Science Software Quarterly (journal)
Encyclopedia
The Science Software Quarterly was a scientific journal
for scientists of all disciplines who used computers in the 1980s, particularly desktop platforms such as the IBM-PC (introduced in 1981), the Apple Macintosh (introduced in 1984), and the Apple II (introduced in 1977). The journal featured reviews of scientific applications and other software that were available at the time for many different disciplines and branches of science. Each issue also contained articles about scientific computing, and regular features. Available by individual subscription, SSQ was published quarterly, or four times per year. Each issue contained about 110 pages.
, in 1984. At that time, Gabaldon was an assistant professor in the Center for Environmental Studies at Arizona State University
. SSQ was first published by ASU. In 1987, the journal was acquired by a new publisher, John Wiley & Sons, who changed the title to "Science Software." The software reviews and articles in the journal were not peer-reviewed.
The first computers from the 1950s and 1960s were huge, slow, and expensive. These early systems were mainframe computers, which typically served multiple users. As innovations were developed, such as miniaturization of circuitry, better Central Processing Unit (CPU) chips, and faster data storage devices, the sizes of computers began to shrink while the capabilities of the systems expanded. Prices also became more affordable. Scientific software applications became more numerous. Some scientists even packaged software that they developed themselves.
Scientists typically need to process and manipulate large data sets, which requires a computer capable of reading in, storing and performing mathematical computations. As computers evolved and become more powerful, scientists were able to solve more and more complex problems. In the 1980s, scientists had an array of computers for their work, including new and fairly powerful computers on the desktop. The IBM PC, the Apple Macintosh, and the Apple II were three popular desktop platforms used when Science Software Quarterly was begun. At that time, new software for scientists was becoming more and more common. Previously, scientists wrote their own custom programs in a language such as FORTRAN when scientific software was not available. Tasks such as graphing data would often require intensive programming effort in the early 1980s, while after 2000 many graphing software applications could be purchased.
On the new market for scientific software in 1986, Gabaldon states, "Within the last year, scientific and technical computer users have emerged as a significant vertical market." But scientists had been using personal computers before their market was discovered. "This means that computer-using scientists were frequently forced to write their own software if they wanted something specific to their needs." SSQ was helping to acquaint scientists with the newest software applications on the market, and provided useful evaluations from peers, who reviewed the products.
Reviewers would write a section on each category above within the review. A checkbox graphic for each review article allowed readers to see at a glance the reviewer's marks for each of the four categories, giving ratings of Unsatisfactory, Poor, Fair, Good, or Excellent.
The review articles would begin with a listing of the vendor for the software, the current price, and the system requirements, which included the type of computer platform, operating system version, minimum RAM (memory) needed, etc. for the software to work properly.
Scientific journal
In academic publishing, a scientific journal is a periodical publication intended to further the progress of science, usually by reporting new research. There are thousands of scientific journals in publication, and many more have been published at various points in the past...
for scientists of all disciplines who used computers in the 1980s, particularly desktop platforms such as the IBM-PC (introduced in 1981), the Apple Macintosh (introduced in 1984), and the Apple II (introduced in 1977). The journal featured reviews of scientific applications and other software that were available at the time for many different disciplines and branches of science. Each issue also contained articles about scientific computing, and regular features. Available by individual subscription, SSQ was published quarterly, or four times per year. Each issue contained about 110 pages.
History
Science Software Quarterly was founded by executive editor Diana GabaldonDiana Gabaldon
Diana J. Gabaldon is an American author of Mexican-American and English ancestry. Gabaldon is the author of the Outlander Series. Her books they contain elements of romantic fiction, historical fiction, mystery, adventure, and science fiction.-Early life and science career:Diana J. Gabaldon was...
, in 1984. At that time, Gabaldon was an assistant professor in the Center for Environmental Studies at Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
. SSQ was first published by ASU. In 1987, the journal was acquired by a new publisher, John Wiley & Sons, who changed the title to "Science Software." The software reviews and articles in the journal were not peer-reviewed.
Scientist reviewers
Authors of the SSQ reviews were volunteer scientists who were experts in their field, selected by the executive editor. For software applications new on the market, the scientist reviewer would install and use the product in his or her work, and then evaluate it. Or a scientist could choose to write a review of software that he or she was already using. Manufacturers supplied a current copy of the software free of charge to each reviewer.Scientific Software: From Custom Programs to Market Product
Before computers and electronic calculators were invented, scientists and engineers spent many long hours manipulating information, or data, and doing mathematical computations for their work by hand. When possible, they would hire assistants, and also would have their students do this work. Male astronomers in the late 19th century, for example, hired young women to do the many hours of calculations for them.The first computers from the 1950s and 1960s were huge, slow, and expensive. These early systems were mainframe computers, which typically served multiple users. As innovations were developed, such as miniaturization of circuitry, better Central Processing Unit (CPU) chips, and faster data storage devices, the sizes of computers began to shrink while the capabilities of the systems expanded. Prices also became more affordable. Scientific software applications became more numerous. Some scientists even packaged software that they developed themselves.
Scientists typically need to process and manipulate large data sets, which requires a computer capable of reading in, storing and performing mathematical computations. As computers evolved and become more powerful, scientists were able to solve more and more complex problems. In the 1980s, scientists had an array of computers for their work, including new and fairly powerful computers on the desktop. The IBM PC, the Apple Macintosh, and the Apple II were three popular desktop platforms used when Science Software Quarterly was begun. At that time, new software for scientists was becoming more and more common. Previously, scientists wrote their own custom programs in a language such as FORTRAN when scientific software was not available. Tasks such as graphing data would often require intensive programming effort in the early 1980s, while after 2000 many graphing software applications could be purchased.
On the new market for scientific software in 1986, Gabaldon states, "Within the last year, scientific and technical computer users have emerged as a significant vertical market." But scientists had been using personal computers before their market was discovered. "This means that computer-using scientists were frequently forced to write their own software if they wanted something specific to their needs." SSQ was helping to acquaint scientists with the newest software applications on the market, and provided useful evaluations from peers, who reviewed the products.
Software reviews
SSQ scientist reviewers would install, learn to use, then evaluate a software package based on the following categories:- Performance
- Documentation
- Ease of Learning
- Ease of Use
- Error handling
- Support provided from the software company
- Value
Reviewers would write a section on each category above within the review. A checkbox graphic for each review article allowed readers to see at a glance the reviewer's marks for each of the four categories, giving ratings of Unsatisfactory, Poor, Fair, Good, or Excellent.
The review articles would begin with a listing of the vendor for the software, the current price, and the system requirements, which included the type of computer platform, operating system version, minimum RAM (memory) needed, etc. for the software to work properly.
Articles
Articles of interest to scientists using computers were included in SSQ and Science Software on a wide range of topics, such as "Transferring BASIC programs From the Apple II to the IBM-PC." In this example, converting data from one operating system to another was explored and explained, which could be a difficult problem in the 1980s.Other features
Besides the software reviews, the backbone of SSQ and Science Software, each issue contained- An editorial article
- Letters to the Editors
- A Readers' Survey, which provided feedback to the editor on what readers liked about SSQ and what they wanted to see in future issues.
Features
The Features section of the journal contained a variety of information each month, including:- New Products and Software in Development, which listed what was new, interesting or updated in hardware and software.
- Books in Brief gave a quick look at recent and relevant computer titles.
- Database Profiles: Condensed information on the latest in online and primed database resources.
- The Wanted List. This was a listing service that allowed readers to post requests for information or a special software package.
- Users' Groups, a listing to help readers find other people who shared their interests.
- On the Periphery: Listed and described computer resources, including peripherals, addons, training videotapes, classes, demos, and "anything onelse on the periphery of scientific computing."
Recent references
The Recent References section listed articles that might be of interest to scientists using desktop computer, from a wide variety of sources. Articles were listed by author.Published software reviews
The published software reviews section listed scientific software reviews in other journals that might be of interest to readers. Examples:- TERMDOK—Multilingual Technical Dictionary. Raitt, D: Online Review 12:304-315, 1988.
- Microsoft Word, Version 4.0. Small, GW: Journal of Chemical Information and Computer Sciences 28: 234-235, 1988.