|
|||||||||||||||||||
Prepared by Mark D. Larsen Computers for Professional Applications Mark D. Larsen For specific information or suggestions, write directly to the appropriate area specialist below. Ned J. Davison Joseph A. Feustle, Jr. Head of Telecommunications BITNET: FAC As we predicted when Hispania first introduced this section, keeping up with the advances in computer technology during the past six years has been a formidable challenge. Looking back, it seems incredible that a machine with 128K of memory was once considered «large», and that having a 20-megabyte hard disk was a luxury reserved for corporate offices. Nowadays it is not uncommon for a computer to have more than 2 megabytes of RAM, and a «small» 40-megabyte hard disk is viewed as a necessity. Modems are presently averaging 8 times the speed of earlier units; laser printers have replaced most daisy-wheel models; entire institutions are linked together by networks which provide on-line access to student records, library holdings, and electronic mail. The machines have gotten faster, sleeker, more powerful, easier to use, yet we have also seen amazing developments in software; one need only consider what has occurred with previously unknown applications like «desktop publishing» or «hypertext» to realize how far we have come. What will the next six years bring? Only one prediction seems certain: new developments, new equipment, new applications will continue to appear at an ever increasing rate. The challenges to this section will therefore be greater than ever before, and we editors will have to work even harder to pass along pertinent, accurate, and useful information to our readers. In order to face these challenges, we have implemented certain organizational changes. As was announced in the last few issues, I will be heading up this computer section, and a former member of our editorial staff, Dr. Robert Quinn, has consented to reorganize the Audio-Visual section into one for «MultiMedia», which makes its debut in this same issue. Included under his new heading are the courseware reviews that readers could previously find here. We sincerely wish Dr. Quinn the best in his new responsibilities, and fully anticipate that these changes will generate an increase in cooperation between his section and ours.
Since both sections will now deal with computer topics, we felt it necessary to clarify the differences by also changing the name of our masthead. We hope that the phrase «professional applications» will adequately cover all those areas which have been left to our charge beyond the scope of computer-assisted language instruction. Possible topics will include applications like word processing, databases, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, telecommunications, literary analysis, hypertext, electronic mail, scanning text and images, digitizing sounds, and networking computers, to mention only a few. We also hope to pass along pertinent information about specific pieces of hardware and software, and to continue exploring issues of prime concern to language teachers, such as producing proper diacritical marks or using computers while overseas. The possibilities are really endless, and we invite you readers to actively participate by sending us your suggestions and recommendations. My straw polls at professional meetings indicate that most colleagues are now using computers in their work, but that they still feel very much like novices when it comes to applications beyond that of word processing. For this reason, one of my prime goals for the section is to return to the «basics», and provide practical, useful information about how computers can enhance and improve our work. After discussing the concern with my co-editors, I have determined to include a «Question & Answer» column in our future sections, and invite any Hispanists who are seeking specific information to send us their questions. While we cannot guarantee that we will know all the answers, we will make a concerted effort to research them and pass along as many of our findings as space will allow. We hope that many of you will take our invitation seriously, and that we will begin receiving your queries during the coming weeks. Finally, a word of recognition and thanks is in order on behalf of the staff member who originally established this section, Dr. Ned Davison, one of the true pioneers of computing in the humanities. His example will be hard to follow, and I am grateful that I will still be able to count on his expertise and direction during the coming years. He has agreed to assume new duties as the co-editor in charge of the Depositorio Hispánico, a project which is more closely related to his original interest in computer applications, that of literary analysis. His vast amount of experience will undoubtedly prove to be invaluable as the Depositorio continues to grow and develop. It is undeniable that the path ahead will be difficult, but also extremely exciting. Ned, Joe, and I are genuinely enthused about the prospects, and pledge to do our best to keep the readers informed. Nevertheless, we must also depend upon your help and participation in order to make this section a success. As we have stated many times in the past, we welcome your submissions, and sincerely hope that more of you will put forth the time and effort to share your knowledge about using computers with the rest of us in the profession. MDL
|
|||||||||||||||||||
395@UOFT
