— TECH NAT L INST. OF STAND & NBS Reference Publi- cations c A 11105 )fi350M i^ddik 84-2878^/ Selected Articles on Microcomputers U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Bureau of Standards Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology Center for Programming Science and Technology Washington, DC 20234 May 1984 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ''ATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS - QC — 100 . U56 84-2373R 1384 NBSIR 84-2878 SELECTED ARTICLES ON MICROCOMPUTERS Lynne Rosenthal U S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Bureau of Standards Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology Center for Programming Science and Technology Washington, DC 20234 May 1984 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Malcolm Baldrige, Secretary NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS. Ernest Ambler. Director SELECTED ARTICLES ON MICROCOMPUTERS ABSTRACT There is an abundance of information being written about microcomputers and related products. Often the reader is overwhelmed at where to begin. This document provides the reader with basic microcomputer information and provides a starting point for further examination of the subjects. The readings cover a broad range of topics including management and technical aspects of hardware, software, communications, and support. Key words: communication, management, microcomputer, micro-mainframe connection, personal computers, selection, software . Page 1 SELECTED ARTICLES ON MICROCOMPUTERS 1.0 INTRODUCTION This document provides a collection of readings to those involved in the selection, operation, and/or management of microcomputer systems. This effort in compiling references has been prompted by the growing interest of the Federal community in microcomputer systems and the overwhelming amount of information on the subject. The selected readings are intended to help the reader acquire basic information on microcomputers and provide them with a starting point for further examination of the subjects. This document is part of a continuing effort and is an update to a previous bibliography, "An Annotated Bibliography of Introductory Articles to Aid in the Selection of Small Computer Systems," NBSIR 82-2573, August 1982 . The articles selected cover a broad range of microcomputer topics, including managerial and technical aspects of hardware, software, communications, and support. The intent is to provide articles that are generic in nature, in that they are not product reviews, but rather discussions of features, techniques, and/or concerns associated with microcomputers and related products and services. Thus, the identification/discussion of a product within an article is not the prime emphasis, but rather a means of illustration. It is hoped that the value of the information presented here will not rapidly decay over time. The document is comprised of reprints of articles from readily available magazines and journals which are considered primary sources for articles on microcomputer systems (Appendix). No claim to exhaustiveness is made. The articles were reviewed, evaluated, and selected as to their value in fulfilling the objectives of this document. It must be recognized that new articles on microcomputers continue to be published, and it is therefore impossible for this selected readings to include the most recent material. Because of the nature of this document, it is necessary to mention vendors and commercial products. The absence or presence of a particular product does not imply criticism or endorsement by the National Bureau of Standards or the author This document is part of a continuing effort to provide the Federal community with standards and guidelines, and advice, assistance, and information about the acquisition, ) Page 2 management, and use of small computer systems. The author invites comments and suggestions on this document, future selected reading efforts, and/or our microcomputer program activities. The author can be contacted at: System Selection and Evaulation Group Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology National Bureau of Standards Washington, D.C. 20234 (301 92 1 -3485 1 . 1 DOCUMENT OVERVIEW To aid the reader in locating areas (or articles) of interest, Section 2: Article Compendium is a listing of the readings selected for this document. The articles are divided into several general categories, and are preceded by the page number of the article as listed in Section 3 of this document. Although each article has been assigned to a specific category, it is possible that some of the articles might also be appropriate in other categories. The categories are arranged in the following order: 1 . OVERVIEW These articles present information related to the changing role of computing due to the use of microcomputers within an organization. 2. POLICY/STRATEGY These articles address the issues and concerns associated with developing organizational strategic plans for microcomputer resources. 3. ACQUISITION These articles discuss the methods and impact of acquiring microcomputer systems. 4. SELECTION These articles describe a methodology to be used in the evaluation and selection of a microcomputer system. 5. HARDWARE These articles describe various components of a microcomputer system, ranging from the microprocessor to various peripherals. Page 3 6. SOFTWARE These articles cover a wide range of topics ranging from the procedural aspects of selecting and using software to a discussion of application software. 7. INTERCONNECTION These articles address the needs, benefits, or methods for connecting a microcomputer to other computer systems 8. ON-LINE INFORMATION These articles identify and describe services available for the electronic dissemination of information. 9. SUPPORT These articles discuss several of the microcomputer support activities that can or should be implemented by an organization. 1.2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Special thanks are extended to Shirley Radack of the Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology for her assistance in the preparation of this document. The author acknowledges the assistance of the authors or magazine and journal publishers for granting permission to reproduce articles from their publications. The name and subscription address of the publications can be found in the Appendix :: Page 4 2.0 ARTICLE COMPENDIUM 1. OVERVIEW: page 10 "Smooth Sailing", Alan D. Mazursky, Computerworld Office ti_on 8 Aut oma , Volume 17, Number A, February 23, 1983, pp. 17-24. Overview of microcomputing including discussions on technology, application and system software, communications, and management issues. 2. POLICY/STRATEGY: page 15 "Corporate Moves With Micros", Frank D. Girard, Computerworld : O ff ice Automation, Volume 17, Number 41A, October 12, 1983, pp. 13-15. Discussion of key areas in the development of guidelines for the use of microcomputer systems. page 17 "Breaking Ground", Walter Ulrich, Computerworld : EXTRA!, Volume 17, Number 48A, November 30, 1983, pp. 47-50. Case history of how one company established a microcomputer policy. 3. ACQUISITION: page 20 "Purchasing Micros", Aaron Goldberg, Computerworld OUlce Automation, Volume 17, Number 32A, August 17, 1983, pp. 37,40,41,44,45. Questions such as: Who is buying micros?, where are they coming from?, and what impact will they have?, are discussed. 4. SELECTION: page 23 "Fear of Buying", Rebecca Houck, Dg.sk.tgp. Computi ng , February 1983, pp. 46-48,50,51. Description of a general, commonly used methodology for buying a microcomputer system. page 27 "How to Choose a Portable", Stanley J. Wszola, BY1£, September 1983, pp. 34,35,44-47. Explanation of portable systems and exploration of its various components. page 31 "Multi-user Systems Offer Substantial Savings", Ken Pedersen, Desktop ng December Computi , 1982, pp. 48-50,52. Discussion of the advantages, limitations, and related issues of multiprocessor systems. ,: Page 5 5. HARDWARE: page 36 "Bit by Bit”, Ken Sheldon, Desktop Computing. March 1983, pp. 18,19. Introductory explanation of the meaning and implications of 8, 16, and 32 bit microcomputers. page 38 '•Purchasing Computer Power", Mark Phillips, PC WORLD, Volume 1, Number 4, May 1983, pp. 292-296. Outline of a cost/benefits approach to buying more memory or storage. page 43 "How to Choose a Printer for Your Personal Computer", Bruce Thatcher, LIST, Spring 1983, pp. 108-110. Limited discussion of printer types and capabilities. page 46 "The Basics of Modems", Kenneth R. Guy, Hardcopy September 1983, pp. 84,86,90. Explanation of modems and how they work. 6. SOFTWARE: page 50 "Software Evaluation", Michael Hammer, Computerworld Office Automation, Volume 17, Number 24A, June 15, 1983, pp. 53,54,56,58,59. Criteria for deciding what software is best for you. page 52 "Copying Computer Software: What Risks, What Penalties?", Personal Computing . May 1983, pp. 131,132,134. Discussion of copyright law and the legal implications of copying or modifying software. page 55 "Free Software: Is It Any Good?", James E. Fawcette, Personal Computing , January 1984, pp. 243,245,247. Discussion of public domain software; where to find it and is it of any use. page 57 "Choosing What's Best for Your Purposes: The Family Tree Of Computer Languages", Bernard Cole, Eo.E.y.l_2.c Computing . September 1983, pp. 82-86,88. Guidelines for understanding computer languages as well as a survey of several major/popular languages page 62 "The Processed Word", Terry Tinsley Datz and F. L. Datz. Softalk. August 1Q88 op. 4Q-S3. t Survey of various word processing program features . Page 6 page 66 "Assessing Your Data Management Needs", Deward F. Sayle, Desktop. Computing