Short Bios of Attendees Peter Mcburney Is a David Hales Is a Senior Professor of Computer Research Fellow at the Science and Head of the Open University

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Short Bios of Attendees Peter Mcburney Is a David Hales Is a Senior Professor of Computer Research Fellow at the Science and Head of the Open University Short Bios of Attendees Peter McBurney is a David Hales is a senior Professor of Computer research fellow at The Science and Head of the Open University. I do Department of Informatics at research at the overlap King's College London. He is a member of the Agents and between computer Intelligent Systems (AIS) science and social Group of the Department. McBurney's research science. I am interested in focuses on several areas in multi-agent software open distributed systems that include both machine and human agencies where the systems including: agent communications imposition of central control is not an option and languages (ACLs) and protocols; multi-agent one can't rely on the "invisible hands" of simulation models of public policy and corporate orthodox economic (or game) theory. strategy domains; the presence of reflective intelligent entities able to learn, and able Jeffrey Johnson is Professor of themselves to model the environment they are Complexity Science and Design. in; cyber conflict, cyberwar and cyberweapons. I joined the Open University in Seth Bullock is Professor in 1980 after three years as Senior the Agents, Interaction and Research Associate in the Complexity Group and the Geography Department of Cambridge University, and six Institute for Complex Systems years as Research Fellow in the Mathematics Simulation at the University of Department of Essex University. Southampton. My principal research interest is evolutionary simulation modelling: the Jeremy Pitt is Reader in, and, application of evolutionary modelling techniques deputy head of the Intelligent developed within artificial intelligence (e.g., Systems and Networks Group at genetic algorithms) to problems within evolutionary biology (e.g., the evolution of Imperial College. My research communication). I am also interested in self- focuses on a broad range of organisation and adaptation in engineered interests in Intelligent Systems, spanning human-network systems, such as computational ecosystems, interaction (in particular the use of Affective infrastructure systems. Computing in this context), multi-agent systems (specifically norm-governed and socio-cognitive Maria Fasli is senior lecturer agent societies), and ad hoc networks (including and head of school at self-organisation and Quality-of-Service (QoS) University of Essex, provisioning). Department of Computer Science. I am interested in Jim Doran is Professor Emeritus formal theories of cognitive agents. I am also interested in of Computer Science at Essex agents that have self-referential University. I was born at the capabilities and can reason about the truth and height of the Battle of Britain (thanks to Adolf Hitler), read falsity of propositions. Individual agents rarely mathematics at Oxford (thanks to act in isolation. On the contrary, they are Cookie Cookson), became a increasingly required to act as elements of large specialist in artificial intelligence at the University and complex systems and cooperate and of Edinburgh (thanks to Donald Michie and, coordinate with a number of other agents. indirectly, Alan Turing) and became a Professor Reasoning about cooperative activity and at the Computer Science Department at Essex teamwork in the context of formal theories (thanks to Tony Brooker). Throughout my career requires a very rich ontology of social and collective attitudes such as mutual beliefs and I have also applied statistical and computer intentions. methods in archaeology and anthropology. My publications and past projects reflect this mix of interests. neuroscience and cognitive science, and how Corinna Elsebroich is a these relate to our understanding of society. research fellow in the Centre for Research in Julian Padget is Lecturer in Social Simulation at the Computer Science at the Department of University of Bath. The main Sociology, University of focus of my research is Surrey. Her research understanding the nature of interests are (virtual) institutions and their formalisations of human behaviour, for example application to the correct in Rational Choice Theory and agent behaviour of software systems. Consequently conceptions in Artificial Intelligence, and how far there is a strong practical orientation involving they shed light on problems of sociology. She is significant software development. All the currently focusing is on formal models of application areas are intrinsically distributed, normative behaviour and how the relatively new such as agent-based systems, agent-based methodology of social simulation can contribute simulation, governance of agent interaction by to the age old problem of explaining norms (virtual) institutions, verification of (virtual) whilst keeping autonomy for the social agent. institutions, grid trading systems, mechanism design, (mathematical) web service brokerage, Nigel Shardlow is Director of (mathematical) web service composition, Planning at Sandtable Ltd. semantic service description and discovery, Sandtable creates simulations distributed sound synthesis and distributed of people, populations and musical performance using software and human markets to provide decision- agents. makers with insights about human behaviour, what drives Nick Gotts is an Independent it, how it changes and the best way to influence Researcher working with it. I started my career teaching philosophy at Agent-Based Modelling Oxford University and at Birkbeck College in the applied to social dilemmas University of London, but left academia to take and land use. He is part in the first internet revolution. I led the digital specifically interested in how media team at Orange and went on to head up adaptive agents and spatial the company's Innovation and New Product relationships relate to macro outcomes related to Development team, spanning many different environmental and common pool resource content and service sectors. I also founded SMS issues. He was formally a Senior Research company, Zygo Communications. Scientist at the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute. Greg Fisher is the Managing Director of the Synthesis. Jelena Grujic is a Research Synthesis is a think-tank Associate at Imperial College devoted to using the emerging in the Complexity and paradigm of complex Networks group, Dept. of networks in the social Mathematics. She is sciences to tackle social and interested into public policy concerns. He studied Economics & interdisciplinary research Politics at St John’s College, Cambridge, joined which she first stared to explore by working on the Bank of England as a graduate entrant in complex network with Prof. Bosiljka Tadić from 1995 and subsequently worked in a spectrum of Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia. Later roles that mixed economics and finance. she did a PhD in game theory at the Universidad Between 2004 and 2008, Greg worked for a Carlos III de Madrid in Spain under supervision hedge fund as a global macroeconomic of Anxo Sánchez and Jose Cuesta. During her strategist. Before joining the think-tank, PhD she conducted laboratory experiment with ResPublica, in August 2010, he spent two years human subjects playing the Prisoner dilemma on researching the new science of complex a virtual lattice. In combination with analytical systems, and how it relates to economics and work, she tried to understand if the spatial finance. Greg is a Senior Research Associate of structure actually promotes cooperation in the London School of Economics’ Complexity human societies. Group. His interests extend beyond pure economics, and include human psychology, Rhett Gayle is a philosopher Maria Chli is lecturer at the whose work has primarily focused Department of Computer on education and methods for Science, School of Engineering improving thinking. He also has and Applied Science, at Aston interests in the philosophy of University, Birmingham, UK. In leadership and teaching wisdom in most complex systems there is the current academy. He is writing a mechanism that maps simple a book on the connections between Taoism and local rules to the macroscopic behaviour of complexity science. Rhett is also involved in these systems. We use agent-based modelling New Enlightenment Education, an initiative and simulation to investigate the following bringing together Chinese and Western questions that arise from this fact: Given the set approaches to education. He is Director of of local interactions in a complex system (e.g. a Philosophies at the University Project, a working society, an economy, an ecology) can we predict group creating a new university in London. the large-scale patterns that emerge? Given the Through the miracle of the internet, while living large-scale patterns can we find the local in the UK he teaches philosophy at the interactions that lead to them? Can we define University of Colorado, Boulder, from where he local interactions that lead to the optimal large- received his PhD. scale patterns? Katarzyna Musial-Gabrys is Lecture in Computer Science and Yasmin Merali is Associate a founder of the interdisciplinary Professor of Information Complex Networks and Systems Systems and Co-Director, group at Kings College. The main Complexity Science Doctoral areas of my research interest are Training Centre at University complex networked systems, of Warwick Business School. analysis of their dynamics and the adaptation She has wide ranging mechanisms that exist within such systems. research interests including: complexity and Recent research is concerned with discovering transformation of organisations and socio- patterns in agents’
Recommended publications
  • Computer Conservation Society
    Issue Number 52 Autumn 2010 Computer Conservation Society Aims and objectives The Computer Conservation Society (CCS) is a co-operative venture between the British Computer Society (BCS), the Science Museum of London and the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Manchester. The CCS was constituted in September 1989 as a Specialist Group of the British Computer Society. It is thus covered by the Royal Charter and charitable status of the BCS. The aims of the CCS are: To promote the conservation of historic computers and to identify existing computers which may need to be archived in the future, To develop awareness of the importance of historic computers, To develop expertise in the conservation and restoration of historic computers, To represent the interests of Computer Conservation Society members with other bodies, To promote the study of historic computers, their use and the history of the computer industry, To publish information of relevance to these objectives for the information of Computer Conservation Society members and the wider public. Membership is open to anyone interested in computer conservation and the history of computing. The CCS is funded and supported by voluntary subscriptions from members, a grant from the BCS, fees from corporate membership, donations, and by the free use of the facilities of both museums. Some charges may be made for publications and attendance at seminars and conferences. There are a number of active Projects on specific computer restorations and early computer technologies and software.
    [Show full text]
  • Computer Conservation Society
    Issue Number 88 Winter 2019/20 Computer Conservation Society Aims and Objectives The Computer Conservation Society (CCS) is a co-operative venture between BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT; the Science Museum of London; and the Science and Industry Museum (SIM) in Manchester. The CCS was constituted in September 1989 as a Specialist Group of the British Computer Society. It is thus covered by the Royal Charter and charitable status of BCS. The objects of the Computer Conservation Society (“Society”) are: To promote the conservation, restoration and reconstruction of historic computing systems and to identify existing computing systems which may need to be archived in the future; To develop awareness of the importance of historic computing systems; To develop expertise in the conservation, restoration and reconstruction of historic computing systems; To represent the interests of the Society with other bodies; To promote the study of historic computing systems, their use and the history of the computer industry; To publish information of relevance to these objectives for the information of Society members and the wider public. Membership is open to anyone interested in computer conservation and the history of computing. The CCS is funded and supported by a grant from BCS and from donations. There are a number of active projects on specific computer restorations and early computer technologies and software. Younger people are especially encouraged to take part in order to achieve skills transfer. The CCS also enjoys a close relationship with the National Museum of Computing. Resurrection The Journal of the Computer Conservation Society ISSN 0958-7403 Number 88 Winter 2019/20 Contents Society Activity 2 News Round-Up 9 The Data Curator 10 Paul Cockshott From Tea Shops to Computer Company: The Improbable 15 Story of LEO John Aeberhard Book Review: Early Computing in Britain Ferranti Ltd.
    [Show full text]
  • Alan Turingturing –– Computercomputer Designerdesigner
    AlanAlan TuringTuring –– ComputerComputer DesignerDesigner Brian E. Carpenter with input from Robert W. Doran The University of Auckland May 2012 Turing, the theoretician ● Turing is widely regarded as a pure mathematician. After all, he was a B-star Wrangler (in the same year as Maurice Wilkes) ● “It is possible to invent a single machine which can be used to compute any computable sequence. If this machine U is supplied with the tape on the beginning of which is written the string of quintuples separated by semicolons of some computing machine M, then U will compute the same sequence as M.” (1937) ● So how was he able to write Proposals for development in the Mathematics Division of an Automatic Computing Engine (ACE) by the end of 1945? 2 Let’s read that carefully ● “It is possible to inventinvent a single machinemachine which can be used to compute any computable sequence. If this machinemachine U is supplied with the tapetape on the beginning of which is writtenwritten the string of quintuples separated by semicolons of some computing machinemachine M, then U will compute the same sequence as M.” ● The founding statement of computability theory was written in entirely physical terms. 3 What would it take? ● A tape on which you can write, read and erase symbols. ● Poulsen demonstrated magnetic wire recording in 1898. ● A way of storing symbols and performing simple logic. ● Eccles & Jordan patented the multivibrator trigger circuit (flip- flop) in 1919. ● Rossi invented the coincidence circuit (AND gate) in 1930. ● Building U in 1937 would have been only slightly more bizarre than building a differential analyser with Meccano.
    [Show full text]
  • ATLAS@50 Then and Now
    ATLAS@50 Then and now Science & Technology Facilities Council The origins of Atlas In the years following the Second World War, there was huge interest in nuclear physics technologies both for civilian nuclear energy research and for military nuclear weapons. These technologies required ever-increasing amounts of computer power to analyse data and, more importantly, to perform simulations far more safely than would be possible in a laboratory. By 1958, 75% of Britain’s R&D computer power was provided by the Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) at Aldermaston (using an American IBM 704), Risley, Winfrith and Harwell (each using a British Ferranti Mercury). These were however what we would now call The advisory panel for the super-computer single-user systems, capable of running only included Freddy Williams (a pioneer in radar and Foreword one program at a time, so were essentially very computer technology) from Victoria University large desktop calculators. Indeed, the name of Manchester, Maurice Wilkes (designer of It is now known as Rutherford Appleton Laboratory buildings R26 and R27, but over “computer” referred to the human operator; EDSAC, the Electronic Delay Storage Automatic its 50+ year history, the Atlas Computer Laboratory in the parish of Chilton has been the machinery itself was known as an Calculator) from Cambridge, Albert Uttley of the “automatic calculating machine.” RRE (Royal Radar Establishment), and Ted Cooke- part of many seminal moments in computing history. Yarborough (designer of the Dekatron and CADET British manufacturers of automatic calculating computers) from AERE Harwell; Christopher Over its 50+ year history it has also housed It was cleaned and restored as far as we could, machines were doing well until IBM announced Strachey (a pioneer in programming language many mainframe and super-computers including and took pride of place at an event held to that their first transistorised computer was to design) was in charge of design.
    [Show full text]
  • Curriculum Vitae (PDF)
    CURRICULUM VITAE JOHNSTON, RONALD JOHN Date of Birth: 30 March 1941 ACADEMIC CAREER 1959-1964 School of Geography, University of Manchester: Wiltshire County Scholarship 1959-1962 B.A. Honours, Class II.I June 1962 State Studentship in Arts 1962-1963 MA June 1964. 1964-1966 Department of Geography, Monash University 1964 Teaching Fellow 1965 Senior Teaching Fellow 1966 Lecturer 1967 PhD 1967-1974 Department of Geography, University of Canterbury 1967-1968 Lecturer 1969-1972 Senior Lecturer 1973-1974 Reader 1974-1992 Department of Geography, University of Sheffield 1974- Professor 1982-5 Head of Department. 1989-1992 Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of Sheffield. 1992-1995 Vice-Chancellor, University of Essex 1995- Professor of Geography, University of Bristol 1999- Adjunct Professor, Department of Human Geography, Macquarie University 2003- Member, Centre for Market and Public Organisation, Department of Economics, University of Bristol AWARDS 1969 Erskine Fellow, University of Canterbury. Fellowship awarded to enable attendance at international conferences in U.S.A. and U.K. and to undertake research in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. 1972 Visiting Associate Professor, Department of Geography, University of Toronto. 1973 Academic Visitor, Department of Geography, London School of Economics and Political Science. 1973 British Council Commonwealth Academic Interchange Scheme, Travel Fellowship. 1976 Official Overseas Guest, South African Geographical Society Quadrennial Conference, University of Orange Free State, Bloemfontein and Visiting Professor, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. 1985 Official Conference Guest, Conference of Irish Geographers, Carysfort College, Blackrock, February 1985. 1985 Recipient of the Murchison Award of the Royal Geographical Society, London, for contributions to political geography.
    [Show full text]
  • Compiler Construction
    Compiler construction PDF generated using the open source mwlib toolkit. See http://code.pediapress.com/ for more information. PDF generated at: Sat, 10 Dec 2011 02:23:02 UTC Contents Articles Introduction 1 Compiler construction 1 Compiler 2 Interpreter 10 History of compiler writing 14 Lexical analysis 22 Lexical analysis 22 Regular expression 26 Regular expression examples 37 Finite-state machine 41 Preprocessor 51 Syntactic analysis 54 Parsing 54 Lookahead 58 Symbol table 61 Abstract syntax 63 Abstract syntax tree 64 Context-free grammar 65 Terminal and nonterminal symbols 77 Left recursion 79 Backus–Naur Form 83 Extended Backus–Naur Form 86 TBNF 91 Top-down parsing 91 Recursive descent parser 93 Tail recursive parser 98 Parsing expression grammar 100 LL parser 106 LR parser 114 Parsing table 123 Simple LR parser 125 Canonical LR parser 127 GLR parser 129 LALR parser 130 Recursive ascent parser 133 Parser combinator 140 Bottom-up parsing 143 Chomsky normal form 148 CYK algorithm 150 Simple precedence grammar 153 Simple precedence parser 154 Operator-precedence grammar 156 Operator-precedence parser 159 Shunting-yard algorithm 163 Chart parser 173 Earley parser 174 The lexer hack 178 Scannerless parsing 180 Semantic analysis 182 Attribute grammar 182 L-attributed grammar 184 LR-attributed grammar 185 S-attributed grammar 185 ECLR-attributed grammar 186 Intermediate language 186 Control flow graph 188 Basic block 190 Call graph 192 Data-flow analysis 195 Use-define chain 201 Live variable analysis 204 Reaching definition 206 Three address
    [Show full text]
  • The Atlas Story
    The Atlas story. Simon Lavington. Second edition, 6 th December 2012. Contents. Introduction page 1 Birth pains 1 Atlas at Manchester 1 Ferranti and the market place 5 Timeline 6 Technical innovations: facts and figures 6 The London Atlas 8 The Chilton Atlas 9 The Atlas 2 developments 11 Titan at Cambridge 13 Atlas 2 at AWRE Aldermaston 13 Atlas 2 at the CAD centre 13 More technical details of Atlas installations 15 Physical layout 17 Organisation of the Atlas storage hierarchy 17 Format of an Atlas instruction. 19 Guide to the Atlas Supervisor 20 People and places 21 More information 22 Originally produced for the Atlas Symposium held on 5 th December 2012 in the School of Computer Science, Kilburn Building, University of Manchester. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the help given by many former Atlas pioneers in the writing of this brochure. Comments on the text are welcomed and should be sent to Simon Lavington : [email protected] Picture credits to copyright holders. Computer Laboratory, University of Cambridge: Figure 9 Graham Penning: Figure 10 Simon Lavington: Figure 3 Iain MacCallum: Front cover Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory: Figures 7a, 7b, 8 (On 5 th December the original printed version of this document had a cover design based on photographs of the Atlas at Manchester University in 1963). i By the end of 1955 there were less than 16 production digital computers in use in the UK. They were of five British designs, from five different companies, and were single-user systems with practically no systems software.
    [Show full text]
  • Whatever Happened to the Other Turing Machine?
    WhateverWhatever HappenedHappened toto thethe OtherOther TuringTuring Machine?Machine? Brian E. Carpenter Robert W. Doran The University of Auckland ACE2012 June 2012 WhateverWhatever HappenedHappened toto thethe OtherOther TuringTuring Machine?Machine? Brian E. Carpenter Robert W. Doran The University of Auckland ACE2012 June 2012 How we started ● In 1975, we (BEC and RWD) were lowly academics in the CS Department at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. ● There wasn’t much to do in Palmerston North at the weekend, and more seriously, research funding for CS was hard to get. ● We were both interested in computer architecture and its history. ● In 1975, computer history was largely American – the computer was the von Neumann machine and everybody knew about ENIAC and EDVAC. ● Early British computers were viewed as a footnote. 3 Inputs ● Turing was known as a theoretician and for his work on AI. ● But the first paper on ACE did say “based on an earlier design by A M Turing” (Wilkinson 1954). ● A trade press article by Rex Malik described Turing as “a four in the morning system kicker” - that didn’t sound like a theoretician. ● There were rumours of secret stuff happening during World War II, and there were Brian Randell’s 1972 paper and 1973 book. ● The Ultra secret was blown in 1974. ● In 1972, NPL issued a reprint of Turing’s 1945/46 ACE report; we got hold of it in 1975. 4 Processing the input ● Reading, in 1975, what Turing wrote in 1945 was an astounding experience. ● Of course, he’d read the EDVAC report by von Neumann, but the ACE proposal went much further.
    [Show full text]
  • 9789949199709.Pdf
    Tartu Ülikool Matemaatika-informaatikateaduskond Arvutiteaduse instituut Ain Isotamm TRANSLAATORITE TEGEMISE SÜSTEEM Tartu 2012 Toimetaja: Ahti Peder Käesoleva õpiku väljaandmist on toetanud Euroopa Sotsiaalfondi projekt „Informaatika ja infotehnoloogia magistriõppekavade arendamine Tartu Ülikooli arvutiteaduse instituudis koostöös Eesti infotehnoloogiaettevõtetega“. Küljendus: Ain Isotamm Keeletoimetus ja trükk: Tartu Ülikooli Kirjastus Autoriõigus: Ain Isotamm, 2012 ISBN 978-9949-19-970-9 Tartu Ülikooli Kirjastus www.tyk.ee SAATEKS See raamat on mõeldud eeskätt TÜ matemaatika-informaatikateaduskonna üliõpilastele õppe- materjaliks ainete „Automaadid, keeled ja translaatorid“ ja „Transleerimismeetodid“ omanda- mise hõlbustamiseks, ent mitte ainult − võib juhtuda, et sellest on abi ka rakendajale, kes peab realiseerima mingil masinal mingi (programmeerimis)keele, s.o. kirjutama programmide (pro tekstide) interpretaatori või kompilaatori1. Selle raamatu esimene2 kaasautor pidanuks olema Mati Tombak, kes raamatu kavandamisel arvas, et ta katab teoreetilised teemad, ent kirjutamist alustades selgus, et selleks eeldatud aeg oli liiga optimistlik. Millest on siiralt kahju: minu teooria-alane tekst tugineb nende kaante vahel Matilt õpitule (esmatutvuseks oli ta loengukursus TRÜs 1974. a. sügisel, mis oli orien- teeritud kõigile huvilistele). Ja kui matemaatikateaduskonnas oli paarkümmend aastat hiljem (kevadel 1998) vaja leida lektor uue kursuse „Kompilaatorid“ (teooria rakenduslik osa pluss realisatsioon) jaoks ja kui Tombak kutsus mind seda
    [Show full text]
  • Core Magazine May 2001
    MAY 2001 CORE 2.2 A PUBLICATION OF THE COMPUTER MUSEUM HISTORY CENTER WWW.COMPUTERHISTORY.ORG A TRIBUTE TO MUSEUM FELLOW TOM KILBURN PAGE 1 May 2001 A FISCAL YEAR OF COREA publication of The Computer Museum2.2 History Center IN THIS MISSION ISSUE CHANGE TO PRESERVE AND PRESENT FOR POSTERITY THE ARTIFACTS AND STORIES OF THE INFORMATION AGE VISION INSIDE FRONT COVER At the end of June, the Museum will end deserved rest before deciding what to Visible Storage Exhibit Area—The staff TO EXPLORE THE COMPUTING REVOLUTION AND ITS A FISCAL YEAR OF CHANGE John C Toole another fiscal year. Time has flown as do next. His dedication, expertise, and and volunteers have worked hard to give IMPACT ON THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE we’ve grown and changed in so many smiling face will be sorely missed, the middle bay a new “look and feel.” 2 ways. I hope that each of you have although I feel he will be part of our For example, if you haven’t seen the A TRIBUTE TO TOM KILBURN already become strong supporters in future in some way. We have focused new exhibit “Innovation 101,” you are in Brian Napper and Hilary Kahn every aspect of our growth, including key recruiting efforts on building a new for a treat. EXECUTIVE STAFF our annual campaign–it’s so critical to curatorial staff for the years ahead. 7 John C Toole FROM THE PHOTO COLLECTION: our operation. And there’s still time to Charlie Pfefferkorn—a great resource Collections—As word spreads, our EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CEO 2 CAPTURING HISTORY help us meet the financial demands of and long-time volunteer—has been collection grows, which emphasizes our Karen Mathews Chris Garcia this year’s programs! contracted to help during this transition.
    [Show full text]
  • E4. Catalogue of Historical Computer
    Version 1: 4th March 2016. Catalogue E, for box-files E1 – E4. Catalogue of historical computer documents donated by Professor D B G Edwards. Scope. These items, donated by Professor Edwards in December 2015, cover the design of computer systems within the University of Manchester, the people involved in the projects and the growth of a Department of Computer Science. A large number of photographs is included, both of equipment, of people and of buildings. The main period covered is from 1948 – 1988, with some additional material dating from 1935 and some up to 1998. Box-files E1 & E2 contain documents and manuals. Box-files E3 & E4 (catalogued from page 10 onwards below) contain photographs. Background. David Beverley George Edwards, known to colleagues as Dai, was born in Tonteg, South Wales in 1928. In 1945 he went to Manchester University to read Physics. In his third year he specialised in Electronics and came under the influence of Professor F.C. Williams. Dai graduated in Physics in July 1948. In September of that year he became a research student working under F.C. Williams in the Department of Electro-Technics on the expansion of the ‘Baby’ (SSEM) digital computer. He obtained his MSc in December 1949 and joined the University staff as an Assistant Lecturer. Dai remained a member of the academic staff all his working life, first within Electrical Engineering and then (from 1964) within the Department of Computer Science. He was promoted to Lecturer in 1954 and gained his PhD for the design and construction of MEG. In 1959 he became a Senior Lecturer, leading the engineering team for the MUSE/Atlas project.
    [Show full text]
  • Mercury Autocode, Atlas Autocode and Some Associated Matters
    Mecury Autocode, Atlas Autocode and some Associated Matters. Vic Forrington January 2014 My first experience of the Manchester contributions to computing development was at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough in 1959, where a Ferranti Mercury had just been installed. I had joined Mathematical Services Department from the Mathematical Laboratory at Cambridge where I had completed the Diploma in Numerical Analysis and Automatic Computing under Maurice Wilkes and the Edsac team. Incidentally Geoff Toothill, one of the original Manchester Baby team was at RAE at the time and I did a little bit of work with him on the concept of ternary arithmetic rather than binary, using the magnetic states of north, south and not magnetised. Digital computing at RAE (yes, there were such things as analogue computers, they were very good at integration but not too good at arithmetic; indeed to seek the best of both worlds I worked for a time on the development of a digital differential analyser designed to simulate an analogue computer within a digital environment), was based on two English Electric DEUCE machines called Gert and Daisy, with memories based on drum storage. To get reasonable performance from a program one needed to know the position of the drum relative to the read/write heads so that an operand was passing just at the right time without the instruction having to wait another drum rotation. Thus programming was restricted to particularly masochistic individuals who numbered about twenty out of a scientific and engineering establishment of some 6000 souls. Mercury, like Edsac 2, had a random access store and unlike Edsac had a drum backing store.
    [Show full text]