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Manfred Broy, Ernst Denert

This book, coming with four DVDs, presents epochal works of 16 of the most influential software pioneers. Seminal historical papers, going back as far as to the 1950s, are complemented by new papers especially written by the software pioneers for inclusion in this book and by short biographical notes. The volume is based on a conference where the pioneers met and presented their assessment of the past, new ideas, and visions for the future. The volume editors coherently integrated the historical contributions with current aspects and future perspectives. The four DVDs included are an important supplement to the book providing more than 12 hours of video documentation. Besides a representative overview drawing together the highlights of the presentations, the video recording of each pioneer's talk together with the transparencies used is included. Together, the book and the four DVDs constitute a unique and major contribution to the history of software engineering.

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Walter J. Karplus

Each day we are bombarded with news of a new catastrophe of worldwide proportions promising to obliterate a part, if not all, of humankind. Confronted with these warnings of impending doom, our best defense is to understand how valid--or invalid--these predictions of calamity are. By perceiving these threats in a wise and sagacious way, we can best meet future challenges by not earmarking precious resources for wrong or misleading reasons. Walter Karplus, a professor of computer sciences at UCLA, in his 35 years of experience has made predictions for all kinds of phenomena by generating models and computer simulations. His decades of experience have taught him what we can and cannot predict with any accuracy. Dr. Karplus surveys the most hotly debated catastrophes that many scientists have predicted will imminently endanger the lives of countless people all over the globe.^ These catastrophes include the depletion of the ozone layer, the Greenhouse Effect, nuclear radiation, acid rain, the AIDS epidemic, the population explosion, another Great Depression, and earthquakes. Drawing on his superb background, he assesses the strengths and weaknesses of arguments propounding the seriousness of these calamities. All the while, he never allows us to lose sight of the profound shortcomings of scientific prediction. In his singularly engaging manner, Dr. Karplus traces the fascinating art of prediction from our earliest ancestors to today. He pronounces at what point prediction, even within science, becomes a black art. He elucidates the problems that computer simulations have in predicting events and goes on to pinpoint when and where these models lapse into the area of pure conjecture. Through reason and wit, Walter Karplus teaches us how to bring a trained eye to the predictions of disaster that unceasingly assault us.^ The Heavens Are Falling is an illuminating and entertaining work that bestows on us the wisdom to make informed judgments before taking arms against a sea of troubles.

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Ivo Mosley

Dumbing down is the phrase given to a widespread feeling of gloom and stupefaction, an is associated with the withdrawal into trivia in the face of an uncertain and possibly alarming future. The creation and manipulation of markets, media and power may yet end in the destruction of community, responsibility, morality, art, religion and the natural world. This text is a compilation of essays on changes in culture and the media and the dangers of their manipulation.

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Alison Kent

"Transforming the old Caffey property into Hope Springs's new community arts center won't be easy for celebrated weaver Luna Meadows, but she sees it as a labor of love. The center will honor Sierra Caffey, the best friend Luna lost years ago in a car crash. But when Angelo Caffey--Sierra's older brother and Luna's first love--returns to his family's former home demanding answers, Luna must also face her long-buried feelings for him. Angelo left Hope Springs--and Luna--eight years ago. Handsome and headstrong, he suspects the beautiful Luna harbors a secret about the accident. Yet despite his best efforts, he can't resist the heat that still simmers between them. Will the untold truth shatter their future? Or could a new beginning lie within the tangled threads of their past?"--Page [4] of cover.