bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the mutual effects of physical training and mu-based brain-computer interface systems
Authors: Davis Adriane B.
Published: June 2007

This research seeks to investigate the possible interactions between physical training and mu-based control of brain-computer interface systems. The results of this work will provide new avenues for physical therapy and rehabilitation and spotlight the benefits of neural control of computers for both disabled and able-bodied people.
Interactive sonification of geo-referenced data
Authors: Zhao Haixia
Published: June 2007

This paper describes an investigation of using interactive sonification (non-speech sound) to present geo-referenced statistical data to vision-impaired users for problem solving and decision making. By working with vision-impaired users, the work will identify effective interaction and sound designs for geo-referenced data, and derive principles that can guide general interactive data sonification designs for auditory information seeking.
Developing inclusive e-learning and e-entertainment to effectively accommodate learning difficulties
Authors: Savidis Anthony , Stephanidis Constantine
Published: June 2007

The requirement for e-inclusion of software applications and services relates to the employment of appropriate development strategies so as to accomplish accessibility and increased interaction quality at deployment time. Effectively, inclusive e-learning is the outcome from the application of e-inclusion design and implementation methods in the context of e-learning systems.
Some basic concepts in micro computer security
Authors: Stevens Ray Todd
Published: June 2007

The simple fact is that while most of us who work in micro computer security are off working and dreaming about the latest and best ideas for "truely" securing the computers under our care our employees, employers, and/or clients are not properly using even the very simplest security routines and therefore the system already in place. We should, therefore, take our heads out of the clouds and educate our fellow voyagers through the world of micro computers in some of the rudimentaries of computer security. This papers is, therefore, designed to point out some of the facts we should be sharing with them.
Technical overview of the renaissance OCTOBUS system
Authors: Gibson Randall , Anderson Paul
Published: June 2007

With the recent availability of inexpensive micro-computers, a technique for effectively sharing the still costly peripherals is needed. This paper summarizes the OCTOBUS, a multi-processor microcomputer architecture and system designed to meet this requirement. The current implementation is based on DEC's LSI-11 microcomputer.
Microprocessor systems and architectures for applications to the control and protection of electric power systems
Authors: Rummer Dale I. , Kezunovic Mladen
Published: June 2007

Some design concepts for microprocessor applications to the control and protection of electric power systems are presented. A formal design methodology is outlined. Present microprocessor applications to the control and protection of the electric power generation, transmission and distribution systems are summarized. These applications are generalized to provide a basis for identifying a set of "standardized application modules." A projection is made of probable future developments in microprocessor applications to the electric power industry. A probable development is believed to be the use of hierarchically structured networks of microprocessors to provide, through distributed processing, more cost-effective and reliable control and protection than is possible through centralized processing.
Enhancement of interactive computer systems by distributed intelligence
Authors: Lewis Daniel W. , Fussell Carl A.
Published: June 2007

Distributed processing of text editing and syntax checking is proposed as an economical means of enhancing the performance of a time-shared computer system in an educational environment. Commercially available microcomputer systems are inserted between the host processor and its terminals without modifications to host hardware or software. The limitations characteristic of microcomputer systems are considered relative to the total system performance, and an experimental implementation for performance measurement and prediction is described.
Selection and evaluation of EDP equipment
Authors: Kafatou Thalia
Published: June 2007

This article provides guidelines in the selection and evaluation of EDP equipment. The phases of the process are outlined and discussed. The importance of a systematic approach is underlined, and concrete steps in developing this systematic approach are given. The need for top management support and participation is stressed and justified.
Generating two-dimensional shapes from a structural model
Authors: Louden Robert S. , Shapiro Linda G.
Published: June 2007

In "A Structural Model of Shape" [1], L. G. Shapiro proposed a formal model of two-dimensional shape. This model consists of primitives, simple parts and intrusions, and their interrelationships. The interrelationships are two ternary relations on the primitives: the intrusion relation (Ri) which relates two adjoining simple parts to the intrusion they surround, and the protrusion relation (Rp) which relates two intrusions to the protrusion between them. In an attempt to determine what variety of shapes would come from any particular description, several approaches to working backwards from Ri and Rp relations to a class of shapes have been considered. The approach believed to be the most promising is that of producing topological 4-tuples of the form  from the Ri and Rp relations and then applying the algorithm presented by Marvin S. White, Jr. in his AUTOCARTO presentation, "Coordinate Free Cartograph)" [2], to generate actual pictures of candidate shapes.
A personal information management approach for people with low vision or blindness
Authors: Brown Silas S. , Robinson Peter
Published: June 2007

A method and tool is presented that extends a word-processor so as to assist with organising personal notes and other information. It is usable by people who are blind or who have low vision, as well as by others, on a small display. The basic principle is to allow the user to annotate parts of the text with labels and then group together any parts of the text that have the same label. The tool was prototyped using the 4DML transformation system, was experimentally evaluated, and refinements are reported on.
Assets 2005 doctoral consortium
Authors: Jacko Julie A.
Published: June 2007

The ASSETS 2005 Doctoral Consortium was a resounding success, involving eight doctoral candidates and three faculty advisors, plus one transitional advisor. The doctoral candidates included:•Miguel Alonso
Florida International University
•Rita Hubert
Pace University
•Kanav Kahol
Arizona State University
•Peter Parente
UNC-Chapel Hill
•Kathy Price
UMBC
•Andrea Tartaro
Northwestern University
•Ted Wattenberg
NOVA Southeastern University
•Jacob Wobbrock
Carnegie Mellon University
Accessibility and usability guidelines for mobile devices in home health monitoring
Authors: Hubert Rita
Published: June 2007

The use of tele-medicine, telecommunications, web-based applications and medical monitoring devices can provide a 'medical life-line' for the chronically ill, disabled and elderly home-bound persons. This research develops a guideline of accessibility and usability for the multimodal home-based mobile medical monitoring devices used by older adults. Field studies are used to evaluate the quantitative visualization, errors, input and time factors. Additionally, qualitative studies using surveys and interviews focus on customer satisfaction. The findings of the study will form the accessibility and usability guideline. We anticipate that this usability guideline could be used as the foundation for the design and testing of future mobile medical devices used in the home.
Distal object perception through haptic user interfaces for individuals who are blind
Authors: Kahol Kanav , Panchanathan Sethuraman
Published: June 2007

This paper proposes design, development and testing of an assistive device for distal environment perception for individuals who are blind through a haptic user interface (touch-based interface).
Accessibility heuristics utilizing learnability characteristics of synthesized speech applications
Authors: Wattenberg Ted L.
Published: June 2007

Most existing models for marketing of assistive technology concentrate on the development and improvement of product design and accessibility [10]. Instead, the Alt-Learning Project will concentrate on improving the delivery of assistive technology by providing information and tools concerning the learnability of screen readers used as an assistive technology. The Alt-Learning Project will integrate actual users of assistive technology within all aspects of the research methodology.
Computer aids for writers
Authors: Cherry Lorinda
Published: June 2007

For many people, writing is painful and editing one's own prose is difficult, tedious, and error-prone. It is often hard to see which parts of a document are difficult to read or how to transform a wordy sentence into a more concise one. It is even harder to discover that one overuses a particular linguistic construct. The system of programs described here helps writers to evaluate documents and to produce better written and more readable prose. The system consists of programs to measure surface features of text that are important to good writing style as well as programs to do some of the tedious jobs of a copy editor. Some of the surface features measured are readability, sentence and word length, sentence type, word usage, and sentence openers. The copy editing programs find spelling errors, wordy phrases, bad diction, some punctuation errors, double words, and split infinitives.
EMACS the extensible, customizable self-documenting display editor
Authors: Stallman Richard M.
Published: June 2007

EMACS is a display editor which is implemented in an interpreted high level language. This allows users to extend the editor by replacing parts of it, to experiment with alternative command languages, and to share extensions which are generally useful. The ease of extension has contributed to the growth of a large set of useful features. This paper describes the organization of the EMACS system, emphasizing the way in which extensibility is achieved and used.

This report describes work done at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Support for the laboratory's research is provided in part by the Advanced Research Projects Agency of the Department of Defense under Office of Naval Research contract N00014-80-C-0505.
Public domain software
Authors: Wheeler Elliot S.
Published: June 2007

A selection of some of the microcomputer public domain software: Part 1. Languages and Language Development.
VT
Authors: Gammill Robert , Ram Prithvi
Published: June 2007

A window package called VT has been developed for UNIX version 6 and the Heath H19 terminal. The package is written in C and is implemented entirely at the user level. Only a nonstandard system call named port is required. VT enables the user to act as if he is commanding several terminals while using a single CRT terminal. The user can make rectangular windows, each with a shell (UNIX command interpreter), and concurrently run commands in each window. All input and output for each shell is confined to its own window, so each window serves as a virtual terminal. Implementation under Version 7 and later releases of UNIX is planned.
The TurboDOS
tm
operating system
Authors: Bierman Keith H.
Published: June 2007

A commercially available multi-microcomputer system is described. Facilities and features are described from a user's standpoint. Several research problems are proposed.
Networking with small computers
Authors: Harnish Thomas D.
Published: June 2007

Converging forces are shaping a new environment for libraries and as a consequence the present is full of opportunity. Within this new environment, one scenario ---a scenario which suggests a framework for the information industry in the 1980's---calls for establishment of libraries as the information source of choice.
A hierarchical microprocessor laboratory facility
Authors: Lewis Daniel W.
Published: June 2007

The microprocessor course offered by the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department at the University of Santa Clara is a hardware/applications oriented course. Hardware interfacing as well as software is emphasized with laboratory equipment designed to facilitate hands-on hardware experience in a real-time environment. The needs of a real-time laboratory render the use of simulators and other non-real-time debugging tools inappropriate. Students should have individual hardware access as provided by single-board computers, and real-time analyzers or in-circuit emulators. Unfortunately, although such facilities are excellent for hardware development, their utility for software development is very restrictive. A hierarchical organization that provides software (top level) and hardware (bottom level) facilities will be described.
Acquisition system for a minicomputer
Authors: Kane B. R. , Yarbrough R. B.
Published: June 2007

In the course of the development of apparatus to evaluate magnetic recording media it has become expedient to improve the accuracy of the data and to accelerate its analysis by the use of a data acquisition system which digitizes the measured voltages and sends them directly to the computer for processing and analysis. Such a system has been developed at the University of Santa Clara.
Architectural approaches to secure databases
Authors: Hartson H. Rex
Published: June 2007

The functional requirements of secure database systems, and underlying security mechanisms needed to support these requirements impose the need for these very general characteristics in a system design: modularity, simplicity, isolatability, and flexibility. It has been observed MANOF77 that thus far the solutions to data security problems have largely been ad hoc and brute force. A view that can stand back and consider the entire system architecture, rather than concentrating on tuning up individual mechanisms, offers hope for more elegant solutions in the future. Perhaps the single most important conclusion of this report is, not to suggest a solution or a particular system, but to recommend a direction and an approach. The bulk of the evidence and information that went into the making of this report points toward system architecture approaches as the most effective way to satisfy the increasingly complex and often competing requirements. In fact, it appears to be the only approach in which the design of such large systems can be understood and believed to be secure.
Research and development in microcomputing, microprocessing and related fields in the F.R. Germany
Authors: Konrad Werner
Published: June 2007

This status report does not pretend to a tackle all related sites of research in our area of interest, due to the probable gaps our mailing list and to some contacted people who did not reply to our inquiry. It covers the activities which were going on until April, 1980.
An operating system for a small computer
Authors: Hodge H. K.
Published: June 2007

Let me begin by defining what I consider to be a SMALL computer, in order to filter out any uninterested readers: an 8-bit CPU, 65K of address space, a dual floppy disk drive, printer and CRT. Why, with the cost of hardware (although not necessarily peripherals) continuing to decline, concern oneself with such an archaic setup? Three reasons (at least): it is what we at K-R have available; neither our budget nor our applications justify anything larger (at present); and it is fun.
Position paper on operating systems for small systems
Authors: Gammill Robert C.
Published: June 2007

Sixteen bit microcomputers appear likely to be a major factor in the 1980's, just as eight bit microcomputers have dominated the late 1970's. The operating system that appears most likely to monopolize these sixteen bit microcomputers is UNIX, from Bell Laboratories, or its look-alikes. We shall examine some reasons why this should be so, and evaluate constraints upon a sixteen bit computer which must provide satisfactory hardware support for UNIX. Since many sixteen bit processors are being designed and purchased now, such discussion is essential to assuring that these machines can properly support this popular operating system. At the outset we can assert that if a powerful and flexible microprocessor is used (such as the Zilog Z8000, Motorola 68000, Intel 8086 or DEC LSI 11/23), then the issues focus upon suitable memory management with sufficient address space and protection, and upon powerful DMA disk I/O that allows efficient swapping of process images with little overhead. More detailed discussion of these issues follows. First we shall examine some reasons why UNIX appears a likely contender for champion of the sixteen bit microcomputer operating systems.
Position paper on
Authors: Cowan Jack
Published: June 2007

The computer industry in general, and the software portion of that industry specifically, has expended intense effort during the 1970's developing systems which are portable across hardware environments. The initial efforts were in the area of language standardization. It was found that the same language implemented across multiple hardware environments was not consistent. This diversity was in part created by software designers taking maximum advantage of a specific hardware environment. However, to a great extent the differences within a particular language implementation were generated by the fact that software designers were designing not for a specific piece of hardware but for a virtual machine environment which was defined by the operating system and the hardware in concert with each other.
Necessity is the ...
Authors: Hodge H. K.
Published: June 2007

Fisher Body Division of General Motors Corporation has fixtures in its plants designed to check the quality of the parts they produce (believe it or not). The most recent ones are based on Z80 processors, and I have written the programs for many of them (you would think that a door is a door is a door, but each plant has its own ideas of what should be checked).
Saturate it, of course!
Authors: Hege E. Keith
Published: June 2007

This reply is prompted by Fred Maryanski's question in his Chairman's column (Sigsmall Newsletter, August 1982). "What will we do with all that bandwidth?" This response follows my consideration of the implications for on-line video signal processing given the advent of 2Ø MHz bus, 8 Mbyte, 32-bit minicomputer systems. This is what "think Mini" now means for us in astronomical image processing applications. We are now considering the question: What happens in a modestly networked video signal processing environment?
Security in the Nebula computer architecture
Authors: Dietz William B. , Szewerenko Leland
Published: June 2007

The problem of security in multi-function computer systems arises because the software in such systems is too complex to be proven to be correct. Multilevel secure operating systems attempt to deal with this problem by dividing the applications software into separate "tasks" and controlling the ways in which these tasks interact. While the internal behavior of each task still cannot be guaranteed, the security of the system as a whole can be demonstrated, provided the restrictions on task interaction can be enforced.To control the interaction of tasks, it must be possible to isolate each task from undesired examination or interference by other tasks. This isolation is usually accomplished by providing each untrusted task with its own "virtual" environment. The trusted system software and the hardware are responsible for making sure that an untrusted program cannot operate outside its own environment and that the physical resources allocated to establish the virtual environment do not violate the isolation requirements. Communication between these virtual environments is then controlled by the trusted system software.Ultimately, the realization of such an operating system structure produces a quantity of "trusted system software" that still must be verified to insure the security of the system. To practically realize such a system, careful design of the software and hardware is required to minimize the amount of verified code and isolate it from corruption by the unverified system software.The Nebula computer architecture includes a set of mechanisms that are designed to provide the isolation necessary to establish a secure system. Of more practical importance is the fact that these mechanisms will allow valid operations to be identified with minimal overhead and to proceed with minimal interference. These mechanisms are described below under the general headings of virtual addressing, protection states, secure user I/0 and task execution control.
Optimistic concurrency control and recovery in a multi personal computer system
Authors: Karszt Jakob , Kuss Herbert , Lausen Georg
Published: June 2007

In this paper we present an attractive concurrency control and recovery method to manage the transactions of a multi user Personal Computer system on a shared data base in a star constellation.
Minicomputer technology for bio-medical information dissemination
Authors: Falasco James N.
Published: June 2007

Bio-medical information dissemination is continuing to increase in complexity. This trend places additional work on both the information user and supplier. In the medical community the chief information supplier usually is the library of health sciences.
Minicomputers and programmable calculators
Authors: Barkley John F.
Published: June 2007

The most traditional form of the minicomputer system is the single-user system. It is primarily since the invention of the word "minicomputer" that minicomputers have been used in applications which require some form of multi-tasking, such as, message switching, industrial process monitoring, and laboratory instrument control. Indeed, some forms of these applications are implemented with single-user systems using FORTRAN or BASIC.
The most significant bits
Authors: Godderz J. E.
Published: June 2007

I will begin this column with a reply to Paul Meiland, whose letter appeared in the March issue of SIGMINI Newsletter. Paul sent me a copy of the letter which was later reprinted in the Forum.
What is a business application?
Authors: Gary Ted
Published: June 2007

From a general system theoretic standpoint, a business is certainly a system (organization). The inputs to a business are goods, services, and money. The business transforms these inputs into outputs which again consist of goods, services, and money. The objective (goal, purpose) of a business can and does vary from business to business. Also an objective can consist of reasonably separable sub-objectives which may or may not conflict. I am told by some that what I have defined is an enterprise. These people then view a business as an enterprise whose major objective is to generate (and maximize) profit. I do not want to make this distinction in this and subsequent columns.
Real time applications
Authors: Barkley John F.
Published: June 2007

Those who read a comment in last month's Newsletter about calculators and minicomputers are probably wondering who the person is who wrote it. Let me introduce myself. My name is John Barkley and I work at the National Bureau of Standards in the Analytical Chemistry Division.
The most significant bits
Authors: Godderz J. E.
Published: June 2007

A press release was received from Digital Computer Controls announcing the introduction of four new minicomputers; D--216, D--316, D--416 and D--616. These new machines round out DIGITAL COMPUTER's family of "16 Series" computers by offering a full range of capabilities above and below the present D--116 product line.
Mini-(bank)-notes
Authors: Wood Percy G.
Published: June 2007

This column is dedicated to inexpensive computing. In it, I hope to explore ways in which a person, company or institution can get the most bang (and bits) per buck.
Real-time applications
Authors: Barkley John F.
Published: June 2007

In trying to answer this question, I will spare the computing world yet another attempt at a definition of either interactive or real-time computing. Precise definitions of these terms seems pointless since agreement is never reached and, agreement or not, people will continue to use the words in a manner which makes sense to them. However, it is important to know the concepts referred to by the words "real-time" and "interactive".
The most significant bits
Authors: Godderz J. E.
Published: June 2007

How can a novice select a minicomputer system to fulfill specific needs? No way! The novice has three choices: 1) accept a vendor's proposed system; 2) hire a consultant to make the selections; or 3) become a computer expert. Each of these choices has associated both benefits and hazards --- the actual situation must dictate the proper choice.
Mini-notes
Authors: Wood Percy G.
Published: June 2007

A few weeks ago I went to a seminar on data communications. The seminar was hosted by the local chapter of the Data Processing Management Association, and was held at one of the near-by computer centers. After viewing two video tapes on the subjects, a discussion followed. During the discussion, one of the attendees remarked to me that data comm was what would make possible the computer utility.
The automated generation of cross-system software for supporting micro/mini computer systems
Authors: Johnson Gearold R. , Mueller Robert A.
Published: June 2007

ASM/GEN and SIM/GEN are a software system comprised of a set of independent FORTRAN program writer modules designed to generate micro computer and small minicomputer assemblers and simulators. It is simple enough to be used by those with limited architecture and programming backgrounds, but flexible and powerful enough to generate efficient and well-structured assemblers and simulators for small micro/mini computers with sophisticated architectures and instruction sets. This paper presents a brief description of the generating system, the generated assemblers and simulators and the advantages they offer in both programming and pedagogical applications.
An integrated microprocessor support software system
Authors: Braun Christine L.
Published: June 2007

As the commercial use of microprocessors increases, the need for various support software tools arises. These tools include assemblers to aid in the creation of programs, and digital simulators to aid in their checkout. Raytheon's Automatic Micro Processor Support (RAMPS) system is an integrated set of support software programs designed to take advantage of the microprogrammable aspect of the target processor.
Minicomputer software development using a maxicomputer
Authors: Blake-Knox M. W. , Morris G. C.
Published: June 2007

This paper examines some of the problems of developing software for minicomputers (or microcomputers). Practical solutions to these problems, involving the use of maxicomputers, are described both generally and by a specific example. Areas examined include source program input and editing, compilation and assembly, loading and finally debugging. In addition, performance measurement of application software is discussed.
Program control via transition matrices
Authors: Oliver S. Ron , Jones Neil D.
Published: June 2007

The problem of processing and interpreting character-strings in a systematic, efficiently implementable manner has given rise to a variety of decision- (or transition-) table and transition-diagram techniques. These have been used in the design and/or coding of string-oriented processors, such as lexical analysis portions of compilers. All these techniques share in common the idea of an input driven transition control.
Interpretive execution of real-time control applications
Authors: Adix Mary S. , Schutz Henrik A.
Published: June 2007

Interpretive execution has often been regarded as too slow for real-time control applications. Assembly language implementations, however, may exhaust available memory long before running out of machine cycles. For such applications, interpretation of a virtual machine language (VML) is attractive if it yields substantial memory savings at a tolerable cost in execution time. This paper discusses the design of a VML and interpreter which have been used to implement a real-time control application. Performance is evaluated relative to an assembly language version of the same problem. The assembly language version executed 4.8 times faster than the interpretive version, but required 31% more memory. Space compaction is achieved by making basic operations in the application area primatives of the VML. The interpreter simulates a computer whose machine language is the VML. In addition to conserving memory, this approach can facilitate the implementation of a high-level programming language on a variety of minicomputers.
Structuring basic programs for managing overlays in a small computer system
Authors: Cary Ted
Published: June 2007

In a small computer system, it is not unusual to write a BASIC program which is too large to fit into main memory. Such a program must be replaced by a collection of overlay modules together with inter-module sequencing logic. A sophisticated BASIC interpreter allows this sequencing to be done under program control. Unless carefully managed, a decomposition can produce an environment where programs exhibit undesirable characteristics. A structuring and design strategy is presented, discussed, and illustrated by a typical business application. Attention is given to program production, efficiency, reliability, maintainability, and modifiability using this strategy.
Experiences in the development of mathematical software for small computers
Authors: Nash J. C.
Published: June 2007

Personal experiences are reported of the difficulties and the successes associated with attempts to develop mathematical software for small computers. Examples are used to illustrate the process of algorithm selection and program "squeezing." Some unforeseen advantages of the resulting programs are mentioned.
Proving the correctness of a flight-director program for an airborne minicomputer
Authors: Maurer W. D.
Published: June 2007

Over the past five years, our research efforts have been devoted in large part to developing techniques for proving the correctness of assembly-language and machine-language programs running on actual computers. In this paper, we report upon an effort to put this work into practice by proving the correctness of a program written for the Litton C4000 airborne computer. This includes overflow analysis, non-self-modification analysis, round-off and truncation analysis, fixed-point scaling considerations, and analysis of the subroutine parameter and return-address conventions used in the given program. The basic method we use is the inductive assertion method of (Floyd, 1967), suitably modified and extended for application to a machine-language situation.
Development of educational software using the DEC PDP-11
Authors: Cowan D. D. , Dirksen P. H. , Craham J. W. , Welch J. W.
Published: June 2007

During the past two years, the Waterloo Foundation for the Advancement of Computing (WATFAC) and the University of Waterloo have been developing educational software in a number of projects using DEC PDP-11 minicomputers. These projects include the development of WATFOR-11 (a load-and-go FORTRAN compiler), WATBOL-11 (a load-and-go COBOL compiler), and WIDJET (a student editing and job-entry system). This paper presents a survey of these projects and discusses several problems encountered during their implementation.
ETOS
Authors: Schreier Thomas
Published: June 2007

EDUCOMP's Time-shared Operating System (ETOS) is an integrated package of hardware and software designed for maximum utility of a PDP8 computer. ETOS supports up to 16 users, with each user able to use the system as if he were operating on a stand-alone PDP8 with 64K bytes of memory.This paper will contrast the various modes of computer operation and illustrate how the combination of batch, real-time, and interactive usage results in the optimum fulfillment of the all-important criterion of price/performance.Emphasis is placed on the maintenance of continuous system performance. This is especially important to the educational user. In many situations, if the machine must be shut down for one type of user, the educational user is the first one to be sacrificed. Computer assisted instruction, drills, simulations, and general student motivation are somehow viewed as less important than the use of the computer to collect taxes. ETOS is EDUCOMP's solution to this misguided allocation of resources.ETOS requires a 16K omnibus PDP8, clock, an RK8e controller with an RK05 drive, a backup peripheral for the RK05 drive, and a Time Share Control Module.
ABACUS/X an incremental compiler for minicomputer use
Authors: Fulton David L. , Thomas Richard T.
Published: June 2007

This paper describes an incremental compiler which has been developed for use on minicomputers. The language which it accepts, ABACUS/X, is described, as is overall system operation. The internal workings of the compiler are discussed, along with the methods developed to minimize the memory space problems inherent in the use of incremental compilers. Speed and space comparisons are included for some benchmark programs.
TOMAL
Authors: Kieburtz R. B. , Hennessy J. L.
Published: June 2007

This paper describes the multi-tasking capabilities of a new microprocessor programming language that has been designed to support process control applications. A program in TOMAL is a collection of tasks, priority ordered, and possibly having real-time response constraints and internal synchronization statements. It also supports device-independent I/O programming, by allowing the characteristics of each external device to be given in a declaration. A TOMAL source program is translated into space-optimized, absolute code for a target microprocessor. The object program runs under the control of a compact, application-tailored Task Control Monitor that is also generated by the compiler. The paper discusses design philosophy and several important requirements of an implementation to achieve multi-tasking capabilities.
A little implementation language
Authors: Plauger P. J.
Published: June 2007

A language is described that was implemented on a PDP-11 computer for writing system-level code for the PDP-11 family of minicomputers. The little implementation language LIL offers a number of features that facilitate writing structured, high-level code with no sacrifice in efficiency over assembly language. The discussion ends with a harsh evaluation of its future usefulness.
On a transportable high level language for minicomputers
Authors: Stocks A. Ian , Krishnaswamy Jayant
Published: June 2007

This paper describes a high-level, PASCAL-based language, which is easily implementable on minicomputers with limited amounts of memory. The added features include a machine and operating system---independent formalism for describing file structures, and allow either compile time or runtime specification of the actual-formal file correspondence. A similar formalism for handling program overlays is described. These constructs are implemented in a manner consistent with the underlying language PASCAL, and allow one to easily write operating systems components.
Corporate integration through systems software
Authors: McKeeman William M.
Published: June 2007

A software development system is proposed. It is to be used by a manufacturer of a product that contains a minicomputer, and where the minicomputer may have to be programmed differently for each customer. The programming effort yields (1) software tools on a powerful central computer, (2) invariant code for the mini, and (3) mini code that can vary under customer demand. The emphasis is on managing the complexity of (3) as the number of product deliveries increases.The techniques of cross-assembly, emulation and real-time event simulation are used to aid the development team. Superimposed on the development tools are driver programs that allow sales and maintenance people to interact with the tools. The result is both enhancement of these non-development efforts and a further reduction in the costs of development.
Experiences in the development of mathematical software for small computers
Authors: Nash J. C.
Published: June 2007

Personal experiences are reported of the difficulties and the successes associated with attempts to develop mathematical software for small computers. Examples are used to illustrate the process of algorithm selection and program "squeezing". Some unforseen advantages of the resulting programs are mentioned.
ETOS
Authors: Schreier Thomas
Published: June 2007

EDUCOMP's Time-shared Operating System (ETOS) is an integrated package of hardware and software designed for maximum utility of a PDP8 computer. ETOS supports up to 16 users, with each user able to use the system as if he were operating on a stand-alone PDP8 with 64K bytes of memory.This paper will contrast the various modes of computer operation and illustrate how the combination of batch, real-time, and interactive usage results in the optimum fulfillment of the all-important criterion of price/performance.Emphasis is placed on the maintence of continuous system performance. This is especially important to the educational user. In many situations, if the machine must be shut down for one type of user, the educational user is the first one to be sacrificed. Computer assisted instruction, drills, simulations, and general student motivation are somehow viewed as less important than the use of the computer to collect taxes. ETOS is EDUCOMP's solution to this misguided allocation of resources.ETOS requires a 16K omnibus PDP8, clock, an RK8e controller with an RK05 drive, a backup peripheral for the RK05 drive, and a Time Share Control Module.
Fun & games
Authors: Crispin Mark R.
Published: June 2007

Minicomputer fun and games is an often scoffed-at topic, but yet is quite important. The STAR TREK game players of a few years ago are quite often now the systems hackers of today. Many young people have gained invaluable knowledge in game writing (and playing!) on their high school's (or even elementary school's) minicomputer system.
The most significant bits
Authors: Godderz J. E.
Published: June 2007

On March 2 I attended a seminar conducted by DEC (Digital Equipment Corp.) describing their microcomputer, the LSI--11. The LSI--11 is called a minicomputer, but is also sold in two packages which look and act like minicomputers, the PDP--11/03 and PDP--11/V03.
Mini-notes
Authors: Wood Percy G.
Published: June 2007

"Decisions, decisions..." They come up every day. Some appear so often that they are given names. One of these, which I would like to address, is called the "make or buy" decision. Basically, this decision involves weighing the advantages and disadvantages of making something yourself against bying that thing ready made,
Personal computing position paper
Authors: Isaacson Portia
Published: June 2007

The goals of personal computing are to improve the quality of life for individuals by providing them with a tool that not only relieves them from doing boring tedious work, but gives them a means of automating many of the marvelous ideas that the human brain can generate. The artist can use the personal computer to create new art forms. The stock analyst can use the personal computer to analyze stock trends. The secretary can use the personal computer to edit a manuscript. The uses of the personal computer are as varied as the individuals who use them.
Personal computing position paper
Authors: Osborne Adam
Published: June 2007

Personal computing has evolved in an unplanned and haphazard manner, as an unanticipated consequence of low-cost microprocessor devices.
Position paper on
Authors: Warren Jim C.
Published: June 2007

This paper offers a prognosis of forseeable events and developments that are likely to occur within the next decade in the area of "personal computing"---computing power made available to many segments of the general public in consumer products, or at least in mass-produced, mass-marketed electronics systems that will impringe on many aspects of the overall society and culture. As requested in the call for papers, this document will be limited to discussion of (1) major problems or obstacles to be overcome, (2) significant steps currently being taken to overcome the obstacles, (3) necessary advances or breakthroughs, (4) costs of those advances or breakthroughs, and (5) effects of the solutions or breakthroughs on computing in the 1980's. Disclaimer: Due to the requested focus of this conference---problems and obstacles---this paper will have a somewhat negative tone. Solved problems, obstacles that have been overcome, and the promise that this author believes is inherent in computing power being made available to the general public will not be discussed.
SIGACCESS member profile
Authors: Keates Simeon
Published: June 2007

Member of SIGACCESS since: 1997Member of ACM since: 1994Also member of: SIGCHI
SIGACCESS member profile
Authors: Keates Simeon
Published: June 2007

Member of SIGACCESS since: 2004Member of ACM since: 2004Also member of: SIGCSE (Computer Science Education)
SIGACCESS member profile
Authors: Keates Simeon
Published: June 2007

Member of SIGACCESS since: 1996Member of ACM since: 1996Also member of: SIGCHI
SIGACCESS member profile
Authors: Keates Simeon
Published: June 2007

Member of SIGACCESS since: 2005Member of ACM since: 2005Also member of: SIGCHI
Prototyping and evaluation of landcons
Authors: Lutz Robert J.
Published: June 2007

Sighted people use vision to quickly access a rich amount of information about their environment. Blind users are deprived of this information, which compromises their abilities both to understand their surroundings and to navigate within them. Alternative sensory information, such as sound or touch, is substituted for the missing stimulus [7]. This information supports navigation in the immediate vicinity, e.g., the location of obstacles and hazards, but does not provide the location of distant unique objects which sighted people often use as navigating landmarks. The opportunity exists to electronically augment a blind user's environment with information about distant landmarks, e.g., information that would allow a blind person to turn in a circle, listen to distant landmarks, and then proceed in a direction guided by a chosen landmark.
Developing an assistive haptic framework for improving non-visual access to the web
Authors: Kuber Ravi
Published: June 2007

With the growing focus on user-centered design by HCI researchers and practitioners, it is perhaps ironic that the visually impaired community continues to encounter challenges when interacting with the Web. Access is believed to be improved through the use of haptic technologies. However, due to the limited availability of targeted haptic design guidelines, developers could arbitrarily select and map sensations, with little consideration given as to how the sense of touch could provide assistance to a blind user. Research aims to address the limitations associated with existing assistive technologies, by developing haptic feedback which provides both spatial and navigational assistance when accessing the Internet. This research aims to culminate in a haptic framework, for designers to reference when developing accessible solutions for the Web.
ViCRAM
Authors: Michailidou Eleni
Published: June 2007

The World Wide Web (Web) has become the means of distribution and use of information by individuals around the world. However, access to this information by visually impaired people is limited due to the Web's visual complexity. ViCRAM is a project that will relate user's implicit understanding of Web page visual complexity with its layout. Eye tracking methods and knowledge acquisition techniques will be used to elicit sighted people's visual perception. During this project we will also determine whether pages that sighted users identify as visually complex are complex for visually impaired users as well, from a Web accessibility perspective. We aim to develop a heuristic framework that will be used for describing Web page's visual complexity and as guidelines for transcoding a Web page into a less visually complex and more accessible one.
An evolutionary system for the Sc@ut platform
Authors: Paredes-Garrido Maria Dolores
Published: June 2007

The Sc@ut platform is a series of tools for creating augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. This platform is based on a two-level architecture: the communicator and the meta-communicator. The meta-communicator is used by designers (usually the child's educators or parents) to create and adapt the communicator. The communicator is used by a person with disabilities (normally a child) who interacts with it in order to communicate. In this paper, we will propose the addition of a new system to help designers and which provides the platform with automatic evolution and adaptation.
Mobile information access
Authors: Church Karen , Smyth Barry , Cotter Paul , Bradley Keith
Published: June 2007

It is likely that mobile phones will soon come to rival more traditional devices as the primary platform for information access. Consequently, it is important to understand the emerging information access behavior of mobile Internet (MI) users especially in relation to their use of mobile handsets for information browsing and query-based search. In this article, we describe the results of a recent analysis of the MI habits of more than 600,000 European MI users, with a particular emphasis on the emerging interest in mobile search. We consider a range of factors including whether there are key differences between browsing and search behavior on the MI compared to the Web. We highlight how browsing continues to dominate mobile information access, but go on to show how search is becoming an increasingly popular information access alternative especially in relation to certain types of mobile handsets and information needs. Moreover, we show that sessions involving search tend to be longer and more data-rich than those that do not involve search. We also look at the type of queries used during mobile search and the way that these queries tend to be modified during the course of a mobile search session. Finally we examine the overlap among mobile search queries and the different topics mobile users are interested in.
The multilevel hypernetwork dynamics of complex systems of robot soccer agents
Authors: Johnson Jeffrey H. , Iravani Pejman
Published: June 2007

A mathematical formalism is sketched for representing relational structure between agents.
n
-ary relations,
n
> 2, require hypernetworks, which generalize binary relation networks.
n
-ary relations on sets create structure at higher levels of representation to the elements in multilevel systems. The
state
of a system is represented by its multilevel relational structure. The
dynamics
of a system are represented by state changes through time. These can be continuous with no change in the hypernetwork topology, but often they are not. Controlling such systems involves taking actions intended to result in desirable state changes. The concept of multilevel hypernetwork can be applied to multiagent systems in general.