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Research and Advances Aug 1 1975

Interactive consulting via natural language

Interactive programming systems often contain help commands to give the programmer on-line instruction regarding the use of the various systems commands. It is argued that it would be relatively easy to make these help commands significantly more helpful by having them accept requests in natural language. As a demonstration, Weizenbaum's ELIZA program has been provided with a script that turns it into a natural language system consultant.
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Research and Advances Apr 1 1975

Computer networks in higher education: socio-economic-political factors

This study presents the results of a nationwide survey of computer networks in higher education conducted during 1971-73. Five major and 18 minor networks were identified. The five major networks included: the ARPA Net, the California State College network, the University of Iowa/Iowa State University network, the Michigan Educational Research Information Triad, Inc., and the Triangle Universities Computation Center network in North Carolina. In-depth studies were conducted of the latter two nets. Based on the experiences of these operating networks, a number of factors are identified for consideration in developing networks. Finally, recommendations are advanced regarding the development of networks in higher education in the future.
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Research and Advances Mar 1 1975

Matrix reduction—an efficient method

The paper describes an efficient method for reduction of the binary matrices which arise in some school time-tabling problems. It is a development of that described by John Lions. It has been generalized and adapted to fit into the complete timetabling process; to use a more compact data representation and more efficient processing techniques; to take fuller advantage of possible available previous knowledge about the matrix. And it is designed as a structured program, which can readily be coded by the reader in the high level or low level programming language of his choice. Practical tests of the method have shown it to be a good basis for a realistic timetabling algorithm.
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Research and Advances Jan 1 1975

Professionalism in the computing field

The term professional means different things to different people; nevertheless, there are certain general technical and social standards normally associated with a professional. Further, the term is more generally applied to the practitioner rather than to the researcher. But within the rather broad definition specified, the computing practitioner is, as yet, not regarded as a professional. Each of the four types of institutions—academic, industry, government, and the professional society—that educate, employ, regulate, and mold the practitioner contributes to the “nonprofessional” status of the computing practitioner. The roles of these institutions are examined, various shortcomings are noted, and recommended changes are suggested. In the last analysis, professional status is not bestowed; it is earned. However, universities and industry, specifically, can make certain improvements to help the computing practitioner achieve professional status.
Research and Advances Dec 1 1974

Arguments for a moratorium on the construction of a community information utility

In this article the author urges a prudent and decentralized approach to the question of the design and desirability of computerized community information utilities. Before accepting the inevitability and desirability of this or any technology, we should: (1) be sure of the feasibility (internally and externally) of what is proposed; (2) project and perhaps wait for changes in complementary techniques; (3) evaluate current and projected supplementary techniques; (4) establish the existence of demand for what is proposed; (5) take steps to involve a representative group of ultimate users in systems design, and (6) carefully think through possible side effects on man and his world view. Current proposals for community information utilities are examined in this framework, and the conclusion is drawn that society is not yet in a position to justify either the construction of an information utility in a prototype community or the acceptance of a policy in favor of its widespread implementation.

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