3 
Any other institution having a time-shared connection to a computer and willing 
to participate in the exchange of data, information, or programs should send 
information on preferred method of contact to James A. Peters, Division of 
Reptiles, Museum of Natural History, Washington, D. C. 20560. 
MAGAZINE available 
Volume 1, number 1, of "Computer Decisions," a magazine appeared in 
September, 1969. It is dedicated to serving the need for "perception of the 
computer's potential, as well as its limitations, in every field." Subscription 
is free, if you qualify under their definitions of the kind of user they wish 
to reach. Address is: Computer Decisions, Hayden Publishing Company, Inc., 
850 Third Avenue, New York, N. Y. 10022. Ask for their "Free subscription 
application. 
CRAM-COURSE IN TIME-SHARE COMPUTING 
MUDPIE 7 announced a cram course in time-share computing, to be held at the 
Smithsonian during June of 1969. This course was held, with eight people attend¬ 
ing, three from outside the Smithsonian (from the Carnegie Museum, the California 
Academy of Sciences, and the University of Hawaii), and could presumably be called 
successful, because all "foreigners" were writing programs and working independ¬ 
ently with the computer by the end of the second day. I can think of no 
particularly good reason that such a course could not be held again some day, 
so if any of the recipients of MUDPIE think they might be able to come to 
Washington for the accumulation of a basic ground work in time-share computing, 
write to James A. Peters, Division of Reptiles, Natural History Museum, Washington, 
D. C., 20560, and indicate when in the next couple of years you would be able to 
come. If we can put a group together without too much trouble, we will do it. 
RECENT LITERATURE OF INTEREST TO MUDPIE READERS 
Arnett, Ross H., Jr. Storage and retrieval of information from insect collections. 
Entomological News, vol. 80, 1969, pp. 197-205. 
Bensusan, A. D. Requirements, potential and scope for computers in museums. Samab - 
South African Museums Association Bulletin, vol. 9, 1968, pp. 149-163. A report 
on committee review of plans for computer use in South African museums. As now 
appears inevitable, primary concern revolves around computerization of catalogue 
data, and there is little discussion of MUDPIE-type use. 
Fox, L. and D. F. Mayers. Computing methods for scientists and engineers. Clarendon 
Press, Oxford, 1968, 255 pp. Not for the systematic biologist who wants to 
learn more about "computing methods for scientists." Requires a firm math 
background to get off the third or fourth page, and does not tolerate browsing. 
Gery, J. Un essai de systematique quantitative: La classification des especes du 
genre Alestes s. lat . (Pisces, Characoidei). Vie et Milieu, Serie A: Biologie 
Marine, vol. 19, 1968, pp. 171-194. 
