The Best of Creative Computing Volume 1 (published 1976)
Compleat Computer Catalogue (Media, Games and Simulations)
FUTURE REPORT
This l8~issues-per-year newsletter contains
scores of capsule reports in each
issue from one line to a few paragraphs
on emerging future trends. Generally a
number of computer-related items in each
issue. -The reports as a whole make a
fascinating mosaic of what society is
likely to be in the near future. Covers
subjects from space travel to energy,
medical practice to courtrooms, and
environment to music. Free Perpetual
Calendar of the Future with one-year
subscription. $36/year. Sample copy free.
Foundation for the Future, P.O. Box
2001, MIT Branch P.O., Cambridge, MA
02139.
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DO YOU SUPPORT TECHNOLOGY?
If you read Creative Computing
regularly, chances are you have a warm
spot in your heart for science and
technology. Many other people, particularly
students and educators, with similar
views have joined the Federation of
Americans Supporting Science and Technology.
Recent issues of FAAST News
have covered a variety of topics: Aerospace
(space shuttle, remote sensing,
'Cosmic/Charisma", the OSCAR satellite);
Biomedical (fetal research, continuing
medical education); Energy
(nuclear fuels, natural gas issues, cryogenic
energy, ERDA); Environment; and
various political activities. FAAST membership
(includes bi-monthly FAAST
News) $5.00.
FAAST, 1785 Massachusetts Ave.,
N.W., Washington, DC 20036.
PERSONAL PRIVACY VS. THE CORPORATE COMPUTER
Americans have long abhorred the
spector of a faceless, bureaucratic Big
Brother. As computerized personal data
systems have grown more and more
sophisticated, many people have become
concerned about the threat these systems
pose to individual privacy. Recently some
state and federal regulations have been
passed to counter the threat and more are
in the offing. But the cost of complying
with them will be very high. In an article
in Harvard Business Review (Vol. 53, No. 2,
Mar-Apr 1975), Robert Goldstein and
Richard Nolan discuss the impact of the
new privacy laws on five active personal
data systems - consumer credit, health,
personnel, insurance, and law enforcement.
They also suggest several steps that
organizations must take to adjust to the
new environment. Reprints of 'Personal
Privacy vs. the Corporate Computer" cost
$3.00 each for 1 to 5 or 50¢ each for 6 or
more (why get 1 when you can get 6 for
the same price'?).
Reprint Service, Harvard Business
Review, Boston, MA 02163.
MAJOR ROLES FOR MINICOMPUTERS
IN BUSINESS
Managers have known for several years
that the effectiveness of a computer
system is proportional to the square of its
cost, i.e., pay twice as much and get four
times the performance. Because of this
and because there have been so few
computer specialists to go around, companies
have tended to centralize their
EDP operations. But these premises are
now shifting as minis become more cost
effective and as more people are trained
in computers. An article, 'At last, major
roles for minicomputers" by Gerald
Bumett and Richard Nolen in Harvard
Business Review (Vol. 53, No. 3, May-Jun
I975), discusses four companies that have
used minis differently. The authors
suggest steps for management to analyze
minis and assimilate them into the
organization. Reprints (one article or
mixed) $3.00 each (1 to 5) or 50¢ each (6
or more).
Reprint Service, Harvard Business
Review, Boston, MA 02163.
MEDIA
SPACE: 1999
Did you catch the first episode of
Space: 1999 on TV where the computer
said, 'not-enough-data-to-compute.
HUMAN DECISION NECESSARY"? A
close second to Star Trek, Space: 1999 is
an excellent British TV series starring
Martin Landau and Barbara Bain (remember
Mission: Impossible?). Based largely
on fact and well executed. Check your
local listings; it's not a network show.
VIDEO DISKS
Within 5 to 10 years, video disk
players will be commonplace in homes
and schools. Add a keyboard, microprocessor,
and memory device, and
you've got an interactive super game
player. Can you imagine going to your
local record store and buying a video disk
of space games, auto racing games, or
word games? lt's coming, gang. Today,
however, you'1l have to settle for a nice
glossy 40-page booklet, MCA DiscoVision."
Free while they last.
MCA Disco-Vision, 100 Universal City
Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608.
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COMPUTERS IN SOCIETY
Two one-half hour radio interviews
with M. Granger Morgan of the Office of
Computing Activities, National Science
Foundation on the 'Impact of Computers
on Society" are contained on this
standard C-60 cassette tape. Order No.
T-7404. $5.00.
World Future Society Book Service,
4916 St. Elmo Ave., Washington, DC
20014.
153
GAMES
AND
SIMULATIONS
SHANTI - THE GAME OF EVERLASTING PEACE
Shanti is a game for two to four
players. It is designed to illustrate
principles of cooperation, harmony, and
sewing others. The objective is to move
from student to Master to Bodhisattra
and then to move freely on the board
helping others. The 'board" is actually a
hand silk-screened muslin cloth and the
markers are beautifully hand carved and
painted. It is obvious that hours of loving
labor (cottage industry kind) go into
every set. $12.95.
Kanthaka Press, Box 696, Brookline
Village, MA 02147.
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DESIGN YOUR OWN GAME
This booklet by Harvard McLean and
Michael Raymond contains a wealth of
pragmatic instruction in how to construct
simulations and instructional games. The
process is described step by step with
examples to illustrate most points. $1.75.
The Simulation and Gaming Association,
RR No. 2, Greentree Rd., Lebanon,
OH 45036.
THE GUIDE TO SIMULATIONS/
GAMES FOR EDUCATION & TRAINING
By David Zucherman and Robert
Horn, this is the most comprehensive
guide to educational games and simulations.
The second edition contains over
600 entries grouped into 20 categories.
Each entry contains detailed information
on playing (age level, number of players,
playing and preparation time), materials,
the objectives, nature, and role of the
game. Also price and source information.
Several articles on the use of simulations
are also included. $15.00.
Information Resources, Inc., P.O. Box
493, Lexington, MA 02173.
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