August 2018 - Members - lists.sigcis.org

Re: [SIGCIS-Members] Konrad Zuse's 1936 patent - German text?
by Brian Randell 24 Sep '20

24 Sep '20

Hi Mark: I have a copy of the original 1936 Zuse patent application that I had translated into English for my Origins book. (It took some finding - some of my Zemanek documents had strayed into the middle of the Zuse documents, and so had obscured them! :-) It is a type-written document, on the letterhead of Zuse’s patent attorney Dr.-Ing. Bruno Wolf, Berlin Charlottenberg 5, Kantstrasse 85, dated 9.4.36 (i.e. 9 April 1936). It is some twenty or so pages in length. However I should warn you that some of the pages are barely legible (though could probably be deciphered by someone who knows German - which I don’t). I could scan this document for you if you wish. (I have about two inches thick of documents about Zuse’s work, including a number of patents and patent applications, some pre-war, immediately some post-war, together with several typescripts from him. My plan is that this material will be added to the archive of my files held in the Special Collections section of Newcastle University Library. This already holds all the extensive correspondence that I was involved in while compiling Origins.) Cheers Brian On 24 Jan 2017, at 10:58, Mark Priestley <m.priestley(a)gmail.com<mailto:m.priestley@gmail.com>> wrote: Dear list, Zuse's 1936 patent "Method for Automatic Execution of Calculations with the Aid of Computers" is reprinted in Brian Randell's "Origins of Digital Computers" collections. Does anyone know if/where I can get hold of the German original? Thanks in advance. Mark _______________________________________________ This email is relayed from members at sigcis.org<http://sigcis.org>, the email discussion list of SHOT SIGCIS. Opinions expressed here are those of the member posting and are not reviewed, edited, or endorsed by SIGCIS. The list archives are at http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ and you can change your subscription options at http://lists.sigcis.org/listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org -- School of Computing Science, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK EMAIL = Brian.Randell(a)ncl.ac.uk<mailto:Brian.Randell@ncl.ac.uk> PHONE = +44 191 208 7923 FAX = +44 191 208 8232 URL = http://www.ncl.ac.uk/computing/people/profile/brianrandell.html

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2019 CHM Fellow Awards
by Dag Spicer 29 Aug '18

29 Aug '18

Hello, Just a heads up: nominations for the 2019 Computer History Museum Fellow Awards close on Friday, August 31, at midnight Pacific time. The Fellow Awards recognize people who have made pioneering contributions to computing and its impact on our lives. Past Fellows have included: Fred Brooks, Dame Stephanie Shirley, Linus Torvalds, Steve Wozniak, Margaret Hamilton, and over 50 others. The awards began in 1987 with our first Fellow, Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, and is a ‘who’s who’ of computing legends. See our Hall of Fellows here: http://www.computerhistory.org/fellowawards/hall/ Have you discovered someone in your research you think is deserving of recognition for their work and its impact on the world? Why not nominate them for a CHM Fellow Award? The Awards themselves are presented in the Spring at the Museum at a gala event of about 350 people from around the globe. You can pick up the Nomination Form here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/66fqay4zcxajx1f/Fellows%20Nomination%20Form.doc?d… (Please mail it to: nominations(a)computerhistory.org<mailto:nominations@computerhistory.org>) We’ve received good input from SIGCIS members in the past so we look forward to more this year. I hope you will consider nominating someone! Warm regards, Dag -- Dag Spicer Senior Curator Computer History Museum 1401 N. Shoreline Blvd. Mountain View, CA 94043 (650) 810-1035 direct (650) 810-1010 main spicer(a)computerhistory.org<mailto:spicer@computerhistory.org>

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A Call to Action for Scholars of American History: Contribute to Wikipedia
by Brian Randell 28 Aug '18

28 Aug '18

Hi: I’ve just learned of this posting on the blog of the Archivist of the United States: https://aotus.blogs.archives.gov/2018/08/21/a-call-to-action-for-scholars-o… > A Call to Action for Scholars of American History: Contribute to Wikipedia > Posted on August 21, 2018by davidferriero > Our mission at the National Archives is to drive openness, cultivate public participation, and strengthen our nation’s democracy through public access to government records. We are fast approaching the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, a hallmark of the expansion of democracy here in the United States. On March 8, we will open our exhibit, Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote, which celebrates its modern relevance through inclusive retelling of the women’s suffrage movement. > > As the National Archives, along with many other organizations, prepares for the 19th Amendment’s centennial we are working hard to increase access to the records we hold around women’s suffrage. One way we are doing this is by collaborating with Wiki Education, a nonprofit focused on empowering people to expand and improve Wikipedia content for the benefit of all. Through this collaboration, Wiki Education is launching a new virtual, immersive training course designed to give participants the skills and practical experience necessary to improve Wikipedia coverage of the history of women’s voting rights in the United States. > > Participants in this new course will have the privilege of working with NARA’s subject matter experts on documents related to women’s suffrage and will learn how to use National Archives records to improve Wikipedia’s coverage of this historic period in our nation’s history. For scholars with a passion for American history, this presents a chance to improve the content of Wikipedia and make it more representative, accurate, and complete using original source materials. Channeling NARA collections into Wikipedia is an opportunity to share our content more broadly and connect with people across the United States and around the world. <snip> It strikes me that such a call could be equally appropriate for improving Wikipedia’s coverage of the history of women’s contributions to computing. Cheers Brian Randell — School of Computing Science, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU EMAIL = Brian.Randell(a)ncl.ac.uk PHONE = +44 191 208 7923 URL = http://www.ncl.ac.uk/computing/people/profile/brianrandell.html

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CFP: Revisiting "Realizing the Information Future: The Internet and Beyond"
by Joline Zepcevski 21 Aug '18

21 Aug '18

Mitchell Hamline School of Law and Hamline University are hosting a cross-disciplinary symposium on Friday, March 29th, 2019 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The title of the symposium is: Revisiting "Realizing the Information Future: The Internet and Beyond," the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" Deadline for the proposal is October 19th, 2018. For more details, please see the attached pdf. Yours, Joline Zepcevski

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Four Open-Rank Tenure-Track Faculty Positions Syracuse University School of Information Studies
by Ingrid Erickson 20 Aug '18

20 Aug '18

Please share with those who might be interested in this opportunity, including doctoral students who expect to complete their degrees by August 2019. Four Open-Rank Tenure-Track Faculty Positions Syracuse University School of Information Studies Syracuse University's School of Information Studies (The iSchool, ischool.syr.edu <http://ischool.syr.edu/>) seeks scholars and leaders to fill four open-rank tenure-track faculty positions to start in Fall 2019. Successful candidates will have a productive program of research in an information-related field and be able to contribute to the development of students and courses in our degree programs in information management and technology, data science and data analytics, library and information science (including school media) and information science and technology. The successful candidates will join our “Faculty of One”: a highly collegial environment that stresses interdisciplinary collaboration amongst our school's faculty and with other members of the university community and beyond. Our research and teaching often adopt a socio-technical approach, recognizing that important problems are not simply technical nor just about people, but rather require both social and technological insights. We seek applicants whose topic areas and skills adopt this philosophy, and who can speak to overlapping areas within the school. We are particularly seeking applications from researchers whose interests are located in one or more of the following scholarly areas: ● technical, behavioral and/or social approaches to address privacy and security for trustworthy cyberspace ● computational social science ● digital humanities ● big data approaches to exploring important organizational, scientific, social, economic, cultural or political questions ● information and knowledge management with big data ● community-focused librarianship in K-12, academic, special or public libraries ● information literacy, especially ways to increase users’ resilience to misinformation or to privacy and security attacks ● library services, such as youth or reference services ● information organization and retrieval ● human-computer interaction (HCI), user experience and/or user behaviour ● design and evaluation of interactive, social, ubiquitous and/or other emerging computing systems ● designing for marginalized populations ● ethical and policy implications of digital technologies and design We specifically seek applications from women and from members of groups traditionally underrepresented among scholars in higher education. We are interested in candidates who have the communication skills and cross-cultural abilities to be effective with diverse groups of students, colleagues and community members. Experience mentoring students from marginalized groups is particularly valued. Rank and experience level of these positions are open: we encourage applications from both junior and senior scholars with a record of achievement appropriate to the rank sought at time of application. A completed Ph.D. in a relevant field of study or the expectation of completion of the Ph.D. by August 2019 is required. The School is committed to professional development for junior faculty, and provides excellent mentoring and support. Application process Applications-including 1) a cover letter outlining the applicant’s interests and qualifications and including the rank sought; 2) a current curriculum vitae; 3) short statements describing interests and accomplishments in research and in teaching; and 4) names and contact information of at least three references-can be submitted at www.sujobopps.com <http://www.sujobopps.com/>, job #074043. All applications will be held in strict confidence; we will seek references only from finalists. We are pleased to speak with interested applicants ahead of submitting materials. We will begin screening applicants in October 2018 and continue until the positions are filled, so applications should be received by 7 October 2018 to ensure full consideration. Direct questions to Dr. Kevin Crowston, search committee chair, crowston(a)syr.edu <mailto:crowston@syr.edu>. About the iSchool at Syracuse University Located at the center of picturesque Syracuse University, the iSchool prides itself on being a thought leader in both scholarship and instruction. Our faculty have recognized strengths in information retrieval, information management, library programs and services, natural language processing, computational social science, online communities and civic participation, new forms of organization and collaboration, information and communications policy, smart energy systems, digital literacy, information privacy and security, globalization, data science, entrepreneurship, social media, social computing and other areas. The iSchool has five degree programs and numerous certificate programs, with an enrollment of 31 doctoral students, 873 masters students and 685 undergraduate majors, led by 44 full-time faculty and more than 100 part-time faculty. The iSchool is ranked #4 overall by US News and World Report for library and information science and #2 for information systems. Faculty teach in the classroom and/or prepare and oversee delivery of online courses (with a typical allocation of two courses per semester), and mentor and advise undergraduate, masters and doctoral students. iSchool faculty members received more than $5M in external research support in the past year. The iSchool hosts seven research centers and laboratories and is recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Research and in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense (IA/CD) by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. About Syracuse University Syracuse University is a private research university of extraordinary academics and distinctive offerings. With a gorgeous campus in the heart of New York State, a global footprint and a history that dates to 1870, we embrace diverse backgrounds and viewpoints. Our student population includes nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students, representing all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. Home to 11 schools and colleges, Syracuse University blends the foundational power of the liberal arts with the intense focus of professional programs. We offer undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in Architecture, Arts and Sciences, Education, Engineering and Computer Science, Sport and Human Dynamics, Information Studies, Law, Management, Citizenship and Public Affairs, Public Communications, and Visual and Performing Arts. A medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York state, Syracuse is approximately a four-hour drive from New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto and Montreal. With a metropolitan population of 700,000, Syracuse is a center for medical care and for cultural, recreational and artistic events, including the Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse Stage, Symphoria, Destiny Mall, multiple sporting events, and festivals including Jazz Fest and Winterfest. The outdoor enthusiast will enjoy four seasons of recreational opportunities, having the Adirondack Mountains, the Finger Lakes, Lake Ontario, and the Thousands Islands Region within easy driving distance of the Syracuse campus. The University is proud to offer a benefit program that is family-friendly, progressive, and responsive to the diversity of our community. Full-time faculty members are eligible for dependent tuition benefits, family medical leave and, in addition to maternity/disability leave, for parental leave (primary caregivers of either gender may apply). The Office of Equal Opportunity, Inclusion & Resolution Services coordinates workplace accommodations for faculty and staff, guiding the ongoing development of an accessible university that embraces disability as an aspect of diversity. EEOC Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities. Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans A commitment to veterans and their families is a distinguishing characteristic of Syracuse University. The University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members. Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Campus Community Syracuse University maintains an inclusive learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview. The University community recognizes and values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, military backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. To do so, we commit ourselves to promoting a community that celebrates and models the principles of diversity and inclusivity. ………… Ingrid M Erickson | Assistant Professor | School of Information Studies Syracuse University 214 Hinds Hall Syracuse, New York 13244 t 315.443.1640 f 315.443.5806 e imericks(a)syr.edu <mailto:imericks@syr.edu> ischool.syr.edu <http://ischool.syr.edu/>

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Literature on the place of science fiction (and its fandom) in the history of technology
by David C. Brock 20 Aug '18

20 Aug '18

Dear All, I would be very grateful to learn of your favorite pieces that you’ve read on this topic: the place, role, and function of science fiction and science fiction fandom in the history of technology, and especially the history of computing. I’m wholly ignorant about it, bibliographically. Thanks as ever, David +++++++++++++++ David C. Brock dcb(a)dcbrock.net 40 Russell Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 Mobile: 413-522-3578 Skype: dcbrock Twitter: @dcbrock

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Undergraduate accessible reading on the evolution of the computer user?
by Shreeharsh Kelkar 19 Aug '18

19 Aug '18

Dear all, This fall, I'll be teaching a course on the history of computing. One of my learning objectives for the class is to show students the how the conception of the computer user varied with the social context of the cold war labs where new ways of interacting with computers were invented (e.g. IPTO versus SRI versus PARC). I feel like this helps me bring out in class (a) the importance of patronage (which students could care less but that's another matter) and (b) the idea that early computer users (e.g of ARPANET) were often elites and thereby were able to shape the technology quite actively. I wonder if anyone on this list has suggestions for an article (preferably in a journal, but long-form journalism works too) that explores these themes and which is written in a manner that's accessible to undergraduates. Last year I assigned Bardini and Horvath's "The Social Construction of the Personal Computer User" <https://academic.oup.com/joc/article-abstract/45/3/40/4160211>--which, I think, does a great job at bringing out these issues. Unfortunately, the text itself is quite abstruse and my sense is that students were left shaking their heads. (I paired it with a small section from Neal Stephenson's "In the beginning was the command line ...") Many thanks in advance, Shreeharsh _______________ Shreeharsh Kelkar http://www.shreeharshkelkar.net

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Cherokee aeronautical enginner Mary Golda Ross 1908-2008
by Sharon Traweek 18 Aug '18

18 Aug '18

Look for Google doodle 9 Aug 2018 of a Cherokee aeronautical engineer active at Skunk Works: Oklahoman Mary Golda Ross also studied at Ucla https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_G._Ross https://www.google.com/doodles/mary-g-ross-110th-birthday https://newsmaven.io/indiancountrytoday/news/google-s-latest-doodle-a-chero… Sharon Traweek, Gender Studies, UCLA http://www.genderstudies.ucla.edu/faculty/sharon-traweek<https://exchange2010.ss.ucla.edu/owa/redir.aspx?SURL=zvqfx1SvB9Oi5PmUkMQOHJ…> https://ucla.academia.edu/STraweek<https://exchange2010.ss.ucla.edu/owa/redir.aspx?SURL=MyAq2tZ6yYDVtZY7VgdsAh…> https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-traweek-a257668<https://exchange2010.ss.ucla.edu/owa/redir.aspx?SURL=uzkN9PkMi8bLatbAzYgZQT…> https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sharon_Traweek<https://exchange2010.ss.ucla.edu/owa/redir.aspx?SURL=jraQLuoJLfTYMn-Z8oqyEO…>

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Death of Robert R. Everett
by Deborah Douglas 16 Aug '18

16 Aug '18

Just last week at the MIT Archives, I was examining Bob Everett’s notebooks in which he sketched out the block diagrams for the Whirlwind I computer. It was fascinating to see his thought processes in action; how he approached to overarching design of this early computer and synthesized the information and ideas of his project colleagues. Having had the opportunity to meet Bob on several occasions since coming to MIT in 1999, I was very sorry to learn of his death yesterday. I have attached the announcement that was sent to MITRE alumni. Debbie Douglas Web version<https://handshake.mitre.org/activity/groups_and_friends> Marcia Jaynes<https://handshake.mitre.org/profile/mitre-mjaynes> has posted a new discussion topic in the group MITRE Alumni<https://handshake.mitre.org/groups/profile/14100/mitre-alumni>: In Memory: Robert R. Everett<https://handshake.mitre.org/discussion/view/15207275/in-memory-robert-r-eve…> Robert R. Everett, MITRE’s third President and CEO—and the first MITRE employee to rise to that position from within—passed away on August 15 on Cape Cod, Mass, according to his family. He was 97. Everett served as president and CEO from April 1969 to July 1986. His tenure was a period of sustained growth and change for MITRE. Though the company expanded beyond its primary task for its Air Force sponsor to contribute to the fields of command, control, and communications systems; a national air traffic control system; and a national ground transportation system, it maintained a critical role in the Air Force’s air defense program. During Everett’s tenure, MITRE was one of 16 recipients of the Air Force Pioneer Award, which honored outstanding organizations that have made significant contributions to the Air Force. “Bob was a pioneer in the field of electrical engineering, and his influence helped shape MITRE into what it is today,” said Jason Providakes, MITRE’s President and CEO. “Throughout MITRE’s early years, Bob’s guidance helped MITRE to grow and evolve while always ensuring sound technical performance.” From MIT to MITRE Born on June 26, 1921 in Yonkers, New York, Everett graduated from Duke University in 1942. In 1943, he received a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). That same year, Everett joined MIT’s Servomechanisms Laboratory, where he developed hydraulic servomechanisms for stabilized shipboard radar antennas. In 1945, he and Jay W. Forrester of MIT began work on Project Whirlwind, a Navy program to develop a computer to study aircraft stability and control problems. Their research resulted in "Whirlwind I," the first digital computer at MIT and the fastest of its time. Mr. Everett and Mr. Forrester later demonstrated Whirlwind for Project Charles, which was established to recommend an air defense system. Those demonstrations led to the founding of MIT Lincoln Laboratory and the development of the Air Force's Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) air defense system. In 1947, part of MIT's Digital Computer Laboratory joined Lincoln Laboratory as Division VI. Mr. Everett was named associate head of the Division and in 1956 became its head. He was responsible for SAGE system design and test and directed Lincoln’s data processing R&D. When MITRE was founded in 1958, Everett became its first technical director, rising to become the first vice president of technical operations the following year. In 1969 he was named MITRE’s first executive vice president; he became president later that same year when John McLucas left MITRE to become Undersecretary of the Air Force. Under Everett’s leadership, MITRE expanded its technical program and expertise beyond its original mission of helping the Air Force implement SAGE. During this period, MITRE began to work for government agencies beyond the Air Force, including the Department of Defense (DoD), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other agencies. Everett received many awards and commendations for his scientific work, including the Duke University Distinguished Alumnus Award (1978); the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service (1983); the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association Gold Medal Award for Engineering (1985); the National Medal of Technology (1990); and the Eugene G. Fubini Award for outstanding contributions to the Department of Defense (2008). Throughout his career he served on several government advisory committees, including a term as chairman of the Defense Science Board from 1988 to 1989. Everett’s research has been published in numerous technical journals, and he was awarded several patents in the fields of magnetic drum memories and display devices. He continued to serve as a MITRE Honorary Trustee until his death. Honoring Robert Everett Everett leaves behind his wife, Ann T. Everett; sons Robert, Bruce, Ted, Doug, Michael, and David; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family will hold a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Robert R. and Ann T. Everett Endowment Fund at Duke University. The fund’s purpose is to keep undergraduate laboratory facilities in the Edmund T. Pratt School of Engineering fully equipped with appropriate teaching and research instrumentation. Learn more about how to donate to the fund here<https://giving.duke.edu/ways-to-give/gift-planning/>. • Read more about Everett and his distinguished career in Corporate Archives’ Presidents of MITRE Exhibit<https://communityshare.mitre.org/sites/recordsarchives/WebPages/exhibitions…>. • Watch an interview with Everett as part of MITRE’s Wisdom Project<https://mmcrev.mitre.org/#/videos/e53d23e0-3ff1-492c-a7c5-e766ff0158d7>. --Corporate Archives and MITRE News Center <https://handshake.mitre.org/permissions> access: all Handshake members email a reply<mailto:create.generic_comment.15207275+9210f3efb94a59ae4c7641b93c6fc3d4190751e2d0c357bbcfe4308d0294fbfd@handshake.mitre.org?subject=RE:In%20Memory%3A%20Robert%20R.%20Everett> ________________________________ Wednesday, August 15, 4:08 PM

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ACM FAT* - Call for Papers (Aug 16/23) and Tutorials (Sep 13)
by Michael Ekstrand 09 Aug '18

09 Aug '18

ONE WEEK LEFT to register paper submissions for ACM FAT* 2019, the second Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency. Abstracts must be registered by Aug. 16; full manuscripts are due one week later on Aug. 23. Read the full Call for Papers and submit your papers via HotCRP here: https://fatconference.org/2019/cfp.html We also invite proposals for tutorials. Tutorial submissions are due Sep. 13. FAT* tutorials will be in three categories: hands-on tutorials, demonstrating software packages for research in fairness, accountability, and transparency; translation tutorials, translating concepts in either direction between computer science and law, policy, and social science; and implications tutorials discussing known legal, policy, medical, or socio-economic effects of unfairness, lack of interpretability, data biases, or other computational challenges addressed by ACM FAT*. Full details are in the Call for Tutorials: https://fatconference.org/2019/cftutorials.html We look forward to your submissions. Michael and Michael Publicity co-chairs, ACM FAT* 2019 -- Michael D. Ekstrand — michaelekstrand(a)boisestate.edu — https://md.ekstrandom.net Assistant Professor, Dept. of Computer Science, Boise State University People and Information Research Team (PIReT) — http://coen.boisestate.edu/piret/

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