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Information Products Group
Systems Development Division
August 19, 1977
To: Wendell Shultz, D. Liddle
Copies to: SO Managers, D. DeSantis, E. Harslem, S. Wallace, 1. \Vick
From: Charles I rby
Subject: August Status Report for Common Softw~lfe
Filed on: Progress. A ug
Munagcl11ent Review Committee Demo
A full demo was given for Jack Lewis and some of his people {Adams, Conway, Gingrich,.
Holland, Lanes, Padalino, Potter, Tregub}. Although preparation was somewhat tense (Murphy's
Law had LIS by the throat all morning!), the demo went well, with very few hardware, software, or
people failures. Bob, David, Jan, Gail, and Bev all performed admi rably. The demo took
somewhat longer than expected. We hope to correct for this before the demo to the MRC. The 1
September date for that demo has become uncertain because of McCardell's resignation. Also,
plans for video taping the demo have not been solidified.
VIe were unable to connect with the A&E ethernet prior to the Lewis demo because the cables
would not fit through the underground conduit connecting the two buildings. Thus, we were not
able to conduct that part of the demo. We showed eight vignettes of generic word
processing/document creation tasks including text editing, format editing, form letters, statistical
tables and formulas, records management, graphics, and form design and fillin. In doing so, we
utilized 13ravo 7.0, Desktop, Formula (McGregor/Kimball), Form-Letter (Kimball), Find
(Deutsch), Sil, and Spruce. Ralph generated an improved set of fonts for the Sequoia prior to the
demo.
User Interface Specification
The user interface group is carefully reviewing the recent Janus-1 Functional Specification. To
date, Ralph and I have been unable to devote much time to this review because of the MRC demo
preparations. We will both have it read by the time we come back from our respective vacations
(on the 29th). A formal review has been setup for Sept 1 and 2 in Palo Alto.
Data Management
Work is progressing well on the format and interface to higher level file directories. Several
design memos were produced. In addition, our data management people are helping with the
Pilot File System design. Richard Moore will start work on 22 August.
Diamond anti Desktop
Jack Newlin's work in Diamond is complete for the time being. He is now working on graphics
in Desktop, making them more like the Janus Functional Spec to test its validity ancl to test some
other competitive ideas. Dave Smith has re-implemented the Desktop window and menu
mechanisms to conform to the Janus Functional Spec. He is also bcgining work with the new
compiled smalltalk. aiding people in EI Segundo who wish to lise it for prototyping. The
formula/table software is being integrated with Desktop. We arc also working with Bob
Metcalfe's people to integrate their ethernet software with Desktop for the In/Out Basket
function.
We are at a cross roads with respect to Desktop. We can choose to make it more useful as a
component of Early Bird or we can start exploring some new areas. sllch as records management,
form design, and so forth. We need guidance soon. We now have four good programmers versed
in the code and ready to move in one of the two directions. As the program now stands, it is not
rugged enough for extended use in an operational setting. The editor would have to be recoded
and there is no formatting and layout support. It is my belief that we can do this in time for
Early Bird if we begin soon.
Training
Work has begun in the Application Software Group on the implementation of one of the games
suggested for use as a training aid. It is hoped that these games can be developed as part of the
training of new junior programmers now coming on board. However, we probably need a
programmer assigned to the task of supporting the development of CAl training disks. Some
specific recomendations for other training materials were made. We need to review scope and
staffing for training.
'Vork Plan
Since the DO Engineering Models have slipped, the Pilot Functional Spec has slipped, some of
our people have been loaned to the Pilot group, and the M RC Demo preparations have taken
much of our time, Wendell has asked that I publish an update to the Common Software \Vork
Plan. This will be done before the end of the month, if possible.
128K Altos
A letter of intent is being prepared for retrofitting some of our Alto lis with 128K of memory.
This will be most useful in the area of prototyping user interface features. The current plan is to
equip six common software Altos, one Simonyi Alto, three Szelong Altos, and three or four
OSD/Early Bird Altos with the extra memory. We have also agreed to pay a one time
engineering charge for re-engineering one of the boards.