07 Sep '16

07 Sep '16

-- School of Computing Science, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK EMAIL = Brian.Randell(a)ncl.ac.uk PHONE = +44 191 208 7923 FAX = +44 191 208 8232 URL = http://www.ncl.ac.uk/computing/staff/profile/brian.randell

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