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The three papers in this issue cover topics ranging from a specific technical design problem for a data processing center to general social issues affecting a technologydriven society. The first paper describes methods for extending the data handling capabilities of a computing system by the addition of a dedicated database management system. The second extends these capabilities even further in defining the goals of a new research area, the so-called "office of the future." The third takes a look at empirical studies of how these new capabilities have changed our workdays. "Backend database systems" is a phrase that denotes the use of a separate (typically small) computing system to support storage and retrieval operations on shared databases. The basic idea is to dedicate one or more processors to database operations and to provide a communications link between the central computing resources and these special-purpose processors. In this way the work load can be distributed between two computing systems, only one of which is responsible for directly manipulating the database. Two of the rewards of adopting a backend database design are extended processing capability, obtained without the cost of replacing a mainframe computer, and centralized maintenance and security of the database. F r e d M a r y a n s k i discusses these and other design goals for backend database systems. He surveys the various communication configurations, comparing them to more familiar database management systems. Much research effort is now focusing on creating the office of the future, the office consisting of fully integrated computerdriven or computer-based equipment. The trend is to try to invent a single system that, by combining data processing, word processing, information transmittal, and information control, will supplant the need for typewriters, reproduction centers, mail rooms, office file cabinets, and telephones. A key word in this new research area is "integration"--the conjecture being that a well-designed electronic work station will prove more productive than its nonelectronic counterparts, primarily if themyriad of office functions can be accessed from a single computer-driven input device via simple selection commands. Moreover, it is hoped that the fully integrated approach, incorporating a minimal number of different kinds of commands, will facilitate training clerical workers for this new kind of office. Integration of office tasks is not confined to clerical applications, however. A longterm research goal, as Clarence A. Ellis and G a r y J . Nu t t point out, is to provide a flexible system that management personnel can "program" with procedures particular to their information needs. These authors draw our attention to the applicability of practically all aspects of computer science research toward the design and implementation of a complete office information system. Their survey emphasizes the point that the packaging of separately obtained techniques into an office information system is a new problem for researchers; its solution must incorporate studies in psychology and education, as well as in computer science. Ellis and Nutt consider only prototype systems but suggest a hypothetical office of the future from which readers might compare systems that are now commercially available. Readers can turn to a number of business-oriented magazines for surveys about commercial word processing and electronic mail systems; examples include The Office (especially issues since October 1979), Word Processing World, and Electronic Business. The Fall 1977 issue of The Financial Post contains a special report on how technology may change work habits. Informal communications or social aspects of the office are comprehensively surveyed by R o b Kling. Kling examines em-
[1] Lynn Conway,et al. Introduction to VLSI systems , 1978 .