Editorial Pointers
THE FIRST ISSUE WAS 20 PAGES. ITS TECHNICAL
50THANNIVERSARY ISSUE
content fell into three departments: Standards;
JANUARY 2008 VOLUME5 1, NUMBER 1
Computer Techniques; and Unusual Applications. It
told of new methods for square-root computations
and of a programmed binary counter for the IBM
Type 650 calculator.
It was January 1958. Sputnik had been launched by
the Soviet Union three months prior; the computing
field was still abuzz over IBM’s commercial release of its pioneering
Fortran compiler; and two teens in Liverpool named McCartney and
Lennon had recently been introduced by mutual friends.
Communications of the ACM would join the then four-year-old
Journal of the ACM as partners in the dissemination of computing
research news. Indeed, CACM was created as a vehicle for ACM
members to “communicate” their research findings with each other in
an effort to eliminate reinventing the wheel. Over the years, this
membership would grow to represent every known computing field;
from every corner of the world, from the halls of academia to corporate
suites and entrepreneurial garages. It would become ACM’s flagship
publication and share the kind of landmark discoveries, research, and
accomplishments that would influence the course of computer science
and, in turn, our daily lives and livelihoods.
Now it’s 50.
To honor this milestone, we’ve invited many leading contributors
from CACM’s past, present, and future to share their memories and
perceptions. The Editors-in-Chief who have guided this publication
through the decades played a great role in CACM’s distinguished
history as chronicler of the field. We are honored to present their
recollections here. We are also proud to introduce the newly appointed
EIC, Moshe Vardi, who details the next editorial direction for CACM
and the planning and preparation that has led up to this model (see
page 44).
We also called on prominent voices in the computing field (and in
the pages of CACM over the years) to participate in this anniversary
celebration by sharing their thoughts, insights, and concerns about
some of the next big stories likely to emerge. We are indebted to all
who have offered their efforts and expertise to the issue. Their participation truly reflects great respect for this publication and for the audience it continues to serve.
On a personal note, many thanks to CACM’s Senior Editor Andrew
Rosenbloom; Managing Editor Tom Lambert; and Art Director Caren
Rosenblatt for an extraordinary team effort.
We hope these stories serve to inspire, influence, and teach—a
legacy befitting ACM’s premier publication. Enjoy.
A monthly publication of
the ACM Publications Office
ACM
2 Penn Plaza, Suite 701
New York, NY 10121-0701 USA
(212) 869-7440 FAX: (212) 869-0481
Group Publisher: Scott Delman
Editor: Diane Crawford
Managing Editor: Thomas E. Lambert
Senior Editor: Andrew Rosenbloom
Editorial Assistant: Zarina Strakhan
Copyright: Deborah Cotton
Contributing Editors
Phillip G. Armour; Hal Berghel;
Michael A. Cusumano; Peter J. Denning;
Robert L. Glass; Seymour Goodman;
Rebecca Mercuri; Peter G. Neumann;
Pamela Samuelson; Meg McGinity Shannon
Art Director: Caren Rosenblatt
Production Manager: Lynn D’Addesio
Advertising
ACM Advertising Department
2 Penn Plaza, Suite 701, New York, NY 10121-0701
(212) 869-7440; Fax: (212) 869-0481
Account Executive:
William R. Kooney: acm-advertising@acm.org
For the latest media kit—including rates—contact:
Graciela Jacome: jacome@acm.org
Contact Points
CACM editorial: crawford_d@acm.org
Copyright permission: permissions@acm.org
Calendar items: calendar@acm.org
Change of address: acmcoa@acm.org
Communications of the ACM
(ISSN 0001-0782) is published monthly by the
ACM, 2 Penn Plaza, Suite 701, New York, NY
10121-0701. Periodicals postage paid at
New York, NY 10001, and other mailing
offices.
POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to
Communications of the ACM, 2 Penn Plaza,
Suite 701, New York, NY 10121-0701 USA
Printed in the U.S.A.
EDITOR