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Museum and University Data, Program and Information Exchange 
NETWORKS 
The April, 1972, issue of DATAMATION summarizes information 
on seven existing networks in the United States, and devotes add¬ 
itional articles to other subjects in networking. What with the 
delightful "April Foolishness" in the same issue, it is worth 
reading. 
Of the seven systems described, three are emphasized as 
permitting dynamic file access. This allows a program to access 
remote data sets as if they were local, so the program can operate 
on a distributed data base with no special planning. This is 
central to my concept of a MUDPIE network, since it seems likely 
that at least in the early stages of inter-scientist exchanges 
each of us will be maintaining files of immediate use to others 
(i.e., taxonomic matrices), and a system permitting easy mutual 
access is vital. The MERIT system (Michigan Educational Research 
Information Triad) is already functional with taxonomic matrices 
(see MUDPIE 14, p. 4). It currently includes the Univ. of Mich¬ 
igan , Michigan State and Wayne State. There is no indication of 
expansion of the net to include others, but they are solving prob¬ 
lems that will make the future easier for all later. The DCS 
network (Distributed Computer Systems) is an experimental layout 
at U. Cal. Irvine. Stated aims include low cost, reliability, 
easy addition of new services, and low incremental expansion costs. 
If they ever apply those concepts on a nationwide basis, it is 
made to order for MUDPIE. The third is the TSS network, an 
experiment involving IBM and some of its 360/67 users. Since 
this is a commercial venture, perhaps it has the greatest poten¬ 
tial for immediate development into a functional unit available 
to MUDPIE.--JAP. 
CALCULATORS FOR FIELD USE 
The Lake Survey Center, NOAA, has recently been using a small 
electronic calculator, the Hewlett-Packard 9100B, as an aid in 
processing field measurements made by its precise leveling parties. 
This calculator is mounted on the front seat of a truck, and car¬ 
ried along with the survey crew. All measurements made are entered 
directly into the machine's keyboard, entirely eliminating the 
traditional notebook and pencil. This calculator checks all the 
data and will flash a red light if any errors are detected. Sur¬ 
veyors no longer need to spend several hours a day checking and 
rechecking their computations. P J Fremont, of the LSC Horizon¬ 
tal Control Section, who wrote the programs for the machine, is 
