Working collaboratively across time zone differences is an important issue for distributed software development projects. In such work, computer mediated communications, especially mailing lists, have been widely used for global software development. It is commonly agreed on that time zone differences have a negative impact on real time communications, such as instant messaging and video conferences. However, research results are unclear on whether time zone differences can cause excessive delays in asynchronous communication mediums, such as emails and discussion boards. This paper studies the effect of time zone differences through mining and investigating the Linux kernel mailing list archive. We extract time zone differences and message communication delays between developers. Statistical tests are used to analyse and identify correlations. Our study shows that within the Linux project, time zone differences between developers have a significant effect on short-term email communication delays of 24 hours or less.
Many developing countries see information technology as a means of achieving rapid development and of addressing problems in such areas as balance of payments and national security. There is no doubt that information technology has far–reaching effects. But IT must be seen from an appropriate perspective. Developing countries should be careful in weighing the costs and benefits of information technology and judging these in the contexts of their available resources and prevailing economic conditions.
This paper focuses on describing how to apply document image processing technology into fax communications. The remainder of this paper is organised as follows. Section 2 introduces the concepts on document image processing. Section 3 describes the fax message analysis process, it focuses on discussing the address block identification and address data analysis. Some experimental results are also given. Section 4 describes the system architecture and user interface of the AutoFax system. Finally, conclusion and future work are given in Section 5.
The computer explosion began in 1980 with the introduction of microcomputers. As everyone was made aware of the effects of this explosion on their lives, society became concerned with making students learn about computers. Business schools were the first to start teaching introductory courses in data processing. Later, the universities started requiring all students to take a course in computers. At the same time, many high schools also introduced courses in computing. These separate, but similar courses at the secondary and college levels resulted in duplication for some students. To determine how many students are taking or have taken similar courses, I conducted a study of the students taking the Introduction to Data Processing course at Central Michigan University. The study confirms that duplication did occur. The paper discusses the amount of duplication and suggests ways to reduce it.
Multi–attribute utility theory is commonly applied to decision–making problems in which the possible decision consequences are characterised by more than one attribute. This study developed utility functions to provide a measure of effectiveness for project ranking and ultimately to enhance productivity in the computer science department of a large organisation. Steps in developing utility functions are summarised, and questions requiring answers are presented. The computer science model illustrated in this study uses twenty–one attributes in the major categories of services, security, personnel, and development. This model is illustrated in exhibits, and its use, flexibility, and implementation are discussed. Conclusions are drawn as to the value of using such a model as an aid to decision making.
This paper presents our explorative work in software reusability in Ada. In order to demonstrate the reusable components, three application problems are solved by means of object–oriented programming using Ada.
As the popularity of design supporting environments and the large volume of data created during the design process have increased, how to effectively manage the engineering data has become an interesting as well as important research topic. In this paper, we present an object–oriented engineering data management system (EDMS) that not only has the advantages of an object–oriented data model, such as flexible incorporation of application–specific rules within each object, but also has the advantages of (1) being adaptable to existing design tools, and (2) supporting both top–down and bottom–up design paradigms. The first advantage saves re–investment in new design tools, while the second promotes the reusability of design data. In addition to the detailed description of the proposed data model, a computer system design example will be presented to illustrate the application of the EDMS. The implementation mechanisms arc also explored.
The aim of this paper is to present a generic concurrent engineering implementation support framework. A methodology defining the introduction of concurrent engineering (CE) based product engineering processes is outlined. This is generic in nature but designed to be adaptable to specific company needs. This work has been carried out as part of the Brite-EuRam PACE (a 'Practical Approach to Concurrent Engineering') project. The primary aim of PACE is to provide a holistic technology transfer infrastructure enabling the effective and efficient change and improvement of present engineering practices towards concurrent engineering principles. Implementing CE successfully requires a huge cultural change in an organization. This paper presents how the generic implementation framework was derived and why the consortium considers it encapsulates the pertinent issues of change towards CE and addresses the holistic approach adopted by PACE. The framework is especially aimed at showing how to implement CE in an ordinary company i.e. not using a 'super-motivated' project team. It is based on the steps of change management in the specific context of CE and provides a structure for implementation, drawing on literature and experiences of the PACE industrial partners.
The paper challenges the premise that all data collected in the insurance industry must be stored in the database. This paper applies a cost/benefit model that allows for testing and assessing of data items currently stored in the database, as well as providing a 'to store or not to store' decision policy regarding prospective data. An empirical case study of a life insurance agency is presented through which the ideas are illustrated.
The field of a two–pole magnetic system, consisting of an AC electric machine stator with no secondary medium present, was computed using the finite–element method. The influence of the slot wedge value and that of the nonlinearity of the ferromagnetic parts on the field inhomogeneity and on the magnetic flux were determined. The application of an approximative expression for the flux density is specified.
In a contemporary computer-aided manufacturing environment the cost-effective, in the short term, and reliable operation of the distributed control systems is important. To fulfil this task a new concept is proposed here consisting of a method and tool.
The purchasing function is of vital importance in manufacturing because materials and components form a significant part of product costs. Vendor assessment provides management with a powerful control tool. The gleaned information is both useful in negotiations with suppliers and in contributing towards the establishment of closer links. This article discusses the state of the art of vendor rating and gives details of a flexible programme designed to make the assessment system more relevant and effective. The programme can also be employed to assist in the supplier evaluation and qualification processes.
Various simulation programs are used in analyzing vehicle performance. In some cases, experimental data-based simulation programs are more effective in terms of practicality or calculation accuracy. Models for analyzing vehicle performances (driving performance, noise, vibration, etc.) have been developed and systemized by unifying experimental data acquisition systems and simulation systems. Furthermore, a data base containing simulation inputs has been constructed. This system embodies the advanced concepts of CAE systems advocated in recent years. Application of this system should enable effective performance analyses to be carried out in every area.
This paper presents an approach towards integrating three different technologies, namely computer–aided design, computer vision and robotics into one unified CAD–based robotic vision system for three–dimensional objects. The underlying principle of our approach to the design of the system lies in the concept of off–line programming or pre–computation. Three–dimensional CAD models constructed by the CAD system are used as the basis for recognising and locating objects. They are precomputed for their vision model during an off–line phase so that efficient and fast recognition of the object is possible during the run–time phase.
Most facsimile machines are manually operated, and accept only documents printed or handwritten on paper. Few of them are interfaced to computers. Currently there are a number of low–cost facsimile interface adapters designed for PCs which not only provide a link between a PC and a facsimile machine, but also perform most of the traditional facsimile functions. These adapters are able to transmit and receive messages as any ordinary facsimile machine does. They also have the added advantage of being able to send ASCII files from a PC directly and to display the received images on a VDU. They are thus more economic and easier to operate. Their only disadvantage is their inability to accept graphic inputs. This can be overcome by installing a hand scanner to act as a graphic input device. In this paper, we shall discuss the performance of two facsimile interface systems, namely the CWS–186F and the MFAX75S. The possibility of an efficient OCR system based on noise–free facsimile transmission is also discussed.
Computer–aided engineering (CAE) in vehicle dynamics consists of three subsystems, namely measurement, evaluation and prediction. It is important that each sub–system evolves in harmony with the others to ensure system co–ordination. Some remarkable attempts at using this CAE system are described here, such as the measurement of steady–state cornering, the evaluation of transient response with steering input, and prediction using full–vehicle models. The CAE approach will penetrate the motor vehicle industry at a high pace, and will contribute to the development and enhancement of suspension technology.
The more complicated electronic packages and associated cooling facilities become, the more vital the needs for effective mathematical modelling of the behaviours of these systems. Such modelling permits (i) more accurate thermal analyses to be achieved, and (ii) the selection of efficient, cost–effective optimised designs and thermal–management practices. An adaptive and hierarchical steady–state finite–difference technique is employed in a fast–action thermal analysis template to model a naturally–cooled integrated circuit–board. The temperature distribution over such a board is presented in a three–dimensional (3–D) colour isometric projection. These high temperature spots, so identified, indicate where further design attention should be devoted, in order that longer–life, more–efficient packages may be developed.
Although public ISDNs will offer a wide range of new and useful communication services to businesses, introduction has only recently started and it will be many years before all business users are connected to ISDN exchanges. In the interim period, 'In–house ISDNs' based around modern digital PABXs offer an excellent alternative, and will be fully compatible with public ISDNs as they are introduced over the next few years.
The falling cost of computing power and the availability of commercial Navier–Stokes solvers has led to the extensive use of CFD in mechanical engineering, especially in the automotive industry. However, uncertainty about the quality of solutions limits the application of CFD, especially in series development for cars. Experience at Daimler Benz shows that the problem of accuracy comes from both insufficient physical and numerical modelling, and from the interaction between them. Daimler Benz's Research Centre has investigated a large number of estimators. An estimator based on the truncation error of the approximation has been derived. This estimator has been integrated with a flexible grid generator to the 'Daimler Benz Quality Estimation System.'
Electronic calculators are becoming an indispensable tool for financial practitioners. Several text books recommend the use of calculators in finance classes. However, the variety of forms and sizes make it a problem to pick the right one. Some recent articles have discussed the use of financial calculators and others have attempted to program the Black-Scholes option pricing model in a programmable calculator using 'Reverse Polish Notation' (RPN) logic. Thus a practitioner may be required to carry several calculators, for the different types of application in his day-to-day job. Alternatively, he may carry a laptop computer with a number of programs. However, a lot of rimes it may be more convenient and highly economical to have a pocket calculator that can serve equally well. This article selects a series of economical programmable calculators using algebraic logic, and programs the time value functions as well as the Black-Scholes option pricing model in the same calculator. II gives the complete programming steps, including a brief theoretical background. Subsequently, it gives an application section in which it takes the reader step by step through the various programs showing the display of the calculator at every step. Thus the reader can check the programming steps and debug for errors if the answers do not match.
