%From: "Michael Elphick" %Subject: Re: Eplain problems? %To: karl@cs.umb.edu %Date: Tue, 15 Jun 93 11:32:11 WET DST % Here is the basic source for the (edited) version of the newsletter: %-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- % +-----------------------------------------------------+ % | The New Horse's Mouth: Issue no 2 (May 1993) | % +-----------------------------------------------------+ \input nhm.style \presstrue \HORSE{2} \doublecolumns \EDITORIAL{An Editorial Apology} No doubt some of our readers have been wondering if the first number of the \NHM was just a flash in the pan! We {\bf were} encouraged by the response to that first trial issue, and can only apologise for the long delay since then (for which the senior editor accepts responsibility). Although we do say that this is an {\bf occasional} publication), we'll try and be a bit less so in future! In this issue, we start with an amusing account of a trip to Russia (arising unexpectedly from a student project), followed by some more local news (and our first cartoon), and finally reveal the answers to the Christmas Quiz! A line added in an attempt to reproduce the error noted by me; a line added in an attempt to reproduce the error noted by me; a line added in an attempt to reproduce the error noted by me; a line added in an attempt to reproduce the error noted by me; a line added in an attempt to reproduce the error HERE IT IS! \singlecolumn \BOXITEM{A Tale of Two CSSD Students in a Far-off Land}{ Dick Snow has passed on to us the following account of the unexpected outcome of last year's CSSD Group Project. As some readers will know, the group project undertaken by the 1991/92 class of M.Sc.~students in Computing Software and Systems Design (otherwise known as the CSSD students) was a study of the reliability and performance of international e-mail. This project involved contact with a number of Computer Science departments and Computer Service departments in many -- often far-flung -- parts of the world. In one case, so much interest was generated by their work, that two of them were invited to go to Russia to present a paper at a conference. What follows can be loosely described as their "trip report". It should perhaps be pointed out that this document did not constitute part of their submitted work in the assessment for their degree! } \doublecolumns ``Our story begins with a group of eight students on an advanced M.Sc degree course in Computing Software \& Systems Design. This course is highly recommended for those with masochistic tendancies. It is only completed by those with an ability to work on a project for twenty-five hours out of every twenty-four whilst, at the same time, attending lots of very interesting(?) 9am meetings. The purpose of these is to ensure that no student spend more than 3 hours sleeping, and that everyone has far too much work to carry out in far too little time. Well, we managed to produce a project report! It certainly will not go down in history as the greatest piece of English text ever to be written, but it was done whilst the authors were on sleep deprivation. This is, of course, no excuse whatsoever as our project supervisors will doubtless verify. A group of Russian professors decided that this masterpiece was worthy of inclusion in a conference. Incredible! Well, that is wonderful, except for those who have to spend another 364 hours producing a paper! This feat was carried out in record time and the result duly accepted by the organisers of CDS-92 (the first international conference that Russia has hosted, on Computer Distributed Systems). Next question - who's going? There are several ways of answering this kind of question. Unfortunately, the easiest solution terminates the lives of six of the group and is hence, not recommended. Our solution was to bore six of the group into submission, leaving two of us to carry out the deed. Eventually we were set for Russia; cases packed, slides ready and a four-pack for the rail journey to London. Everything perfect! Uh, not a chance! Unfortunately, we did not account for the incredible standard of service offered by Russian airlines. These converted world war two bombers are something else! Those who have not had the pleasure of making a journey on one of these aeroplanes haven't lived. The air hostesses wouldn't even help passengers remove their teeth from the seat in front. So here we are --- back in Newcastle. Our trip was an amazing experience and we would like to thank all those concerned for making it possible; our project supervisors for their help and assistance, the department for our registration and accommodation fees, SERC for our travel expenses and last but not least, the remainder of the CSSD group. They are to be thanked for being part of what has undoubtedly been the best and most successful CSSD group in the history of the course!'' \rightline{{\bf Alex Jowett} and {\bf Simon Whittaker}} [{\bf N.B.} The serious side of the project is described in the CSSD students' interesting report entitled "An Analysis of International Electronic Mail Performance and Reliability" by E.~Diemoz et al., now available as Computing Science Technical Report No.~393] \BOXITEM{House For Sale}{ Fed up with not being able to park? Why not move house! 3 Bedrooms, end terrace in quiet cul-de-sac. Gardens front and rear. Within walking distance of University, and on good bus routes in West Newcastle (near General Hospital and West Road shops). [For more details, contact Chris Ritson. (Ext 8175)] } \ENDPAGE \bye --------------------------------------------------------------------------------