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An instructor's manual prepared at a 1967 conference of the American Society of Information Science and designed for use in an introductory tutorial on EDP (Electronic Data Processing) concepts is presented. The manual covers a selection of topics appropriate to a general course for individuals with little or no direct experience. Following an historical review of computer development and antecedent concepts, an overview of components and their organization as a system is provided. Program and language concepts are introduced, and component interrelationships are demonstrated by following the sequence of a simple program in solving an exemplary problem. Storage devices are then considered in detail, including the meaning of data representation and addressing; a review of core, drum, disk, and data cell units; methods of organizing stored data and access procedures; and the mechanics of input-output processing. Finally, data transmission and aspects of communication with the compute r in time-sharing systems are detailed with a concluding comment on social implications of computer utility and EDP effectiveness. The text is accompanied by illustrations of major systems components, and a bibliography of supporting introductory readings is included. (SS)

1Boy Crusoe

By Allan Eric

Also published as" A Yankee Crusoe" . A 15 year old hard working and studious farm boy finds the lure of adventure on the seas as a merchant seaman more than he can resist. This is his story. " I was born in a little town in the State of Maine, near the close of the Civil War. My boyhood life did not differ materially from that of the average farmer's son in the remote country districts of New England--except, perhaps, that I read more and thought more. Hard work on the rugged soil, two terms each year in the little yellow country schoolhouse, a day's fishing now and then filled the early years of my life full to over-flowing. " What he gets is enough excitement and adventure to overflow his wildest dreams. How he experiences disaster and uses his wits and knowledge to overcome every problem makes for a great read. - Summary by Phil Chenevert