British Computer Society news

compiled by Philip Goacher

Transcribed from the printed issue; not yet reviewed. Read it in the PDF of the issue, page 19

As well as its geographical branches, the British Computer Society has a large number of special interest groups, which form the backbone of the Society’s technical expertise over the whole computing field. In response to requests from several VECTOR readers for more information about these groups, our B.C.S. news section this issue gives details of the current list of groups.

The Specialist Groups Board, which meets four times a year, is the central co-ordinating body on which all groups are represented.

In the brief details which follow, affiliated groups are marked with an asterisk. Any enquiries should be addressed direct to the individual(s) named for each group. In case of difficulty, members are advised to contact the Liaison Executive (Specialist Groups) at B.C.S. Headquarters.

Association for Computing Machinery – British Chapter *¶

The ACM British Chapter is a meeting point for the 70,000 members of the ACM worldwide. It acts as a forum for the exchange of international technical ideas and has at present some 200 members. In addition it is closely affiliated with three student associate groups at the Thames Polytechnic, Imperial College and the University College of Swansea.

Activities:: Social get-togethers; meetings; professional development seminars.
Enquiries to:: Liaison Executive (Specialist Groups),
BCS Headquarters
Tel. 01 637-0471

Advanced Programming¶

This group was founded in 1959 and provides a forum for the consideration of new developments in software and their application to commercial data processing. The group took a lead in the early 1970s in spreading awareness of database systems. In the last two years, the group has concentrated on new programming paradigms, including expert systems languages and their place in information processing.

The group supports two working parties, on database administration and data dictionary systems.

Enquiries to:: Prof. J J Florentin, Dept. of Computer Science,
Birkbeck College, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX.

Auditing by Computer¶

To provide a major forum where computer audit security and control matters are discussed by data processors, internal and external auditors from the public and private sectors, and end-users with a view to contributing to the development of secure, well-controlled computer systems to serve the needs of management and contribute to the development of cost-effective methods of audit for such systems.

Activities:: six meetings with speakers; annual conference; 1-day joint meeting with the Institute of Internal Auditors.
Enquiries to:: Mr. W List,
KMG Thomson McLintock & Co.,
70 Finsbury Pavement,
London, EC2A 1SY.

British APL Association¶

Formed in 1976, it aims to promote the acceptance and widespread usage of APL. It provides a forum where both the novice and expert user can meet to discuss programming and design techniques, business applications, and new software and hardware tools available from the software houses and manufacturers.

Activities:: meetings; annual conference (in conjunction with other national APL user groups); quarterly journal, VECTOR.
Enquiries to:: Anthony Camacho (Secretary),
[address omitted]

To promote the exchange of knowledge and experience among blind and partially-sighted data processing professionals.

Activities:: 2 courses p.a. on data processing user groups.
Enquiries to:: Mr F Ellis,
[address omitted]

British Pattern Recognition Association¶

To promote knowledge and application of pattern recognition.

Activities:: colloquia; international conferences; technical vists.
Enquiries to:: Prof. M J B Duff, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy,
University College, London,
Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT.

Business Information Systems¶

To provide investigation and discussion of business-related aspects of data processing, so that computer practitioners, academics and non data-processing personnel can improve working systems and relationships.

Activities:: monthly meetings; newsletter; working groups; open events; committee representation.
Enquiries to:: Ms E Somegyl, Butler Cox & Partners,
12 Bloomsbury Square,
London, WC1A 2CC.

Cobol¶

Formed to study and improve the Cobol language.

Activities:: working groups on selected topics; no regular meetings.
Enquiries to:: Mr A Sale, [address omitted]

Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Engineering¶

To provide awareness of developments in CAD and CAE/M, and to provide a bridge between practical computer specialists and those industries which need to know about advances in computing technology with potential for applications in the sector.

Activities:: meetings, seminars.
Enquiries to:: Mr W Freidl, W Freidl Associates,
[address omitted]

Computer Arts.¶

To encourage the use of computers in the arts and to act as a forum for the exchange of information in this field.

Activities:: 10 meetings p.a.; exhibitions; bulletin.
Enquiries to:: Mr R J Lansdown, System Simulation Ltd., Southbank House,
Black Prince Road, London, SE1 7SJ.

Computer Education *¶

To spread knowledge of computers and help with problems, e.g. establishing courses, setting up equipment, contacting specialist lecturers, industrial and other users.

Activities:: annual meeting; other group meetings; bulletin; formation of branches to organise local meetings and activites.
Enquiries to:: Dr. H L W Jackson,
Head of Faculty, Maths, Statistics & Computing,
North Staffordshire Polytechnic,
Computer Centre,
Blackheath Lane,
Stafford, ST18 0AD.

Computers and Employment¶

To spread awareness of work on the impact of computers on the nature and content of work.

Activities:: meetings; seminars.
Enquiries to:: Ms L Antill,
Office Technology Unit,
Polytechnic of the South Bank,
Manor House,
Clapham Common Northside,
London, SW4 9RZ.

Computers in Psychology *¶

The Mathematics, Statistics and Computing section of the British Psychological Society represents the Society’s interest in mathematics, statistics, modelling cybernetics, systems theory and expert systems.

Activities:: workshops; specialist symposia; co-operation with other national and international societies to organise conferences.
Enquiries to:: Dr. A Elithorn,
Dept. of Psychological Medicine,
The Royal Free Hospital,
Pond Street,
Hampstead,
London, NW3 2QG.

Computer Security¶

To develop awareness of computer security, to contribute to the development of security guidelines, standards, etc., and to monitor the state of the art of enabling tools, techniques and methods for protecting computer-based systems

Activities:: publications; seminars; discussions.
Enquiries to:: Liaison Executive (Specialist Groups),
BCS Headquarters
Tel. 01 637-0471

Database¶

To provide a forum for discussion of database and teleprocessing products and user problems.

Activities:: regular meetings; working parties; conference; Northern sub-group.
Enquiries to:: Mr. S Holloway,
Applied Data Research,
Portmill House,
Portmill Lane,
Hitchin,
Herts., SG5 1DJ.

Data Communication¶

To further the exchange of knowledge and experience in all areas related to data communication.

Activites:: monthly meetings.
Enquiries to:: Dr. P Radford,
Logica Ltd.,
64 Newman Street,
London, W1A 4SE.

Developing Countries¶

Formed in 1976, the group seeks to stimulate interest in the problems faced by developing countries in applying computers effectively for the benefits of their societies and national economy.

Activities:: seminars; conferences; publications, including a regular newsletter.
Enquiries to:: Mr. J Sherif,
[address omitted]

Disabled (North and South)¶

Formed in 1975 to secure the increasing involvement of severely disabled computer practitioners, to study and publicise the special needs of severely disabled computer practitioners and to draw the attention of other severely disabled people to the possibilities offered by computers, especially to those who have not yet left school.

Activities:: conference; 1-day afternoon meetings.
Enquiries to:: Mr. Frank Ellis,
CBG (Computer Centre) Roseneath,
Carwood Road,
Branhall, Stockport,
Cheshire, SK7 3LS. (North); Mr. Geoff Busby,
[address omitted] (South)

Display¶

To study, examine, discuss and disseminate information on graphics, displays and associated technology, from detailed hardware design/construction through logical modules and software interfaces to higher-level application areas.

Activities:: meetings; seminars; workshops; visits to installations.
Enquiries to:: Dr. R A Earnshaw,
University Computing Service,
Leeds University,
Leeds, LS2 9JT.

Distributed Systems¶

To further the understanding of distributed systems, provide a forum for the exchange of ideas between interested parties, contribute to the development of relevant standards and methods.

Activities:: meetings; seminars; publications.
Enquiries to:: Mr. M Imber,
[address omitted]

Electronic Publishing¶

To provide a forum for discussion for all involved in electronic publishing, to exchange ideas, identify common problems and try to devise better solutions.

Activities:: meetings; seminars.
Enquiries to:: Mrs. H Brown,
Electronic Publishing Unit,
Computer Laboratory,
University of Kent,
Canterbury, CT2 7NF.

Eurographics Association *¶

To promote graphics activities in Europe.

Activities:: annual European 5-day conference plus tutorials, newsletter, local events in UK, including 2-day conference at Easter.
Enquiries to:: Dr. R A Earnshaw,
University Computing Service,
Leeds University,
Leeds, LS2 9JT.

Expert Systems¶

To foster research, development and application of expert systems.

Activities:: newsletter; 2 principal annual conferences (technical and tutorial).
Enquiries to:: Mr. M Ashill,
[address omitted]

Formal Aspects of Computing Science¶

To facilitate the interchange of theoretical results and research and to make available the results of formal studies in computing science.

Activities:: 2 or 3 conferences/ workshops p.a.; newsletter; occasional afternoon/evening seminars.
Enquiries to:: Dr. D J Cooke,
Dept. of Computer Studies,
The University of Technology,
Loughborough,
Leics., LE11 3TU.

Fortran¶

To provide a forum for discussion of Fortran and its applications. To monitor and seek to influence the development of the language through interaction with the various standards bodies.

Activities:: regular meetings; seminars; conferences.
Enquiries to:: Mr. J D Wilson,
Computer Laboratory,
Leicester University,
Leicester, LE1 7RH.

Computer Interest Group of the Society of Genealogists *¶

Formed to report on progress in the application of computers in genealogy both for amateur genealogists and professionals needing to process records of genealogical interest, and to provide a forum for discussion of relevant matters.

Activities:: quarterly newsletter; conferences; evening meetings.
Enquiries to:: David Hagwood,
[address omitted]

Human Computer Interaction¶

To forge links between HCI research and its implementation in industry, commerce and government, to provide communication between users, designers and researchers of interactive systems, to liaise with other professional bodies to promote greater awareness of the importance of computer human features.

Activities:: meetings; workshops; conferences; publication.
Enquiries to:: Mr. P Johnson, Dept. of Computer Science & Statistics, Queen Mary College, Mile End Road,
London, E1 4NS.

Information Retrieval¶

To provide a forum for discussion of operational and research aspects of computerised information systems.

Activities:: meetings; publications; register of expertise and experience; working groups; newsletter; liaison with other specialist and national organisations, End User Systems Group.
Enquiries to:: Dr. N Teskey, Dept. of Computing Science, Brighton Polytechnic,
Moulsecomb, Brighton, BN2 4AY.

Law¶

To study the ways in which computers can assist lawyers and the problems which computers raise for the law.

Activities:: speaker meetings; occasional advice on legal matters.
Enquiries to:: Prof. G B F Niblett, Dept. of Computer Science, University College of Swansea,
Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP.

Lincoln Microprocessor Group *¶

To inform and educate members and the general public in and around Lincoln on techniques, applications and social implications of micro-electronics and computation.

Activities:: lectures; visits; exhibitions and forums; provision of computers for practical work by members; sub-group giving aid to the handicapped.
Enquiries to:: Dr. P Griffiths St Georges Hospital,
Lincoln, LN1 1EF.

Local Government¶

To promote the interests of the Society and the computer profession within local authorities and associated bodies.

Activities:: specialist presentations; normal group activities.
Enquiries to:: Mr. D Griffiths, Assistant Director, LAMSAC, Vincent House, London, SW1P 2NB.

Mathematical Programming¶

To promote the dissemination of knowledge and discussions in the area of mathematical programming.

Activities:: 10 lectures p.a.; periodic specialist studies.
Enquiries to:: Dr. G Mitra,
[address omitted]

Medical (London)¶

To provide a forum for discussion of all aspects of health-care computing (with the exception of primary health care and nursing) in the South. Founder member of European Federation for Medical Informatics and member of International Medical Informatics Association.

Activities:: annual conference; meetings; journal (in association with outside agency).
Enquiries to:: Mr. S W Sargent,
RSS Implementation Manager,
Shaftesbury House,
402 High Street,
West Bromwich, B70 9NR.

Medical (Northern)¶

To provide a forum for discussion of all aspects of health-care computing (with the exception of primary health care and nursing) in the North.

Activities:: annual conference; meetings; journal (in association with outside agency).
Enquiries to:: Ms. J Roberts,
PAS/IPS Central Team,
Room 616,
Gateway House,
Piccadilly South,
Manchester, M60 7LF.

Medical (Scotland)¶

To provide a forum in Scotland for those interested in all aspects of medical computing.

Activities:: meetings; two 1-day conferences p.a.
Enquiries to:: Mr. R B Marshall,
Greater Glasgow Health Board,
222 Bath Street,
Glasgow, G2 5JT.

Microcomputer¶

To provide a forum for discussion on the impact of the “micro revolution”, on both conventional computing and society as a whole.

Activities:: meetings; seminars.
Enquiries to:: Mr. R Phillips,
[address omitted]

Microform¶

To promote awareness throughout the computer and business community as to the breadth and depth of COM (computer output to microfilm) as a systems tool.

Activities:: seminars; discussion sessions; application/user visits.
Enquiries to:: Mr. T Hendley,
[address omitted]

Natural Language Translation¶

To provide and develop the use of machine translation.

Activities:: meetings; seminars.
Enquiries to:: Mr. I D K Kelly,
[address omitted]

Nursing¶

To promote and support the use and development of computers in nursing in providing patient care, nursing education, management and research; to promote computer literacy among nurses.

Activities:: meetings; seminars; conferences.
Enquiries to:: Mrs. C Ashton,
[address omitted]

Office Automation¶

To disseminate information on word processing and office automation.

Activities:: monthly meetings (September to May); half- or 1-day seminar each year; 3 regional subgroups (St Helens, Croydon, Strathclyde); newsletter.
Enquiries to:: Mrs. B Levine, [address omitted]

Payroll¶

To provide a forum for the discussion of matters of interest relating to the payment of salaries, wages and pensions using computers; the legislation which affects the processes; and new developments in the area.

Activities:: meetings (about 6 p.a.)
Enquiries to:: Mr. C A Cowland,
PE/PS/4, Greater London Council,
The County Hall,
London, SE1 7PB.

PL/1¶

To promote interest in, and discussion of, PL/1 and its applications.

Activities:: meetings; bulletin.
Enquiries to:: Mr. A P Smith,
[address omitted]

Primary Health Care¶

To promote all activities and interests in this field for GPs, nurses, dentists, ancillary staff and all computer professionals in the primary health care field.

Activities:: newsletter; meetings; symposia; committee activities.
Enquiries to:: Dr. G Clayton,
[address omitted]

Process Control¶

To create a forum for discussion of developments affecting process control, software packages and techniques; to foster closer contacts between users, suppliers and universities; and to promote the interchange of ideas and techniques originating from the use of micros, minis and mainframes.

Activities:: conferences; symposia; courses.
Enquiries to:: Dr. P A Bennett,
[address omitted]

Robotics¶

The group provides a major forum for the exchange and discussion of knowledge in all areas related to the use of computing in robotics. It is also designed to foster research and application of such technology with attention to its social consequences, and to promote professional practice through education and training.

Activities:: seminars; meetings.
Enquiries to:: Peter B Scott,
The Centre for Robotics,
Imperial College,
Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2BX.

Software Engineering Specialist Group¶

To consider the total process of developing software from initial idea to final system through maintenance and enhancement to ultimate replacement. Methods, tools to support them, management processes to back them up, and theories to underpin them are all covered.

Activities:: day meetings (11am to 4pm) on a single theme once a quarter usually in Central London; some special events; working groups (currently on testing, with quality assurance and cost estimating being established).
Enquiries to:: Ann Petrie (Secretary),
Computing Laboratory,
University of Newcastle,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU.; Patrick Hall (Chairman),
Cirrus Computers Ltd.,
Waterside Gardens,
Fareham, Hants., PO16 7AI.

Study Group on Computers in Survey Analysis¶

Formed in 1971 to provide a forum for exchange of information on the use of computers for the processing and analysis of survey data so as to reduce the duplication of programs. Publishes biennial software register which gives details of packages/programs for use in survey and statistical analysis and administration.

Activities:: conferences in June & November; prize for the year’s best published paper on the use of computers in survey or statistical processing.
Enquiries to:: Terry Orchard,
Cabinet Office,
Central Statistical Office,
Great George Street,
London, SW1P 3AQ.

Technology of Software Protection¶

Started in 1981 to act as a forum to update members on existing and new techniques for the protection of software by technical methods. The scope of the group is intended to cover all non-legal methods of protection. Recent meetings have covered disk protection, intelligent dongles, cryptography, software security and new inventions in hardware.

Activities:: evening meetings; 1-day conferences.
Enquiries to:: Mr. Len Jones,
[address omitted]

UK Simulation Council¶

To promote the advancement of simulation and allied,computer technology. Full members are also members of the USA-based Society for Computer Simulation and receive the journal Simulation.

Activities:: three or four 1- or 2-day meetings p.a.; conferences triannually.
Enquiries to:: Dr. P Luker,
Computing Laboratory,
University of Bradford,
Bradford, BD7 1DP.