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The uses of microprocessors
NEW
EUROPEAN
SPACE
AGENCY
ONLINE
ORDER SERVICE SPEEDS DELIVERY OF U S GOVERNMENT D O C U M E N T S T h e I N F O R M A T I O N R E T R I E V A L S E R V I C E (IRS) of the E U R O P E A N S P A C E A G E N C Y based at F r a s c a t t i near Rome, has a n n o u n c e d the d e v e l o p m e n t of new software e n a b l i n g users to o r d e r copies of d o c u m e n t s retrieved d u r i n g online searches, direct from their inhouse terminals. T h e new system n a m e d P R I M O R D I A L , has been i n t r o d u c e d following earlier limited trials where a l t h o u g h c u s t o m e r s c o u l d place d o c u m e n t o r d e r s via their terminals, d o c u m e n t suppliers c o u l d not retrieve the instructions direct. O r d e r s h a d to be d u m p e d at the IRS Centre in Paris for mailing to the d o c u m e n t suppliers. N o w the suppliers can retrieve the orders from their own t e r m i n a l s d a i l y o r even m o r e frequently if required. IRS offers its m a n y users t h r o u g h o u t E u r o p e online access to the U S G o v e r n m e n t Scientific and Technical D a t a b a s e p r o d u c e d by the N A T I O N A L T E C H N I C A L INFORMATION S E R V I C E (NTIS) of the U S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE. This c o n t a i n s references to m a n y h u n d r e d s of t h o u s a n d s of reports and o t h e r m a t e r i a l s from a u t h o r i t a t i v e U S G o v e r n m e n t a n d i m p o r t a n t foreign sources; s o m e 6,000 a d d i t i o n a l titles are a d d e d each month. P a p e r a n d microfiche copies of most items listed on the d a t a b a s e can be o r d e r e d online. The UNITED KINGDOM SERVICE CENTRE o p e r a t e d by M I C R O I N F O L T D , U K M a n a g i n g D e a l e r for N T I S , W a s h i n g t o n , D C , is responsible for servicing online o r d e r s placed by IRS users in the U K , R e p u b l i c of Ireland, H o l l a n d , West G e r m a n y , D e n m a r k , N o r w a y , Sweden and F i n l a n d . T h e r e are no extra charges involved a n d users are g u a r a n t e e d accurate transfer of key i n f o r m a t i o n direct from the d a t a b a s e so a v o i d i n g t r a n s c r i p t i o n errors c o m m o n l y e n c o u n t e r e d with m a n u a l o r d e r i n g procedures. Full details of the P R I M O R D I A L o r d e r i n g system are c o n t a i n e d in a special User M a n u a l available direct from IRS, from local IRS offices a n d in the U K , from M r Brian Kingsmill, D e p a r t m e n t of I n d u s t r y , T e c h n o l o g y R e p o r t s Centre, O r p i n g t o n , Kent, BR5 3RF.
A number of papers are concerned with advances in simulation techniques particularly in relation to continuous systems simulation. The application papers, which provide the major part of the volume reflect the wide applicability of continuous and discrete event simulation to science, engineering and social-economic systems.
BOOK REVIEWS The Uses of Microprocessors G. L. Simons N.C.C. P u b l i c a t i o n s If you have ever wanted to know what a microprocessor could be used for this book may well provide many answers, It does not claim to cover all the uses of microprocessors, but certainly seems to cover many of them. The workings of a microprocessor are not described in detail as the book is aimed towards the large majority of people who need no technical knowledge of electronics. The areas of application are divided into 9 broad areas; business/offices-terminals and peripherals- industry; multiprocessors and development systems; communications; eductation; medicine; transport and domestic/entertainment. These are each then further subdivided, typically into ten sections. The bibliography is very extensive, so finding any further information should be quite easy. The book is published by NCC Publications, part of the National Computing Centre. This organization is a non-profit distributing organisation, backed by industry and government, and can provide help in many aspects of computing. NCC also publishes a regular journal entitled 'NCC Interface'. They can be contacted on 061 228 6333. Other books by NCC include "Introducing Microprocessors', 'The Impact of Microprocessors on British Business', and 'High Level Languages for Microprocessor Projects'.
P. Blitz
Computer Peripherals for Minicomputers, Microprocessors and Personal Computers Louis C. Nohenstein M c G r a w Hill. £1 1.50
NEW BOOKS This section lists b o o k s within the field of engineering software that have been recently published and the d e s c r i p t i o n s given are those supplied by the b o o k publisher. C o m p r e h e n s i v e reviews of these b o o k s will a p p e a r in future issues. U K S C 81 P r o c e e d i n g s of the 1981 U K s i m u l a t i o n Council Conference on C o m p u t e r S i m u l a t i o n H a r r o g a t e , U K , 13-16 M a y 1981 W e s t b u r y H o u s e , G u i l d f o r d , Surrey, Price £30.00 The triennial series of conferences on computer simulation organized by the UKSC have established themselves as the major even in this field. This volume includes the complete texts of the 50 papers presented at the meeting and represents an invaluable record of current research in this rapidly expanding field.
178
Adv. Eng. Software, 1981, Vol. 3, No. 4
Yhe sleeve notes for this book justifiably recommends the book for all users, from managers through systems designer to hobbyist and student. The only assumption made is a basic knowledge of computer operation. Before going into details, the book briefly explains the concept of using binary numbers to represent characters (e.g. the ASCI 1 code), which-are often used to convey the information to peripheral devices. The book considers not only the obvious peripherals - - printers, keyboards, VDU's, punches and readers, but also several which are not so obvious - - light pens, graphic plotters, speech input and output, magnetic tapes and disks, modems, and position digitisers. Memory types, not normally conserved as a peripheral, are also included. The operational principles of each device are described, and together with the many (over 200) photographs, make the explanations quite easy to follow. Specific technical details are sensibly left out. This is not. however, a book to help choose a specific model or manufacturer for a device, but to aid the understanding of what typical devices are capable of. For a non-technical person who is buying a computer for the first time, or who wants to know a little more about what he already has, this book would be of assistance.
P. Blitz
EUROPEAN
SPACE
AGENCY
ONLINE
ORDER SERVICE SPEEDS DELIVERY OF U S GOVERNMENT D O C U M E N T S T h e I N F O R M A T I O N R E T R I E V A L S E R V I C E (IRS) of the E U R O P E A N S P A C E A G E N C Y based at F r a s c a t t i near Rome, has a n n o u n c e d the d e v e l o p m e n t of new software e n a b l i n g users to o r d e r copies of d o c u m e n t s retrieved d u r i n g online searches, direct from their inhouse terminals. T h e new system n a m e d P R I M O R D I A L , has been i n t r o d u c e d following earlier limited trials where a l t h o u g h c u s t o m e r s c o u l d place d o c u m e n t o r d e r s via their terminals, d o c u m e n t suppliers c o u l d not retrieve the instructions direct. O r d e r s h a d to be d u m p e d at the IRS Centre in Paris for mailing to the d o c u m e n t suppliers. N o w the suppliers can retrieve the orders from their own t e r m i n a l s d a i l y o r even m o r e frequently if required. IRS offers its m a n y users t h r o u g h o u t E u r o p e online access to the U S G o v e r n m e n t Scientific and Technical D a t a b a s e p r o d u c e d by the N A T I O N A L T E C H N I C A L INFORMATION S E R V I C E (NTIS) of the U S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE. This c o n t a i n s references to m a n y h u n d r e d s of t h o u s a n d s of reports and o t h e r m a t e r i a l s from a u t h o r i t a t i v e U S G o v e r n m e n t a n d i m p o r t a n t foreign sources; s o m e 6,000 a d d i t i o n a l titles are a d d e d each month. P a p e r a n d microfiche copies of most items listed on the d a t a b a s e can be o r d e r e d online. The UNITED KINGDOM SERVICE CENTRE o p e r a t e d by M I C R O I N F O L T D , U K M a n a g i n g D e a l e r for N T I S , W a s h i n g t o n , D C , is responsible for servicing online o r d e r s placed by IRS users in the U K , R e p u b l i c of Ireland, H o l l a n d , West G e r m a n y , D e n m a r k , N o r w a y , Sweden and F i n l a n d . T h e r e are no extra charges involved a n d users are g u a r a n t e e d accurate transfer of key i n f o r m a t i o n direct from the d a t a b a s e so a v o i d i n g t r a n s c r i p t i o n errors c o m m o n l y e n c o u n t e r e d with m a n u a l o r d e r i n g procedures. Full details of the P R I M O R D I A L o r d e r i n g system are c o n t a i n e d in a special User M a n u a l available direct from IRS, from local IRS offices a n d in the U K , from M r Brian Kingsmill, D e p a r t m e n t of I n d u s t r y , T e c h n o l o g y R e p o r t s Centre, O r p i n g t o n , Kent, BR5 3RF.
A number of papers are concerned with advances in simulation techniques particularly in relation to continuous systems simulation. The application papers, which provide the major part of the volume reflect the wide applicability of continuous and discrete event simulation to science, engineering and social-economic systems.
BOOK REVIEWS The Uses of Microprocessors G. L. Simons N.C.C. P u b l i c a t i o n s If you have ever wanted to know what a microprocessor could be used for this book may well provide many answers, It does not claim to cover all the uses of microprocessors, but certainly seems to cover many of them. The workings of a microprocessor are not described in detail as the book is aimed towards the large majority of people who need no technical knowledge of electronics. The areas of application are divided into 9 broad areas; business/offices-terminals and peripherals- industry; multiprocessors and development systems; communications; eductation; medicine; transport and domestic/entertainment. These are each then further subdivided, typically into ten sections. The bibliography is very extensive, so finding any further information should be quite easy. The book is published by NCC Publications, part of the National Computing Centre. This organization is a non-profit distributing organisation, backed by industry and government, and can provide help in many aspects of computing. NCC also publishes a regular journal entitled 'NCC Interface'. They can be contacted on 061 228 6333. Other books by NCC include "Introducing Microprocessors', 'The Impact of Microprocessors on British Business', and 'High Level Languages for Microprocessor Projects'.
P. Blitz
Computer Peripherals for Minicomputers, Microprocessors and Personal Computers Louis C. Nohenstein M c G r a w Hill. £1 1.50
NEW BOOKS This section lists b o o k s within the field of engineering software that have been recently published and the d e s c r i p t i o n s given are those supplied by the b o o k publisher. C o m p r e h e n s i v e reviews of these b o o k s will a p p e a r in future issues. U K S C 81 P r o c e e d i n g s of the 1981 U K s i m u l a t i o n Council Conference on C o m p u t e r S i m u l a t i o n H a r r o g a t e , U K , 13-16 M a y 1981 W e s t b u r y H o u s e , G u i l d f o r d , Surrey, Price £30.00 The triennial series of conferences on computer simulation organized by the UKSC have established themselves as the major even in this field. This volume includes the complete texts of the 50 papers presented at the meeting and represents an invaluable record of current research in this rapidly expanding field.
178
Adv. Eng. Software, 1981, Vol. 3, No. 4
Yhe sleeve notes for this book justifiably recommends the book for all users, from managers through systems designer to hobbyist and student. The only assumption made is a basic knowledge of computer operation. Before going into details, the book briefly explains the concept of using binary numbers to represent characters (e.g. the ASCI 1 code), which-are often used to convey the information to peripheral devices. The book considers not only the obvious peripherals - - printers, keyboards, VDU's, punches and readers, but also several which are not so obvious - - light pens, graphic plotters, speech input and output, magnetic tapes and disks, modems, and position digitisers. Memory types, not normally conserved as a peripheral, are also included. The operational principles of each device are described, and together with the many (over 200) photographs, make the explanations quite easy to follow. Specific technical details are sensibly left out. This is not. however, a book to help choose a specific model or manufacturer for a device, but to aid the understanding of what typical devices are capable of. For a non-technical person who is buying a computer for the first time, or who wants to know a little more about what he already has, this book would be of assistance.
P. Blitz