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The article presents the 2004 award ceremony of the journal "Communications of the ACM" at the Plaza hotel in New York City. About 200 industry luminaries attended the function. The event recognizes technical excellence and outstanding service in the computing field. The journal's most prestigious technical award, the "A. M. Turing Award," was presented to Alan Kay, Hewlett-Packard senior fellow. Kay recalled many of the computing pioneers that inspired him throughout his professional career, quoting from among others the writings of Alan Turing. The Software System Award was awarded to Stuart Feldman. The 2003 ACM/AAAI Allen Newell Award was presented to two computer scientists who have made theoretical and methodological contributions whose widespread adoption changed the scientific world beyond computer science and engineering. The ACM Doctoral Dissertation Award went to AnHai Doan, University of Illinois, for his dissertation 'Learning to Map between Structured Representations of Data.'

The decline in personal computer (PC) sales makes sense once we examine the preferences of different adopter categories. Research on PC adoption has tended to assume the same set of innovation characteristics that influence adoption across all adopter categories, yet in reality, systematic differences exist across adopter categories. Early adopters are the opinion leaders, receiving social esteem by being the first of their group to adopt, and maintaining their position by judiciously evaluating innovations for others. Our research findings illustrate the folly of assuming current non-adopters care about the same things as innovators and early adopters, or assuming that all they care about is PC cost. While cost may be a factor for those still holding out, it is neither the only nor the most important factor. Instead, later adopters want long-lasting products that have yet to appear on the horizon. Until the PC industry convinces this group of potential consumers that their PC will operate like a refrigerator, PC sales are likely to continue in their current stalled state.

This article presents the annual report of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). ACM is an international scientific and educational organization dedicated to advancing the arts, sciences, and applications of information technology. The U.S. Public Policy Committee of ACM continues to assist policymakers and courts in understanding the broad implications of information technology policies and laws that concern the computing community. The committee played an instrumental role in educating legislators, the judiciary and the public at large as to the damaging impact of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. ACM's Career Resource Centre (CRC), a unique career site for professionals and students debuted this year. The CRC features a Job Centre where academic and corporate employers can post jobs online and job seekers can view lists of postings and post their curriculum vitae. In the coming fiscal year ACM will make a major initiative to take a fundamental look at ACM'S models of membership with the objective to test and implement real change.

The article focuses on how embedded computation meets the world wide web to tackle a range of real-world applications. An infinitely accessible web-linked physical environment united by a multitude of tiny servers could mean a life of information ease. Two important trends are converging to help drive the radical transformation of how information flows, include the computer industry's remarkable ability to squeeze ever-more transistors into an ever-smaller area of silicon is increasing the computational abilities of electronic devices, while simultaneously decreasing their cost and power consumption and the proliferation of wired and wireless networking-spurred by development of the web and demand for mobile access, enabling low-cost connectivity among computing devices. The author emphasizes communication technologies that are driving the revolutionary reorganization such as embedded web servers, programming models of Java, applets, Jinni, wireless connectivity, global positional system etc. Distributed sensors and actuators connected through the web's standard protocols and wireless communication media provide a powerful toolkit for developing rich applications such as home automation, health monitoring etc. The synergy fostered by interconnected embedded processors will make the much-touted digital convergence in desktop publishing and entertainment look like a blip in the history of computing technology. The author concludes in stating his expectations in meeting challenges of developing new business models.

This article focuses on the use of computers in education. Anyone in the computer business knows the industry changes rapidly in a fraction of that time. The emphasis on computer technology in schools is overrated, because whatever students learn is obsolete by the time they are working. A deep understanding of the complexity of mathematical calculations makes one appreciate the computer. The primary purpose of schools is education, not training, particularly in the early years. Computers are more suitable for training than for education. One needs a computer to learn how to use the latest software. But computers are not essential for education; at best, they serve only to reinforce what has already been taught, a goal that can be accomplished just as easily with books. The author have two responses: first, the article examines only internal effects of quality. It ignores external effects, principally customers' responses to quality and second, the article ignores ethics of software quality.

Recipients of Association for Computing Machinery's (ACM) 1996 awards and new 1997 ACM Fellows were honored at the 1997 ACM Awards Ceremony on March 2, 1997 at ACM97: The Next 50 Years of Computing. ACM97 was the culminating event of a year-long celebration of 50 years of computing and the founding of ACM. In addition to recognizing awardees and new fellows, ACM honored the winners of the International Collegiate Programming Contest. Forty-one new ACM Fellows were inducted at the 1997 ceremony, bringing the total number of inductees to 281. ACM presents the A.M. Turing Award to individuals who have made significant contributions of lasting technical importance to the computing field. The award is ACM's most prestigious technical award and is accompanied by a prize of $25,000, for which Lucent Technologies Inc. provides generous support. This year ACM presented the Turing Award to Amir Pnueli for his seminal work introducing temporal logic into computing science. Robert M. Aiken received this year's award for the value and degree of service he has contributed to ACM. Aiken was cited at the Awards Ceremony for his outstanding contributions to computer science education and for long-term leadership in national and international computer science education activities on behalf of ACM.

The 300-fold difference in purchase cost can be used to infer a 300-fold difference in operating cost, by reasoning along the following lines. Both workstations and supercomputers are functionally obsolete within five years, so that yearly depreciation and finance charges alone are 20% to 30% of the purchase cost. Yearly budgets for operating personnel, software, and hardware maintenance each add another 5% to 20% of the hardware purchase cost to the yearly operating expense, depending on the level of service provided. As a rough estimate, then, yearly com- puter costs are 35- to 90% of the purchase price. An hour of CPU time on a supercomputer, then, costs between $120 and $350. An hour of workstation time costs about 300 times less, or $10 to $30 per day. Our economic argument is irrelevant for certain users, who for one reason or another have "free" or, rather, subsidized access to workstations. Some organizations have excess computing capacity in workstations or supercomputers or both. Furthermore, some researchers and supercomputer centers are subsidized by current U.S. R&D policy. One rationale for this policy is that uneconomical use of supercomputers today may lead to greater economies in the future. INSETS: Speedups on a "Dusty Deck".;Further Adventures with a "Dusty Deck".;Speedups on CPlex.;Vectorizable Code.

Presents index for the volume 34 of the magazine "Communications of the ACM". Author index; Articles index; Computing practices index; Columns index; Departments index; Forum index; Technical correspondence index.

Introduces the concept of computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW). Impact of collaborative computing; Potential for supporting collaboration; Advantages of CSCW; Paradox of collaboration; Types of collaboration.

Describes job responsibilities of Unix systems administrators. Maintaining operating systems and network software; Coordinating communications with outside software and hardware maintenance vendors; Installing software and arranging for installation of hardware; Balancing data distribution among file servers; Evaluating software and system problems and potential solutions.

Presents several letters to the editor about the technical industry. Focus on the harm caused by the use of GOTOs in programming; Efforts on attempting to eliminate the GOTO; Problems created by GOTO for those attempting to maintain or understand code written by someone else; Comments on the higher the percentage of GOTO statements; Discussion on procedures of programming languages that treats all specialized control structures as combinations of properly compiled procedure.

Presents several letters concerning the computer industry in the United States as of August 1985. Initiative of Association for Computing Machinery on responsible computer use; Examination on computer-technical issues; Benefits of software maintenance.

Econometric models of the U.S. computer market have been developed to study the relationships between system price and hardware performance. Single measures of price/performance such as "Crosch's Law" are shown to be so oversimplified as to be meaningless Multiple-regression models predicting system cost as a function of several hardware characteristics do however, reveal a market dichotomy. On one hand there exists a stable, price predictable market for larger, general purpose computer systems. The other market is the developing one for small business computer systems, a market which is relatively unstable with low price predictability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on recent developments in the field of information technology. Hebrew University in Jerusalem has decided to install a Control Data 6400 Computer System in July 1968 for use in teaching, administrative planning, and a variety of scientific research applications. Hebrew University has an enrollment of over 10,000 students, and its schools of medicine, law, and the humanities are well known. The computer system, to be installed in the University's Computer Department, will include a Control Data 6638 Disk File, 604 Magnetic Tape Transports, and a Control Data 512 High-Speed Line Printer. A new technique which could provide instant and unique identification of human tissue types and microbes with little or no laboratory preparation is now under development at Optics Technology Inc., California. The identification methods now in use require hours and sometimes days before positive results can be obtained. The new technique employs a laser light source and a small digital computer to accomplish the same result in minutes, saving both valuable diagnostic time and the extensive laboratory facilities required.

This article presents information related to a newly released survey result issued by the Computer Science and Technology Board (CSTB) of the National Research Council. The most satisfied supercomputer users are those with the most years of experience or the least concerns over hardware costs. The survey was designed and conducted by CSTB's Panel on Supercomputing to determine a preliminary base of information regarding issues affecting supercomputer usage in the U.S. The survey indicates that supercomputing is growing--almost two-thirds of the respondents have been using the machinery for five years or less. The report credits the impact of the Department of Energy program and National Science Foundation supercomputer centers for this apparent boom. The survey ranks the barriers associated with supercomputing usage in scientific and engineering research. The survey also indicates that supercomputing comprehension is another roadblock to reaping the full benefits of supercomputing. While respondents who are veteran users believe that 61 percent of the major contributors in their fields have access to and used supercomputers on a regular basis, the comparable figure reported by respondents who are relatively new users is only 24 percent.

The article presents information on conferences and meetings related to the field of information technology. The Symposium on Small Computers in the Arts is scheduled to be held from October 15, 1982 to October 17, 1982 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Tenth Annual Conference of the Mid-South Association for Educational Data Systems is scheduled to be held from February 24, 1983 to February 26, 1983 in the U.S. The Annual Colloquium on Trees in Algebra and Programming is scheduled to be held from March 9, 1983 to March 11, 1983 in Italy. The Fourth Canadian Symposium on Instructional Technology is scheduled to be held from October 19, 1983 to October 21, 1983 in Canada.

The article offers information on upcoming activities of computer professionals. Northwest 74, the Pacific regional symposium in regard to computing in the resource industries will be held on May 23-24 at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. The IEEE-CS Standards Committee announced that it is forming a subcommittee on interface standards. A conference for the identification of privacy needs of the federal government will be held on November 19-20 at Gaithersburg, Maryland.

The article presents information regarding the latest trends in computers as of January 2004. There is a legal hassle for the first generation of widespread and regular computer users who grow older. Legal experts in estate and probate matters agree that anything stored on a computer is considered "intangible" property, meaning it is probably worth more than the tangible property it occupies. The University of Michigan researchers are of the opinion that spammers should be charged for every message they send and the spam problem will disappear soon. The sneaker market is going to get a boom with the arrival of smart shoes, which are able to sense, calculate, and adapt to its physical environment in real time. The Chinese market continues to shun established protocols, electing instead to create its own. The countries of the world have invested heftily to provide citizens with a digital means for accessing services. Where humans use stereoscopic vision, hand dexterity, and sensory information from their fingertips to perform the intricate art of paper folding, a machine handles the task in a far different way.

In February 1996, the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) begin its 50th year celebration. Computing Week'96 (CW96) is the first of the two events that will bound a year-long suite of 50th anniversary activities. CW96 mixes a journey down computing's memory lane with fascinating events that demonstrate challenges and opportunities of today's cyberworld. Activities include a historical retrospective technical program and a reception and banquet honoring many pioneers of computing world. At ACM Chess Challenge, none other than world chess champion Garry Kasparov will be challenging Deep Blue computer chess program of IBM Corp. in a six-game match. ACM will examine the interplay of entrepreneurially fired technological innovation, fundamental research in both academia and industry, and enabling public policy and support. With goings-on in the U.S. government, and in the computer industry worldwide in recent years, these issues are of particular relevance to today's computing professional.

Since its inception in 1988, the SIG Discretionary Fund (SDF) of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) has contributed over a million dollars to a total of 32 projects. The range of projects has been broad, including the ACM Turing Award, the International Collegiate Programming Contest, the Computing Reviews/Guide Database Project, the Computing Research Board, the WBGH public television series, the women-in-computing film, international activities, career and curriculum development, and many conferences. The SDF was created by the SIGs and is administrated by the SIG Board. The fund relies on contributions from each of ACM's 35 SIGs. By pooling resources, the SIGs help promote technical excellence and foster new programs throughout the Association as well in the larger technical community. The SDF Review Panel is seeking proposals for 1995. Proposals will be selected for their promotion of technical excellence in the computing profession, representation of a discrete, innovative activity, and support by an organizational component of ACM.

Vendor selection for Phase One of Association for Computing Machinery's electronic publishing program is imminent. Phase One focused on electronic production of ACM's primary and reference journals, including the acceptance and processing of author's electronic texts. Initial inquiries during financial year 1993 to more than 30 vendors established the viability of available technologies and the upper and lower bounds on capital costs for the entire program. Recently, a request for proposal for Phase One was sent to 12 vendors. The Evaluation Committee is considering proposals from five prime contractors. Members have shown considerable support for an ACM electronic publications base by their voluntary contributions to the ACM Development Fund, in response to the President's letters describing the electronic publishing program. As a result, ACM is in a position to contract with one of the small number of select vendors who have submitted bids. In an effort to quickly cumulate a critical mass of technical material available in electronic form, ACM has issued a Call for Proposals to institutions wishing to convert ACM print publications for network access. Proposals have been submitted and will be evaluated in the fall.

This article provides information about the presentation of various Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) awards featured at the conference "CSC" 1993. Butler W. Lampson, a pioneer of personal computing and corporate consulting engineer with Digital Equipment Corp. was presented with the 1992 A.M. Turing Award, the computer profession's most prestigious technical award. ACM's Distinguished Service Award was presented to Joyce Currie Little, professor and chairman for the Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Towson State University. Her service to the broad computing community spans some 20 years and includes significant contributions to curriculum development certification standards, vocational education and professional ethics. Three individuals were awarded for their outstanding contribution to ACM Award. James Adams, ACM director of membership, received the award for his outstanding contributions over many years in inspiring and supporting ACM's volunteers, in serving as ACM's collective conscience and memory, and in uniting the volunteers and the professional staff into a single team, working to fulfill ACM's potential.

The article focuses on Association for Computing Machinery's (ACM) Computer Science Conference (CSC) to be held from February 14 to February 19, 1993 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. The focus of ACM Computing Week is on communication and education within and beyond the computer science community. Because the field of computing sciences is very broad and changes occur rapidly, each year's conference program committee will select topics to provide one or more themes that focus on the critical issues of the times. Based on the new CSC Long Range Planning Committee report, several major goals will be pursued by conference organizers in an effort to satisfy the current and future needs of ACM members and the computing community. A primary goal for ACM Computing Week is to disseminate state-of-the-art research and foster communication among researchers, practitioners and educators. The communication is bidirectional with researchers presenting their results and attendees expressing their needs. A second goal is to stimulate communication between the academic, government and practitioner communities.

The article reports that the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) will be opening an office in Europe. The ACM European service center in Brussels, Belgium begins operations on October 1, 1992. Both ACM headquarters and Special interest groups are learning that a great deal can be accomplished in Europe without spending a fortune on postage, phone bills, and airfare, thanks to the potency of electronic mail. ACM's international plan was developed with our leadership in Europe, and without email we would never have been able to work together so quickly and proficiently. The ACM's office in Europe will provide a base for new efforts to contact the computing community in Europe. The synergy between the office and the increased traffic of electronic mail with Europe will generate great demands for action. An additional Members Services Department of the ACM in Europe provides services to its members which includes response to general inquiries about ACM membership; acceptance of publication orders.

Japan's Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI) wants to spend two more years and a few more million dollars on its fifth generation computers. METI has already spent over 10 years and $400 million on the project. However, observers have not been all that impressed with the results, calling the machines slow and incompatible. Japanese scientists say the new effort will work on ways to link Japanese computers to Unix-based machines.

Provides insights about the American Federation of Information Processing Societies (AFIPS). Background of AFIPS; Lessons learned from AFIPS experience; Other societies with technical interests in information processing that joined AFIPS; Plans of the Association of Computing Machinery and the Computer Society with respect to a federation of societies with strong interest in U.S. computing.

This article presents information related to two implementations at the machine-language level that can be of use when large quantities of random numbers are required and speed of generation is an important issue. The commonly found computer processors with 32-bit registers use 1 bit for the sign and 31 bits for the magnitude of integers. In the past, a number of generators were implemented with the modulo operation. The integers are multiplied, and the modulo operation is executed by just ignoring the high-order register. A second variation to the basic algorithm also suggests itself. Rather than ignore the occasional overflow of the sum p+q which calls for incrementing the sum by unity, one can simply increment every sum again ignoring overflows. Depending on the instruction set available and the application using the generator, either of the variations may be viable alternatives.

This article focuses on news briefs related to technology firms. Five leading technology firms will work together to develop the next generation of software. Digital Equipment Corp., Texas Instruments, Ford Motor Co., U.S. West and the Carnegie Group have formed the Initiative for Managing Knowledge Assets with combined contributions totalling $10 million. Another news is related to supercomputers. U.S. and European researchers will soon be sharing supercomputers via an underwater fiber-optic network. The transoceanic link will allow nine West European nations access to six U.S. supercomputers, including the National Supercomputer Facility at Cornell University. The U.S. Department of Commerce is organizing a trade delegation of U.S. manufacturers to London and Stockholm. Scheduled for October 15, 1990, the DoC's MatchMaker event will target the U.S. computer, software and peripheral industries whose products maintain a position of dominance in these two European nations.

Presents an introduction to the NeXT computers developed by Steve Jobs. Complexity in computer systems; Complaints about current workstations and computers; Significance of the NeXT computers.

The article examines the impact of personal computing on the profession and how it relates to the Association for Computing Machinery. The author believes that formal education in computing is no longer a prerequisite for success. Changes in the industry are illustrated in the book "Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution," by Steven Levy. Many students already have experience with computers. Personal computers have been a fruitful source of new paradigms. Some programs have been improved through the experience gained in computer implementation.

Comments on the interrelation between Association for Computing Machine and other organizations in the United States. Technical aspects in the computing field; Distinction between the professional society and scientific and educational society; Concerns on the pubic good, education and science.

Presents the author's views on the issues related to the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). Opinion concerning what an appropriate relationship between the ACM and the computer industry should be; View that ACM must continue to be involved in cooperative ventures with the computer industry so long as these are beneficial to ACM's primary scientific-technical-educational purpose; Discussion over a recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court concerning the patentability of computer programs.

The article examines the outlook of the electronic data processing (EDP) market. The growth of the EDP market is expected to continue beyond 1980, but at a slower pace. The most spectacular growth will be overseas, with the Japanese hardware market growing to $8.3 billion and the European market growing to $9.7 billion by 1980. Some of the factors that will influence the future of the industry are development and maintenance of workable common standards, and achievement of price/performance improvements.

The article presents forecasts on the sale and productivity of minicomputers in 1971. According to Julian Kindred of Victor Comptometer Corp., sales of microcomputers and their peripherals are expected to reach between $1.5 billion and $1.5 billion in five years. There are also expectation that the sales may top $300 million in 1971. The shipments of minicomputers is expected to go up from 15 to 25 percent by 1975. By 1980, shipment are expected to reach $10.2 billion. The annual growth rate will have reduced to 7 percent.

The article offers information on the several conference sessions at the 1971 Spring Joint Computer Conference at the Atlantic City Convention Hall in New Jersey on May 18-20 and ACM Committee and SIG/SIC Meetings to he held in conjunction with SJCC 71 including SIGBDP Technical Meeting on May 17, ACM Joint Users Group Business Meeting on May 17, and SIG/SIC Steering Committee Business Meeting on May 18.

The article presents information on the 1970 Fall Joint Computer Conference that will be held in Houston, Texas, on November 17-19. The conference will have a truly Texas-sized setting, the Astrohall, the world's largest convention and exhibit structure. The technical program may also appear to be Texas-sized in view of its size and diversity. However, it is not so much the program that has grown as the computer industry. The program has therefore been expanded to reflect new developments in computer usage and technology while maintaining its emphasis on various subjects of continuing importance. One of the chief areas of interest is computer software, its present problems and future promises. Two sessions will be devoted on it. Session 21, chaired by M.A. Melkanoff, University of California at Los Angeles, is devoted to the three principal and self-excluding approaches to long-range programming language development being advocated today. A distinguished panel will present a position paper on each of the three approaches and a fourth position paper on relevant research problems.

The article presents letters to the editor on the topic of the spread of the computer age in the East. Reacting to the article of Andries van Dam published in the August 2003 issue of the journal, a letter says that the reason computing has lost its allure among U.S. college students is not that they believe the computer revolution is over. Rather, they've watched it move to Asia. In a reply Andries van Dam says that it is doubtful that students have considered or indeed are very aware of the movement of the U.S. information technology (IT) work to Asia. Most professionals aren't even aware of how much software work has shifted to Asia and how countries like China and India, not to mention Singapore, are investing in building up their "machinery."

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) is proud to announce that it is working with IBM Corp. to offer the "Quest for Java'97" Contest, open only to ACM Student Members. Students should submit their very best Java application/applet and compete for a variety of exciting prizes. Ten First Place Winners will receive an IBM ThinkPad. All contest registrants will receive a "Quest for Java" T-Shirt, and a free copy of VisualAge for Java! Registrants must submit an original Java application/applet that solves a real-world problem, including but not limited to the areas of factory automation, education, groupware, financial software and desktop/business applications. Game submissions are excluded from the contest. Students will need to submit their applications starting in early June.

This article presents the biographies and statements of candidates for International Representative of Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). The two candidates are David Arnold and Leszek Pacholski. David Arnold was a research assistant at Cambridge University till 1977 when he moved to the Royal Naval Engineering College, Plymouth. He has experienced new generations of technology with new infrastructure; the terrible problems facing the countries of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Block; the empowerment on a world stage brought by new communication technologies. Leszek Pacholski received his MS in mathematics from Wroclaw University in 1967 and his Ph.D. in mathematics from the Mathematical Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences in 1970. If he is elected, he will work to bring together students, researchers and experts from computer industry. Besides conferences, where recognized experts discuss the frontiers of science and technology there is also a need of summer schools where students from different universities can meet experts and can meet each other.

At the end of 1996, the U.S. had a "computer density" of 40 computers per 100 people, with PCs accounting for 38 of those computers, reports the latest edition of the Computer Industry Almanac. By the end of 2000, the almanac predicts U.S. computer density will grow to 58 computers per 100 people.

As manufacturers continually turn out newer, faster computers and large corporations sell the bulk of their machines to upgrade, a thriving market in used computers has emerged. U.S. consumers last year purchased 2.4 million used computers, up 50% from the previous year.

A Professional Development Seminar (PDS) Program is being organized for Association for Computing Machinery's Professional Chapters. In addition to furthering educational and professional development goals of chapter members, and ACM as an organization, the program will increase the visibility of chapters within their own communities. Thus, the program is also expected to help draw new members. A resource guide, the PDS Handbook, has been drafted and will be sent to all Chapters upon completion. The handbook will also be available online. The handbook gives detailed information about how to successfully arrange and then implement a PDS, including advise about organizing, selecting topics and speakers, scheduling, publicity, visual aids and presentation, and registration. The handbook will be sent to all chapters. Certain chapters where a PDS program appears promising will be actively recruited. Chapters will be assisted in setting up programs by both Local Activity Board members and ACM Headquarters.

The ACM Computing Classification System (CCS) will soon get an update to go along with its recent change in name. Formerly known as the Computing Reviews Classification System, this specialized hierarchical taxonomy for computing literature was renamed to reflect the fact that it has been widely adopted throughout the computing field. Last updated in 1991, the CCS will be revised again in January, 1997. Neal Coulter, Editor-in-Chief of Computing Reviews (CR), has been appointed by Publications Board Chair Peter Denning to head the CCS Update Committee. Coulter also led the 1991 CCS update effort. Some of the objectives of the Update Committee will be to review the structure, content, and utility of the CCS, recommend changes to keep the taxonomy current while preserving its historical value, investigate the feasibility of CCS supporting materials, such as an on-line dictionary of CCS terms.

Organized thirty-one years ago in 1965, SIGPLAN has always been one of Association for Computing Machinery's (ACM) most vital SIGs. It has a strong tradition of conferences, proceedings and newsletter activities that explore programming language concepts and tools, with a focus on design, implementation and efficient use. Its members (about 7500) are programming language users, developers, implementers, theoreticians, researchers and educators. Members receive the monthly SIGPLAN Notices, where three-to-five conference and workshop proceedings are published each year, including those of OOPSLA, and PLDI, two of the SIG's major events. SIGPLAN also offers a "Member Plus" package, through which members can receive the POPL proceedings and publishes the quarterly newsletter OOPS Messenger as well as LISP Pointers and Fortran Forum. SIGPLAN is also looking for ways to reach out to its members, and potential members, who are primarily teachers rather than researchers. Not supported by research grants, many members of this group find conference attendance financially prohibited.

The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Executive Committee and senior Headquarters staff hosted a meeting in Prague, Czech Republic in May 1995 to discuss general issues related to computing in Eastern Europe and how to increase participation of Eastern Europeans in ACM, including initiating new programs for the region. Eight Eastern European countries were represented: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Russia, and Slovakia. The many highly trained computing professionals in the Eastern European region are often hampered in their work. Although specific difficulties vary from country to country, in many cases the community suffers from lack of current technical materials, poor infrastructures, including problematic telephone systems, inability to maintain hardware and software, limited access to electronic information outside of the university setting, and a "brain-drain" of qualified people from academia to industry and to other countries.

This article presents Association for Computing Machinery's (ACM) calendar of events. ACM's calendar policy is to list open computer science meetings that are sponsored by ACM, sister societies, or other scientific, technical or educational tax exempt organizations. Some of the calendar events to be held during the period June 17, 1995 to October 1, 1995 are National Educational Computing Conference, ED-MEDIA '95: World Conference on Educational Multi and Hypermedia; SIGPLAN 95: ACM SIGPLAN Conference on Programming Language Design & Implementation (PLDI); Workshop on Undergraduate Computer Architecture Education; Structure in Complexity Theory: 10th Annual IEEE Conference; 2nd International Workshop on Community Networking; Workshop WG'95 on Graph-Theoretic Concepts in Computer Science; ACM SIGPLAN Workshop on Language, Compiler and Tool Support for Real-Time Systems (colocated with PLDI '95/PEPM '95); PEPM'95: ACM SIGPLAN Workshop on Partial Evaluation & Semantics-Based Program Manipulation; 27th Symposium on the Interface: Computing Science and Statistics, etc.

This article focuses on computer recycling. As computers become more outdated each year, the problem of discarding and recycling continues to grow. Gennan computer makers are required by law to take back old machines, and U.S. manufacturers, including International Business Machine Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Co., are currently working on innovative ways to recycle. This article presents a partial list of organizations that help find homes for old computers.

The article reports that two Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) journals published their premier issues. Standard View: ACM Perspectives on Standardization; published its first issue in September. This cross-disciplinary quarterly addresses the study, understanding, and practice of standardization in all areas of information technology, with an emphasis on work-day utility. Subscriptions to Standard View are $25 for individual ACM members. Multimedia Systems Journal, a new bimonthly copublished with Springer International, also debuted in August. The journal disseminates the latest advances in multimedia for computing professionals in graphics, software development and engineering, human-computer interaction, communications, and databases.

In response to member interest revealed by recent Gallup Membership Survey, the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) introduces the book "Compensation View, A Compendium of Salary Surveys." The book looks at compensation in the computing field by job function, the U.S. geographic region, and experience level. Working with a career counselor Jack Wilson, of CareerSciences, ACM gathered prominent computer industry salary surveys and added salary information from ACM members survey data. While data in this book is useful for comparing salaries in the U.S., ACM recognizes that further research is needed to provide a global picture of compensation.