his " characters , " to whom he assigned significant and dramatic roles , with whom he had lived and played for five years , fictional or real ? Nothing in print or in private correspondence could tell me . Could Santa Eulalia , fifty-four years later ? * * * Monday evening , 9 April : fly to Ibiza , package holiday , arrive in summer clothing to cold , rainy evening . Have selected the cheapest " tour " and the hotel , though commanding a view of seafront and town hall on the village square , has no heat or hot water . " Without sun , the solar panels do not function ; tomorrow will be better . " I walk out into the drizzle . My heart lifts at seeing " Cosmi 's Bar , " which is not however where Paul put " Cosmi 's Hotel , " where he mainly lived ( he says ) . I go in , meet Cosmi sitting at bar , who looks blankly at my copy of Life and Death , showing only slight interest in the book 's end papers , a drawing of the town as it was in 1936 . I get nowhere . If he is the son of Paul 's Cosmi--the book 's hero--what use will my trip be ? My only discovery is that " Cosmi " is a Christian name ; Paul 's usage and the complexities of Ibicenco nomenclature have misled me . Speaking no Spanish , I badly need a translator ; years of English tourism have not penetrated linguistically into this workingman 's bar . I solace myself with mussels and go to bed dejectedly under both the room 's beds damp bedclothes , and in my own . Ca n't sleep . No heart to begin rereading Paul 's book , so continue Wolfe 's The Bonfire of the Vanities . True ! My project seems absurd . I will find nothing . Tuesday morning , 10 April : still rain and still colder . On the advice of a historian colleague I have written to a local bank manager and a travel agent . I introduce myself . Both have serviceable English and seem friendly , promising to be helpful , but neither has done anything yet with the list of names I have sent them and have no knowledge of whether anyone alive remembers Paul . Footloose , I walk onto Santa Eulalia 's main street , Calle San Jaime . Paul 's end-paper map is followable as to street layout , and some of the buildings are still recognisable . I show the map to an old shop-keeper . " Mil novecientos trientaseis , " I say , hoping for the best . He smiles , points at a shop across the street and says , " Catalina Moussona , " the name of a little girl in Paul 's book , whose father was the butcher at that address fifty-four years ago . I cross over , and introduce myself . We make ourselves understood . She is " Señor Pol 's " Catalina , then an " undernourished shadow , " now at 68 compactly substantial . A passerby offers assistance , translating , and presto , a first albeit unrecorded interview ( my recorder , never yet used , is back in the hotel ; I take out my pad and scribble ) . " Pol " was friendly , a nice person , " simpatico , " very popular , he gave English classes to her and a few friends ( he mentions this , but I had wondered if he had ) , without payment ( this is new ) . Has she seen Pol 's book before ? It has been mentioned to her . ( The Franco government , of course , permitted no translation ; nor has there been one yet. ) Do I wish to meet Eulalia Noguera , at the grocery a few shops down ? Do I ! Eulalia Noguera is the heroine of Life and Death , the spirit of its rising generation , a " Spanish Joan of Arc . " The War , Paul fears , will enslave her , send her back to the Middle Ages . Today Eulalia is lively , solid , with a great untoothed grin and strong laugh . The reed bent , did not break , did not regress in time . In 1936 she was Paul and his third wife Flora 's home help : she did the shopping and the cooking ( she says ) , looked after " the kid " ( " Meels " ) . Paul calls Flora 's son " Peanut " throughout the book , but his second name was Mills . She also looked after the family 's boxer dog Moritz ( " More-eeats " ) . In fact , she tells me , she kept him for sixteen years--he was " one of the family . " In Life and Death Paul laments that War would turn the former pets of Santa Eulalia into wandering scavengers . Not so for Moritz . There were other women , to do the cleaning ( not in the book ) . I begin to understand that when Paul married Flora in 1935 , his financial circumstances changed greatly ( the book does not say this , nor does any other evidence to hand ) . Eulalia is too important to chat to in the street . We agree to meet the next day , when we can sit quietly at a bar and one of my contacts can translate from the Ibicenco dialect of Catalan to English and vice versa . Would I like to meet Cosmi 's young son , also Cosmi ? He is across the street , proprietor of the Libraria . " Little Cosmi " was two years old , in his mother 's arms , on the last page of Life and Death , watching his father go into exile , and now we shake hands . He knows of Paul , and the book . His wife has a copy , in Norwegian ( which she is ) . Would I like to meet his mother , Cosmi 's wife Anna ? She has a house at the end of the main street . We can meet that afternoon . Tuesday noon : for Joyce 's Stephen Dedalus history was " a nightmare from which I am trying to escape . " I am entering it , and it becomes bearable , humanised . I see a grocery sign , " Las Delicias , " and enter . The proprietor of a grocery with this name , albeit elsewhere on the map , was Paul 's friend , and his daughter Maria was one of the girls in Paul 's English class , according to the book . Here she is . My English forgotten , no use , she says . ( They all say this , apologetically. ) Though my English has taken on the structure of Spanish grammar , it is no substitute for Spanish vocabulary . We cross the street to an estanco , where an Englishwoman translates for us . Now we have the first proper " interview , " with the tape recorder . " Pol " was her father 's friend ( true , according to Paul ) , they went on " pub-cráwels " together ( no mention of this ) , she still keeps some notebooks with orders Paul made at the grocery ( must see them ) . Paul was " simpatico " ( I hear this again and again , full of fun ) , they called him " Xumeu " ie Bartholomew ( as he wrote ) , he used to sing Ibicenco songs . Tuesday afternoon : I meet Cosmi 's wife Anna , and her sister , both of whom figure in Life and Death . " Little Cosmi 's " wife translates . Only a few persons have spoken to them of the book , they say , and only in passing , years ago . What happened to Cosmi , I ask . It is outside the biographer 's brief , but as the plot broke off in 1937 with catastrophe in train , who would not want to know the upshot , however painful . Paul expected the worst . For Cosmi it was war service , then exile in nearby Algiers until 1955 , when Franco let the politicals back . Yes , he did escape with Paul . The ship went to Alicante ( could this be ? ) , then Nice . ( The sisters argue over Marseilles. ) And yes , Cosmi 's brother Pep Salvador and other " red ones " ( rojos ) escaped on another boat . They use the designation with light irony . So long have Republicans been called " the reds , " " the Communists , " " Marxistas , " that they use it of their own , but with affection , humour and even a hint of pride . Time passes , filled with details . I am inside the book . I have not been too " leading " in my questions , though I find myself willing to correct what they know from hearsay : personal relationships before " publishing scoundrel " methodology . They cannot be in a conspiracy , they cannot have memorised a banned and untranslated book . Tuesday , 5 p.m . : I could go home happy now . The Life and Death of a Spanish Town is true in names , in detail and in general character . Paul would have rejoiced that despite his fears the town did not die in September 1936 . I do . Tuesday dinner : find the restaurant which I will eat in all week . Los Amigos . How I feel . Would the food have tasted as good last night ? All the fish and meat on display to choose from , as in the supermarcados . I 'll eat it all . At the crowded bar is an old , shiny apple-faced man . It is Juanito " of the Royalty , " the hotel which ( Paul wrote ) attracted the aristocrats and " fascists . " I learn that he later became the most famous chef of the island , cooked for the military , for visiting dignitaries , for Errol Flynn . This also is too good for passing contact , so I ask my companion the bank manager not to speak to Juanito there and then but to arrange an interview later . Tuesday night : bitterly cold , very damp , but now feels no worse than the cold shower after a sauna . Paul was something of a manic depressive . I feel the manic touch , but sleep like log . Wednesday morning , 11 April : brilliant sunshine . Seafront , bay , strip of sand . Like my home town in Massachusetts , and like Paul 's parents ' home town , Rockport , Mass. , where he summered each year . No wonder he felt at ease here , at home . No wonder he wrote in 1937 that it had been like going back thirty years in ( American ) history . I climb to the church which overlooks the town . It is partly a defensive tower ; there is a Moorish quality to its architecture , partly domed . Paul writes that he saved the Church from being burned when the Republicans came from Barcelona and Valencia . ( He did , I am told later , " but it was burned nevertheless". ) The individual coffins are stacked in layers of cubicles in the adjacent cemetery , sometimes ten high . After a time , the grave " plot " is used for someone else : the bones go into the common crypt . The dead like the living are all permutations of a dozen local names , some of which are both Christian and family : so as well as the pick-and-mix of Maris , Turs , Nogueras , Colomars , Ferrers , and the ubiquitous first names Catalina , Eulalia , Maria , Miguel , Antonio , José you have repeaters like Francisco Torres Torres or even Juan Juan Juan . ( Perhaps Heller 's Major Major Major had Ibicencan ancestry. ) Sometimes , to distinguish between them they use their house name : Cosmi 's brother was known as Pep Salvador --Pep of the Salvador house--because there were so many Peps ( Josés ) . Wives do n't take their husbands name , but like their husbands keep their patronymic followed by the matronymic . Paul 's use of " Anna Cosmi " as Cosmi 's wife is convenient for readers but incorrect : she is Anna Juan Colomar . In the afternoon , a sharply detailed interview with Eulalia Noguera--her " nombre completo , " Eulalia Noguera Boned . No temptation to " lead , " no fear that she will answer to please me . Paul had no money when he came ; women--the foreign women--always paid for him . Unthinkable among Spaniards , this was roundly appreciated , at least in 1990 . His accordion playing was the price of his many drinks , mostly beer , some absinthe . When he came he was thin , then he got " big"--this perhaps the only hint that he was ill when he arrived . Paul and Flora brought a black American cook to the village ( no mention of this in Life and Death ) : Eulalia and the other girls feared her . He taught everyone " po-kér " ; she can play it even today . She describes with feeling ( as did Paul ) her brother 's death from pneumonia in the first months of the Civil War . It kept her from leaving with the Pauls , she says ( this is new ) . Afterwards there was poverty , no more foreigners , but there was the land and fish , and they could eat . ( So could More-eats. ) Wednesday evening : calamares natural at Los Amigos . Discover hierbas , the local liqueur . Like Chartreuse , this will " digest " anything , prevent all ailments . Thursday a.m. , 12 April : I sense the desire of some , not the friends of the red ones , to disremember the events of Autumn 1936 , but the years since have been survived . By some , with dignity . Walking up and down Santa Eulalia , I am on " Ola ! " greetings terms with my survivors . " Bon dia " ( Ibicenco ) I say , not " buenos dias " ( Castilian ) . Interview at the Royalty ( once the " fascist café " ) with reporter from La Prensa , newish Ibiza tabloid . He is keen on raking up the Guerra Civil , then keen on Paul 's later career , Hollywood scriptwriting in the ' forties and semi-professional boogie-woogie and jazz piano . Articulating my views of the book and the events for the first time , I say , Paul was " not a red , certainly no Communist . " He believed that left to themselves the village people of Santa Eulalia would have reached a political accommodation , with no killings . After the rebellion was declared by the Nationalists , the local garrison had declared for Franco , but were then overthrown by a Republican government fleet . I describe the night when the Santa Eulalia Republicans let their Nationalist prisoners out of the " cuartel " ( gaol ) so they too could join in the San Xumeu 's Day ( St . Bartholomew 's Day ) festivity in the town square . I gesture in the direction of the very square . The prisoners allowed out that night were later sent to Ibiza , so Santa Eulalia would not have to try its own as traitors , and for safe-keeping , as they mistakenly thought . The anarquistas then machine-gunned them all down . Only on the spot of the festival itself did I discover this interpretation . Travel justified . Lunch at the cove where the Republicans under Capitan Don Alfredo Bayo , who later trained Castro 's forces , first landed on the island , then--guided by Cosmi--took San Carlos , Santa Eulalia and finally Ibiza Town . Very like Rockport , Mass. Restaurant serves uncompromisingly unsanitised paella , full of fish-heads , bones . Entirely wonderful . Thursday afternoon : I interview " Juanito of the Royalty , " now eighty " and three months . " I do n't expect much here , but he is the only voluble , articulate old man I meet . Many sit leadenly , wordlessly , while the women talk and bustle . Not so Juanito , despite the embolism which put paid to his days of creating " Soufflé Juanito , " his chef d'oeuvre ( unmentioned by Paul ) , which he now describes to me in loving , effervescent detail . It had a fountain effect , he say , pointing at the town fountain in the square . He remembers recipes and meals better than he remembers Elliot Paul , but his personality , unchanged since 1932 , confirms Paul 's story . He had gone on as he had begun , as Paul described him . He was never " politico , " but his idea of a restaurant and hotel could only attract one side , the aristocracy , the Church , the Nationalists , just as Cosmi 's Hotel naturally attracted the other . I am now possessed of another strand of interpretation for the book : the two contrasting hotels , their two eminent figures , Cosmi " the red one " and Juanito of by and for " the Royalty . " A woman comes up to me in the street . I have been pointed out to her by someone I have interviewed . She knows what Señor Paul 's book said about her ( Nationalist ) grandfather , she says , but he did not die in the Ibiza castle massacre . ( Paul says he saw the man with his head half blown off. ) She and her cousin run a farmacÃÂa . We go inside it and I buy a bar of Magna , the Galician black soap . Symbolism . Evening : too full of lunchtime paella to eat , but drinking appears possible . I have followed good advice--do n't meet the Expats until you have seen the Locals . So now after the Royalty , to the Gaiety . The expats ' bar looks like it is studying to be the kind you see in films with Denham Elliott in them . Here at the bar is ... Denham Elliott , long-time resident of the village . " Come back tomorrow , " take part in the weekly general knowledge quiz . What could be more appealing ? Good Friday , 13 April : with American cartoonist on La Prensa ( like Paul , a working expatriate ) to Ibiza cathedral , startling impregnable-seeming fortress , to see the plaque to the 113 martyrs of the anarquistas ' machine guns ( Paul thought 239 , and Hugh Thomas follows him , but there are 113 names on the wall ) . The " Marxist domination " of 7 August 1936 to 13 September 1936 , the day the Italians dropped their bombs , was conducted by " the enemies of the church and the fatherland , " ie the legitimate government . Will " liberation theology " ever remove the plaque 's marble untruth ? The first name is that of the island banker , Don Abel Matutes y Torres , shot in his hospital bed ( it is alleged he was shamming , to stay out of harm 's way , much good it did him ) . Matutes ' bank headquarters dominates Ibiza harbour . The wall up against which the nationalist prisoners were shot is closed off , for archaeological work , though it is Good Friday so no work is being done . Come to that , no work looks like being done anywhere on the island . Every building is somewhere between a hole in the ground , a concrete and breeze-block shell and all but , but not , finished . ( There is a race to begin building before 1992 brings tougher EC building regulations. ) The not-quite-built and the falling-into-disrepair look like meeting at some intermediate point . I decide to avoid the Ibiza Town Good Friday procession ; have seen Ku Klux Klan costumes before , in Seville , complete with real scourging . Once is enough . Take the bus back to Santa Eulalia--Paul describes the hilarious journey in Life and Death , starting any time , people and animals together , stopping anywhere , arriving whenever . Now altogether more expeditious . View of Santa Eulalia 's old " Moorish " church , still perched on top of all the apartment houses and hotels . Friday night : time for holiday . The general knowledge bar quiz . A place is kept for me . Our team of four ( there are six or eight teams ) is called " Rule 43 " ( the news of Strangeways prison riot is the source , I hope , but glance uneasily at team-mates ) . I feel that the honour of the intelligentsia , British universities and " Eng . Lit . " is at stake . First question : what is the novel about the great white whale . Home and wet , collecting four points for the novel , its author , the ship , its captain . Pretty plain sailing thereafter . Rule 43 wins handily . Much shouting and execration ( " ringer ! " ) . Prize money pays bar bill . And so to bed . Saturday , 14 April : protocol of Spanish beach toplessness : lying down either way is OK , even sitting up is OK , but no walking about . Friends at home would expect me to return with a tan , but doubted there would be a story ( " Ibiza ? For research ? ? " ) Have story now . To have story and tan will do very nicely . Biographer 's revenge . Easter Sunday , 15 April : La Prensa article , all of page 4. " HAROLD [ oh well ] GOLDMAN , UN INVESTIGADOR QUE ESTàTRAS LAS LUELLAS DE LA GUERRA CIVIL EN SANTA EULÃÂRIA . " " Now they will keel you , " says my landlady , " too much politica . " Perhaps they will look for Harold . In the afternoon I see a bar-café completely full of men playing cards at tables of four . It is a five-card game . They get their cards , trade some in . There is betting . Hands are slammed down on tables . It is po-kér . Young woman on beach in flagrant breach of protocol . Monday , 16 April : sunshine still . Make formal good-bye calls on all , take photographs--for me , not book . Handshakes . Kisses on cheek : they expect two , get three , à la Russe , smile with amusement ( a " red one " ? ) . Index of my euphoria . Juanito de Royalty comes to my hotel to sit with me for my last hour , until the tourist coach comes to fetch me to the airport . Mostly I have been treated to drinks , but now buy him a beer . His wife , thirty years his junior , would upbraid me for this , but she is at her siesta ; he has put his off to stay with me . Each day since my interview with him he has asked me to visit him , to show me his cuttings and photographs , then to show me his " spiritual autobiography " ( no facts ) , begun the other year , to understand his dying . Life is a dream . " Fantasmas , " of the soul--"this part is for Catholics only"--of the heart , the intelligence and the " incognita " ( seemingly localised in the genital area ) , having jerked the individual this way and that like a marionette , leave him at death . The ( Catholic ) soul goes to God . The body is now only " materia . " Juanito is amused , casting a warm eye on life , on death . He seems more Castilian to me than Ibicenco : a self-made man . " ÿEstán terminadas las investigaciónes ? " " Terminadas y no terminadas , " I say , wittily . " Muy bien . Adiós . " We embrace . But I will never eat Soufflé Juanito , and there was a time when it would have stuck in my throat . Monday night : Gatwick . Cold and raining . I describe the week to my wife and son , who have come to collect me , using English like the Spaniards in Hemingway 's For Whom the Bell Tolls , which was published after the Civil War was over and which for fifty years has replaced The Life and Death of a Spanish Town as the popular English-language account of the struggle . I am now " he of the biography . " Texts : combustion , flame technology BORGHI , R. and DESTRIAU , M. , 1998 , Combustion and Flames , Paris , Editions Technip . DRYSDALE , D. , 1998 , Introduction to Fire Dynamics , London , John Wiley & Sons . EUGENE , L. , 1993 , Applied Combustion , New York , Marcel Dekker . FRISTROM , R.M. , 1995 , Flame Structure and Processes , Oxford University Press . GRIFFITHS , J.F. and BARNARD , J.A. , 1995 , Flame and Combustion , London , Nelson Thornes . SARKAR , S. , 1990 , Fuels and Combustion , Pune , Sangam Books . Texts : liquid fuels ARCHER , J. , 1986 , Petroleum Engineering : Principles and Practice , London , Kluwer Academic Publishing . BERGER , B.D. and ANDERSON , K. , 1981 , Modern Petroleum - a Basic Primer of the Industry , Tulsa , Pennwell Books . LEIGH-JONES , C. , 1998 , Practical Guide to Marine Fuel Oil Handling , London , Institute of Marine Engineers . McCAIN Jr , W.D. , 1990 , Properties of Petroleum Fluids , Tulsa , Pennwell Books . MIAN , M.A. , 1991-2 , Petroleum Engineering Handbook for the Practicing [ sic ] Engineer , 2 volumes , Tulsa , Pennwell Books . Modern Petroleum Technology , 2000 , Institute of Petroleum/John Wiley & Sons . WILLIAMS , A. , 1990 , Combustion of Sprays of Liquid Fuels , London , Butterworth-Heinemann . Texts : solid fuels BERKOWITZ , N. , 1994 , Introduction to Coal Technology , London , Academic Press . LOISON , R. et al , 1989 , Coke : Analysis and Production , London , Butterworth-Heinemann . PITT , G.J. and MILLWARD , G.R. , eds , 1979 , Coal and Modern Coal Processing : an Introduction , London , Academic Press . SINGHAL , S.C. and KENDALL , K. , 2001 , High-temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells : Fundamentals , Design and Applications , London , Elsevier Science . SPEIGHT , J.G. , 1994 , Chemistry and Technology of Coal , New York , Marcel Dekker . TILLMANN , D.A. , 1991 , Combustion of Solid Fuels and Wastes , 1991 , London , Academic Press . TOMECZEK , J. , 1994 , Coal Combustion , New York , Krieger Publishing Co. Texts : energy management BEGGS , C. , 2002 , Energy Management and Conservation , London , Butterworth-Heinemann . BROWN , H. et al , 1997 , Energy Analysis of 108 Industrial Processes , London , Prentice Hall . GOTTSCHALK , C. , 1996 , Industrial Energy Conservation , London , John Wiley & Sons . PANKE , R.A. , 2001 , Energy Management Systems and Direct Digital Control , London , Prentice Hall . PETRECCA , G. , 1993 , Industrial Energy Management : Principles and Applications , London , Kluwer Academic Publishing . Periodicals Coal Age Coal International Coal Leader Coal Preparation Combustion and Flame Energy Engineering Fire Technology Fuel Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Newsletter International Journal of Coal Geology Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology Journal of Energy Engineering Journal of Energy Resources Technology Journal of Essential Oil Research Journal of Petroleum Technology Journal of the Japanese Association for Petroleum Technology Oil & Gas Journal Oil Information Technology Journal OPEC Bulletin Petroleum Intelligence Weekly Petroleum Review Handbooks BECHTOLD , R.L. , 2002 , Alternative Fuels : Transportation Fuels for Today and Tomorrow , Society of Automotive Engineers . HOLLINGDALE , A.C. et al , 1992 , Charcoal Production : a Handbook , Bath , eco-logic books . LYONS , W.C. , 2001 , Standard Handbook of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering , London , Butterworth-Heinemann . PEYTON , K.B. , 2001 , Nalco Fuel Field Manual , London , McGraw-Hill Education . PIPER , J.E. , 1999 , Operations and Maintenance Manual for Energy Management , New York , M. E. Sharpe . SCHMIDT , P.F. , 1985 , Fuel Oil Manual , New York , Industrial Press Inc. SHELL GROUP OF COMPANIES , 1983 , The Petroleum Handbook , London , Elsevier . TAREK , A. , 2002 , Reservoir Engineering Handbook , London , Butterworth-Heinemann . TURNER , W.C. , 2001 , Energy Management Handbook , London , Prentice Hall . Reference Works GILPIN , A. , 1969 , Dictionary of Fuel Technology , London , Newnes-Butterworth . HYNE , N. , 1991 , Dictionary of Petroleum : Exploration , Drilling and Production , Tulsa , Pennwell Books . LANGENKAMP , R.D. , 1994 , Handbook of Oil Industry Terms and Phrases , Tulsa , Pennwell Books . MOUREAU , M. and BRACE , G. , 1993 , Comprehensive Dictionary of Petroleum Science and Technology , Paris , Editions Technip . Plunkett 's Energy Industry Almanac , Houston , Plunkett Research Ltd. ROSENBERG , P. , 2001 , Illustrated Energy Dictionary , London , Prentice Hall . SLESSER , M. , 1988 , Macmillan Dictionary of Energy , Basingstoke , Palgrave . STEVENS , P. , 1988 , Dictionary of Oil and Gas : an encyclopaedic dictionary of economic and financial concepts and terms , London , Macmillan Reference . TIPPEE , B. , 2001 , International Petroleum Encyclopaedia , Tulsa , Pennwell Publishing . USA Oil Industry Directory , Tulsa , Pennwell Books . WILLIAMS , H. et al , 1999 , Manual of Oil and Gas Terms , London , LexisNexis Matthew Bender . Standards American Petroleum Institute , http://api-ec.api.org . Legislation & Government Coal Authority , www.coal.gov.uk . Office of Gas and Electricity Markets , www.ofgem.gov.uk . UK Department of Trade and Industry Oil and Gas Directorate , www.og.dti.gov.uk . UK Department of Trade and Industry Energy Group , www.dti.gov.uk/energy . US Department of Energy , www.energy.gov . Professional Organisations American Coalition for Ethanol , www.ethanol.org . American Gas Association , www.aga.com . American Institute of Mining , Metallurgical , and Petroleum Engineers , www.aimehq.org . American Petroleum Institute , http://api-ec.api.org . American Solar Energy Society , www.ases.org . American Wind Energy Association , www.awea.org . Australian Institute of Petroleum , www.aip.com.au . Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy & Petroleum , www.petsoc.org . Canadian Petroleum Institute , www.cipid.com . Institute of Petroleum , www.petroleum.co.uk . International Energy Agency , www.iea.org . Japanese Association for Petroleum Technology , www.japt.org/html/english . National Hydrogen Association , www.hydrogenus.com . Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries , www.opec.org . Petroleum Equipment Institute , www.pei.org . Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain , www.pesgb.org.uk . Petroleum Transfer Technology Council , www.pttc.org . Society of Petroleum Engineers , www.spe.org . Solar Energy Industries Association , www.seia.org . Solid Fuel Association , www.solidfuel.co.uk . United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association , A new research centre at the University of Edinburgh has its focus firmly on the family . DR SARAH CUNNINGHAM-BURLEY and DR LYNN JAMIESON are in no doubt as to the importance of better understanding of family life . Divorce and separation has replaced death as the most common cause of the removal of a parent from a child 's family household . Family and personal relationships are crucial to the quality of life and health of individuals and to the economic and social well being of society . Family issues are at the heart of key areas of government action , for example in health care , education , welfare and work , as well as within efforts to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion : family policy itself links across these areas . Damaged personal life may be one of the causes of individual stress and ill health , violence and social disruption , and arouses considerable public concern . It is important to have detailed understanding of trends in personal relationships , family formation and dissolution , as well as of the impact of cultural , social and economic change on personal and family life . Attention needs to be paid to the experiences of different sectors of the population , rich and poor , majority and minority . Research shows that differential access to resources and information can radically affect the course of personal life . Information must also be collected across the life-course . Adults and children or even older and younger adults and older and younger children often do not experience the same household event , such as divorce or bereavement or moving home , in the same way . A new initiative - the Scottish Centre for Research on Families and Relationships ( CRFR Scotland ) - has been funded by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council to help gather and stimulate the gathering of such information . The Centre will have its headquarters at the University of Edinburgh , but the initiative involves collaboration with the University of Aberdeen , the University of Glasgow , Glasgow Caledonian University and a wider network of links . CRFR 's focus on families and relationships acknowledges the diversity of ways in which families are created and maintained , and the importance of wider networks of kin and friends which form the basis of our personal lives . Scotland shares trends in personal life that are common to a number of European societies , including changes in how people enter and leave partnerships , have children and make homes for themselves . Over the 1980s the popularity of marriage seemed to decline - the average age of first marriage rose , numbers of marriages fell and couples living together without being married increased . Now , most couples marrying for the first time have lived together before marriage , some cohabiting couples never marry and cohabitation without marriage is a pattern that seems here to stay . However , it cannot be assumed that people no longer want permanent partnerships . The limited evidence suggests that never married couples setting up home together often have a plan to marry or a sense that they are checking out that this is the ' right one ' before marriage . This is one of many areas needing further research . At the same time as the number of marriages declined , divorces have risen , levelling in the 1990s . Research shows that non-married cohabiting couples are as likely or even more likely to separate . These trends , delayed marriages , more cohabiting without marriages , and increased separation , along with falls in family size , are associated with a growing proportion of births outside of marriage . There is debate about whether children have a more or less stable family life than in the past . Most children born ' outside of marriage ' in Scotland are registered by two parents , living at the same address . Single-parent households are often a consequence when partners separate . Divorce and separation has replaced death as the most common cause of the removal of a parent from a child 's family household . The effects of divorce on wider relationships with kin and friends , and the subsequent contraction or expansion in how the members of a former household see their family is not yet fully mapped or understood . While some researchers have exceptionally talked to children about these issues , their perspective is often particularly neglected . Households made up of couples remain the most common household type , but couples with dependent children are now outnumbered by those with no children . Couples who choose to be childless remain a minority but one that has grown slightly and may grow further . The numbers of people living alone have also grown and are now about a quarter of all households . The combination of longer life and fewer births mean that elderly people form a growing proportion of many populations and particularly those living alone . The numbers of single young people living alone have also increased in recent years , particularly in urban centres . Relatively little is known about the family , kinship and friendship relationships of those who live alone although they are a growing sector of our society . One important change of the last decades concerns the interaction between men 's and women 's family relationships and their engagement in paid employment . By the end of the twentieth century , in the majority of couple households below retirement age , both men and women were in paid employment , although many more women worked part-time than men . The notion that marriage should be a partnership of equals gained strength in the latter half of the twentieth century . Surveys of attitudes clearly demonstrated increased support for gender equality in paid work , in housework and in childcare among both men and women , but with higher support for equality expressed by women . Although women 's greater involvement in paid work has resulted in some men doing more housework , research continues to show that many women carry more responsibility for housework and childcare , even when both partners work full-time . Some commentators are confident that this is a temporary lag and greater equality is inevitable , while others doubt this . For example , research of the 1980s showed that male unemployment was as likely to generate a situation of greater tension between men and their wives as greater domestic equality . More recent studies suggest that the balance of work and family life remains problematic for many men and women . Balancing family and work may be particularly stressful for low paid workers . The stresses are different for different groups and at different stages of the life course . These are again issues that need further research . There is considerable debate about changes in the meaning of ' family ' , in how people feel about family obligations and what people typically want from their personal life , in the context of these trends . Studies of people 's attitudes and ideals reveal that most men and women value family relationships very highly . Studies also show that people continue to have a strong sense of obligation to help family members , although this is not seen as an absolute rule but a matter that has to be negotiated . A great deal of work remains to be done to understand such trends , their meaning , the consequences and casualties , and the exceptions and variations among Scotland 's diverse population across the life-course . CRFR will be an essential resource for evidence based policy and practice , through encouraging , providing and collating accessible briefings on research findings , and through networking academics , policy makers and practitioners . The Centre will encourage the practice , within the research community , of writing accessible research briefings , and will provide an infrastructure for dissemination to a wide audience , producing reviews of published research in key areas relevant to policy . Dissemination will take place both electronically through a web-site and research and user networks , and by a programme of face-to-face events . In this way , we shall contribute significantly to the development of users ' knowledge base , and help deal with some of the tensions between those conducting research and the interests of specific sectors . We hope the CRFR will become a focal point for putting users in contact with academics who would provide expert briefing on specific topics . However , these links will also engage users in contributing to the research agenda , through the commissioning of specific projects , and through planning larger programmes dealing with wider and cross-cutting issues . Scottish devolution heightens the importance of consolidating and developing expertise within Scotland and of extending knowledge about families and relationships in Scottish society . Devolved government brings the potential for further divergence between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom in relation to legislation and policies affecting families and relationships - an example within the first year of devolution has been the repeal of Section 2a of the Local Government Act . Detailed evidence based knowledge needs to be available to policy makers and practitioners in their work to improve social functioning and lessen social exclusion . The Scottish Parliament carries much of the legislative responsibility with respect to marriage , divorce , parenthood , children , education , housing and social work services . At the same time , the internal procedures and boundaries of government have been reconfigured in order to enhance opportunities for joined-up approaches to such issues . New ways of working include the extensive investigative powers of parliamentary committees and the restructuring of Executive portfolios to refocus on issues once divided between departments , for example , bringing together children and young people , health and community care , and in the approach to social exclusion and equality . Precisely because family policy is a cross-cutting issue for government and the voluntary sector , a strength of the CRFR will be its ability to address policy needs in and across a number of areas , both reflecting and shaping policy agendas . This distinctive combination of changes in governance , and the possibility of further divergence in family policy north and south of the border , make it particulary important that there is a Scottish-based research Centre . This will not only serve Scottish society , but also promote Scottish input into British and European debates . Couples with dependent children are now outnumbered by those with no children.Family and personal relationships are crucial to the quality of life and health of individuals and to the economic and social well being of society . Family issues are at the heart of key areas of government action , for example in health care , education , welfare and work , as well as within efforts to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion : family policy itself links across these areas . Damaged personal life may be one of the causes of individual stress and ill health , violence and social disruption , and arouses considerable public concern . It is important to have detailed understanding of trends in personal relationships , family formation and dissolution , as well as of the impact of cultural , social and economic change on personal and family life . Attention needs to be paid to the experiences of different sectors of the population , rich and poor , majority and minority . Research shows that differential access to resources and information can radically affect the course of personal life . Information must also be collected across the life-course . Adults and children or even older and younger adults and older and younger children often do not experience the same household event , such as divorce or bereavement or moving home , in the same way . A new initiative - the Scottish Centre for Research on Families and Relationships ( CRFR Scotland ) - has been funded by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council to help gather and stimulate the gathering of such information . The Centre will have its headquarters at the University of Edinburgh , but the initiative involves collaboration with the University of Aberdeen , the University of Glasgow , Glasgow Caledonian University and a wider network of links . CRFR 's focus on families and relationships acknowledges the diversity of ways in which families are created and maintained , and the importance of wider networks of kin and friends which form the basis of our personal lives . Scotland shares trends in personal life that are common to a number of European societies , including changes in how people enter and leave partnerships , have children and make homes for themselves . Over the 1980s the popularity of marriage seemed to decline - the average age of first marriage rose , numbers of marriages fell and couples living together without being married increased . Now , most couples marrying for the first time have lived together before marriage , some cohabiting couples never marry and cohabitation without marriage is a pattern that seems here to stay . However , it cannot be assumed that people no longer want permanent partnerships . The limited evidence suggests that never married couples setting up home together often have a plan to marry or a sense that they are checking out that this is the ' right one ' before marriage . This is one of many areas needing further research . At the same time as the number of marriages declined , divorces have risen , levelling in the 1990s . Research shows that non-married cohabiting couples are as likely or even more likely to separate . These trends , delayed marriages , more cohabiting without marriages , and increased separation , along with falls in family size , are associated with a growing proportion of births outside of marriage . There is debate about whether children have a more or less stable family life than in the past . Most children born ' outside of marriage ' in Scotland are registered by two parents , living at the same address . Single-parent households are often a consequence when partners separate . Divorce and separation has replaced death as the most common cause of the removal of a parent from a child 's family household . The effects of divorce on wider relationships with kin and friends , and the subsequent contraction or expansion in how the members of a former household see their family is not yet fully mapped or understood . While some researchers have exceptionally talked to children about these issues , their perspective is often particularly neglected . Households made up of couples remained the most common household type , but couples with dependent children are now outnumbered by those with no children . Couples who choose to be childless remain a minority but one that has grown slightly and may grow further . The numbers of people living alone have also grown and are now about a quarter of all households . The combination of longer life and fewer births mean that elderly people form a growing proportion of many populations and particularly those living alone . The numbers of single young people living alone have also increased in recent years , particularly in urban centres . Relatively little is known about the family , kinship and friendship relationships of those who live alone although they are a growing sector of our society . One important change of the last decades concerns the interaction between men 's and women 's family relationships and their engagement in paid employment . By the end of the twentieth century , in the majority of couple households below retirement age , both men and women were in paid employment , although many more women worked part-time than men . The notion that marriage should be a partnership of equals gained strength in the latter half of the twentieth century . Surveys of attitudes clearly demonstrated increased support for gender equality in paid work , in housework and in childcare among both men and women , but with higher support for equality expressed by women . Although women 's greater involvement in paid work has resulted in some men doing more housework , research continues to show that many women carry more responsibility for housework and childcare , even when both partners work full-time . Some commentators are confident that this is a temporary lag and greater equality is inevitable , while others doubt this . For example , research of the 1980s showed that male unemployment was as likely to generate a situation of greater tension between men and their wives as greater domestic equality . More recent studies suggest that the balance of work and family life remains problematic for many men and women . Balancing family and work may be particularly stressful for low paid workers . The stresses are different for different groups and at different stages of the life course . These are again issues that need further research . There is considerable debate about changes in the meaning of ' family ' , in how people feel about family obligations and what people typically want from their personal life , in the context of these trends.Studies of people 's attitudes and ideals reveal that most men and women value family relationships very highly . Studies also show that people continue to have a strong sense of obligation to help family members , although this is not seen as an absolute rule but a matter that has to be negotiated . A great deal of work remains to be done to understand such trends , their meaning , the consequences and casualties , and the exceptions and variations among Scotland 's diverse population across the life-course . CRFR will be an essential resource for evidence based policy and practice , through encouraging , providing and collating accessible briefings on research findings , and through networking academics , policy makers and practitioners . The Centre will encourage the practice , within the research community , of writing accessible research briefings , and will provide an infrastructure for dissemination to a wide audience , producing reviews of published research in key areas relevant to policy . Dissemination will take place both electronically through a web-site and research and user networks , and by a programme of face-to-face events . In this way , we shall contribute significantly to the development of users ' knowledge base , and help deal with some of the tensions between those conducting research and the interests of specific sectors . We hope the CRFR will become a focal point for putting users in contact with academics who would provide expert briefing on specific topics . However , these links will also engage users in contributing to the research agenda , through the commissioning of specific projects , and through planning larger programmes dealing with wider and cross-cutting issues . Scottish devolution heightens the importance of consolidating and developing expertise within Scotland and of extending knowledge about families and relationships in Scottish society . Devolved government brings the potential for further divergence between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom in relation to legislation and policies affecting families and relationships - an example within the first year of devolution has been the repeal of Section 2a of the Local Government Act . Detailed evidence based knowledge needs to be available to policy makers and practitioners in their work to improve social functioning and lessen social exclusion . The Scottish Parliament carries much of the legislative responsibility with respect to marriage , divorce , parenthood , children , education , housing and social work services . At the same time , the internal procedures and boundaries of government have been reconfigured in order to enhance opportunities for joined-up approaches to such issues . New ways of working include the extensive investigative powers of parliamentary committees and the restructuring of Executive portfolios to refocus on issues once divided between departments , for example , bringing together children and young people , health and community care , and in the approach to social exclusion and equality . Precisely because family policy is a cross-cutting issue for government and the voluntary sector , a strength of the CRFR will be its ability to address policy needs in and across a number of areas , both reflecting and shaping policy agendas . This distinctive combination of changes in governance , and the possibility of further divergence in family policy north and south of the border , make it particulary important that there is a Scottish-based research Centre . This will not only serve Scottish society , but also promote Scottish input into British and European debates . Dr Sarah Cunningham-Burley , Dr Lynn Jamieson , Dr Kathryn Backett-Milburn and Dr Fran Wasoff are Co-Directors and Debbie Kemmer is Senior Research Fellow of the Scottish Centre for Research on Families and Relationships at the University of Edinburgh . PULL QUOTES : Divorce and separation has replaced death as the most common cause of the removal of a parent from a child 's family household . Couples with dependent children are now outnumbered by those with no children . The numbers of people living alone have also grown and are now about a quarter of all households . Research of the 1980s showed that male unemployment was as likely to generate a situation of greater tension between men and their wives as greater domestic equality . Studies of people 's attitudes and ideals reveal that most men and women value family relationships very highly . A new research centre at the University of Edinburgh has its focus firmly on the family . Dr Sarah Cunningham-Burley and Dr Lynn Jamieson are in no doubt as to the importance of better understanding of family life . It 's a family affairResearch of the 1980s showed that male unemployment was as likely to generate a situation of greater tension between men and their wives as greater domestic equality . Dr Sarah Cunningham-Burley , Dr Lynn Jamieson , Dr Kathryn Backett-Milburn and Dr Fran Wasoff are Co-Directors and Debbie Kemmer is Senior Research Fellow of the Scottish Centre for Research on Families and Relationships at the University of Edinburgh . And so it was that a more substantial dome was eventually completed in 1887 , at a cost of £3,700 OLD COLLEGE was always intended to have a dome . It was there in architect Robert Adam 's original designs , publicly displayed on the November day in 1789 when the foundation stone for the University 's new building was laid . The intention to crown the building with a dome survived Adam who died in 1792 , when the money ran out and building operations ground to a halt . It survived the hiatus of the Napoleonic Wars , when construction remained on hold . In fact something closely resembling Adam 's dome is evident in the revised single Quadrangle designs by the young William Playfair , who had been commissioned to complete the building in peacetime after Waterloo . However , it was not converted into reality when what is now known as ' Old College ' was completed in the 1820s ; even the then substantial sum of £121,000 spent on the building was not sufficient to provide for it . Thus Old College was to stand domeless for much of the 19th century , until the University approached the 300th anniversary of its foundation in 1883 . The project was revived and a third architect was commissioned . Robert Rowand Anderson had been selected in the 1870s to design firstly the new Medical School Building in Teviot Place , largely the product of public subscription , and later the Graduation Hall , funded by William McEwan . Anderson 's success with the Medical School obviously impressed the Dome Committee , established under the chairmanship of Sir William Turner , Professor of Anatomy . Moreover the money was now available , as Robert Cox , a lawyer from Gorgie , had bequeathed a sum to the University for exactly that purpose ( amounting to £4,400 by 1886 ) . And so it was that a more substantial dome was eventually completed in 1887 , at a cost of £3,700 and , with the money left over , John Hutchison RSA was commissioned to deliver ' a figure in bronze ' . The following year , the statue of ' Youth bearing a Torch of Knowledge ' , was duly put in place . Eventually , 100 years after the plans were first drawn up , the College was completed and Mr Cox 's role in its completion was not to be forgotten , for nestling in the wall of the room under Anderson 's dome is a bust of ' a just and generous man , a learned author , an enemy of ignorance and superstition.. ' and the person , of course , who made possible the erection of perhaps the University 's most significant landmark in the City . What are eating disorders ? Eating disorders are often described as an outward expression of internal emotional pain and confusion . Obsessive thoughts about , and the behaviour associated with , food are maladaptive means of dealing with emotional distress which cannot be expressed in any other satisfactory way . The emotional distress is often to do with a negative perception of self , a feeling of being unable to change " bad " things about oneself : food is used as an inappropriate way of taking control . Perhaps due to cultural ideas of what constitutes perfection , people often feel a strong desire to be thinner than their bodies naturally tend to be - " when I am thin everything will be alright " . They confuse who they are with what they look like . As a result they change their eating patterns and may as a consequence be at risk of developing an eating disorder . An eating disorder involves a distorted pattern of thinking about food and size/weight : there is a preoccupation and obsession with food , as well as an issue of control or lack of control around food and its consumption . There are several recognised eating disorders which can be described as follows : Anorexia Anorexic people starve themselves with the aim of losing weight to a point which others would consider to be very thin ( although the sufferer is unlikely to perceive themselves as such ) . The longer the condition continues , the more difficult it can be to tackle , and in severe cases can necessitate hospitalisation and can even prove fatal . Sufferers are typically in their teens or twenties and most are women , although around 10 % are male . The following are symptoms : distorted perceptions of one 's weight , size and shape behaviour which results in a marked weight loss a morbid fear of gaining weight or becoming fat excessive exercising ( while starving ) cessation of periods in women . Bulimia Bulimic people may well maintain their normal weight . The condition is characterised by : bouts of eating followed by purging distorted perception of own weight , size and shape a powerful urge to overeat , leading to binge eating and a resultant feeling of being out of control compensatory behaviour such as self-induced vomiting ; misuse of laxatives , diuretics or other medication ; fasting ; or excessive exercise a morbid fear of gaining weight or becoming fat . Compulsive eating recurrent episodes of binge eating and consequent feeling of being out of control marked distress about binge eating and the attempts to control it during a binge may : eat more quickly than normal ; eat until uncomfortably over-full ; eat large amounts when not hungry ; tend to " graze " rather than eat meals ; eat alone in secret ; feel disgusted and guilty with oneself . Food deprivation weight-loss accomplished primarily through extreme dieting , fasting or excessive exercise Non-specified Other , but related difficulties with food include : anorexic behaviour though still menstruating anorexic behaviour where , despite significant weight loss , current weight is still normal someone of normal weight inducing vomiting or purging after small amounts of food chewing and spitting food rather than swallowing What characterises eating disorders ? Apart from the characteristics described above , there are other fairly common features which are often present . Some are more likely to be recognised by friends rather than the person with the problem. preoccupation with thoughts of food so that diet and food become the central focus of one 's life a reliance on behaviour associated with food to deal with difficult emotions , stresses and tasks a desire for control over at least one aspect of one 's life perfectionism low self esteem from failing to meet expectations , which is then reinforced by the behaviour associated with the eating disorder , resulting in more self-disgust , shame and guilt , leading to lowered self-esteem distorted thinking - e.g. when I am thin I will be able to cope with .. secondary disorders caused by the behaviour - eg dental and digestive system damage , depression more women than men are affected sometimes , difficulty in adapting to being adult and to being sexual . How to help yourself The earlier help is sought the easier it is likely to be to change , but people do get over even very serious difficulties in time . The suggestions below may sound rather simplistic - in practice it usually helps considerably to talk about these with someone who is trained - and it may take some persistence ! Acknowledge that the problem exists ! Rather than just trying to tackle the unhelpful behaviours connected with food , try to identify what the eating disorder is disguising or helping you avoid - for example , are there difficulties in relationships , or within the family , or events in your past that have hurt you and changed how you feel about yourself ? Challenge the distorted thinking ! Although you may still think of yourself as overweight , at least allow yourself to recognise that others may see you quite differently , or even that they may be disinterested in your weight and just see you for who you are . Develop a pattern of eating that suits you and keeps you healthy . This is n't the same as saying develop a rigid routine of eating that cannot be varied ! Maintaining a generally balanced diet is important , but allowing yourself to party ( and break the rules ' ) is also OK sometimes ! Accept your body , i.e. respect your body rregardless of it 's current shape or size ; set realistic expectations for changing it ; recognise and understand its strengths and limitations . Recognise , too , that your body is not the same as your identity - confidence and personal contentment can be present however you look ! Do n't keep it a secret any longer - and it is unfair to expect a friend to keep secrets for you ! Rather , seek support in dealing with the disorder from a professional helper or a self-help group . How to help a friend whom you suspect has difficulties with food Remember that your friend is a person first , and someone who has difficulty with food second . So continue with whatever activities you would normally engage in together , and do n't let issues of food dominate the friendship . Tell them of your suspicions - and be prepared for them to deny it Be supportive and encourage your friend to seek professional help . Ultimately , the problem is your friend 's ; if they wo n't seek help the consequences will be their 's . Your responsibility is only to encourage them to seek help , or , in more extreme circumstances , to alert others - even against your friend 's wishes . Do n't nag about food , spy on your friend or get inveigled into imposing some form of external monitoring or control . Be available to listen when your friend can express his/her distress , but do n't take on more than you can comfortably cope with . We all have limits - of knowledge , ability to help , understanding , time , etc. - so offer the level of support you feel able to sustain . If you try to offer more than that , you are likely to feel burdened and in time , perhaps , annoyed or angry , which is unlikely to help either of you , or the friendship . Look after yourself ! Maintain your normal range of friendships and balance in your activities . Do n't let this one issue take up all your time . If you are unsure whether your style of supporting your friend is actually helpful , or are quite concerned for your friend , you can seek out a professional ( such as a counsellor ) yourself , just to check out these things . Local sources of help University Counselling Service , 13 Trumpington Street , Cambridge CB2 1QA . Tel.(01223 ) 332865 Web : www.counselling.cam.ac.uk CUSU , 11 Trumpington St , Cambridge . Tel. network 33313 or ( 01223)356454 . Web : www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/campaigns/eds / National sources of help Eating Disorders Association , 103 Prince of Wales Road , Norwich NR1 1DW Helpline : 0845 634 1414 Web : www.edauk.com National Centre for Eating Disorders , 54 New Road , Esher , Surrey KT10 9NU Tel : 01372 469493 Web : www.eating-disorders.org.uk Some useful books Overcoming Anorexia Nervosoa - a self-help guide using Cognitive Behavioural techniques Freeman , ( Constable and Robinson , 2002 ) The Food and Mood Handbook Amanda Geary , ( Harper Collins , 2001 ) How to Cope with Bulimia Joan Gomez ( Sheldon Press , 1995 ) The Art of Starvation Sheila McLeod ( Schocken , 1982 ) Fat Is A Feminist Issue 1 Susie Orbach ( Arrow Books , 1988 ) On Eating Susie Orbach ( Penguin , 2002 ) Getting Better Bit(e ) by Bit(e ) - a survival kit for sufferers of bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorders Schmidt & Treasure ( Pscyhology Press , 1993 ) Anorexia Nervosa : a survival guide for families , friends & sufferers Janet Treasure ( Pscyhology Press , 1997 ) For more books on eating disorders consult our Self-help Booklist . Top of page Home Page News About the Service Help With Common Difficulties Other Sources of Help é University of Cambridge Counselling Service 1998 ( revised Sept 2004 ) This page was last updated on 13th Sept 2004 COPING WITH EXAMS This leaflet aims to give practical guidelines to handling the time leading up to examinations , as well as some tips about the exams themselves . Many of the suggestions are simple or ' obvious ' , yet at times when we are under pressure we can easily forget these basics . If anxiety or particular difficulties with study skills are a problem , read the leaflets in this series on ' Anxiety ' , ' Procrastination ' , ' Work Block ' , etc. Preparing for exams Start a revision programme in good time before the exams . Whilst you do not want to ' peak ' too early , leaving revision too late is an excellent recipe for stress . Doing the work takes less effort than thinking about doing the work ! A certain amount of pressure is good for us and helps us perform well . But this is different from the popular game of " look how stressed I am " which is supposed to impress others with how hard one is working . Similarly , maintaining some balance in life and some perspective on the exams is different from that other popular game of " look how cool ( and on top of my work ) I am " ! Organising your space Most people preparing for exams know they should organise their time - and we come to this in the next section - but fewer people know that it helps to organise their space too . Think about where you work . See if you can separate out the places where you work from the places where you relax . Even if this all happens within one small room , create a ' working place ' ( around a desk/table ? ) which contains your papers , books , etc. and everything you need for your work . Move all distractions out of your work area - pictures , music , TV - and put these into your ' relaxation areas ' . Similarly , keep work out of the latter , so that when you are relaxing or sleeping your working is not intruding into this space . Get used to working when you are in your work area , and ' switching off ' when you get up from this place . Creating a physical separation of this kind will help you to do the same mentally . Organising your time People are different in how they react to revision plans . When these go wrong - as they often do - it is usually because they were planned too tightly and did not allow for sufficient flexibility : plans need plenty of blank space to allow for the unexpected . Bearing in mind that plans need to be flexible , draw up a weekly timetable for yourself , firstly putting in everything you need to do : meals , sleep , lectures , supervisions , shopping , laundry etc. Then allocate time for revision and time for relaxing and enjoying yourself . Be realistic about how much time you can aim to spend revising . As a guide , if you divide the week into 21 units ( one per morning , afternoon and evening ) you should aim to work in total for no more than 15 units per week , as it has been shown that ability to work effectively over a prolonged period decreases over this level . Therefore , you should have 6 units ( e.g . 2 full days or 1 full day and 3 evenings ) to do other things . Allowing yourself time every week for relaxation , recreation , socialising and rest will help you feel less stressed and make it more likely that you will stick to your timetable . This is not wasting time ; it helps you work more effectively . Plan how you will use your time during your revision periods . You might want to list all the topics you want to revise , decide what order to learn them in , and how much time to spend on each . If you have other tasks to complete ( e.g. reading , note-taking ) you need to decide how much time to spend on these . Be realistic about what you can achieve and stick to your deadlines . If there is too much work to do in the time available , use the following questions to help you prioritise : which are the most important topics ? which subjects do you know best already , or are easiest to get ' up to scratch ' ? which topics are compulsory ? for which subjects do you already have the most information/research/material ? Set specific goals for each revision period . Make a list of your goals ; keep them realistic ; and tick them off as you achieve them so you can see what you have done . Allow more time for subjects you find difficult . Check out what you do not understand . Some people find it helpful to work in groups - perhaps arranging to meet a few friends to discuss particular topics . You can use this to test each other 's memory or talk through aspects you have not understood . Motivation Some people struggle with a lack of motivation . These simple strategies may help : plan rewards for yourself when you have achieved goals start with easier/more interesting subjects and establish a work routine - once started , a routine becomes easier to maintain remind yourself why you have chosen to do these exams - if you do not want the qualification you do not have to do them ! Improving concentration There is a separate leaflet in this series which deals specifically with improving concentration , but here are a few pointers . People vary in how long they can concentrate , so experiment and find a work pattern that suits you . Take regular , short breaks when you are working - for example , 10 minutes out of every hour you work - is likely to help you concentrate for longer . If you are finding it very difficult to concentrate , start off by setting yourself a small , manageable goal . When you have achieved this , give yourself some reward . Keep repeating this goal setting and rewarding yourself . As you achieve your goals , gradually increase what you set out to do . In this way you can train yourself to concentrate more effectively . Here are some other ideas : Make notes as you read . Keep questions in your mind as you work . Speak out loud . Record yourself . Mix topics frequently . Mix easy and difficult topics , and interesting and dull topics . Try to work in a comfortable environment ( not too cold , hot , noisy ) and remove distractions if possible . Find out where you work best , e.g. in the library with a friend , or alone in your room - see the earlier section on ' organising your space ' . Active learning Try to revise in an active way : do not just read notes through , but perhaps make a list of key points ( writing reams of new notes is very time-consuming and is not an effective method of revising ! ) . Test your memory as you go along and try to devise questions/answers concerning the information you are learning . Some people find it helpful to use memory aids such as memorising a trigger word which is associated with a ' chunk ' of information , making a trigger word out of the initial letters of key points or names , or finding a way of visualising information . Practising Spend some time going through past exam papers and practise answering questions within the allotted time . It does n't matter if your attempts go wrong to start with - in fact , now is the time to make these mistakes ! Such practice will give you a good idea of the format of the exam , the sorts of questions you could get , and will give you invaluable practice in planning and structuring answers under time pressure . In makes no sense to get your first ' practice ' at this during the real examination ! Remember that you are not expected to produce an essay under examination conditions which looks like it took a week to carefully polish . So , be realistic : people tend not to be able to write ' perfect ' essays during exams . Keep focusing your attention on the task in hand ( i.e. answering the question ) rather than being distracted by ' what if 's . Sleeping better There is a separate leaflet in this series on insomnia , but here are a few pointers that may help during periods of revision and exams : Do n't work in or on your bed - keep bed for relaxation and sleep . ' Switch off ' before going to bed : stop working at least an hour before you intend to sleep and spend the time doing something more relaxing e.g. listening to music , talking to a friend , having a bath , doing relaxation exercises , taking a stroll . If you stick to a regular bed time and getting up time it will be easier to maintain good sleeping patterns . Too much alcohol will prevent you from sleeping properly and will tend to make you tired the next day . Do not ' catastrophise ' about not being able to sleep well i.e. stop telling yourself that you will not be able to do anything the next day if you cannot get to sleep . Even when you are not sleeping much , you will still be able to function well , think logically and do difficult mental tasks . It is mundane , vigilance-type tasks and mood ( e.g. irritability ) which are mainly affected by lack of sleep . Most people manage to sustain sleep deficit over a few days ( but not weeks ! ) before needing to ' catch up ' . On the day of the exam Looking after yourself - for example , getting enough rest and eating reasonably - is more important and effective than trying to do some last minute cramming . This is a day to have planned beforehand and to take things gently in order to conserve your energy for the examination(s ) . Do n't get up very early , as this will just make you more tired . Eat breakfast , but do not drink too much liquid ! If you have spare time , do something you find relaxing - have a bath , go for a stroll - and keep away from those whose stress levels are contagious . Rather than trying to learn any new material , perhaps just look over a few key points . Arrive at the exam hall comfortably in time but not too early ; the tension hanging over this short period of waiting just before the exam is highly contagious so you do well to minimise your exposure to it ! It is natural to feel some anxiety when you go into the examination room . Use the few minutes before you are allowed to begin to do some simple relaxation and breathing exercises ; sit back and separate yourself mentally from those who are getting stressed . Read the exam paper through slowly . When you have chosen your questions read them through twice to make sure you have understood and not misread the question . If you are allowed to do so , underline key words or phrases in the questions . Answer the correct number of questions and divide your time equally between them - or according to the marking scheme if questions have different weighting . With essay questions , you will get more marks overall by doing three ( say ) average answers , than by doing two brilliant ones but leaving the third question undone ! Some people write out essay plans to all the questions they need to answer at the beginning , so they can add things as they occur to them while working on other answers ; others take each question in order . Which method works best for you , or is most appropriate to the format of your exams ? After doing your plan , look back at the question and check you are answering the question asked - you do not get credit for a brilliant answer to a question you were not asked ! Take regular ' micro-breaks ' : whenever you pause at the end of writing a paragraph or stop to think for a moment , put your pen down and sit back , even if just for a moment . If you start to panic during an exam In an examination situation it is not uncommon for one 's mind to go blank for a moment , or to be confused by a question put in an unfamiliar way . At these times it is easy to begin to panic . This is likely to take the form of doom-laden thoughts as well as physical symptoms such as feeling your heart racing , feeling faint , hot or sweaty . Although these symptoms are disturbing , perhaps even frightening , they are in fact very common and are not at all dangerous . First , pause for a few moments : put your pen down and sit back ; slow your breathing down a little . Let your body relax . Relaxation and breathing exercises will help to reduce these symptoms . Reassure yourself that you are not going to collapse or lose control - these things never happen because of anxiety . Push upsetting thoughts to the back of your mind and re-focus your attention on relaxing , and then back on the exam itself . No matter how bad the anxiety feels , do not leave the exam as the anxiety level will fall within a short space of time . Panic is always time limited and the symptoms will reduce in a short while . When you are able , get back to work - remember that it is better to put something down rather than nothing . After the examination Before the day of the exam , it can be a good idea to decide what you are going to do immediately after the exam ends . Standing around and joining in with others ' delight or dismay is almost always discouraging . If you have something already planned you can simply leave others to do the post-mortem , while you go and do something more enjoyable . If you are exhausted , some food or a sleep may help ; if you are still wound up , you could do something physical , such as go for a run or a swim . If you are going to meet up with someone , you could agree with them that you will only talk about the exam for 5 minutes - or even not at all . Further support is available The suggestions in this leaflet may be sufficient to remind you of some common-sense good practice . However , if you feel that you need further help , you could approach your Tutor or Director of Studies , your College Nurse or GP . Help is also available at the University Counselling Service . For a list of books on study skills and maximising your potential consult our Self-help Booklist . Top of page Home Page News About the Service Help With Common Difficulties Other Sources of Help é University of Cambridge Counselling Service 1999 This page was last updated on 10th Sept 2003 GROUPS & WORKSHOPS AT UCS Most people coming to the UCS are probably thinking of one-to-one counselling , yet a considerable portion of the work of this Service is done in groups . While workshops or group counselling are not right for everyone ( and the choice about joining a group remains with you ) , we firmly believe that working in a group is the best form of help for some people and some difficulties . The counsellor whom you see at your first consultation may suggest you join one of our groups or workshops , or you can ask about this yourself . This leaflet outlines some of the advantages of this way of working and describes some of the groups and workshops we run - though , as our programme changes regularly , this leaflet can only give an indication of what is likely to be available in the UCS at any time . We hope it may help you to decide whether joining a workshop or group might be right for you . For more information about our programme of groups for students for the coming year , please see : Group programme for Lent & Easter Terms 2006 . ( For information about groups for University Staff , please see Groups for University Staff . ) Why join a group ? Counselling groups offer a microcosm of the ' real ' world , but they are also a place where some of the normal social rules can be broken in a safe environment . A group can allow you to practise different ways of behaving . For example , if you find it difficult to talk in work or social groups , then you are also likely to feel this in a counselling group - but the difference is that the group can offer encouragement and help in overcoming the difficulty you feel rather than simply repeating a ' failure ' . The same applies to many other problems . In joining a group you would be expected to listen carefully to the other members and seek to understand their concerns and support them wherever you can , as well as have time to receive support for yourself in the same nurturing environment . This giving and receiving is one way in which groups are different from individual counselling . Groups offer an excellent environment in which to learn about ourselves and how we relate to others , and the ( often sub-conscious ) assumptions we make about ourselves and the world . They can be a place in which we can see ourselves through the eyes of others , and it is not uncommon to meet others who share some similar struggles and to discover that we are not the only person feeling a particular way . The counsellors leading the groups are experienced in letting the work of the group develop gradually as trust and safety grow , so you wo n't be ' thrown in the deep end ' ! What about the practicalities ? Most of our groups and workshops meet weekly for 90 minutes and tend to have between 5 - 9 members ; all are led by UCS counsellors experienced in this kind of work . Confidentiality is important in all UCS work , and if you join a group you will be expected to respect the confidential nature of the material that others bring to the group . What this means in practice will be discussed with you before you join . If you are considering joining any of our groups ( except the one-off workshops ) we would usually arrange a brief meeting between you and the relevant counsellor so that you can discuss the group in more detail before making a commitment to join . Either ask at reception or speak to your counsellor . Because trust and respect for each member are important in groups , you would be expected to attend regularly and punctually each week , or to give advance notice if you cannot come . Joining a group is not appropriate unless you can make a commitment to attend the great majority of meetings . Group Programme for Lent and Easter Term 2006 One-off Workshops Please book in advance for these workshops by phoning ( 3)32865 or emailing reception@counselling.cam.ac.uk Dealing with your Supervisor , for graduate students Thursday 4.00 - 6.00pm , 2nd Feb 06 Learn to take responsibility for managing your relationship with your supervisor . Nutrition workshop for people with eating difficulties Tuesday 1.15 - 3.15pm , 21st Feb 06 We will look at the effect on the biochemistry of the body of the food we eat , and how it might influence our mood . To be followed by a group lasting 7 sessions if there is sufficient interest . Time Management Tuesday 5.00 - 6.30pm , 2nd May 06 How to make the most of the time we have , and how to keep it under control ! " Out of Your Head " : Relaxation Workshop Friday 2.00 - 3.00pm , 12th May 06 , repeated on 26th May 06 For people who feel tense and stressed and would like to feel more physically relaxed . Activities will include stretching exercises , deep breathing , whole body relaxation and guided visualisation . Wear loose clothes , be prepared to remove shoes and bring a towel or mat to rest your head on , as part of this will involve lying down . Problem-Solving Dates & times arranged on an ad hoc basis as needed Learn a problem-solving technique in a cognitive-behavioural ( CBT ) workshop , with a maximum of four other students . Please contact the Service for dates and times . Regular Workshops These workshops happen every week in Term time but do not require any ongoing commitment ; come once or come several times . Book in advance by phoning ( 3)32865 or emailing reception@counselling.cam.ac.uk Ca n't work ? Wednesdays 3.15 - 4.45pm weekly in Full Term For immediate problems of work block , procrastination , lack of motivation etc. Need to book in advance through Reception ; maximum of 4 people per session . Under-grads or post-grads . Getting Down to Writing Fridays 12.00 - 1.00pm weekly in Full Term A group that deals with writer 's block , helping with academic writing , as well as writing for enjoyment . A practical approach . A hop-on hop-off group but students may stay for up to eight sessions . Time Out Art Wednesdays 1.30 - 3.30pm weekly in Full Term at the Art Room in Kettle 's Yard For people who want to de-stress through playing with paint and other materials . No need to book . Sign up at the door at Kettle 's Yard . Time-limited Groups These groups have a clear focus and are for people who want some help with a particular issue . They typically last between 4 to 8 weeks . The groups tend to be fairly practical in nature , with time for discussing personal experiences , understanding current ways of coping and finding some strategies for handling things differently . To join any of these groups you need to ask at Reception or speak to your counsellor about arranging a pre-group exploratory meeting with the group counsellor . For Under-grads or Post-grads . Learning to be more Assertive Fridays 1.15 - 2.45pm , starting 17th Feb 06 , 4 sessions , and repeated from 5th May 06 A series of four workshops for those wishing to explore how to express needs , feelings and preferences in ways which respect our rights and those of others . This workshop will run again at the same times starting on 5th May 06 Healing Depression Tuesdays 12.30 - 2.00pm , ongoing A chance to look at the emotions , thoughts and beliefs underlying depression , and how they impact on behaviour . We will use a combination of cognitive and behavioural approaches , along with understanding the dynamics of depression , to help the healing process . Group members will be encouraged to support and relate to each other as much as possible in the sessions . Disordered Eating Group Tuesdays 1.15 - 2.45pm , Feb to May 06 , 7 sessions This group will follow on from the Nutrition workshop , if there is enough interest . It is a group for women who binge eat ( as part of their difficulties with bulimia , compulsive eating and overeating ) and who wish to have their eating in better balance . Not just a talking group , but can include other means of expressing the distress of disordered eating . Exam Stress Group Mondays 4.00 - 5.30pm , 3 structured sessions starting 27th Feb 06 , and repeated in the 3 weeks after Easter starting on 1st May 06 Sessions will include practical suggestions concerning planning your time , revision strategies , improving memory and handling the exams themselves . Each session will also include some simple relaxation techniques to help you stay relatively calm throughout this time . How do I know what I want ? Mondays 2.30 - 4.30pm , 4 structured sessions in the Easter Term 06 A group for those who are anxious about the future . Using various exercises we will look at the past and present to discover something of ourselves , think about what matters to us , what kind of life we want ( and how all of that impacts on decisions we need to make ) and how we might begin to move in that direction Finalists ' Group Wednesdays 2.45 - 4.15 , starting 3rd May 06 A group that will focus on strategies for dealing with present problems whilst not ignoring anxieties about the future . We have a rolling programme of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy groups which are arranged on an ad hoc basis as needed ; if you are interested in any of the below , please contact the Service . Panic Disorder A very common problem indeed . If you are worried about becoming seriously ill or in some way losing control whilst extremely anxious , then this group is for you . Five weekly sessions linked by ' homework ' assignments , with follow-up as necessary , in a cognitive therapy group with a maximum of five other students . Overcoming Embarrassment Cognitive therapy can help you to address the shyness and self-consciousness that can make life at Cambridge a lonely and anxiety-provoking experience for many students . Five weekly sessions linked by ' homework ' assignments , with follow-up as necessary , with a maximum of five other students . Metacognitive Workshop Would you like to gain insight into the use of some strategic self-help therapy skills that can be used to address a variety of cognitive and emotional difficulties ? Four weekly sessions ( Week 1 - The cognitive model ; Week 2 - Metacognition ; Week 3 - From theory to self-help ; Week 4 - Workshop review ) linked by âhomeworkâ assignments , with a maximum of five other students , and the rest is up to you⦠On-going Groups Longer-term groups offer an opportunity to address a range of ' life issues ' such as relationships , identity , direction , problems in academic life , or to gain support over the longer term with problems which are not going to be resolved quickly . They can be a ' time out ' from university life , which might feel either pressurised or isolated . The supportive and nurturing environment of a group provides an opportunity to see yourself through the eyes of others and to bring your own understanding into the group to help others . Because it can take some while to build up trust amongst a group who are initially strangers , we expect people joining these groups to commit to joining for at least one term , and members can remain in the group for several terms if this is appropriate . Under-grad groups tend to last until the end of the academic year , while post-grad groups may go on for longer . To join any of these groups , ask at Reception or speak to your counsellor about arranging a pre-group exploratory session with the group counsellor . You will need to be able to attend regularly each week . Undergraduate Groups Group 1 : Tuesdays 4.00 - 5.30pm , ongoing in Full Term Group 2 : Thursdays 1.45 - 3.15pm , ongoing in Full Term Aims to help students make sense of difficulties they may have at Cambridge , and thereby be helped to experience their time here more positively . Suitable for those with issues around relationships or isolation , self-esteem , separation-from-home , or with identity or work . Postgraduate Groups Group 1 : Mondays 11.00 - 12.30 , currently ongoing ( incl. vacations ) Group 2 : Tuesdays 6.00 - 7.30pm , currently ongoing ( incl. vacations ) Group 3 : Wednesdays 2.15 - 3.45pm , currently ongoing ( incl. vacations ) Group 4 : Thursdays 9.15 - 10.45am , currently ongoing ( incl. vacations ) For post-grads of all years who want to share experience and gain insight into difficulties they may be having . Suitable for those with issues around relationships , identity , self-esteem , adjusting to life in Cambridge and engaging with graduate study . Suitable also for Masters students who find themselves under pressure . Art Therapy Group Group 1 : Tuesdays 1.45 - 3.15 , ongoing in Full Term Group 2 : Thursday mornings , time to be confirmed , starting Easter Term Art therapy is not about artistic talent , but rather an alternative way of discovering feelings and exploring difficult issues . While some time is spent drawing and painting , there is also time set aside for talking about what you have depicted . No artistic skill is required . If you have any further questions about our groups - or suggestions for other groups we might offer - please contact us or mention these to your counsellor . Top of page Home Page News About the Service Help With Common Difficulties Other Sources of Help é University of Cambridge Counselling Service This page was last updated on 6th March 2006 For those authors who do n't want to read all the details , please download and use the JCSE Template for MS Word . Note that JCSE is an " electronic only " Journal , and it is of no use to us to submit printed copies of papers . Papers must be submitted in a suitable form for publication , and we reserve the right to require authors to revise papers that do not meet the document formatting guidelines ( the journal is provided at no cost to authors or readers , and we cannot afford to spend a lot of time reworking papers to convert them to acceptable PDF or HTML files ) . Documents must be provided as standard word-processor documents ( Microsoft Word , WordPerfect , Word Pro or OpenOffice - as a general rule it is likely to give us least problems if you save your document in a Word .doc or a rich text .rtf format ) , standard text documents or HTML ( Hypertext Mark-up Language ) meeting the version 4.01 specification . Mathematical equations may be embedded in Microsoft Word documents , or provided as GIF images . In the near future we expect that it will be possible to use the MathML standard to embed mathematical equations in a standard way . The layout of documents is important - please see the Word Template file for a detailed discussion of paper formatting . Papers that do not meet the formatting guidelines may be published in preprint format ( providing they incorporate all of the figures and tables in the document and they can be edited easily to include the JCSE header and footer ) , but may not be accepted for final publication . For the initial submission , which will be published as a preprint in the form of an Adobe Acrobat ( PDF ) document , all figures , tables and other ' objects ' should be embedded in the document , normally at the point at which they will first be referenced . When the paper is subsequently converted to HTML at the final publication , we may need separate copies of images and other objects , as it can be difficult to extract these for the Word document . It is recommended that the originals are provided with the original submission , in order to ensure that there is no difficulty in locating them at the final submission stage ( and to save time if no modifications are required ) . Note that we require the original image files ; images embedded in separate Word documents are of no advantage to compared to the copies embedded in the main document . Figures must be supplied as bit-mapped images in GIF , JPEG or PNG format , or original photographs or printed figures can be scanned for a charge of ã5 per figure . We have experienced significant problems with figures being supplied in inappropriate formats , and intending authors are asked to check the page on file formats before producing their figures . Video , sound , program and data files may also be used . The inclusion of well-documented , original data files is particularly encouraged as a resource for readers . Authors should be aware that animation , video and sound files are generally very large , and , with the current performance of the Internet , may take a very long time to load . There is no limit on the length or size of papers , although the Editor reserves the right to ask for a reduction in size of unreasonably large papers . Prospective authors should , however , appreciate that online readers will typically not read to the end of a very long paper , and conciseness is even more important for JCSE than for paper publications . Papers may be written in British English or in any other common dialect ( such as US English ) . Papers will not normally be edited for grammar or spelling prior to preprint or final publication ( although they may be returned for revision if the English is seriously flawed , especially if the intended meaning is unclear ) . This policy is applied partly to contain costs , and partly because of a belief that editing by anyone other than the original authors can never add to the information content of the paper , and risks changing something . Authors should appreciate that their work will be placed irrevocably in the public domain for anyone to criticise publicly , and due care should be taken over the language and presentation . Submission of your paper As far as possible , all activities ( submission , author communications , refereeing etc ) will be undertaken by E-Mail ( attach HTML and image files to the E-Mail message ) , although papers may also be submitted on 3.5 " MS-DOS compatible floppy disk ( we can usually also read Macintosh format disks ) , Zip disks or CD-ROMs . For large papers we suggest that you compress , and if necessary segment ( look for " split to volumes " on the general page of the archive Add/Create dialogue ) , the document with a compression program such as Winrar , then send each segment in a separate message . ( Winzip can also produce a set of files , which they refer to as " spanning " , but this only seems to be possible when saving to floppy disks or other removable media- if you have WinZip , then you can save a set of ZIP files to floppy disks and then email the resultant files to us ) . Please do not break the original word-processor document into separate sections , as we typically get formatting problems when we try to join the parts back together , and this wastes time and effort in editing the document and then having authors proof read it in case our changes have introduced errors . We may also be able to arrange for FTP submission , although this can be difficult because of the security constraints on the University network ( E-Mail the if you wish to try to do this ) . Publication policy Papers for publication in the journal must meet normal standards for a refereed scientific publication ; this is ensured by a review procedure . There is no upper or lower limit on the number of papers published over a particular period . Revision of Papers JCSE is a Journal of Record , and papers may not be removed or altered ( except for any editorial changes in format that are needed to accommodate new technologies ) once publication has occurred . Minor corrections to papers should be made through the commentary process . However , when more significant changes are involved revised papers may be submitted , in which case the earlier paper and attached comments will be archived . Revised papers will be subject to the normal preprint and review cycle , and the revised paper will only replace the previous version when the review process has been completed and a final version of the paper is published . The latest version of a paper will carry the original URL , while earlier revisions will have " r1 " etc. added to the end of the file name . Thus references to a paper will always find the latest revision . Preprints From Volume 4 onwards , preprints ( papers submitted , but as yet unrefereed ) will be published in PDF format without any Editorial modification ( although the Editor reserves the right to reject papers ) . Once the refereeing process is completed , the papers will be converted to HTML format and published in the main section of the Journal . Authors intending to publish papers in other journals may take advantage of Preprint publication in JCSE . In this case the paper can be published in the preprint section of JCSE on the understanding that it will be removed when the full publication occurs ( if required by the Journal to which it is submitted ) . Authors are responsible for notifying JCSE when full publication occurs , and for ensuring that preprint publication is permitted by the Journal to which they are submitting the paper . If permitted by the other Journal , preprints may be left in place indefinitely . For the assistance of potential authors , we have collected information on the preprint policies of some other publishers . As they are subject to removal and/or change , preprints ( whether due for final publication in JCSE or another Journal ) should not normally be referenced in other works . Comments to Papers Comments may be attached to published papers and to preprints by anyone by using the automated comment submission mechanism . Comments are submitted to the authors of the paper for ( non-binding ) approval , and they are then approved by the editor of the paper . As with the original paper , comments may not normally be removed once published . The Editor reserves the right to reject or remove comments for any reason ; this right will normally only be applied if comments are considered to breach normal legal and ethical standards . Trade Names Trade names may be used once only in the main body of the text , usually in parentheses to qualify a generic name , as in " The paint used was based on an acrylic resin ( SuperAcryl 123 - trade name of the Super Resin Corporation ) .. . " . The generic name must be used thereafter . Trade names may not be used in tables , figures or other illustrations . The same rules apply to comments attached to papers , with all comments by a single individual or group of individuals from the same organization being treated as a single document . 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Papers may not be submitted to JCSE if they have already been published elsewhere in a primarily online electronic form ( by this we imply that papers published in print , but that offer electronic access are not regarded as primarily electronic , and nor are conference proceedings that are published as limited circulation CD-ROMs ) , and , by submitting a paper , authors give their implicit confirmation that this requirement is met . Otherwise it is permitted to publish papers that have been published elsewhere , providing this is permitted by the earlier publisher and that the prior publication is notified to the Editor and stated in the paper . 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Hardcopy and disk versions of papers may be made available for a fee ( printed copies will obviously not include video sequences or sound clips ) , and DVD or CD-ROM copies of the entire Journal may also be available - please contact the Editor if you have a need for these . The Corrosion and Protection Centre are committed to make all papers available indefinitely . In due course it is expected that archival copies of the Journal will be distributed to relevant archives and libraries . Management The journal is published by members of the Corrosion and Protection Centre in collaboration with the International Corrosion Council ( ICC ) . A Management Board provides overall control of the journal , while the technical management of the Journal is undertaken by an Editorial Board nominated by the Management Board . Comments Any comments and suggestions please E-Mail . Send Mail to the Journal of Corrosion Science & Engineering Home Page Corrosion Information Server Center for Electrochemical Science and Engineering , University of Virginia ( JCSE Mirror Site - currently being redeveloped ) The Nature of Customary Law : Philosophical , Historical and Legal Perspectives 14-16 September 2005 Newnham College , Sidgwick Avenue , Cambridge , CB3 9DF Supported by : The British Academy The Lauterpact Research Centre for International Law , Faculty of Law & CRASSH , University of Cambridge John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding , Dartmouth College A colloquium on accounts of the nature of customary law and their implications for customary international law will be held at Newnham College , Cambridge from 14th-16th September 2005 . Topics under consideration range from ancient political thought to contemporary debates in international law , with sessions also dedicated to ethics ; the interrelationship between systems of private law and the ius gentium ; and custom and the law of nations and the laws of war . Speakers are eminent scholars in their respective fields . The approach of the colloquium is avowedly interdisciplinary , with one aim being to enrich contemporary debate on the nature of customary international law . As the papers at the colloquium are intended to stimulate discussion , the colloquium has only limited places and is by invitation only . The completed papers will be included in a book aiming to give a thorough , scholarly introduction to a wide variety of accounts of the role and nature of customary law in general and customary international law in particular , to be published by Cambridge University Press in 2006 . We intend to publish all the completed papers subject to the page constraints imposed by CUP . Conveners : Dr Amanda Perreau-Saussine ( Newnham College , University of Cambridge ) acrh2@cam.ac.uk Prof James Murphy ( Dartmouth College , U.S.A. ) James.B.Murphy@Dartmouth.EDU Conference Papers Conference papers are available here . Please note this section is for delegates only and is password protected - you will receive your password from the conference convenors at registration . Programme Wednesday 14 September 16.00 Reception and Tea Barbara White Room , Newnham College 17.00 Part I : Contemporary Debates on the Nature of Customary International Law Barbara White Room , Newnham College Subjectivity and Custom - A Short History of Opinio Juris Prof James Crawford ( Whewell Professor of International Law , Cambridge ) Three Ways of Writing a Treatise on Public International Law : Textbooks and Teachers as a Contemporary Source of Public International Law Dr Amanda Perreau-Saussine ( Newnham College , Cambridge ) Hope without Fear : Customary International Law and the Quest for Global Justice Dr John Tasioulas ( Corpus Christi College , Oxford ) Chair , commentator : Prof Philip Allott ( Trinity College , Cambridge ) 19.00 Dinner Sidgwick Dining Hall , Newnham College Thursday 15 September 09.30 Part II : Custom , Law and Customary International Law Barbara White Room , Newnham College Hegel and Savigny on Customary Law Dr Christoph Kletzer ( University of Durham ) Habit and Convention at the Foundation of Custom Prof James Murphy ( Dartmouth College , Hanover ) Custom in International Law : A Normative Practice Account Prof Gerald Postema ( Cary C. Boshamer Professor of Philosophy and Professor of Law , Chapel Hill , North Carolina ) Joint Chairs , commentators : Dr Margaret Atkins ( TASC , Leeds ) and Professor Anthony Carty ( University of Westminster ) 11.00 Coffee Barbara White Room , Newnham College 11.30 Part III : Rules , conventions and interpretation Barbara White Room , Newnham College The Moral Role of Conventions Prof Ross Harrison ( Quain Professor of Jurisprudence , University College London ) Reason and Authority Prof Onora O'Neill ( Newnham College , Cambridge ) Pitfalls in the Interpretation of Customary Law Prof Frederick Schauer ( Harvard University ) Chair , commentator : Professor Simon Blackburn ( Trinity College , Cambridge ) 13.00 Lunch Sidgwick Dining Hall , Newnham College 14.30 Part IV : Graduate Student Workshop : The Significance of Customary Law Barbara White Room , Newnham College A Nation according to Nature : Philo of Alexandria on the Relationship of Natural Law and Mosaic Law Charles Anderson ( Corpus Christi College , Cambridge ) Maritime Jurisdiction and the Changing World Security Order Douglas Guilfoyle ( Trinity Hall , Cambridge ) Custom vs statute ? a brief history of their coexistence in Poland Anna Karabowicz ( Jagellonian University , Krakow ) The Significance of Custom to David Hume 's Theories of Ius Gentium and Ius inter Gentes Jane Slinn ( Kings College , Cambridge ) Custom , Immemoriality and Reason in the Early Seventeenth-Century Common Law Ian Williams ( Clare College , Cambridge ) Chair , commentator : Dr Hannah Dawson ( Queens ' College , Cambridge ) and Professor Iain Scobbie ( SOAS ) 16.00 Reception and Tea Barbara White Room , Newnham College 16.30 Part V : Customary law , the Law of Nature , and the Law of Nations Barbara White Room , Newnham College Custom in Late Scholasticism Vincent Aubin ( Paris ) Customary Law and the Law of Nature Prof Jean Porter ( University of Notre Dame ) Vitoria and Suarez on Ius Gentium , Custom , and Natural Law Prof Brian Tierney ( Emeritus Professor of History , Cornell University ) Chair , commentator : Dr Annabel Brett ( Gonville and Caius College , Cambridge ) 19.00 Dinner Sidgwick Dining Hall , Newnham College Friday 16 September 09.30 Part VI : Common Law , Civil Law , and Ius Gentium Lauterpacht Research Centre for International Law ( LRCIL ) , 5 Cranmer Road The Idea of Common Law as Custom Dr Alan Cromartie ( University of Reading ) Custom in Medieval Law Prof David Ibbetson ( Corpus Christi College Cambridge ) Ius Gentium , Custom and Common Law Reasoning in the Nineteenth Century Prof Michael Lobban ( Queen Mary College , London ) Chair , commentator : Andrew Lewis ( Professor of Comparative Legal History , University College London ) 11.00 Coffee Lauterpacht Research Centre for International Law 11.30 Part VII : Ius Gentium Old and New Lauterpacht Research Centre for International Law Siege Warfare in the Early Modern Age : A study on the Customary Law of War Prof Randall Lesaffer ( University of Tilburg , Netherlands ) The New Ius Gentium Prof Benedict Kingsbury ( New York University ) Joint chairs , commentators : Joint chairs/commentators : Dr Amanda Perreau-Saussine and Professor James Murphy 13.15 Lunch Sidgwick Dining Hall , Newnham College Registration This is a closed event . For administrative enquiries about this event , please email Are you confused by the range of tooth brushes and mouthwashes available . Follow the tips here and you will be able to choose the perfect product every time . Remember oral hygiene accessories are available in the practice at below supermarket prices . Toothbrushes Mouthwashes Floss Buying the right tools for looking after your mouth is just the beginning . Despite the millions of toothbrushes that are bought in the UK every year it is estimated that at least 80 % of the adult population suffers from g um disease of some level . Our team of Dentists , Care Nurses and Hygienists are able to help you to get the best out of any dental product that you use . For practical dental care tailored to your needs why not request an appointment . NAVIGATE THE TOOTHBRUSH MAZE This e-newsletter article contains some information to help you to buy the best possible tooth- brush for yourself or your family . Often to be able to brush your teeth more effectively you first need to get a better brush ! Hard or Soft ? A good toothbrush has SOFT bristles , most of us look for firm are hard toothbrushes because we " feel " that this will give us a better " scrub , " these toothbrushes are in fact damaging to your gums and in certain circumstances can also damage your teeth as well . Size Does matter for toothbrushes , and the smaller the head on your toothbrush the better . Most toothbrushes on the market are too big . The head of the toothbrush should be no more than 1.5 cm long otherwise you will not physically be able to get it in to all the nooks and crannies at the back of your mouth . For very difficult areas consider using a single tufted ( interdental ) toothbrush . Electric or Manual Many of our patients have shown dramatic improvements in their dental health thanks to the dedicated work of Alison our Hygienist but also by using an electric toothbrush . The electric brushes with the round heads seem to produce the best results . The good news is that the cheaper ones between ã12 and ã30 appear to produce the same benefits as those at ã50 and above . How often should I replace my toothbrush ? Make sure you replace your toothbrush regularly , over time bacteria build up in the bristles and this means that every time you clean your teeth you are adding more bacteria to your mouth not removing them ! Make sure you rinse your brush thoroughly after every use . For manual toothbrushes replacement every 4 weeks is recommended and for electric toothbrushes , 1-2 months between replacement is a good idea . If the bristles of your brush become bent before this then you should think about replacing your brush sooner ( this would also suggest that you are brushing too hard ! ) . Children We strongly recommend that an adult supervise tooth brushing in very young children as toothbrushes may present a choking hazard if used incorrectly . We also suggest that adults should brush their childÃÂs teeth up to the age of six or seven as children younger than this usually do not have adequate manual dexterity to brush all of their teeth thoroughly . If your child is under this age and is keen on brushing then do continue to encourage them . However , make sure that you supervise them and that you also brush your childÃÂs teeth before or after they have done so themselves . For very young babies and toddlers we recommend child friendly brushes with big handles and very small heads . These are available from most good manufacturers . Just remember to use ( less than ) a pea size amount of toothpaste on the brush as young children will swallow most of it since they do not yet have the muscular control needed to spit things out effectively . TOP NAVIGATE THE MOUTHWASH MAZE Are you confused by all of the mouthwashes available on the shelves at your local supermarket ? They range dramatically in colour , packaging and price . Well follow the tips here and you will never be confused again . Mouthwashes come in 3 main types. to prevent tooth decay to help treat gum disease to help treat bad breath . It is best to avoid types 2 and 3 unless specifically advised by one of our dentists or the hygienist . Mouthwashes to help avoid tooth decay are the only ones which you should consider as an addition to your daily routine . Look for only 2 things when shopping , chose a mouthwash that Contains fluoride and has a low concentration of alcohol ( or no alcohol ) You can find out the exact contents from the label on the back of the bottle . Fluoride helps to protect teeth against tooth decay and will actually make your teeth stronger over time . Alcohol is best avoided as it dries the mouth out and although it will make your mouth feel fresher shot term , it can contribute to bad breath a few hours after use . When using your mouthwash , make sure you rinse it thoroughly round your mouth for a minimum of 1 minute . Take a watch into the bathroom with you and try timing this once or twice , I guarantee you will be surprised at how long a minute actually is ! After rinsing spit out the excess but do not rinse your mouth with water or much of the beneficial effect will be lost . The best time to do this is just before bed . Finally mouthwashes are not recommended for children under the age of 8 , for them fluoride in tablet form is better , ask one for the dentists for advice . We can issue prescriptions that will allow you to get free fluoride for your children from any chemist . So in summary choose a fluoride containing , low alcohol mouthwash rinse for 1 minute last thing at night do not rinse with water afterwards SMILE and go to bed happy in the knowledge that you are now less likely to suffer from tooth decay ! TOP NAVIGATE THE FLOSS MAZE Part three of our " Navigate series " on how to choose the best products to look after your teeth and those of your family focuses on Dental Floss . There are thousands of brands out there to choose from some good some not so good and some are downright awful . First tip , forget about floss and buy DENTAL TAPE . Floss is made of a round fibre which takes more force to get in between your teeth and is more likely to cause pain as it hits your gumà ..OUCH ! ! It also misses lots of bits that tape will get into . If you have a heavily restored mouth with lots of fillings then flossing is very important to you . The junction between your filling an tooth that lies in between the teeth will never ( yes NEVER ) get cleaned without using tape or something similar . Think what would happen if you never washed between your toesà à à Very smooth tapes that slip very easily between the teeth are easier to use but tend to spread the bacteria that we are trying to remove . So you do need a tape that has a bit of " grab " to it and this is why Waxed or Coated tape is better . Waxed or Coated tape is also better because it shreds less and will be less likely to get stuck between your teeth . Look too for Monofilament tape , this means that instead of it shredding it will break cleanly if it hits a sharp edge on a filling or crown . This again avoids that horrible feeling of having a bit of last nights floss stuck in between your teeth the next morning ! If you are regularly getting dental tape stuck in just one or two areas , then let your dentist know as it can mean there is a problem . Finally one last tip , wash your hands thoroughly after flossing as some of the mint flavoured coatings can really sting if they get in your eyesà .. donÃÂt ask how we know ! SUMMARY Buy TAPE not FLOSS Look for WAXED or COATED tape Change brand until you find one that does not shred If all tapes shred in a specific area let the dentist know Ask our hygienist for a demonstration of the Perfect flossing technique If you are still having problems then maybe you need to try other methods of cleaning between your teethà .more in a future issue . TOP This is just a small sample of the knowledge that our team would liek to share with you . Skipton 6 miles , Harrogate 25 miles , Manchester 35 miles , Leeds 40 miles ( all mileages approximate ) Ground Floor : Reception hall , sitting room , dining room , breakfast kitchen , rear porch , cloaks , utility room , rear hall , boot room . First Floor : Staircase , landing , bedroom one , bedroom two , bedroom three , bedroom four , house bathroom . External : Detached double garage , gardens extending to approximately three quarters of an acre. full details follow INTRODUCTION A stylish detached private house situated in an elevated position on the edge of Thornton-in-Craven the areas most popular residential location within the catchment area for both Ermisteads Grammar School and Skipton Girls High School both have a renowned and established reputation , also local village school is highly regarded . ACCOMMODATION ( all dimensions approximate ) GROUND FLOOR RECEPTION HALL 6ÃÂ3 x 21ÃÂ3 ( 1.90 x 6.48m ) ( including staircase ) Traditional arched stone entrance door with arched multi-paned entrance door . Double panel central heating radiator , coved ceiling , staircase leading to first floor accommodation . SITTING ROOM 21ÃÂ9 x 13ÃÂ7 ( 6.63 x 4.14m ) Sealed unit double-glazed timber windows with stone mullions to front and gable elevation . Original decorative carved Adam style timber fireplace with marble surround , hearth and inset , polished brass Baxi fire . Decorative coved ceiling , traditional 10àskirtings and architraves . Built-in mahogany bookshelf and cupboards . Double panel central heating radiator . DINING ROOM 16à( 4.88m ) into bay x 12ÃÂ1 ( 3.68m ) Traditional stone mullion bay window to front elevation with sealed unit double-glazed timber window and , double panel central heating radiator . Original polished timber fireplace with inset decorative tiled surround and hearth and polished canopy open fire . Original 10àskirting boards , architraves and coved ceiling . BREAKFAST KITCHEN 10ÃÂ11 x 12ÃÂ2 ( 3.33 x 3.71m ) Range of high quality fitted kitchen units including fitted base units with work surfaces and full wall storage cupboards . Single drainer sink with antique style brass mixer tap , Neff four-ring electric hob , electric oven and grill . Potterton gas boiler providing central heating and domestic hot water and plumbed for automatic dishwasher . Sealed unit double-glazed timber windows to rear and gable elevations , brass spotlighting to ceiling , feature alcove and double panel central heating radiator . REAR PORCH 6ÃÂ2 x 4à( 1.88 x 1.22m ) Access to cellar and access door to rear hall . CLOAKS 13ÃÂ8 x 3ÃÂ10 ( 4.17 x 1.17m ) maximum Low-level WC , pedestal wash hand basin with tiled splashbacks and fitted mirror with light over , side window and cloaks hanging area . UTILITY ROOM 8ÃÂ2 x 7ÃÂ4 ( 2.49 x 2.24m ) Fitted cupboards and shelving , ceramic tiled floor and single-glazed side window . REAR HALL 3àx 7ÃÂ2 ( 0.91 x 2.18m ) Original diamond set tiled floor . BOOT ROOM 7ÃÂ6 x 7ÃÂ2 ( 2.29 x 2.18m ) Ceramic tiled floor , fitted cloaks hanging and boot storage area , plumbed for automatic washing machine , power points , fitted shelving and window to rear elevation . FIRST FLOOR CELLARS Double cellar used for wine and fuel storage . STAIRCASE Traditional staircase with square spindles and carved mahogany hand rail and newel posts . LANDING Traditional open landing with balustrade and sealed unit double-glazed timber window to front elevation . BEDROOM ONE 16ÃÂ1 x 15ÃÂ11 ( 4.90 x 4.85m ) Sealed unit double-glazed timber window with stone mullions to front elevation . Double panel central heating radiator . Coved ceiling . Original slate and recessed brick open fire . Access door to large dressing room or bedroom four . BEDROOM TWO 12ÃÂ3 x 13à( 3.73 x 3.96m ) Sealed unit double-glazed stone mullioned timber window to front elevation , double panel central heating radiator and coved ceiling . Original slate and recessed brick open fire . BEDROOM THREE 11ÃÂ10 x 12ÃÂ4 ( 3.61 x 3.76m ) Sealed unit double-glazed timber stone mullion window to rear elevation , pedestal wash hand basin with fitted mirror , fitted shelf to niche and single panel central heating radiator . BEDROOM FOUR 7ÃÂ8 x 10ÃÂ7 ( 2.34 x 3.23m ) Sealed unit double-glazed stone mullion timber window to rear elevation , single panel central heating radiator and coved ceiling . Plus access way to master bedroom 6ÃÂ1 x2ÃÂ7 with sealed unit double-glazed small side window , fitting shelving and hanging . HOUSE BATHROOM 7ÃÂ3 x 7ÃÂ1 ( 2.21 x 2.16m ) Containing five-piece suite comprising timber panel bath , pedestal wash hand basin , low-level WC , bidet and Aquilser shower . Full ceramic tiled walls , timber boarded ceiling with fitted spotlighting . Two sealed unit double-glazed timber windows to rear elevation . Mirror fronted airing cupboard and linen store . CELLARS STORAGE CELLAR ONE 15ÃÂ9 x 5à( 4.80 x 1.52m ) Useful wine storage cellar . CELLAR TWO 15ÃÂ9 x 7ÃÂ6 ( 4.80 x 2.29m ) Fuel storage cellar and coal shute . EXTERNAL DETACHED GARAGE 21àx 18ÃÂ7 ( 6.40 x 5.66m ) Double detached garage built on two tiers , single up and over door to each side , light , power and water installed . Windows to rear elevation . DRIVE The property can be approached via a front driveway or rear driveway off Camm Lane . GARDEN The gardens extend for approximately þ of an acre with mature borders , shrubs and greenhouse . TENURE Freehold with vacant possession upon legal completion . BUILDING PLOT The property includes planning permission for a detached three bedroomed bungalow to the rear of the property with a separate access leading onto Cam Lane . If potential purchasers would like to purchase the principal house without the building plot the guide price is ã495,000 . N.B : The building plot will not be sold independently of the principal house . For a site map of the proposed development please see our web site mswhewetsons.co.uk . SERVICES Mains electricity , mains water , mains gas , sewerage to septic tank . Please Note : These particulars are published as a guide to the property but their accuracy is not guaranteed . Neither the particulars nor any statement made by or on behalf of MSW Hewetsons is intended to form part of a contract of sale or warranty . Financial Services : BPFS is a member of Investment Strategies Ltd. , who are a member of the FSA . YOUR HOME IS AT RISK IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT . Price : ã 575,000 Misrepresentation ACT 1967 - Notice MSW Hewetsons for themselves , and for the vendors of this property whose agents they are , give notice that : ( 1 ) These particulars do not constitute , nor constitute any part of , an offer or contract . ( 2 ) All statements contained in these particulars as to this property are made without responsibility on the part of MSW Hewetsons , Skiptonweb or the vendor . ( 3 ) None of the statements contained in these particulars as to this property are to be relied on as statements or representations of fact . ( 4 ) Any intending purchaser must satisfy himself by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of each of the statements contained in these particulars . ( 5 ) The vendor does not make or give , and neither do MSW Hewetsons nor any person in their employment has any authority to make or give , any representation or warranty whatever in relation to this property . More than 400 people have been arrested in a pilot scheme targeting serious offenders on Staffordshire roads . The force is one of 23 in England and Wales using Automatic Number Plate Recognition ( ANPR ) in the Home Office programme launched last June . Road Crime Team ( RCT ) officers , based at the force 's Weston Road complex , made 4,753 stops between June 2003 and March 2004 resulting in 415 arrests  almost 10 per cent of the total stops . Nearly £170,000 of stolen property was also recovered thanks to ANPR which has brought large numbers of persistent offenders to justice . ANPR cameras scan the registration numbers of thousands of vehicles in Staffordshire a day . They immediately return hundreds of ' hits ' where a number plate is matched on databases , including PNC ( Police National Computer ) and SPIN ( Staffs Police Intelligence Network ) , which contain around nine million vehicles of interest . The cameras are based in specially-equipped cars used by RCT teams . ANPR is also incorporated into local authority CCTV systems in Stoke-on-Trent , as part of Staffordshire Crime Reduction Partnership , and Codsall , as part of South Staffordshire Crime Reduction Partnership . When a hit occurs , police intercept teams are alerted instantly and the driver may be stopped . Of the arrests , 39 were for theft or burglary , 12 for drugs and 27 for auto crime . A total of 21 stolen vehicles , with an estimated value of £164,820 , were recovered . Officers also issued 1,538 Fixed Penalty Notices for crimes including driving without insurance or a valid MOT certificate . One example of ANPR success occurred earlier this year when a driver was stopped in Stoke-on-Trent due to an entry that indicated he may be involved in taking drugs . Following further investigations , he was charged with four counts of possession with intent to supply . Original Sin : On the Importance of Creative Killing Original Sin : On the Importance of Creative Killing Frank Tallis After writing my first ' crime ' novel , Killing Time ( Penguin ) , in which ( not surprisingly ) someone gets killed , I chastised myself for being unimaginative . The murder victim is despatched by being struck on the head with a component from a nineteenth century piece of scientific apparatus . Although the murder weapon might have had some claim on originality , its use as a bludgeon was somewhat pedestrian : " Only 2 out of 10 " , I thought , " could do better " . I then began to contemplate the methods of despatch used in most crime books and on reflection thought that they too ' could do better ' . The repertoire of murder methods is surprisingly limited . People tend to get killed in the most unimaginative ways . They get struck on the head , strangled , shot , stabbed , poisoned , pushed off high places , or drowned . So when I began writing my second novel , Sensing Others , I decided I should try to buck the trend . If I was going to write about another murderer then he should employ an entirely original methodology . It should be bold without being silly and most important of all it should be plausible . I racked my low-wattage brain . What should it be ? How could it be done ? In the absence of any other obvious place of departure I sought inspiration from Thomas De Quincey 's notorious essay On Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts - hoping to pick up a few valuable tips . Although a first class wit De Quincey proved to be a fourth division muse . I found his gallery of rogues lacked flair , panache , brio , and imagination . Technically , they were nothing special and favoured familiar methods of disposal such as bludgeoning , stabbing or poisoning . Nevertheless , I thought that the title of De Quincey 's essay touched upon an interesting fundamental question . Can murder be considered as a kind of art ? If it can , then an imaginary macabre equivalent of the Turner Prize panel would necessarily judge entrants on indices such as originality or inventiveness . I became even more convinced that my murderer ( although perhaps not a winner ) should at least make the short-list . Of course , although De Quincey wrote his essay to amuse - along the lines of Swift 's more celebrated A Modest Proposal - the notion that murder is a kind of art finds considerable support , alarmingly , from the annals of forensic psychology . In Brian Masters ' scholarly study of the serial killer Dennis Nilsen , he arrives at the disconcerting conclusion that murder can be ' a creative act ' . Moreover , he cites the work of Colin Wilson , whose study of social outsiders grouped together modern murderers , poets and musicians . Wilson observed that killers and artists feel set apart from the common herd , confess to ' drives and tensions ' that alienate them from society , and have the courage to satisfy these drives ( often defying society in the process ) . The underlying suggestion here is that artists and murderers might draw their energies from the same source . Could that be true ? Well , many serial killers are also inveterate amateur poets . Nilson was always versifying , while Lacenaire , Landru , and Peter Manuel all wrote sonnets while waiting to be executed . A corollary of this is that many of our distinguished poets are also keen amateur murderers - something that is n't that hard to believe when you consider what a promising start they 've already made on the English language . Think of the Mersey poets , for instance . Yet , even serial killers are guilty of not exploiting their creative powers to the full . Although they are generally very inventive with dead bodies ( using them as sex aids or as a source of spare parts from which they can fashion objets d'art ) , they too show an unexpected conservatism when it comes to the dastardly deed itself . Nilson , whose quite tolerable poetry elevates him to something of a laureate among villains ( and who often spoke unambiguously about the ' art ' of murder ) was a boring old strangler at heart . Looking through one of the many millennial lists that appeared last year I came across a register of twenty titles voted the ' best ever ' crime fiction . I could n't help noticing that the authors of almost all of the genre classics opted for tried and tested methods of murder . They spurned originality . Why ? Above , I mentioned that in my quest for an original methodology I was looking for something bold without being silly . And in these matters , the issue of ' silliness ' is ( as John Major might have said ) not inconsiderable . Indeed , it seems to me that there is some kind of mathematical law in operation that enforces the co-variation of originality and silliness . That is to say , the more original the method of despatch , the more silly or ridiculous it will appear - the opposite also being true . Thus , like Icarus , the aspiring crime writer must be wary of hubris . The higher you fly the more likely it is that you will fall from the literary stratosphere . The fact is , it 's extremely easy to think up a wholly original method of killing someone , but in all probability the method will raise laughs rather than tension . For example , a victim might be crushed under the world 's largest Danish pastry ; decapitated by a tortoise used as ordnance ; or encouraged to spontaneously combust after being fed with porridge flavoured semtex . Methods that , in spite of arresting originality , fall foul for being entirely absurd . This near mathematical relationship is conspicuously evident in gothic literature ( an example of which made it onto my millennial list of ' best ever ' crime in the form of Edgar Allen Poe ) . Gothic works are replete with exotic potions , evil contraptions , and subtle traps - all highly original - but in the final reckoning only marginally less camp than ' Pets Win Prizes ' . And I suspect that most of the classic crime writers have eschewed ' original sin ' for this reason . In The Talented Mr Ripley , when Tom ( the murderer ) and Dickie ( the victim ) are alone on a boat , Tom does not dispose of Dickie by hitting him over the head with a set of reindeer antlers , but rather , an oar . The more obvious method works so much better - something that Patricia Highsmith thankfully understood completely . I had begun to think the problem was intractable . If classic crime writers and serial killers alike both favoured the obvious , then maybe I should forget the whole issue of originality . Yet , I could n't let it go . In Sensing Others I was going to be writing about a particularly deranged individual and the idea of him cruising nocturnal London , stalking victims , only to kill to them by strangling , bludgeoning , or stabbing , felt deeply unsatisfying . If I was going to have a foray into the dark world of motiveless murder then I wanted my serial killer to employ a modus operandi that would make people sit up and pay attention . " What should it be ? " I wondered . " What should it be ? " When in a tight corner , I am often forced to raid my professional background . This is something of a cop-out . I always feel that writers should have sufficient imagination to people their worlds with novel creations rather than borrowing from real life . But , the fact is , I happen to have a particularly useful professional background and I ca n't resist raiding it when I 'm in trouble . When practising as a clinical psychologist I had the good fortune to meet some murderers : a woman who tried to cut her boyfriend 's head off while he was taking a nap ( could do better ) , and a man who threw a colleague out of a cable-car ( good try , but surely a little too James Bond ) . As an aside , and in fairness to my ex-patients , it 's worth mentioning that both of these individuals were charming . The murderess was a happy go lucky woman who giggled and smirked her way through what would have been for me an otherwise boring afternoon . The murderer was earnest , repentant and sincere , and a man who I would now be quite happy to accompany on a turn around the London Eye ( even without having first fixed my feet to the floor with an industrial stapler ) . But I digress . Recollecting these two was no help at all . On the other hand , recollecting another group of unusual ( but non-homicidal ) patients proved very helpful indeed . I began to mull over some of the conversations I had had with individuals attending a special programme for people addicted to dangerous sex . " Yes " , I thought . " This has possibilities . " And gradually , as I raked over my memories , an original ( but plausible ) method of despatch became clearer and clearer in my mind . Many of my patients led curious double lives , existing by night in a bizarre demi-monde of strange , sado-masochistic sex clubs - tattoos and body piercing , leather and PVC . Interestingly , sado-masochism is a leisure activity often associated with possession of a creative temperament . So much so that several scientific papers have been written on the ' poetic ' nature of the sado-masochistic personality . Therefore , it felt right to be contemplating this sub-culture as the kind of environment which might well produce and nurture a killer with distinction and originality . I had always considered my sensibilities fitted with pretty good shock absorbers - until I worked with sado-masochists . ( Hubris again ) . In fact , most evenings I would leave the clinic wide-eyed , trembling , and badly in need of a horse-trough of vodka . I could n't help wondering whether some of the things my patients described were physically possible , let alone capable of producing pleasure . It 's truly amazing what two or more like-minded people can get up to in the name of fun . Finally , my quest was over . I had my eureka moment and it became obvious how my serial killer would kill . I settled on a method that was disturbing , bold , and not too silly either . So , what did I decide on ? As if .. Ceanothus are one of the most eye-catching garden shrubs , producing a wonderful haze of flowers in spring or summer , depending on the variety . They are commonly known as California lilacs - this is aptly descriptive since many species are native to California and the flowers do , superficially , resemble those of the true lilac ( Syringa ). They appear in round fluffy clusters of white , pink and most particularly blue . Ceanothus are generally quick growing , so ideal for filling gaps as well as providing speedy cover in a garden being designed from scratch . They are generally unfussy plants , provided they are given a sunny spot and a reasonable , well-drained soil . It is essential that you choose your variety with care because many types , especially the evergreens , have a reputation for being less than hardy . However , there are types that can be grown successfully in all parts of the country if given a little protection . Ideally , provide them with a warm , sheltered sunny spot and they will reward you with flowers in abundance and require very little maintenance . Ceanothus also vary a lot in size from the low-growing C. thyrsiflorus var. repens which forms a dense blue carpet only 1m ( 3ft ) high , up to the substantial 20m ( 65ft ) tall C. arboreus ' Trewithen Blue ' , so choose one to match the space you have available . Wall trained In the main , ceanothus flower in the spring , but there is an exception in ' Autumnal Blue ' , a wonderful variety which flowers from a late August through to October . It has beautiful powder-blue flowers and is one of the hardiest and one of the easiest varieties to train against a wall . If choosing a spring-flowered variety , try growing a summer flowering clematis through through it to prolong the flowering period and look an absolute delight . For a change , follow the neat blue flowered the ceanothus ' Italian Skies ' with the large showy blooms of Clematis ' Bees Jubilee ' which bears sugar pink flowers with darker plum-coloured central stripe to each petal . Variety guide Plants with a sense of humour Driving up the M4 through sheets of grey drizzle at 6.30 am on Monday morning did nothing but add to the gloomy mood that I 'd already woken up in . Although in the middle of summer , the atmosphere at the moment is more bleak November than balmy late July . The last thing that I wanted to do was film all day in someone else 's garden . I wanted to be in bed...However , hurtling up to Tetbury , I knew there was no way out . The film crew , director and more importantly my new ' real gardener ' , Dilys Wilson were set for filming . We were going to plant up Dilys ' potager garden come rain , hail , sleet or snow . I had to snap out of this mood that was as overcast as the sky outside . All too soon , I was there ; the camera was running , my hands were getting dirty in the soil and I got my first glimpse of what we were going to be planting . Suddenly I felt wildly and unexpectedly happy . I 'd just seen a plant that ca n't help but make me smile , even in the most suicidal of moods . It was a dahlia I 'd seen , out the corner of my eye ; all of a sudden I was ready to rock and roll ! Now , dahlias have been banished from ' gardens of taste ' for years , snooty nosed gardeners wearing green wellies , aprons and gloves find them appallingly vulgar . Thought to be fine for allotments or other garden corners where the neighbours wo n't see them , to the posh gardening brigade 's horror , they 've been coming back into fashion . Personally , I ca n't understand why they have n't been embraced by the world much , much earlier . You see , these are flowers with a sense of humour , blooms for the soul , blossoms to make you chuckle . In startling shades of screaming red and eye-popping orange , they are ravishingly gaudy . Huge pompoms of noisy apricot , spiky pink cactus balls , or tarty red frilly flowers . I admit that dahlias are not for the faint hearted , these are plants so daring that they 'd flash their knickers in public without batting an eyelid . But if you want to add personality , or to inject some vibrant colour into a space , then these little ladies are for you . Steer away from the designer-accepted ' Bishop of Llandaff ' and go a bit wild with the tall-stemmed pink fireball which is ' Hillcrest Royal ' or the wine-red petalled pompom of ' Moor Place ' which the RHS encyclopedia takes great pride in pronouncing is ' great for exhibition ' , what kind I wonder ? Either way , if you plant a dahlia , you 'll definitely make your granddad proud . After the intoxicating effect that the dahlias in Dilys ' garden had on me , I set to thinking about other garden plants that could be considered as having a mind of their own ; the anarchists of the flower border , the ' indie flowers ' of the plant world . And on contemplation I realised that lots of these ' funnies ' have the added bonus of taking you back to your youth ; remember messing around with snapdragons in your mum 's plant pots , what a great little pleasure in life . Antirrhinums are actually a short-lived perennial , but are treated as annuals - you can enjoy them for a season and chuck them away before you get bored . Take pleasure in making them talk to you like you did when you were a kid , and you 'll be regressing with the best of them . Playplants for grown-ups are the new cool . Who said that to be a gardener , you had to be tight-lipped and sensible . If gardening does n't make you giggle from time to time , then you 're doing something wrong . One plant that I have loved for years and am sure I 'll never get sick of is Stachys Byzantine , or lambs ' ears . Covered in a felty , white kind of fluff , it 's one of those that you just ca n't seem to stop touching . A well-loved teddy-bear alternative , it might be one for the girls ; it 's a cute plant that you want to look after , but ca n't resist stroking , even though you know that it 'll all end in tears . Mine got so wrecked last year , that I had to dig them up and give them to a friend ; do n't worry he lives just down the road , so I can quickly nip round for a quick fix ! Mimosa pudica is a plant that we grow as an annual over here , that is n't such as a show-off as its prima donna cousins , but is just as fascinating . Commonly known as the sensitive plant , this little one is shy . Touch it with your finger and it 'll recoil in shock ; it should grow a sign saying ' do not disturb ' . Then , representing the dark side of horticulture , there 's a fair few carnivorous plants that are surprisingly hardy in the garden ; Sarracenia is a good example . Flies are attracted into the pitchers by a scent that our winged enemies just ca n't resist . Once inside , flies become so drunk , that they ca n't get out , and fall to the bottom , where the meat-hungry pitcher plant slowly digests them . Pretty nasty I know , but these plants look slender , toned and gorgeous as a result ! They remind me of Morticia from the Adam 's Family ; supremely gorgeous , but with a definite sinister side . Their flowers are otherwordly and have an ethereal quality that I ca n't resist ; I 've got three in a shady corner feasting on flying beasties . So that 's herbaceous curiosities , but there are trees too that just want to be different . Contorted hazels and willows , have wildly twisted stems than seem to defy reality - almost as if someone 's sneaked into your garden and wrapped your favourite tree around some sort of post , the corkscrew effect is undeniably beautiful , particularly in winter . Plant Corylus avellana ' Contorta ' or Salix babylonica ' Tortuosa ' in a position where winter light will shaft through branches and give a soft glisten to frost sprinkled stems for maximum effect . So , even on the dullest of days , if you plant one of these beauties , you 'll soon have a smile on your face when you step outside . There really is nothing like a plant with a little bit of front , get yours now , before they 've all taken up alternative careers down your local comedy club ! Ann-Marie 's diary Hello , I 'm Ann-Marie Powell , a garden designer by trade , a writer , and a television presenter for Channel 4. You might have seen me rummaging through other people 's plots of land on Real Gardens , or running a site full of landscapers on the garden restoration series Lost Gardens . Each week I 'll be taking a behind-the-scenes look at gardening , with tips on plants worth searching out and how to use them effectively in your garden . Ann-Marie 's previous articles Plants for lovers January gems All I want for Christmas Autumn colour to die for Christmas at Kew Edible flowers Holiday blues Hooked on books Garden lighting My own garden Plants with a sense of humour Winter gems My new year 's resolutions Pongy plants Wake up to February 's finest Monster plants Start with a bang Snowdrops and snowflakes We might not have had a white Christmas but we are guaranteed a white carpet in the garden with the help of the Royal Horticultural Society . A one-day event , Snowdrops And Snowflakes , has been organised by the RHS Rock Garden Plant Committee , on Wednesday 18 February , 2004 in the RHS Conference Centre , London SW1 . The day will celebrate the popular bulbs Galanthus ( snowdrops ) and Leucojum ( snowflakes ) . There will be talks by leading growers and enthusiasts with lots of cultivation and planting advice . Collections of flowering plants will be on display , with many cultivars - some rare - for sale . Tickets cost ã15 , including refreshments , and can be booked by calling 020 7821 3408 . Oak death fungus at Wisley The fungus that causes sudden oak death has been discovered at the Royal Horticultural Society 's flagship garden at Wisley in Surrey . The Viburnum bodnantense shrub harbouring the Phytophthora ramorum fungus and the soil around it was removed and burned , and a 10m radius around the site was fenced off in line with advice from the Government 's Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate . Wisley curator Jim Gardiner said : ‘The area will not be accessible to visitors until further notice , but the rest of the garden is not affected.’ ; The disease was first identified in the UK last year , mainly on rhododendrons and viburnums . It is very difficult to spot as there are no particular specific symptoms . Conifer collection is a local hit Tunbridge Wells has a host of attractions - but the world’s largest collection of conifers is the best . Bedgebury National Pinetum is the town’s Residents’ ; Attraction Of The Year 2003 . The borough council sends out ‘passport’ ; vouchers to encourage its citizens to visit local attractions , and more were redeemed at Bedgebury than anywhere else . Visit www.bedgeburypinetum.org.uk . ( 14.11.03 ) Chelsea tickets for Christmas Stuck for a surprise present for a garden lover ? Tickets for next year’s Chelsea Flower Show go on sale on November 24 . You can’t buy tickets at the gate , so if you want to go , apply now . Prices range from ã14.50 to ã31 . Book on 0870 906 3781 or online at www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea . ( 14.11.03 ) Gardener Of The Year Former nurse Janet Bonney has shown so much tender loving care to her garden that she 's won a prestigious national title . She has been named Gardener Of The Year by Garden News magazine after turning what was once a threadbare lawn used as a football pitch into a place of beauty . Janet began converting what was basically a children 's play area into a proper garden 15 years ago . Now she has just created a new area with a bubble water feature for her granddaughter , calling it Bethany 's Garden . Janet 's husband Bill looks after the practical tasks , but it 's Janet 's skills as a plantswoman that won her the title . ( 06/10/03 ) London’s new garden for inspiration The Princess Royal has opened a garden specially designed to encourage Londoners to make the most of their own plots . The Greater London Green Heart Garden is at Capel Manor College in Enfield , Middlesex , just off the M25 . If you can’t get there , a new website has been created ÃÂwww.londongreenheart.co.uk ÃÂ- which enables Londoners to visit a virtual plan of the garden and watch developments month by month , to see what can be achieved in any small garden , with step-by-step advice . The garden is part of a scheme funded by the London Development Agency and the Learning & Skills Council . ( 21/10/03 ) Kew opens new dedicated reserve Europe’s first dedicated reserve for mosses , lichens , ferns , and fungi has opened at Wakehurst Gardens , Kew’s country estate in West Sussex . Its aim is to save endangered species . ( 21/10/03 ) Rare jungle frog discovered Mark Newbrook’s new ‘jungle’ ; garden ÃÂ- complete with banana trees , palms , and other exotics ÃÂ- was so lifelike it even had a rare Cuban tree frog ! Mark only discovered it when he had to turn up the TV to drown out the croaking noise coming from the garden . When he could still hear it , he thought he had better investigate . Mark now has a heated tank for the amphibian , which stowed away in one of the imported banana trees . ( 14/10/03 ) New memorial gardens open Two poignant memorial gardens have been opened in London . The Princess Royal opened one in Grosvenor Square to commemorate the British victims of the New York Trade Centre atrocity . The other is for victims of the Southall rail crash . ( 14/10/03 ) Makeover mayhem Horticulturist Chris Gravez popped home in his lunch break one day to find a digger ripping up his prized garden . He guessed his wife Jenny had arranged a surprise TV makeover for his birthday , so he slipped away without saying anything . He continued to act the innocent when he picked her up from work and drove her home at Shanklin on the Isle of WightÃÂ- until she started screaming!à The horrified digger driver had decimated the wrong garden . à Chris said : ' The poor lad was in shock as it dawned on him . It was a brilliant garden - one of the main reasons we bought the house six months ago. ' The couple are suing the landscapers . ( 24/09/03 ) Capital recycling scheme A new scheme to encourage Londoners to recycle ÃÂ- and in particular to make their own compost from garden and household waste ÃÂ- has been launched with the backing of the Mayor , Ken Livingstone . If successful , the pilot scheme will rolled out across the country.à The initiative has been launched with a website , www.recycleforlondon.com , and a phone helpline , 084533 313131 , to tell people what recycling services are available in their own areas . ( 10/09/03 ) Tropical mushroom discovered A poisonous tropical mushroom , normally found only in Borneo , was discovered growing in Highgate Wood , North London . Experts believe the Leucocoprinus birnbaumii made its way to the capital in packing via South America , Holland , and a branch of Marks and Spencer . ( 10/09/03 ) World 's biggest orchid The world 's biggest orchid has been unveiled at Goodwood , near Chichester it tops 12m ! The amazing plant with its giant red and yellow flower is a paphiopedilum ' Winston Churchill ' but this one is made of steel and is the new star of the Sculpture Park . The Overwhelming World Of Desire , as the work is called , was made by London sculptor Mark Quinn . You can see it from Thursday to Saturdays ( 10.30am-4.30pm ) until November . ( 27/08/03 ) Kew is made a world wonder The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are officially one of the modern wonders of the world . They have joined the Taj Mahal , the Great Wall of China , Stonehenge and the Tower of London as World Heritage Sites . The good news does n't stop there ÃÂ- Kew 's Millennium Seed Bank in Sussex has won more than ã2million worth of Lottery funding to save threatened plant species . ( 14/08/03 ) OAP 's fight potty council Pensioners at sheltered housing schemes at Harlow , Essex , have been told by council chiefs to remove plant pots from their pathways because they are a danger to visitors . The feisty OAPs are fighting back ÃÂ- many are refusing to shift pots outside their doors . ( 14/08/03 ) Kew is voted best Kew Gardens voted Britain 's finest garden in the recent Channel 5 programme is flying high . Now you can , too . Well , almost you can share the treetops with birds and other creatures thanks to an elevated walkway nearly 35ft from the ground . As well giving visitors a bird 's eye view of Kew and its canopy of oaks and redwoods , the 110yard-long walkway enables scientists at London 's Royal Botanic Gardens to study garden creatures such as stag beetles . The walkway is open as part of the Go Wild festival , which runs until September 28 . ( 22/07/03 ) Top trainee gardener Sarah Ridout , a trainee gardener at the Royal Horticultural Society Garden Wisley in Surrey , has been awarded the 2003 Prince of Wales Trophy for " the student who has shown outstanding commitment in the field of organic cultivation " . The prize is awarded by the Worshipful Company of Gardeners . ( 22/07/03 ) Rare verbascum search Gardeners have been asked to look out for rare varieties of verbascum . Vic Johnstone and Claire Wilson want the missing plants for their National Collection at Whitchurch , Hampshire . Some of the verbascums on their list were last seen 80-90 years ago , and are thought to be extinct , but some were recorded in the 1990s . The 1920-30 varieties include ' Daisy Hill ' ( copper/orange ) , ' Miss Willmott ' ( white ) , ' Mars ' ( buff/red ) , and ' Caledonia ' ( yellow/bronze ) . The 1990s trio are ' Bold Queen ' ( white/mauve ) , ' C.L . Adams ' ( yellow/magenta ) , and ' Boadicea ' ( copper ) . If you can help , ring the couple on 01256 893144 . ( 30/07/03 ) Hook , crime and sinker One-handed Stephen Bird can still manage his gardening , but for some jobs he takes off his ã7,000 ' hook ' . The other day he left it on top of his gate at Hungerford , Berkshire where it was nicked by an opportunist thief . ( 30/07/03 ) House plant costs a fortune A DIY store pot plant could be the most expensive ever it has landed gardener Jo-Ann Bowen-Griffith with a ã45,000 legal bill . She claimed Homebase staff at New Southgate , North London , accused her of changing the price tag of a betulia from ã12 to ã1 , and sued for defamation . But a High Court jury sided with staff who denied the allegation . William Bennett , representing Homebase , told Mr Justice Eady that his clients were now entitled to their costs , which he estimated at ã45,000 . Miss Bowen-Griffith , who is in her 40s , represented herself in court . She could face bankruptcy and liquidation of her assets , including her home , a flat in Hendon , if she is unable to find the money ( 06/07/03 ) Fuchsia Society looks for new home The British Fuchsia Society is looking to secure its future somewhere in London . The society has held its annual show in the capital for 60 years , but major building work planned for next year will close the door on its current venue Uxbridge College . Officials are looking for a large hall with lots of parking space and good access to main roads ideally close to the M25 and between the M3 and M1 . Or perhaps a garden centre with space to erect a marquee . Anyone who can help is asked to call Carol Gubler on 01252 329731 . The 2004 show is scheduled for August 8. ( 18/06/03 ) Stars fight new factory plans Sir Paul McCartney leads a starry cast-list fighting plans to build a peat factory near their expensive seafront homes . DJ duo Zoe Ball and husband Norman Cook , alias Fatboy Slim , and actor Nick Berry are also battling the proposal by Westland Horticulture to build a 1,000sq ft processing plant at Hove , Sussex . ( 04/06/03 ) Potters Bar memorial garden opens A memorial garden for the seven victims of the Potters Bar rail crash has been opened . And a new pavilion at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Romsey , Hampshire , is being dedicated to the memory of the Queen Mother . She opened the gardens to the public in 1978 . ( 04/06/03 ) New floral emblem is a weed ! Londoners have a hankering for a new floral emblem ÃÂa common weed ! à The ubiquitous rosebay willowherb , whose purple-pink flowers can be seen throughout the capital in summer , is leading a poll by the wildflower charity Plantlife.à People throughout the country are being asked to nominate a wildflower that they think best symbolises their area . Visit www.plantlife.org.uk. to vote . ( 23/05/03 ) Wildflower lawns Surveys by the London Wildlife Trust last year have revealed some unexpected wildlfowers in lawns from areas as diverse as Kensington and Croydon . Croydon threw up rarities such as sheep 's sorrel and mouse-ear hawkweed . ( 23/05/03 ) Knightsbridge garden hedgehog haven The London gardens made famous by Julia Roberts and High Grant in the film Notting Hill are to get new residents who hit the headlines for rather more prickly reasons . Some of the hedgehogs being culled in the Outer Hebrides because they eat the eggs of rare ground-nesting birds will soon be delighting the communal gardeners of Knightsbridge by eating their slugs instead . Sir Michael Wilmot , chairman of the committee that runs the Arundel and Elgin Garden , said : ' I think we could take about 50 hedgehogs eventually . We will create feeding areas , put out information on what to feed them , make sure there are plenty of leaves under the hedges when they want to hibernate. ' ( 07/05/03 ) Kew commissions Chelsea winner Chelsea Garden Show sensation Mary Reynolds , who won a Gold Medal at her first attempt with her atmospheric Celtic Garden , has been commissioned by Kew to create a new showcase area at its London site . The new garden will feature an island in a lake with lots of trees and native aquatic plants . The commission , in association with the Environment Department , is for Go Wild , Kew 's festival of biodiversity from May 24 to September 28 ( 23/04/03 ) RHS launches Chelsea site Get a sneak preview of what 's in store at this year 's Chelsea Flower Show at a special RHS website . The world 's most famous flower show , which runs 20- 23 May , is previewed in full on the Chelsea microsite at www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea . You can see plans and illustrations of all 25 show gardens and almost 40 small gardens . Detailed planting lists and descriptions for each are also available , plus information on which hot new plants will be launched at the show . Tickets for Chelsea can be booked online ( or call : 0870 906 3781 ) ÃÂ- all tickets must be bought in advance . ( 08/04/03 ) Prince Charles backs garden scheme Prince Charles has taken over as patron of the National Gardens Scheme charitable trust from his grandmother . The Queen Mother was the figurehead for the scheme , which encourages people to open their gardens for charity , until her death last year . ( 24/03/03 ) West Dean Gardens wins award West Dean Gardens has been won the prestigious 2002 Historic Houses Association/Christie 's Garden Of The Year Award . The announcement came as the West Sussex attraction , set in the South Downs , opened for the 2003 season . ( 24/03/03 ) Allotment holders act against theft Two allotment holders took the initiative when police decided not to prosecute a man who had been regularly stealing their vegetables and flowers to sell as organic produce . They went through the civil courts to name and shame the thief . The prosecution at Harpenden , Hertfordshire , was successful , and plot holders Bob Thompson and John Williams were awarded ã100 compensation . Bob said afterwards : ' The money is n't the issue . This was blatant theft and I was disgusted that no action was going to be taken . Now justice has been done . I would recommend naming and shaming through the civil courts to any allotment holders in a similar position. ' Bob and his sons set up watch to catch the thief , and made a citizen 's arrest in the early hours . ( 11/03/03 ) New RHS roadshow The RHS is going on the road to bring its expertise to as many people as possible . The first Royal Horticultural Society Plant Roadshow will be at Bournemouth International Centre from April 11-13 . Tickets are now on sale . They cost ã6 , orã5 for RHS members , when booked in advance ( call 01202 456 456 or book online at www.rhs.org.uk ). Stephen Bennett , RHS director of shows , said : ' We are delighted that Bournemouth is to host the first roadshow . It 's a vibrant town with lots of keen gardeners and an impressive record in the Britain In Bloom competition. ' As well as expert help and inspiration , there will be nursery displays , rare and unusual plants on sale , plus a range of horticultural sundries . Channel tunnel link undermines gardens A group of neighbours saw their gardens disappear down a huge hole trees , shrubs , sheds , and all . Fifty people had to be evacuated from the row of terraced houses in Lavender Street , Stratford , East London , after a landslip thought to have been caused by work carried out for the Channel Tunnel Rail link . Hundreds of tonnes of concrete was poured into the 30ft-deep chasm that spread across three gardens , and an investigation team set to work to discover if any more subsidence which also left cracks in house walls was likely . ( 11/02/03 ) On a wing and a prayer A gardener at Thaxted , Essex , was fortunately out when a new specimen appearedÃÂ- a metal flap that fell from an aircraft wing . The 5x2ft flap came from a Federal Express plane approaching nearby Stansted Airport . A Stansted spokesman said : ' There were no injuries or damage , and the aircraft landed safely. ' ( 31/01/03 ) New Essex forest Essex may be great for planes but it 's not so hot for birds ÃÂ- it has one of the lowest tree counts in the country . But TV 's Birds Of A Feather star Lesley Joseph and former EastEnder Ross Kemp are backing a campaign by the Woodland Trust to plant up 500 acres of bare farmland at Fordham , near Colchester . ( 31/01/03 ) Garden share warning Garden-loving flat-buyers in London have been warned to check their leases carefully after a couple were wrongly told by an estate agency that their new garden belonged solely to them . Marie Brittain , who moved into the ã170,000 flat in Wandsworth with her partner David Bitmead , was startled when she saw a stranger wandering about the garden. ‘He turned out to be our neighbour who told me the garden belonged to him as well,’ ; said Marie , 26. ‘I had made it very clear that one of my main requirements was a private garden , and I was assured it was.’ ; Estate agents Townsends were fined ã4,000 after admitting offences under the Property Misdescription Act . The couple are also claiming damages . ( 15/01/03 ) Contemporary garden wins award A Kent garden that combines formal with wacky contemporary has been named the top garden attraction in the UK by the Good Britain Guide 2003 . Groombridge Place Gardens and Enchanted Forest , near Tunbridge Wells , was also voted Kent Family Attraction Of The Year . Its 17th century formal gardens and 21st century ornamentation enchant adults and children alike , says the Guide . ( 03/01/03 ) Garden crabs Sue White found some unusual newcomers in her garden in Blackwater , Surrey ÃÂ- live crabs . Sue lives 35 miles from the coast , but the RSPCA suspects the crabs were dropped by herons . ( 03/01/03 ) Kew 's Christmas spirit Kew Gardens have been transformed into a magical scene of twinkling lights and decorations for Christmas . In the Princess of Wales Conservatory a traditional horse-drawn seed planter and derelict farm cart lie covered in a soft layer of snow , creating an atmospheric scene . Outside , as dusk falls , the gardens shimmer with Christmas lights and the Palm House is lit up against the dark sky . At weekends , there is music from choirs , brass bands , and handbell ringers , and a roving Father Christmas spreads the magic of the season . A Victorian carousel and mini train roundabout complete the festive picture . ( 18/12/02 ) Rare plant initiative Kew Royal Botanic Gardens and the property developer English Courtyard have teamed up in a project to plant rare and endangered native species around new retirement homes . In particular , each site will be planted with species that are locally threatened . Per Bogstad , corporate partnerships manager at Kew , said : ' It is hoped other developers will adopt a similar stance. ' Plants will be sourced close to the site to help the local economy as well as the environment . ( 05/12/02 ) New apple/plum cross Lynnie Hughes , 44 , has a new fruit in her garden in Chidham , West Sussex ÃÂ- the ' plumple ' , which is a cross between a plum and an apple . She says two old trees have entwined and cross-pollinated . ( 05/12/02 ) Sheep for sale Ray Turnell is selling his house in Kent complete with a novel grass cutter to cope with the 1.75-acre garden ÃÂ- a sheep called Dolly ! Ray bought the ewe specifically to keep the grass under control , and now he is offering to leave her at the ã500,000 property at Wrotham , near Sevenoaks . Ray , 56 , said : " The grass used to be a real problem as I get hay fever . A farmer friend suggested I get a sheep rather than suffer the misery of using a lawnmower each week . " His local estate agents has advertised the home as " a three-bed detached house with separate annexe , triple garage , and optional sheep " . Garden museum appeal London 's Museum of Garden History has launched an appeal to raise ã500,000 to improve its facilities and displays . The museum is in a restored church in Lambeth Palace Road . Garden flatfish John Rees picked up an unusual leaf when he was tidying his garden ÃÂ- it started flapping ! It was a flounder that had been sucked up by the great October gales and deposited in his garden in Fratton , Portsmouth ÃÂ- two miles from the sea . But John , 66 , who had been about to chuck the flatfish on his compost heap , kept his cool . He dropped it into a bucket of water , popped the bucket over the handlebars of his bike , and rode to a sealife centre in Portsmouth . Freefall Freddie , as the fish was nicknamed by staff , is now one of the aquarium 's star attractions . ( 05/10/02 ) Allotment reprieve Allotment gardeners in West London have won a three-year battle to save their plots . Acton Gardening Association , Ealing Borough Council , and developers who took over four allotment sites have reached an agreement giving the gardeners a 90-year lease at a peppercorn rent . ( 05/10/02 ) Urban wildlife winner A Brighton couple 's town-centre garden has won the UK 's first Wildlife Garden Of The Year competition . Jan and Rusty Curry said their wildlife-friendly gardening began when they dug a pond ÃÂ- and a few days later saw a frog and a dragonfly . ( 24/10/02 ) Kew launches autumn trails London 's Royal Botanical Gardens has launched it Autumn Cornucopia . Visitors to Kew can take part in fungi trails , apple days , guided tours , and story walks . The Princess of Wales Conservatory has been transformed into an autumn rural scene , and there 's an incredible array of pumpkins and gourds on display in the Waterlily House . The event runs until November 3. ( 24/10/02 ) Famous garden threatened New right-to-roam laws could spell the end of a famous Sussex garden , claims the owner . It means walkers could enjoy the beautiful scenery of the deer park at Leonardslee Gardens at Lower Beeding , near Horsham , without paying an entrance fee . It could be five years before the new laws come into effect , but owner Robin Loder said : ' It just destroys the viability of the garden. ' ( 09/10/02 ) Countess plants tree Sophie , the Countess of Wessex , is to plant a tree to mark the start of the second phase in the development of the Bedgebury Pinetum ÃÂ- new education and visitor centres ÃÂ- in Kent on October 15 ( 3.15pm ) . The countess was a regular visitor to Bedgebury as a child . ( 09/10/02 ) RHS plants new woodland The RHS has embarked on a massive conservation project at its gardens at Hyde Hall , Essex . It aims to create a 75-acre wildlife woodland with 55,000 new trees , six miles of native hedging , and an abundance of wild flowers all by 2006 . A nationwide fund-raising appeal has been launched to help buy the trees , which will cost ã2 each . Call the RHS development office on 020 7821 3125 to make a donation . Kew 's Orangery reopens The historic Orangery at London 's Kew Gardens is re-opening , after extensive restoration , as a restaurant . 10-year waiting list for city allotments .It can now take up to 10 years to get an allotment in London . And waiting lists could grow even longer , say green campaigners , because land is needed for more high-density housing and because councils sell vacant land to raise cash . The London Assembly 's Green group want to see the trend reversed . Councillor Darren Johnson , the group 's leader , said : ' We ca n't coop people up like battery chickens with no room for leisure . We need more space for allotments , not less. ' ( 11/09/02 ) Garden art from Africa A Sussex company is doing its bit to help troubled Zimbabwe and other African countries and at the same time giving gardeners the chance to add an extra dimension to their plots . Striking metal sculptures of birds handcrafted by Zimbabwean artists from recycled material add instant impact to any garden . Afrika Trading , of Small Dole , West Sussex , ensures the artists receive a fair trade price for their work which also includes other stylish wood , stone , and wicker garden products . It 's a wholesale company , but find details of its retail outlets by logging on to www.afrikatrading.co.uk , or call 01273 491391 . ( 25/08/02 ) Nursery wins Queen 's Award Architectural Plants , with sites at Chichester and Horsham , West Sussex , is the first retail nursery to win a Queen 's Award for Innovation . It won the award for ground-breaking production and marketing techniques . ( 25/08/02 ) Hand grenades unearthed in garden Gardener Steve Eckton was digging the foundations for a patio when he unearthed some Second World War hand grenades . Not just a handful , or even a dozen but 3,000 of them ! Army bomb disposal experts had to be called to remove them and make the garden safe . The grenades are believed to be from an old weapons store on the site of Steve 's house in Kingsclere , Hampshire . He said : ' Thankfully none exploded when my spade struck them . But rather than worrying about the danger , I was angry about the sheer number of them - you ca n't plant anything in three foot of hand grenades ! ' ( 14/08/02 ) Kew police go-slow The Royal Botanic Gardens Constabulary yes , Kew has its own police force ! is not happy with its new ã14,000 patrol vehicle . The 15 officers based at the west London gardens say the milkfloat-like electric buggy - painted green with two blue lights on the roof has made them a laughing stock . The buggy has a top speed of just 10mph bringing cheek from children and laughter from pensioners . A spokeswoman for Kew said : ' Our police do n't need to get across the gardens at incredible speeds . It 's not like they are going to be chasing plant thieves around. ' ( 06/08/02 ) Own a piece of Lords Cricket-loving gardeners can now have a piece of Lords in their lawn . The MCC is selling the turf from the outfield some said to date from 1787 when it was laid for ã10 a square foot when the ground is improved this winter . Buyers will get a certificate with the boxed piece . ( 06/08/02 ) Wild West garden in Kent Cowboy film fan Steve Smart did n't just settle for a cactus or two when he decided his back garden needed a Wild West theme he built a whole frontier town including a dude ranch , saloon , bank , sheriff 's office , and general store . Steve transformed his 40ftx140ft garden at the Isle of Sheppey , Kent , because his fear of flying means he 'll never see the real American West . Most nights he puts on his cowboy gear and sits by a camp fire in the garden . He said : ' People think I 'm weird but I just love the Wild West. ' ( 16/07/02 ) Jubilee Garden opens Perfect weather greeted the Queen this week as she opened the new Jubilee Garden at Windsor Castle . Created by Tom Stuart-Smith with plants supplied by Crocus , the garden has been designed to provide a contemporary complement to the existing grounds while still capturing the Castle 's essentially romantic character . Extending from the main gates the new planting sweeps up to St George 's Gate where visitors are able to access the Castle precincts . The informal design includes a tangle of vines and roses , such as the rambling white-flowering ' Seagull ' , as well as many colourful woodland perennials and a range of shrubs , such as Syringa microphylla , Quercus suber and Magnolia grandiflora , that provide structure to the scheme . In all , it contains over 10,000 plants that offer year-round appeal - peaking in the spring when the Queen holds her Easter Court at the Castle . ( 02/07/02 ) Queen visits allotments The Queen really is getting down to grass roots on her Golden Jubilee tour . She is all set to visit a special allotment site in London . As part of a programme of visits to local communities , she is due to stop off at allotments in Redbridge tended by adults with physical and learning disabilities . Bulletins Our monthly bulletins bring you all the latest news including contract wins , service developments and individual success stories from our projects around the country . You can read our bulletins here in full . Or enter your email address on the ' News by email ' form to receive bite-size news alerts directly to your inbox . 1961-90 Mean Climatologies and 1901-1995 Monthly Gridded Time Series Mark New , November 1997 These data have ben developed as part of a U.K. Natural Environment Research Council ( NERC ) funded project , aimed at evaluating the influence of 20th century climate variability on the the terrestrial carbon cycle . There is some background information on the terrestrial carbon cycle here . Briefly , we will be using a dynamic vegetation growth model to assess the sensitivity of above and below ground terrestrial carbon cycling to 20th century climate . To achieve this we are developing monthly global 0.5 degree gridded time series for the variables listed below . A first step has been to develop 1961-90 " normal " climatologies for these variables from an entirely new data-set ( New et al , in press ). Next we apply monthly anomalies ( relative to 1961-90 ) interpolated from station data to the mean climatology , thereby obtaining estimates of the actual grid point monthly values . For a copy of a recent poster at the Royal Meteorological Society " Physics of Climate " conference , October 1997 , go here ( this is a pdf file so you need Acrobat reader , and a bit of time to download about 3Mb ) . There is also some more stuff on the methodology at this page ( much quicker ) . Please have a look at the normal climatologies for the Northern Hemisphere below . If you see any regions where the climatologies look unusual or disagree with your experiences , please let me know ( m.new@uea.ac.uk ) . The 1961-1990 normal climatologies are now available . Please contact Dr David Viner at the Climate Impacts LINK Project ( d.viner@uea.ac.uk ) if you wish to obtain the data . The gridded time-series are due to be released through the IPCC Data Distribution Centre The market for wireless networks is growing fast . But one thing has n't changed : security is still a major concern for many IT directors . According to Datamonitor , it is the number one worry in relation to this technology and , although the situation has improved markedly over the past couple of years , security issues continue to act as a barrier to adoption . Nevertheless , the analyst believes that the market is still building rapidly . Last year , some 861,700 wireless access point devices were shipped worldwide , and this figure is expected to increase to 1.3 million by 2006 , equating to a compound annual growth rate of 16 per cent . If other equipment such as wireless Lan cards and switches are included , growth is more like 19 per cent , with the market valued at $ 724m ( ã408m ) in 2003 and rising to $ 1.3bn ( ã0.73bn ) in three years . The technology is maturing and adoption is starting to quicken , particularly in vertical sectors such as retail , manufacturing , utilities and healthcare , but the inhibitor is still security - and not without reason . Security failings Yet despite the horror stories that have been documented over the past few years , a study commissioned by security vendor RSA and undertaken by Phil Cracknell , chief technology officer at security consultancy netSurity , indicated that a worrying 25 per cent of wireless access points in the City of London did not meet best practice security standards . If the Department of Trade and Industry 's Information Breaches Security Survey 2004 is to be believed , the situation is even more disturbing elsewhere . The DTI found that the number of UK companies of all sizes using wireless networks soared from two per cent in 2002 to more than one-third this year , but more than half had failed to introduce any security controls at all . " One of the problems seems to be that a lot of these networks are not actually official , " explained Cracknell . " They 're cheap to purchase and easy to install , and I 'm certain that a lot of access points are not actually sanctioned and approved by IT . " Instead , they 're being bought by lines of business on expenses or local budgets , and then introduced into organisations by the back door . " As a result , rogue access points are unlikely to have been configured properly , and will be left in default mode . In most instances , this means they are wide open to security threats . Another common problem is that organisations have a habit of buying boosters to increase the range of standard equipment , so that it covers a whole building rather than just a floor . But the signal can end up leaking onto the street if access points are positioned close to exterior walls or top floors , the transmission power is not turned down , or a directional antennae is not used to control where the signal is emanating from . This leaves the network open again . " People are ignoring this issue because they feel it 's the least of their problems , " said Cracknell . " They accept that by its nature , a wireless network will bleed onto the street even though it means they 're broadcasting their signal publicly and anyone can access the network . " The situation is made even worse if the wireless network is based on the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol ( DHCP ) . This is prevalent among wired networks and is intended to make administration easier by dynamically assigning IP addresses to devices when they want network access . " DHCP is disastrous in the wireless world because it offers random PCs access to your network . The fact that it 's impossible to prosecute someone for hacking if you welcome them in is made worse with this because you 're actually dragging them in , " warned Cracknell . Failure to undertake due diligence here may even result in liability for illegal activity undertaken by hackers on the network , which can end in litigation . Use all your security tools So what can IT directors do to protect their organisations ? Lewis Honour , business development manager for security and wireless technology at network consultancy Omnetica , insisted that the first thing is to use all the tools , technology and security standards at their disposal . For example , while the Wired Equivalent Privacy encryption protocol , which was defined in the 802.11b standard , has largely been discredited as being easy to crack with sniffing tools such as AirSnort , it is now possible to replace it with the next-generation Wi-Fi Protected Access ( WPA ) encryption and authentication protocol . WPA is a subset of the IEEE 's full 802.11i security standard , which is expected to be ratified by the third quarter of this year . " WPA is good enough for most companies . Very few need to go the extra mile , and those that do probably would n't go with wireless anyway , " said Leif-Olof Wallin , a Meta Group analyst . WPA is easy to install into more modern access points as a software upgrade , but it may be necessary to swap out older access points as they are unlikely to provide enough processing power , according to Wallin . Other useful software includes audit tools such as Netstumbler , which are used by IT staff and hackers alike to survey the environment and check that there are no vulnerable rogue access points . But Honour said that , while such technology is certainly useful , the most effective approach for an IT director is to treat wireless networks in the same way as an insecure internet connection . This means planning for total mobile support rather than just focusing on one technology or another . " If a company talks about introducing a wireless Lan , they have to be aware that the floodgates will open , " he warned . " It 's not just a matter of letting someone walk around with a device in the office . It 's about providing visitors with access to the internet and allowing staff to communicate remotely using a GPRS or 3G device or a wireless hotspot from a coffee shop . " Wireless security has to be dealt with holistically rather than simply in a wireless network sense , with a minimum requirement being clear and well-communicated enterprise security policies and procedures and virtual private network technology for secure remote communications . Firewalls , either at the network gateway or on individuals ' laptops , are also crucial , as is intrusion detection , antivirus software and other security technologies . While this may sound like overkill to the average overworked IT director , as Cracknell said : " We 're only a short time away from a major incident and then people will really have to sit up and take notice . " To see a PDF of the illustrations associated with this report please click here KEY WIRELESS LAN STANDARDS 802.11a Operates at 5GHz frequency band Range of up to 50m Bandwidth of up to 54Mbpss Most expensive option Accounted for six per cent of enterprise access point unit shipments worldwide in 2003 , will account for four per cent in 2006 No public access available Not compatible with 802.11b or g 802.11b Operates at 2.4GHz frequency band Range of between 50m and 100m Bandwidth of up to 11Mbps Least expensive option Accounted for 81 per cent of enterprise access point unit shipments worldwide in 2003 , will account for 52 per cent in 2006 Dominant technology for hotspots Not compatible with 802.11a and not forwards-compatible with 802.11g 802.11g Operates at 2.4GHz frequency band Range of between 50m and 100m Bandwidth of up to 54Mbps More expensive than 802.11b , but cheaper than 802.11a technology Accounted for 10 per cent of enterprise access point unit shipments worldwide in 2003 , will account for 24 per cent in 2006 Backwards-compatible with 802.11b hotspots Not compatible with 802.11a , but backwards-compatible with 802.11b The remaining three per cent of enterprise access point unit shipments in 2003 were accounted for by other technologies such as Bluetooth , which is not intended for use with wireless Lan applications , but to connect PDAs , mobile phones and PCs during short intervals . Source : Datamonitor WIRELESS ADVICE It is imperative to take a holistic approach to securing wireless and mobile technology . Simply concentrating on wireless Lans is not enough Clear and well-communicated enterprise security policies and procedures are crucial so that everyone in the organisation is aware of their roles , responsibilities and accountability Use the same technology that you would generally use to secure a vulnerable internet connection : VPNs , firewalls , antivirus software and the like Check for rogue access points using tools such as Netstumbler Ensure that access points are not positioned close to exterior walls , and if they are , turn the transmit power down or use a directional antennae to prevent signal bleeding onto the street Remove the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol from your wireless network to avoid providing passers-by with access , whether they want it or not Replace the Wired Equivalent Privacy encryption protocol with the new , next-generation WPA encryption and authentication protocol Permalink for this story | View trackbacks to this story Trackback URL : http://www.computing.co.uk/actions/trackback/2072406 M A R K E T P L A C E Policy Management vs Vulnerability Scanning Which is right for you ? Vulnerability scanning products test for known vulnerabilities . Policy management products are pro-active by locking the doors in advance of a possible attack . Click to request our white paper . Fast , Firewall Piercing Support Tools from LogMeIn Whether you need temporary or permanent access to remote PCs , LogMeIn has your solution : LogMeIn IT Reach for automatic maintenance of remote and mobile systems , and LogMeIn Rescue for instant , web-based remote access without pre-installing software . Enterprise Vault Simplify Email/PST & File Mgmt White Paper , Webcast & Demo VeriSign 128-Bit SSL Web Site Encryption Looking for SSL ? Turn to the SSL experts . Protect your servers with 128-bit SSL encryption from VeriSign . Register for your free Internet security guide today . Click here . Find and remove duplicate files NoClone - Find and remove duplicate files across hard drives and over network . True byte-by-byte comparison . Smart marker for file removal . Free Trial . Have your product or service listed here > Sponsored links Showcase Find and evaluate companies with a click Business Continuity Business Process Management CRM Solutions Computer Recycling Content Management Solutions Data Storage Solutions Document Management Solutions eCommerce Solutions ERP Solutions IT Consulting IT Finance & Leasing IT Security IT Solutions IT Support IT Training Managed Services Mobile Working Network Solutions Phone Systems & Services Public Relations Recruitment Agencies Software Solutions VoIP Web Conferencing Web Design Web Hosting F E A T U R E D J O B S Applications DBA/Unix Administrator Newport , Wales | Newport City Council Applications DBA/Unix Administrator - Newport , South Wales ã27,411 - ã29,958 Information Systems and Communications Newport City Council has undertaken a fundamental step forward in the way it delivers services.... more > Senior Computing Officer Plymouth | vnucompuk Display Ads for University of Plymouth University of Plymouth www.plymouth.ac.uk/vacancies Senior Computing Officer - ICT Desktop Applications Joining a small , highly skilled team of four IT professionals , you will focus on the management and distribution of software to Plymouth 's leased fleet of... more > Software Engineer / Analyst Programmer / Systems Analyst Nottingham | Interactive Response Soulutions Ltd Software Engineer / Analyst Programmer / Systems Analyst Salary : ã28K â 35K dependent on experience Based in Nottingham To be responsible for all aspects relating to the maintenance of efficient and effective IT services as... more > System Support Manager London | vnucompuk Display Ads for Southwark Council Social Services The Information Systems Unit provides a vital service within Southwark Council , optimising the efficiency of internal processes and ensuring that information resources are readily accessible to every employee and member of our community.... more > Each week vnunet.com asks a different expert from the antivirus world to give their views on recent virus and security issues , with advice , warnings and information on the latest threats . This week Niall Moynihan , Check Point 's European Technical Director , stresses the importance of a flexible security strategy to defend against an increasingly sophisticated and varied range of assaults . Viruses are not the only threat on the internet . As the number of web users increases , so does the frequency of attacks against legitimate businesses and individuals . The types of attack are becoming more and more sophisticated : hackers are pushing the limits of the firewall , for example , by hiding or embedding malicious activity into otherwise acceptable web traffic . And as more business rely on the internet for business processes , the stakes get higher with more and more sensitive data at risk of exposure or corruption . To defend against an increasingly varied range of assaults - anything from a denial of service attack to IP spoofing - a security solution has to be flexible . This implies a strong software element , because only software-based systems can adapt quickly enough to protect networks in today 's environment . The solution must then take an active approach to security . It is not enough to detect and report on attacks . Systems must be able to block attacks as they happen . After all , security managers have better things to do than stare at log files all day waiting for problems to arise . The technologies behind any security system also need to be smart enough to defend against variants of the same attack . Very often a new attack emerges and specific defences are put in place which prove to be ineffective as minor variations of the same threat evolve . For example , the initial Nimda virus involved the download of a file named ' Readme.exe ' . Security administrators began blocking web traffic which included that filename . As we now know , the attackers responded by changing the name of the malicious file to ' Sample.exe ' . Security managers can waste hours chasing a moving target , so security products need to stay a step ahead by providing solutions for entire classes of attacks.On a practical side , products need to be able to scale across large network environments . Policy management , monitoring , logging and alerting architectures should be designed under the assumption that tens , hundreds , and even thousands of security enforcement points will be managed without requiring large investments in management overheads . Finally , any time a potential threat is detected it should be logged , along with as much supporting information as possible , so that attack post-mortems can be carried out . Fortunately , defence capabilities are also evolving rapidly . Techniques such as anti-spoofing , TCP streaming , and successive events are able to defend against a broad range of attacks , and help put security managers on an even footing with attackers . TCP streaming , for example , is a high-performance kernel-level pattern-matching mechanism that provides continuously updated protection against HTTP worms , such as the infamous Code Red and Nimda . It identifies and blocks malicious text patterns embedded in otherwise acceptable web traffic . Because it is implemented in the kernel , pattern matching is accomplished at very high speeds as compared to proxy-based alternatives . Many attackers attempt to circumvent attack defences by fragmenting a malicious URL into multiple packets . TCP streaming reassembles fragmented packets to defeat these attacks . Successive events analysis is another technology that defends against a broad category of attacks . It identifies suspicious activity based on successive events that are characteristic of attacks , such as port scans , address spoofing , and local interface spoofing . User-defined thresholds allow users to tune the detection mechanism to avoid the generation of too many log entries and false positive alerts . But undeniably , the most important weapon in this virtual arms race between corporations and hackers is a well thought out and well managed security policy . A security policy should be a living thing , continually updated to account for a rapidly changing environment , and a security manager needs to be alert to new threats and willing to act fast to counter them . Permalink for this story | View trackbacks to this story Trackback URL : http://www.computing.co.uk/actions/trackback/2121791 M A R K E T P L A C E Policy Management vs Vulnerability Scanning Which is right for you ? Vulnerability scanning products test for known vulnerabilities . Policy management products are pro-active by locking the doors in advance of a possible attack . Click to request our white paper . Fast , Firewall Piercing Support Tools from LogMeIn Whether you need temporary or permanent access to remote PCs , LogMeIn has your solution : LogMeIn IT Reach for automatic maintenance of remote and mobile systems , and LogMeIn Rescue for instant , web-based remote access without pre-installing software . Enterprise Vault Simplify Email/PST & File Mgmt White Paper , Webcast & Demo VeriSign 128-Bit SSL Web Site Encryption Looking for SSL ? Turn to the SSL experts . Protect your servers with 128-bit SSL encryption from VeriSign . Register for your free Internet security guide today . Click here . Find and remove duplicate files NoClone - Find and remove duplicate files across hard drives and over network . True byte-by-byte comparison . Smart marker for file removal . Free Trial . Have your product or service listed here > Sponsored links Showcase Find and evaluate companies with a click Business Continuity Business Process Management CRM Solutions Computer Recycling Content Management Solutions Data Storage Solutions Document Management Solutions eCommerce Solutions ERP Solutions IT Consulting IT Finance & Leasing IT Security IT Solutions IT Support IT Training Managed Services Mobile Working Network Solutions Phone Systems & Services Public Relations Recruitment Agencies Software Solutions VoIP Web Conferencing Web Design Web Hosting F E A T U R E D J O B S Applications DBA/Unix Administrator Newport , Wales | Newport City Council Applications DBA/Unix Administrator - Newport , South Wales ã27,411 - ã29,958 Information Systems and Communications Newport City Council has undertaken a fundamental step forward in the way it delivers services.... more > Senior Computing Officer Plymouth | vnucompuk Display Ads for University of Plymouth University of Plymouth www.plymouth.ac.uk/vacancies Senior Computing Officer - ICT Desktop Applications Joining a small , highly skilled team of four IT professionals , you will focus on the management and distribution of software to Plymouth 's leased fleet of... more > Software Engineer / Analyst Programmer / Systems Analyst Nottingham | Interactive Response Soulutions Ltd Software Engineer / Analyst Programmer / Systems Analyst Salary : ã28K â 35K dependent on experience Based in Nottingham To be responsible for all aspects relating to the maintenance of efficient and effective IT services as... more > System Support Manager London | vnucompuk Display Ads for Southwark Council Social Services The Information Systems Unit provides a vital service within Southwark Council , optimising the efficiency of internal processes and ensuring that information resources are readily accessible to every employee and member of our community.... more > This paper investigates how interface design can help to overcome the proclaimed ÃÂlack of trustàin e-commerce sites . Based on existing social science knowledge on trust , and our own exploratory study using Grounded Theory methods , we developed a model of consumer decision making in on-line shopping . Due to the separation in space and time when engaging in e-commerce , there is an increased need for trust , rather than the oft-proclaimed lack of trust . Based on this model we then review design guidelines through empirical tests . We focus on approaches that aim to increase trust by increasing the social presence of an interface . We identified cues in the user interface that help to build trust to some extent ( trustbuilders ) , and some cues that have a great potential for destroying trust ( trustbusters ). à à à 1. INTRODUCTION Consider shopping in the real world : When a customer enters a shop for the first time , she sees the interior , goods and the sales staff . The customer may not conduct any risk evaluation at all , because shopping is a habit she does not perceive as risky . But the visual cues allow her to a evaluate the shop 's professionalism , competence and trustworthiness via a comparison with other shops . The situation is different for shopping on the Internet : Most people do not shop habitually on the Internet and do not understand the underlying technology , and the risks are numerous . It is thus not surprising that one of the leading advertisers on the Internet is TRUSTe [ 15 ] , an organisation that assigns seals to e-commerce enterprises that it considers ' trustworthy ' . Consumers ' lack of trust in e-commerce is often assumed to be one of the main reasons for the disappointing development of B2C e-commerce [ 21 ] . The aim of the research reported in this paper was to investigate whether àand which àelements of the user interface can contribute to building trust with customers . 2. RESEARCH APPROACH Our research started with an exploratory approach : Firstly , we conducted a review of the sociology and social psychology literature on trust [ study I ] . This laid the conceptual basis for a series of in-depth interviews with 13 Internet users ( 8 e-shoppers , 5 non-shoppers ) . The interviews aimed to elicit their perception of risk , evaluation strategies for online-shops , and other intervening factors . The transcripts of the interviews were analysed using coding techniques from Grounded Theory [ 7 , 28 ] . This process allowed us to construct a model of consumer decision-making in online-shopping [ study II ] . We analysed existing interface design guidelines for building ' trustworthy interfaces ' , and added the elements identified in the literature review [ I ] and our study [ II ] . This new set of guidelines was then subjected to an empirical test : Two semi-functional mock-ups of an online-shop ( one incorporating the guidelines , the other not ) were tested through an online experiment [ study III ] . 53 participants were randomly assigned to perform a trial shopping with one of the mock-ups . Their risk perceptions were elicited afterwards through an online questionnaire . The results of the interviews and answers to open-ended questions in the questionnaire indicated a high relevance of personal interaction for trust building . This insight formed the basis for another study , investigating how cues from human interaction can be applied to the interface to induce trust . Again , a literature review laid the foundation for further empirical research . Particular focus was given to the concept of re-embedding [ 6 ] , and the related theories of media richness [ 20 ] and social presence / telepresence [ 12 , 27 ] . We then performed an empirical test employing Walkthroughs [ 23 , 25 ] with a mock-up and focussed interviews [ 14 ] with 15 participants [ study IV ] . 3. TRUST Consumer decision-making is a well-researched area . The prevailing cognitive model assumes that consumers search information on risks and benefits and weigh them against each other to reach a decision [ 5 ] . This model has , however , been criticised since it does not account for habitual decisions or affective reactions , nor the effect of trust in decision-making . In complex situations ( i.e. those which involve a large number of risks , or risks that are not well understood ) , individuals need to base their decisions on trust àor withdraw from the situation . Essentially , trust is a device for reducing complexity [ 13 ] . Various definitions of trust exist , and they agree that trust depends on : ( 1 ) an individualÃÂs ability to trust , ( 2 ) conventions ; and ( 3 ) cues of trustworthiness [ 6 , 13 , 30 ] . Cues of trustworthiness - attributes of the entity to be trusted - are the focus of our research . They form a small empirical basis for the trusting person from which she may conclude on future behaviour of the entity in question . This has two implications : ( 1 ) to a certain extent , cues need to be seen as being given unintentionally , as a by-product of interaction ; and ( 2 ) they need to be congruent : The perception of trustworthiness is easily undermined by a single cue to the contrary [ 13 ] . These results from the literature review [ I ] form the conceptual foundation of the model that is introduced in this paper . 4. RISKS IN E-COMMERCE Table 1 gives an overview on the risks that have been mentioned by respondents , grouped according to the source of the risk [ II ] . It has , however , been shown that risk perception and trust towards an organisation and its technology are related [ 1 ] . Table 1. Risks in e-Commerce 1. Risks that stem from the Internet include : a ) whether credit card data gets intercepted ; b ) whether the data is transmitted correctly ; c ) their own interaction with the system- i.e. whether they use it correctly 2. Risks that are related to the physical absence of the online-retailer are : a ) whether the personal details they supply will be passed on to other parties ; b ) whether the online-vendor will actually deliver the products or services . On-line shopping is thus a very complex situation in which people require more trust than in traditional shopping environments most would-be e-shoppers do not have sufficient experience - and hence expertise - to fully assess the underlying technology and its risks . The fact that e-commerce transactions are dis-associated in terms of time and geographical distance increases the complexity , and adds to the risk for the parties involved . The interviews [ II ] showed that risk perception depends on the knowledge and experience of potential e-shoppers . 4.1 Knowledge Knowledgeable shoppers mainly consider risks related to individual online-vendors . Here the design of the interface has the highest impact . Very inexperienced Internet users see the greatest risk in the complexity of the system ; some of them believe that even a trustworthy vendor is not capable of protecting them from the risks associated with the Internet . Furthermore , respondents who lack knowledge cannot judge the veracity and accuracy of media reports on Internet security . As a result of such reports , many would-be e-shoppers worry about risks that are non-existent or very small indeed [ II , III ] . 4.2 Experience Lack of experience can be seen as problem on an individual and collective level [ I ] . On an individual level , the prime risk that stems from a lack of experience is the danger of interacting incorrectly with the system - e.g. accidentally ordering an unwanted item . On a collective level , the lack of experience translates into absence of conventions . Many authors attribute the existing lack of trust to the relative novelty of the Internet [ 29 , 30 ] . Once conventions have been established and individuals perform on-line shopping habitually , they argue , the trust problem will go away . People 's trust is usually based on an expectation of continuity [ 13 ] , and the basis for trusting is not usually re-evaluated for any specific decision . Our findings , however , suggest that the novelty of the medium - and thus the lack of habit and conventions - is only one of several factors increasing the demand for trust in on-line shopping [ I , II ] . The fact that customer and retailer in on-line shopping are separated in time and space is inherent in the medium , and will not be overcome with time - the ' trust problem ' is therefore not likely to go away with increasing collective familiarity . 4.3 Separation in Space & Time At the core of every economic transaction lies a situation known as prisoner 's dilemma [ 11 ] : If both parties choose to maximise their own benefit ( i.e. take the other party 's exchange item , but keep their own ) , the transaction will not take place and both participants lose out . The risk of one party acting in this way can be minimised by co-presence of both parties : If I go to a shop and I do not receive the item after paying , I could exercise physical power on the shop assistant , or I could try to grab my money back . If the shop and I are embedded in the same legal system , I can trust the legal system to enforce the rules if necessary . If the transaction is separated in space , I may not have these options ; thus , the transaction bears a higher risk and an increased demand for trust [ I ] . Furthermore , I cannot see the shop 's interior nor the shop assistant , and thus I have few cues for my decision whether to trust this retailer or not [ II ] . Similarly , the separation in time ( e.g. payment is made before goods are received ) increases the risk of the transaction . If the goods are to be received within seconds after payment , the customer will realise quickly when she is being defrauded , and take remedial action . If a product ordered on-line is to be received after 2 weeks , it might be harder to track down the other party when it does not arrive [ I , II ] . This separation of transactions over space and time is called dis-embedding - a pervasive concept in modern societies , and by no means unique to on-line shopping . Catalogue shopping , for instance , faces the same problem . Due to the global nature of e-commerce , however , the degree of dis-embedding in e-commerce is higher . Dis-embedded social systems and complex technology depend on an increased level of trust from all participants[6 , 13 ] . We thus suggest that the oft-proclaimed ÃÂlack of trustàin Internet shopping needs to be re-defined as an increased need for trust , based on the nature of the transaction - and currently - inexperience of the e-shoppers . 5. E-SHOPPER DECISION-MAKING How then , we asked , do potential e-shoppers decide who to shop with in such a risky environment ? The Grounded Theory analysis [ II ] identified three strategies that e-shoppers use , depending on their level of knowledge and experience with the Internet [ Figure 1 ] . Ultimately , an e-shoppers ' decision " to buy , or not to buy " is influenced by ( 1 ) the on-line retailer 's performance when being evaluated by the potential e-shopper employing one of the identified strategies ( e.g. whether the on-line retailer has a well-known brand ) , ( 2 ) the perceived benefit ( e.g. how much they can save compared to other sources ) , and ( 3 ) their personal disposition ( e.g. how high a risk they can bear ) Figure 1 . E-Shopper Decision Making Inexperienced e-shoppers are likely to transfer trust : They will give on-line shopping a first try with retail organisations they are familiar with , or those that have been recommended to them . Reputation appears to be the biggest single influence when would-be e-shoppers decide to ' loose their virginity ' . This importance of transferred trust gives established players who have a strong brand an advantage in e-commerce . At the same time , it exposes their traditional business to considerable risk , because trust transfer works in the other direction , too [ 1 ] . If I have a bad experience with the on-line shop , I may begin to doubt the competence of the organisation as a whole , and stop using the physical shop as well . Experienced e-shoppers build up a repertoire [ 19 ] of professional-looking e-commerce sites , similar to the one they have for traditional shops , and thus base their trust evaluation on interface factors - they estimate the on-line shop 's professionalism . Very experienced and knowledgeable shoppers only consider specific risks ( e.g. fulfilment ) , and try to counteract those directly ( e.g. through checking for order tracking facilities ) . If they can identify a benefit by shopping on-line , they may even shop with an online-retailer that looks less professional . They have a strong sense of being in control when interacting via the Internet . We can expect trust transfer and professionalism to gain in importance as less knowledgeable e-shoppers enter the e-commerce arena . 6. CLOSING THE ' TRUST GAP ' 6.1 Reducing Risk à à The most obvious approach is to use technological solutions to directly address the risks involved in on-line shopping . This entails improved payment services , such as Secure Electronic Transactions ( SET ) or technological approaches to privacy like the Platform for Privacy Preferences Project ( P3P ) . As mentioned before , these solutions will only be effective if the technological solutions are àat least in their basics àunderstood by e-shoppers . A further reduction of risks will be achieved when legal and regulatory frameworks àaddressing the transaction itself , e-shoppers ' privacy and statutory rights àhave been established . The risks that can be directly mitigated by interface design are e-shoppersàown errors ( 1b ) and faulty transmission ( 1c ) . Through good interaction design , the e-shopper can be assured that she does not accidentally commit herself to an order and that all data is received correctly . Examples include status indicators , system feedback , displaying data already entered , and continuously displaying the products to be ordered during the process . Fulfilment risks ( 2b ) can be reduced by giving alternative ways of contacting the online-vendor ( recourse ) , by guaranteed response time , or by the previously mentioned order tracking , which helps to minimise the impact of separation in time . The experiment [ III ] with a mock online-shop showed that an interface with trust cues ( including elements not specifically targeted at fulfilment risks ) had the greatest effect on customers ' apprehensions related to fulfilment . 6.2 Trust Transfer There are several ways to address the inexperienced e-shopper 's strategy of trust transfer . Here they have been grouped into collective and individual approaches . Collective approaches rely on the joint effort of several online-vendors ; trust/privacy seals and reputation mechanisms are the most prevalent ones . 6.2.1 Collective Approaches A seal is an icon assigned to an on-line retailer by an independent body , such as the previously mentioned TRUSTe . The success of such trust seal programs , however , is disputed . Results from Sapient / Studio Archetype & Cheskin [ 24 ] support the impact of trust seals , but Cranor et al. [ 3 ] and our research [ II ] suggest they are of limited use . E-shoppers respond to sites that proclaim their own trustworthiness with an irritated : àwell they would say that , wouldnÃÂt they.àRather , the site has to ' look and feel ' trustworthy throughout the interaction . Another way of transferring trust is a reputation-sharing mechanism , as currently used by on-line auctioneers such as eBay [ 11 ] . They aggregate individual e-shoppers ' ratings of other participants ' trustworthiness and , based on these , assign each participant a reputation rating . This approach could also be employed by trust seals : basing their approval on customer ratings - rather than solely on compliance with set guidelines - would increase their usefulness . Personalised reputation mechanisms that take account of how our friends rate an on-line retailer would model the real world more closely : We place the highest confidence in recommendations from friends who had prior experience with an on-line retailer [ II ] . This idea is incorporated in Amazon 's affiliate programme : Providers of web sites are encouraged to link to products on Amazon.com . Thus , the trust would-be e-shoppers might have in individual sites is transferred to Amazon.com . 6.2.2 Individual Approaches The role of an individual retailer 's interface design in supporting the least experienced would-be shoppers ' strategy of trust transfer is limited : Their focus is on inferring trustworthiness from personal recommendations or brand familiarity . An individual retailer 's interface design here can only support trust through endorsements ( e.g. from well-known experts ) , or through positive customer comments . The impact of these measures is , however , limited by two factors : Firstly , they themselves depend on a basic level of trust and credibility , as they could easily be forged . Secondly , interface elements with no function beyond emphasising trustworthiness were interpreted as signifiers of untrustworthiness by some respondents , because they are seen as an attempt at manipulation [ IV ] . A way out of this dilemma is to incorporate elements that communicate such information- e.g. ÃÂwe have a large customer baseàalmost as a side-effect . An example are AmazonÃÂs customer recommendations . This element has functionality on its own right ( customer response to books ) ; at the same time , many customer recommendations suggest a large customer base without making this the central message [ II ] . While an individual online-retailerÃÂs interface design can only play a limited role in building trust with inexperienced Internet users , it can easily create mistrust through poor usability . Breakdown situations that stem from users ' misguided interaction with the system are often attributed to the vendorÃÂs malfunctioning technology . Information that is overlooked by the user ( e.g. terms & conditions ) can create the impression that it has been wilfully withheld . Thus , trustworthy interface design is necessary but not sufficient for inexperienced would-be e-shoppers [ II , III ] . 6.3 Estimating professionalism For more experienced Internet users , the quality of the user interface is the most important factor when deciding whether to shop with an online-vendor or not . By complying with off-line business standards ( e.g. consistent graphic design , absence of technological failures , clear assignment of responsibilities , upfront disclosure of terms & conditions , shipping costs and availability ) and with web standards ( e.g. good URL [ 17 ] , good usability , privacy policy , similarity in interaction design to well known sites ) , an on-line retailer can signal professionalism and thus appear trustworthy. [ 4 , 16 , 26 ] . 7. RE-EMBEDDING We stated above that one of the consequences of separation in time and space ( dis-embedding ) is the lack of social cues available to the potential shopper ( e.g. gesture or gaze ) . The importance of social cues as initial base for trust in human interaction has been stressed by both Luhmann and Goffmann [ 13 , 8 ] . Cues that have been identified by social psychologists include non-verbal ( e.g. gesture , gaze , proximity ) and para-verbal ones ( e.g. pitch , speed ) , but also content-based ones ( e.g. competence , generosity ) [ 10 ] . Thus , re-embedding , i.e. introducing face-to-face interaction in otherwise distant interaction , is a common approach to building trust : Business people and academics alike fly around the globe not only to negotiate or give presentations , but more importantly , to update their basis of trust in each othersàwork [ 6 ] . Experiments have shown that initial face-to-face contact in otherwise computer-mediated collaboration increases trust in workgroups. [ 22 ] . 7.1 Virtual Re-embedding The concept of re-embedding has high face validity . It is therefore not surprising that many authors champion the introduction of elements of face-to-face interaction ( social cues ) to the interface of online-retailers [ 16 , 18 , 26 ] . These recommendations are , however , rarely based on existing knowledge on the effects of mediated social cues . These effects were first described by Short , Williams and Christie in their work on social presence [ 27 ] and later elaborated by Rice 's work on media richness [ 20 ] . These concepts describe the effect of formal attributes of media on the social presence they afford ( perceived similarity to face-to-face interaction ) . These concepts have been criticised for being too narrow because they focus on formal media attributes ( e.g. fidelity of reproduction ) . A broader concept that also accounts for personal and situational intervening factors is that of ( tele-)presence [ 12 ] . Based on these concepts , we assumed that an interface can transmit social cues ( and thus communicate trustworthiness ) when formal and content-based guidelines as stated by the above mentioned authors are adhered to . We call this approach virtual re-embedding [ IV ] . The capability of an online-vendor 's interface to perform virtual re-embedding depends mainly on the modalities used ( photographs , video , text , speech , etc. ) , and how they are implemented . A further result from research into the underlying concepts is that the effect of personal trust cues and social presence communicated through media strongly depends on personal and situational factors , of which only few have been identified ( e.g. gender , media literacy , locus of control ) . There are two approaches to virtual re-embedding : 1. Transparency : Introducing staff on the online-vendor 's site and providing means to communicate with them . 2. Anthropomorphism : Using agents that give cues of personal trustworthiness . Anthropomorphism has been discussed in HCI for several years , however with a view to improving usability , rather than trust . The main point of criticism was that human-like agents generate expectations that which cannot be met by the system [ 31 ] . This disappointment is likely to decrease usability and trust ( see above for the relation between trust and usability ) . Currently , there are systems being developed that allow conversation in a style similar to natural language while monitoring non- and para-verbal trust cues [ 2 ] . For Internet based e-tailing , however , they are not yet available . 7.2 Empirical tes t Due to the above-mentioned problems associated with virtual re-embedding through anthropomorphism , the empirical part of study IV focused on the first approach ( transparency ) . A mock-up incorporating various personal trust cues ( photographs and names of customer service agents , chat & call-back opportunities , photographs of the company , photographs of a customer receiving an item ) was subjected to walkthroughs . The study revealed that ( 1 ) participants perceived cues of social interaction in the interface . The photographs and names received unprompted attention while the participants were completing their tasks . However , ( 2 ) participants varied strongly in their reaction towards these interface elements . The previously identified intervening variables ( gender , usage experience , previous experience with vendor ) explained variance only partially . A unexpected result was that ( 3 ) participants with a high level of distrust towards online-vendors rated the increased presence of online-retailers personnel ( through e.g. chat facilities ) as an additional risk , making them vulnerable to manipulation . The ( 4 ) reaction from very experienced and trusting Internet users were also negative : Virtual re-embedding added little benefit for them , while it ' cluttered ' the interface . ( 5 ) Comparing the elements researched , those that offered a functionality ( e.g. being introduced to a personal customer service agent ) were received better than those without ( e.g. photograph of a customer receiving an item ) . The results endorse virtual re-embedding measures for medium-experienced shoppers . These measures should , however , also have functional benefits , Or they carry the risk of decreasing usability or being perceived as an intentional strategy for winning trust . The study thus confirmed the view from sociology [ 6 , 13 ] that social cues are only perceived as trustworthy when they are seen as being given unintentionally . Relating this result to the concept of ( tele-)presence allows to draw the conclusion that virtual re-embedding should be implemented by using ' rich ' media ( e.g. video ) as they leave less room for controlling the cues given and thus are better signifiers of trustworthiness . This finding postpones virtual re-embedding to a time when very high bandwidth access is more widely available . Finally , study IV confirmed the result from previous studies that ( 6 ) professional , consistent graphic design and branding are paramount . Social cues perceived as not conforming to the brand personality of the online-vendor resulted in extremely negative reactions . Thus , at present , virtual re-embedding measures should be carefully designed and integrated as part of the overall branding strategy . 8. CONCLUSIONS The current ' lack of trust ' in e-commerce needs be re-conceived as an increased need for trust due to the novelty and complexity of dis-embedded transactions on the Internet . Increased familiarity , technological and legal/regulatory solutions will help to reduce the current reluctance of customers , but cannot be expected to totally overcome it . On an individual basis , online-vendors can decrease the risks perceived by potential shoppers by allowing them to make sure that they interact correctly with the system , and by allowing for recourse . Measures to be taken here include status bars and continuous visibility of the products ordered , as well as an order tracking facility after the order has been placed ( including the possibility to cancel it ) . The scope for building trust through the interface with inexperienced Internet users has been shown to be limited . They mainly rely on recommendations , brand familiarity and reputation , and are likely use trust in known retailers as a shortcut to avoid complex risk/benefit assessments . This means that established organisations will attract these e-shoppers by trust transfer , and they have to ensure that their online systems meet novice e-shoppersàexpectations . Negative experiences will not only put individual e-shoppers off the online site , but generate the feeling that the company ÃÂbetrayedàtheir trust . They are likely to tell friends and relatives about the experience , thus damaging the organisation 's reputation , which has been identified as key factor . Endorsements and seals depend on a basic level of trust and credibility . However , the negative impact of poor interface design and lack of usability on this group cannot be exaggerated . In communicating trustworthiness to more experienced shoppers , the interface is of more help . These users have built a repertoire of sites and are able to evaluate an online-vendor against this repertoire . Hence , compliance with online and offline business standards is important . Important points are : upfront disclosure of availability , terms & conditions , shipping costs , breadth and depth of product offerings , absence of technological failures , speed , consistent graphic design , good usability , good URL , similarity to well known sites . à Interface elements that include elements of social interaction are also most likely to be successfully deployed in the group of medium-experienced e-shoppers . Here they have been discussed from the perspective of the sociological concept called re-embedding . However , care has to be taken not to intimidate inexperienced shoppers through higher presence , and not to disappoint experienced shoppers by elements without functionality other than giving cues of social interaction . When discussing the problem of trust in e-commerce , it should be kept in mind that many individuals decide not to shop online simply because it does not offer enough benefits to them , and not because they distrust e-commerce . Thus , even well-crafted interfaces and virtual re-embedding elements are likely to build conversion ( ration of shoppers to visitors ) of one vendor relative to another àbut not that of the whole market . This is likely to be reached through collective efforts ( legal system , increased literacy , P3P ) and through other individual efforts that are not necessarily part of the interface ( brand building , unique functions offering new benefits ) . Thus , most interface elements can be seen as trust qualifiers : They are unlikely to get non-shoppers over the ' trial-threshold ' . If not taken care of , however , they have a great potential for destroying trust ( Trustbusters ) - not only trust in the e-shop , but also in the organisation 's off-line counterparts . Using Herzberg 's [ 9 ] term , they could be described as the hygiene factors of trust . Trustbuilders , on the other hand , are elements that either directly counteract the risks associated with e-commerce ( risk-reducers ) or have shown to build trust . The strongest trustbuilders , however , are factors outside the interface . Table 2 gives an overview . Table 2 . Trustbuilders & Trustbusters Trustbuilders Trustbusters Interface Factors Status indicators Displaying data already entered Continuous visibility of products to be ordered Order Tracking Recourse Trial Runs A ssignment of responsibilities V irtual Re-embedding coupled with functionality Communicating trust cues as by-products of functions . ( e.g. user community , company history ) Poor usability Inconsistent design Technological failures Long system response time Not t complying to business & online standards Information on terms & conditions , shipping time , product availability positioned in a way they are easily overlooked by the user Intentional usage of personal trust cues without providing functionality A gents that generate expectations they cannot live up to Other Factors Brand Reputation Reputation Sharing Affiliate Programmes We have to keep in mind that this list will change over time , due to the previously mentioned dependence on what is perceived as ÃÂstandardà. Furthermore , it should not be seen as a basis for over-simplification : Trust perception depends strongly on personal and cultural factors . Thus , it might well be worth to provide separate interfaces for different customer segments . 9. REFERENCES [ 1 ] Adams , A. & Sasse , M. A. ( 1999 ) . Taming the Wolf in Sheep 's Clothing : Privacy in multimedia communications . Proceedings of ACM Multimedia ' 99 , 101-107. [ 2 ] Cassell , J. & Bickmore , T. ( 2000 ) . External Manifestations of Trustworthiness in the Interface . Communications of the ACM , 43(12 ) , 50-56. [ 3 ] Cranor , L. F. ; Reagle , J. ; Ackerman , M. S. ( 1999 ) . Beyond Concern : Understanding Net Users Concerns about On-Line Privacy. [ 4 ] Egger , F. N. ( 2000 ) . Trust Me , I 'm an Online Vendor : Towards a Model of Trust for E-Commerce System Design . In G. Szwillus & T. Turner ( Eds. ) ( 2000 ) . CHI2000 Extended Abstracts : Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems . The Hague , 101-102. [ 5 ] Evans , M. J. ; Moutinho , L. ; Van Raaj , W. F. ( 1996 ) . Applied Consumer Behaviour . Addison-Wesley : Harlow. [ 6 ] Giddens , A. ( 1990 ) . The Consequences of Modernity . Oxford : Polity Press. [ 7 ] Glaser , B. G. & Strauss , A. ( 1967 ) . The discovery of grounded theory : Strategies for qualitative research . Chicago : Aline Publications. [ 8 ] Goffman , E. ( 1959 ) . The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life . New York : Doubleday. [ 9 ] Herzberg , F. , Mausner , B. & Snyderman , B. B. ( 1959 ) . The motivation to work . New York : Wiley. [ 10 ] Klammer , M. ( 1989 ) . Nonverbale Kommunikation beim Verkauf . Heidelberg : Physica. [ 11 ] Kollock , P. ( 1999 ) . The production of trust in online markets . Advances in Group Processes , 16. [ 12 ] Lombard , M & Ditton , T. ( 1997 ) . At the Heart of It All : The Concept of Presence . Journal of Computer Mediated Communication , 3(2). [ 13 ] Luhmann , N. ( 1989 ) . Vertrauen . Ein Mechanismus der Reduktion sozialer Komplexität . Stuttgart : Enke. [ 14 ] Merton , R. K. & Kendall , P. L. ( 1946 ) . The focussed interview . American Journal of Sociology , 51 , 541-557. [ 15 ] Nielsen Netrating Reporter ( 2001). http://www.nielsen-netratings.com / [ 16 ] Nielsen , J. ( 07.03.1999 ) . Trust or Bust : Communicating Trustworthiness in Web Design. http://www.useit.com/alertbox/990307.html [ 17 ] Nielsen , J. ( 21.03.1999 ) URL as UI . Alertbox. http://www.useit.com/alertbox/990321.html [ 18 ] Olson , J. S. & Olson , G. M. ( 2000). i2i Trust in E-Commerce . Communications of the ACM , 43(12 ) . 41-44. [ 19 ] Potter , M. & Wetherell , J. ( 1988 ) . Discourse Analysis and the Identification of Interpretive Repertoires . In C. Antaki ( Ed . ) . Analysing Everyday Explanation : A Casebook of Methods . London : Sage , 168-83. [ 20 ] Rice , R. E. ( 1992 ) . Task analyzability , use of new medium and effectiveness : A multi-site exploration of media richness . Organization Science , 3(4 ) , 475-500. [ 21 ] Reichheld , F. F. & Schefter , P. ( 2000 ) . E-Loyalty : Your Secret Weapon on the Web . Harvard Business Review , 78(4 ) , 105-113. [ 22 ] Rocco , E. ( 1998 ) . Trust breaks down in electronic contexts , but can be repaired by some initial face to face contact . Proceedings of CHI 98 , 496-502. [ 23 ] Rowley , D. E. & Rhoades , D. G. ( 1992 ) . The cognitive jogthrough : a fast-paced user interface evaluation procedure . Conference proceedings on Human factors in computing systems , 389 à395. [ 24 ] Sapient / Studio Archetype & Cheskin Research ( 1999). eCommerce Trust Study . Studio Archetype / Cheskin. http://www.studioarchetype.com/cheskin [ 25 ] Sasse , M. A. ( 1997 ) . Eliciting and Describing Users ' Models of Computer Systems . Doctoral Thesis . University of Birmingham. [ 26 ] Shneiderman , B. ( 2000 ) . Designing Trust into Online Experiences . Communications of the ACM , 43(12 ) , 57-59. [ 27 ] Short , J. , Williams , E. , Christie , B. ( 1976 ) . The Social Psychology of Telecommunications . London : John Wiley & Sons. [ 28 ] Strauss , A. & Corbin , J. ( 1998 ) . Basics of Qualitative Research . Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory . 2nd ed . Thousand Oaks : Sage. [ 29 ] Swaminathan , V. , Lepkowska-White , E. , Bharat , P. R. ( 1999 ) . Browsers or Buyers in Cyberspace ? An Investigation of Factors Influencing Electronic Exchange . Journal of Computer Mediated Communication . 5(2). [ 30 ] Winkel , O ( 1999 ) . Die Förderung von Vertrauen , Glaubwürdigkeit und VerläÃÂlichkeit in der digitalisierten Informationsgesellschaft . In Rössler , P. & Wirth , A. ( 1999 ) . Glaubwürdigkeit im Internet . München : Fischer , 197-208. [ 31 ] Winograd , T. & Flores , F. ( 1986 ) . Understanding Computers & Cognition . Norwood , NJ : Ablex Corporation . W B Langdon 's Papers W.B.Langdon . 22 Feb 2006 Go to Books , Plenary Talks , papers ( 2006 , 2005 , 2004 , 2003 , 2002 , 2001 , 2000 , 1999 , 1998 , 1997 , 1996 , 1995 , Electricity Network Scheduling ) , ( informal ) joint papers , abstracts . BibTeX references of all my genetic programming papers can be found by clicking here . Books Foundations of Genetic Programming , W. B. Langdon and R. Poli , Springer , 2002 . 274 pages . Genetic Programming and Data Structures , W. B. Langdon , Kluwer , 1998 , 292 pages . ( GECCO'2000 tutorial slides ) . Edited Books W. B. Langdon , E. Cantu-Paz , K. Mathias , R. Roy , D. Davis , R. Poli , K. Balakrishnan , V. Honavar , G. Rudolph , J. Wegener , L. Bull , M. A. Potter , A. C. Schultz , J. F. Miller , E. Burke , N. Jonoska editors , Proceedings of the Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference , GECCO-2002 held in New York , 9-13th July 2002 , ( BibTeX ) . Papers . L. Spector and E. Goodman and A. Wu and W. B. Langdon and H.-M . Voigt and M. Gen and S. Sen and M. Dorigo and S. Pezeshk and M. Garzon and E. Burke editors , Proceedings of the Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference , GECCO-2001 held in San Francisco , 7-11th July 2001 , ( BibTeX ) Amazon Papers . Julian F. Miller , Marco Tomassini , Pier Luca Lanzi , Conor Ryan , Andrea G. B. Tettamanzi and W. B. Langdon , editors , Proceedings of EuroGP2001 , the 4th European Conference on Genetic Programming held at Lake Como , Italy , 18-20th April 2001 , LNCS volume 2038. online ( BibTeX ) Riccardo Poli , Wolfgang Banzhaf , William B. Langdon , Julian Miller , Peter Nordin , and Terence C. Fogarty , editors , The proceedings of EuroGP2000 , the 3rd European Conference on Genetic Programming held in Edinburgh , 15-16th April 2000 , Springer Verlag LNCS volume 1802 . Lee Spector , W. B. Langdon , Una-May O'Reilly , and Peter J. Angeline , editors . Advances in Genetic Programming 3 . MIT Press , Cambridge , MA , USA , May 1999 . Riccardo Poli , Peter Nordin , William B. Langdon , and Terence C. Fogarty , editors , Genetic Programming , Proceedings of EuroGP'99 , volume 1598 of LNCS , Goteborg , Sweden , 26-27 May 1999 . Springer-Verlag . Thomas Haynes , William B. Langdon and Una-May O'Reilly and Riccardo Poli and Justinian Rosca , editors Foundations of Genetic Programming 13 July , Orlando , Florida , USA . GECCO'99 workshop . W. B. Langdon , Riccardo Poli , Peter Nordin , and Terry Fogarty , editors . Late-Breaking Papers of EuroGP-99 , Goteborg , Sweeden , 26-27 May 1999 . ( Available as CWI technical report SEN-R9913 ) . Riccardo Poli , W. B. Langdon , Marc Schoenauer , Terry Fogarty , and Wolfgang Banzhaf , Late Breaking Papers at EuroGP'98 : the First European Workshop on Genetic Programming . This booklet is available as technical report CSRP-98-10 from the School of Computer Science , The University of Birmingham , Edgbaston , Birmingham , B15 2TT , UK . Invited Talks 8th Iberoamerican Conference on Artificial Intelligence ( IBERAMIA ) Seville , November 12-15th , 2002 . Abstract Hybrid Information Systems ( HIS02 ) Santiago , 1-4 December , 2002 . Abstract Papers 2006 The Halting Probability in von Neumann Architectures , W. B. Langdon and R. Poli , ( PDF gzipped postscript ) , to be presented at EuroGP-2006 , LNCS 3905 , 10-12 April 2006 , Budapest , p225-237 On Turing complete T7 and MISC F-4 program fitness landscapes , W. B. Langdon and R. Poli . Technical report CSM-445 , ISSN 1744-8050 , Dec 2005 , Essex University . Dagstuhl PDF 2005 Kernel methods for PSOs , W. B. Langdon , Riccardo Poli and Christopher R. Stephens Technical report CSM-443 , ISSN 1744-8050 , Dec 2005 , Essex University . ' Pure theatre ' at Lakeside : Review of " Look Back in Anger " Wyvern Extra , June 2005 , University of Essex . Evolutionary Solo Pong Players , W. B. Langdon and Riccardo Poli in Proceedings of the 2005 IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation , CEC 2005 , volume 3 , pp2621-2628 , 2-5 September , Edinburgh , UK . PDF ps.gz . ( Technical report CSM-423 , ISSN 1744-8050 , Essex University ) . Evolving Problems to Learn about Particle Swarm and other Optimisers , W. B. Langdon and Riccardo Poli in Proceedings of the 2005 IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation , CEC 2005 , volume 1 , pp81-88 , 2-5 September , Edinburgh , UK . PDF ps.gz ( slides ) . Two page version ( PDF ps.gz ) presented at BNAIC 2005 . The Distribution of Amorphous Computer Outputs , W. B. Langdon . Position paper ( eprint ) at The Grand Challenge in Non-Classical Computation : International Workshop , Susan Stepney and Stephen Emmott Editors , 18-19 April 2005 , York , UK . Understanding Particle Swarm Optimisation by Evolving Problem Landscapes , W. B. Langdon Riccardo Poli , Owen Holland and Thiemo Krink ( PDF ) ( gzip ps ) presented at Swarm Intelligence Symposium 2005 . Luca Maria Gambardella , Payman Arabshahi and Alcherio Martinoli ( editors ) , pp30-37 , 8-10 June 2005 , Pasadena , California , USA . Two animated slides : constriction helps , hinders . Pfeiffer - A Distributed Open-ended Evolutionary System , W. B. Langdon , In AISB'05 : Proceedings of the Joint Symposium on Socially Inspired Computing , ( METAS 2005 ) Bruce Edmonds , Nigel Gilbert , Steven Gustafson , David Hales and Natalio Krasnogor Editors , 12-15 April 2005 , University of Hertfordshire , Hatfield , England , pp . 7-13 . ( PDF ) . Repeated Patterns in Tree Genetic Programming , W. B. Langdon and W. Banzhaf , ( PDF gzipped postscript ) , Slides presented at EuroGP-2005 LNCS 3447 , 30 March - 1 April 2005 Lausanne , p190-202 doi:10.1007/b107383 Genetic Programming and Evolvable Machines : Five years of Reviews , W.B. Langdon and S. Gustafson , ( PDF gzipped postscript ) , Genetic Programming and Evolvable Machines , 2005 , 6(2 ) pp.221-228. doi:10.1007/s10710-005-6165-9 Repeated Sequences in Linear Genetic Programming Genomes , William B. Langdon and Wolfgang Banzhaf , Complex Systems 15 ( 4 ) pp285-306 . ( PDF gzipped postscript ) . Extends GECCO'2004 late breaking paper . 2004 Repeated Sequences in Linear GP Genomes , W.B. Langdon and W. Banzhaf , ( GECCO'2004 late breaking paper PDF gzipped postscript ) . Movie . Poster Global Distributed Evolution of L-Systems Fractals , W. B. Langdon . Presented at EuroGP'2004 , LNCS 3003 , 5-7 April 2004 Coimbra , Portugal , p349-358 PDF at Springer-Verlag . PDF ps.gz pfeiffer.html poster . RN/04/13 gives all the snow flakes evolved during the trial period ( PDF ) ( gzip postscript ) . Genetic Programming for Mining DNA Chip data from Cancer Patients , W. B. Langdon and B. F. Buxton , Genetic Programming and Evolvable Machines , 5 ( 3 ) : 251-257 , September 2004 ( PDF , ps.gz ) Genetic Programming in Data Mining for Drug Discovery , W. B. Langdon and S. J. Barrett , Chapter 10 in Evolutionary Computing in Data Mining , Ashish Ghosh and Lakhmi C. Jain editors , Physica Verlag , pages 211-235 , 2004 . ( PDF , ps.gz ) Used in CMU drug course . 2003 The Application of Genetic Programming for Drug Discovery in the Pharmaceutical Industry , W. B. Langdon and B. F. Buxton . EPSRC project GR/S03546/01 with GlaxoSmithKline . Final report , IGR ( PDF ) . Comparison of DNAchip and Computer Vision Data , Technical Report RN/03/16 , W. B. Langdon ( PDF , ps.gz ) Predicting Biochemical Interactions - Human P450 2D6 Enzyme Inhibition , W. B. Langdon and S. J. Barrett and B. F. Buxton . CEC 2003 , pages 807-814 , 8-12 Dec , Canberra . ( PDF , ps.gz ) . Slides Predicting Cancer , W. B. Langdon . UCL Science , September 2003 , no . 17 , page 2. Convergence of Program Fitness Landscapes , W. B. Langdon . GECCO 2003 12-16 July , Chicago . ( PDF , ps.gz ) LNCS 2724 Transferring Computer Science Research : Mining DNA chip Protein Expression , talk and poster at MIPNETS 25-27 June 2003 . The distribution of Reversible Functions is Normal , W. B. Langdon . Chapter 11 , in Genetic Programming Theory and Practise , Rick L. Riolo and Bill Worzel ( editors ) , pp173-188 , Kluwer , 2003 . GP series number 6 . Slides presented at GP Workshop on Theory/Practice , 15-17 May 2003 , University of Michigan . PDF ps.gz Comparison of AdaBoost and Genetic Programming for combining Neural Networks for Drug Discovery , W. B. Langdon and S. J. Barrett and B. F. Buxton . Presented at EvoBIO'2003 , 11-14 April 2003 , LNCS 2611 , Essex , p87-98 , Springer-Verlag . PDF ps.gz With the help of a Publication Support Grant from Evolsolve . 2002 Evolutionary Computation II Session at BNAIC 2002 , W. B. Langdon , Newsletter BNVKI December , 2002 19 ( 6 ) 145-146 . A Hybrid Genetic Programming Neural Network Classifier for Use in Drug Discovery , William B. Langdon , Soft Computing Systems - Design , Management and Applications , Ajith Abraham and Javier , Ruiz-del-Solar and Mario Koppen , Eds. page 6 , 1-4 December 2002 , IOS Press . Invited talk . Slides PDF . Grand Challenges for Computing Removal of the Man-Machine Interface Bottleneck Do what I ment not what I said W. B. Langdon and Riccardo Poli , October 17 , 2002 . Also available as Research Note RN/02/20 Combining Machine Learning techniques to Predict Compounds ' Cytochrome P450 High Throughput Screening Inhibition , W. B. Langdon , B. F. Buxton and S. J. Barrett ( PDF ) . Poster at Knowledge Discovery meets Drug Discovery KDmDD 2002 How many Good Programs are there ? How Long are they ? W. B. Langdon ( PDF , ps.gz ) . Presented at FOGA 2002 , Kenneth A. De Jong and Riccardo Poli and Jonathan E. Rowe ( editors ) pp183-202 , Morgan Kaufmann . Convergence Rates for the Distribution of Program Outputs , W. B. Langdon , in GECCO 2002 : Proceedings of the Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference , New York , pp812-819 , Morgan Kaufmann , 2002 . ( PDF , ps.gz ) . Slides Presented at GECCO'2002 Short version presented at BNAIC 2002 ( PDF , ps.gz ) ( 2 pages ) Was Occam Wrong ? Blunting Occam 's Razor , W. B. Langdon , BNVKI newsletter 19(3 ) 56-57 , June 2002 ( html ) . Combining Decision Trees and Neural Networks for Drug Discovery W. B. Langdon and S. J. Barrett and B. F. Buxton . In Genetic Programming , Proceedings of the 5th European Conference EuroGP'2002 , James A. Foster and Evelyne Lutton and Julian Miller and Conor Ryan and Andrea G. B. Tettamanzi ( editors ) , Ireland , LNCS 2278 , pp60-70 , Springer-Verlag , 2002 . PDF compressed postscript . Structure of the Genetic Programming Search Space , W. B. Langdon . Presented at Dagstuhl ( abstract ) . 2001 Genetic Programming for Combining Neural Networks for Drug Discovery , W. B. Langdon and S. J. Barrett and B. F. Buxton , in Soft Computing and Industry Recent Applications Rajkumar Roy , Mario Koppen , Seppo Ovaska , Takeshi Furuhashi , Frank Hoffmann ( editors ) , pages 597-608 , Springer-Verlag , 2002 . Presented at WSC6 ( pdf ) . WSC6 presentation . Evolutionary Data Fusion , W. B. Langdon . Technical report RN/01/19 . Genetic Programming for Improved Receiver Operating Characteristics , W. B. Langdon and B. F. Buxton . Presented at MCS 2001 ( gzipped postscript ) . Genetic Programming for Combining Classifiers W. B. Langdon and B. F. Buxton . Presented at GECCO'2001 , pp 66-73 , Morgan Kaufmann . ( gzipped postscript , PDF ) Evolving Receiver Operating Characteristics for Data Fusion William B. Langdon and Bernard F. Buxton . Gzipped postscript , slides presented at EuroGP'2001 . Evolving Inverse Kinematics and Stereo Vision for a Humanoid Robot Arm , William B. Langdon and Peter Nordin ( gzipped postscript ) . Presented at EuroGP'2001 ( movie and summary ) . 2000 Maximum Product of Non-Negative Numbers , W. B. Langdon RN/01/14 ( html ) . Genetic Programming Bloat without Semantics , W.B. Langdon and W. Banzhaf . Gzipped postscript presented at PPSN'2000 ( poster ) ( C++ code ) Problems with ROC , W.B. Langdon . Technical report RN/01/16 ( gzipped postscript ) . Shows that the convex Hull is not guaranteed to be best way of combining classifiers . Natural Language Text Classification and Filtering with Trigrams and Evolutionary Nearest Neighbour Classifiers , W.B. Langdon , CWI Report SEN-R0022 ( GECCO'2000 late breaking paper , gzipped postscript ) . Quadratic Bloat in Genetic Programming ( ps.gz ) ( html ) . Presented at GECCO'2000 Seeding Genetic Programming Populations , ( gzipped postscript ) Presented at EuroGP'2000 Genetic Programming Approach to Benelearn 99 : I ( gzip ps ) William B. Langdon . Size fair and homologous tree genetic programming crossovers . Genetic Programming And Evolvable Machines , 1(1/2):95-119 , April 2000 . ( pdf gzip ps ) Genetic Programming and Evolvable Machines : Books and other Resources , the Journal of Genetic Programming and Evolutionary Machines , volume 1 number 1/2 . ( pdf gzip ps ) 1999 Report on Evolutionary Computation 1 Session at BNAIC'99 GECCO'99 Student Workshop , Newsletter BVNKI , vol 16 no 5 , pp 143-144 , October 1999. and Robotica , vol 18 no 1 , pp 87 , 2000 . Linear Increase in Tree Height Leads to Sub-Quadratic Bloat ps.gz presented at FOGP Scaling of Program Tree Fitness Spaces Special Issue of Evolutionary Computation ( slides ) . William B. Langdon , Terry Soule , Riccardo Poli , and James A. Foster . The evolution of size and shape . In Lee Spector , William B. Langdon , Una-May O'Reilly , and Peter J. Angeline , editors , Advances in Genetic Programming 3 , chapter 8 , pages 163-190 . MIT Press , Cambridge , MA , USA , May 1999 ch08.ps.gz . ( slides , 187kb , Java movie of evolution of best of generation phenotype , 276kb ) . Boolean Functions Fitness Spaces , EuroGP-99 ( gzipped postscript ) CSRP-98-16 Late Breaking paper at GP-98 ( html ) ( poster ) . 1998 Why " Building Blocks " Do n't Work on Parity Problems CSRP-98-17 ( html ) . Better Trained Ants for Genetic Programming CSRP-98-12 ( html ) . Better Trained Ants CSRP-98-08 ( html ) Late breaking paper at EuroGP ' 98 . Why Ants are Hard ( CSRP-98-04 html ) Presented at GP-98 . Genetic Programming Bloat with Dynamic Fitness CSRP-97-29 ( html ) in EuroGP ' 98 . The Evolution of Size in Variable Length Representations presented at WCCI ' 98 ( poster ) . 1997 Genetic Programming in Europe Fitness Causes Bloat : Simulated Annealing , Hill Climbing and Populations , CSRP-97-22 Fitness Causes Bloat : Mutation , presented at EuroGP ' 98 ( technical report ) . Fitness Causes Bloat in Variable Size Representation ( ICGA-97 workshop ) Fitness Causes Bloat ( html ) ( Second best paper overall award at WSC2 ) An Analysis of the MAX Problem in Genetic Programming ( in GP-97 ) 1996 Phd Thesis Genetic Programming and Data Structures , University College , London , 1996 , 350 pages . Evolution of Genetic Programming Populations . Using Data Structures with Genetic Programming ( presented at GP-96 ) Data Structures and Genetic Programming ( in AiGP2 ) A Bibliography for Genetic Programming ( in AiGP2 ) ( draft pdf ) 1995 Survey of Genetic Programming ( ps , pdf ) Introduction to Genetic Programming ( hard copy only ) Paper on Evolving Data Structures with Genetic Programming Paper on Pareto Optimality , Population Partitioning , Price 's theorem and GP Summary of directing crossover locations in a multi-tree GP , as used with list data structures Electricity Network Scheduling Scheduling Maintenance of Electrical Power Transmission PDF MS Postscript Chapter 10 , Artificial Intelligence Techniques in Power Systems , pp 220-237 K. Warwick , A.O. Ekwue and R. Aggarwal , 1997 , IEE Technical report CSRP-97-22 summarizing Scheduling Maintenance of the South Wales Regional High Voltage Electricity network using GAs and GP . IEE GP Paper on Scheduling Maintenance of the South Wales Regional High Voltage Electricity network . AISB-97 Paper on Scheduling Maintenance of the South Wales Regional High Voltage Electricity network with regard to potential network faults . Scheduling planned maintenance of the national grid , W. B. Langdon , AISB-95 , Evolutionary Computing : AISB Workshop Sheffield , UK , April 3-4 , 1995 Selected Papers Editors : Terence C. Fogarty , LNCS 993 pp . 132-153 ( Springer ) " ( postscript ) . Informal documents available via ftp Summary of Kauffman 's NK landscapes inconjuction with Genetic Algorithms Summary of seeding GA populations Introduction to genetic programming in general and simple-gp.c in particular . Bibliographies of Genetic Programming and the Application of Genetic Algorithms to Production Scheduling etc are held in ftp://ftp.cs.bham.ac.uk/pub/authors/W.B.Langdon/biblio Joint ( co-authored ) papers Emergent Behaviour , Population-based Search and Low-pass Filtering Riccardo Poli and Alden H. Wright and Nicholas F. McPhee and William B. Langdon Technical report CSM-446 , Computer Science , University of Essex , UK , Feb 2006 . An elementary formulation of Riemann 's Zeta function , Riccardo Poli and W. B. Langdon , Technical report CSM-442 , Computer Science , University of Essex , UK , Dec 2005 . Advances in the Application of Machine Learning Techniques in Drug Discovery , Design and Development , S. J. Barrett and W. B. Langdon , WSC10 : 10th Online World Conference on Soft Computing in Industrial Applications paper ( 142 Kbyte ) slides ( 1Mbyte ) . To be published as " Advances in the Application of Machine Learning Techniques in Drug Discovery , Design and Development " , S. J. Barrett and W. B. Langdon in " Applications of Soft Computing : Recent Trends " Ashutosh Tiwari , Joshua Knowles , Erel Avineri , Keshav Dahal and Rajkumar Roy ( editors ) , Springer 2006 . ( 178 Kbyte ) Evolution of Force-Generating Equations for PSO using GP , Cecilia Di Chio , Riccardo Poli , William B. Langdon , AI*IA 2005 Workshop on Evolutionary Computation Winner of best paper award . Running Genetic Programming Backward , Riccardo Poli and William B. Langdon , GP theory and Practise workshop , Chapter 9 , pp 125-140 , 12-14 May 2005 , Ann Arbor . Springer See also technical report CSM-425 . Backward-chaining Genetic Programming , Riccardo Poli and William B. Langdon , GECCO-2005 , pages 1777-1778 . Exploring Extended Particle Swarms : A Genetic Programming Approach , Riccardo Poli , Cecilia Di Chio , William B. Langdon , GECCO-2005 , pages 169-176 . Extending Particle Swarm Optimisation via Genetic Programming . Riccardo Poli , William B. Langdon , Owen Holland , EuroGP-2005 , pages 291-300 , PDF An Estimation of Distribution Algorithm Based on Maximum Entropy , Alden Wright , Riccardo Poli , Christopher R. Stephens , W. B. Langdon and Sandeep Pulavarty , GECCO-2004 LNCS 3102 , 343-354 BioRAT : extracting biological information from full-length papers , David P.A. Corney , Bernard F. Buxton , William B. Langdon , and David T. Jones Bioinformatics 2004 20(17):3206-3213 pre-print PDF doi:10.1093/bioinformatics/bth386 UCL-CS Technical Report RN/03/17 ( 2003 ) . Multi-classifier Fusion by Genetic Programming , B. F. Buxton and W. B. Langdon , Abstract Data Fusion by Intelligent Classifier Combination B. F. Buxton and W. B. Langdon and S. J. Barrett , Measurement and Control , vol 34 , no . 8 , p229-234 , October 2001 . Awarded best paper prize by the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers . Measuring Facial Emotional Expressions Using Genetic Programming , A. Loizides and M. Slater and W. B. Langdon , in Soft Computing and Industry Recent Applications Rajkumar Roy , Mario Koppen , Seppo Ovaska , Takeshi Furuhashi , Frank Hoffmann ( editors ) , pages 545-554 , Springer-Verlag , 2002 . Presented at WSC6 Some considerations on the reason for bloat , W. Banzhaf and W. B. Langdon , Genetic Programming and Evolvable Machines 3 ( 1 ) , 2002 . GP-Beagle : A Benchmarking Problem Repository for the Genetic Programming Community , Robert Feldt , Michael O'Neill , Conor Ryan , Peter Nordin and William Langdon , GECCO'2000 late breaking paper ( pdf , 10Mb ) . Sander M. Bohte and and William B. Langdon and Han La Poutre On Current Technology for Information Filtering and User Profiling in Agent-Based Systems , Part I : A Perspective , TA internal ( PDF ) January 2000 . Martijn C. J. Bot and William B. Langdon Application of Genetic Programming to Induction of Linear Classification Trees ( Presented at EuroGP'2000 ) , ps-file Martijn Bot and William B. Langdon Application of Genetic Programming to Induction of Linear Classification Trees ( presented at BNAIC'99 ) Riccardo Poli , Jonathan Page and W. B. Langdon Smooth Uniform Crossover , Sub-Machine Code GP and Demes : A Recipe For Solving High-Order Boolean Parity Problems CSRP-99-2 Presented at GECCO'99 Fuey Sian Chong and W. B. Langdon Java based Distributed Genetic Programming on the Internet CSRP-99-7 Presented at GECCO'99 Lee Spector , W. B. Langdon , Una-May O'Reilly , and Peter J. Angeline . An introduction to the third volume . In Lee Spector , William B. Langdon , Una-May O'Reilly , and Peter J. Angeline , editors , Advances in Genetic Programming 3 , chapter 1 , pages 1-12 . MIT Press , Cambridge , MA , USA , May 1999 . Riccardo Poli and William B. Langdon . Sub-machine-code genetic programming . In Lee Spector , William B. Langdon , Una-May O'Reilly , and Peter J. Angeline , editors , Advances in Genetic Programming 3 , chapter 13 , pages 301-323 . MIT Press , Cambridge , MA , USA , May 1999 . J. Page , R. Poli , and W. B. Langdon . Smooth uniform crossover with smooth point mutation in genetic programming : A preliminary study . In Riccardo Poli , Peter Nordin , William B. Langdon , and Terence C. Fogarty , editors , Genetic Programming , Proceedings of EuroGP'99 , volume 1598 of LNCS , pages 39-49 , Goteborg , Sweden , 26-27 May 1999 . Springer-Verlag . Riccardo Poli and W. B. Langdon A Review of Theoretical and Experimental Results on Schemata in Genetic Programming ( CSRP-97-27 ) Presented at EuroGP ' 98 . Riccardo Poli and W. B. Langdon On the Search Properties of Different Crossover Operators in Genetic Programming . Presented at GP-98 ( GP-98 paper ) . Cf . CSRP-98-7 On the Ability to Search the Space of Programs of Standard , One-point and Uniform Crossover in Genetic Programming Riccardo Poli W. B. Langdon , and Una-May O'Reilly Short Term Extinction Probability of Newly Created Schemata , and Schema Variance and Signal-to-Noise-Ratio Theorems in the Presence of Schema Creation CSRP-98-6 Presented at GP-98 . Scientific research in action Photo Riccardo Poli and W. B. Langdon Genetic Programming with One-Point Crossover and Point Mutation CSRP-97-8 In WSC2 . Riccardo Poli and W. B. Langdon An Experimental Analysis of Schema Creation , Propagation and Disruption in Genetic Programming CSRP-97-8 ( A shorter version was presentation at ICGA-97 ). Riccardo Poli and W. B. Langdon A New Schema Theory for Genetic Programming with One-Point Crossover and Point Mutation CSRP-97-03 ( A shorter version has been accepted for Weekly Seminars / Autumn 2005 The HCI group holds seminars every week to stay abreast of work within the group , and sometimes to hear from invited speakers . These are quite informal events . You may be interested in the archive of previous seminars abstracts . These seminars are organised by hci-seminar-organiser ( at ) cs ( dot ) york ( dot ) ac ( dot ) uk . Announcements and reminders concerning the seminar series are distributed using the hci-group mail list . To get added/removed from this list email the hci-webmaster ( at ) cs ( dot ) york ( dot ) ac ( dot ) uk Instructions for speakers The HCI seminars are informal talks . The audience consists of staff , RAs and Research Students from Psychology and Computer Science ( in future we hope , also from Electronics and Sociology ) . All have some interest in HCI though they may have specialist interests different from your own and it is best not to assume too much background knowledge . As it is a lunchtime seminar ( Monday 1.15 ) and people often have commitments from 2.00 the format is 30 minutes talk followed by 15 minutes questions/discussion . Seminars this term are all held in the Department of Psychology , in B/020 . There will be a data projector and OHP , and on request a laptop available . Seminar programme Forthcoming seminars January 23 : Alistair Edwards , Department of Computer Science Memorability and strength of passwords January 30 : Steve Whittaker , Department of Information Studies , University of Sheffield Interfaces that allow efficient access to speech data February 6 : Shaun Lawson , Department of Computing and Informatics , University of Lincoln Multi-modal augmented reality February 13 : Greg Hale , Department of Psychology Feature films as system : a schematic approach to experience February 20 : Sian Lindley , Department of Psychology Affordances for social interaction : How does technology affect group behaviour ? February 27 : Rosamelia Ribeiro , Department of Psychology Title TBA March 6 : Alan Kingstone , Department of Psychology , University of British Columbia Looking for meaning in ' The good , The bad and the Ugly ' March 13 : Michael Hildebrandt , Department of Computer Science conex - a web-based system for constructing and conducting experiments Past seminars 17 Oct 2005 : Salvatore Fiore , Computer Science Empathy and appropriation in designing for blind experience In this talk I will discuss ongoing research centring on empathy and appropriation as core themes in the development of an exploratory design process . I will explain how current work adopts an experiential rather than cognitive stance towards understanding interaction and blind experience . From this basis , the work adopts a conception of empathy as being as much about Self as about Other , so that when we try , as sighted designers , to establish empathy with blind users , we do so through increasing our understanding of blindness with respect to our own phenomenology of experience . I will highlight how our work finds correspondence with other research on experience , empathy and creativity in HCI design work , yet differs fundamentally through the lack of involvement by specified ' users ' in the process . The talk will focus on a case study charting the design of an interactive chair . 24 Oct 2005 : Michael Hildebrandt , Computer Science To wait or not to wait : Time-accuracy trade-offs in dynamic belief updating tasks When controlling dynamic systems , operators often have to decide if they should act immediately , or at a later time . Among the many motivations for postponing the decision ( e.g. bounded rationality ) , one aspect that has received little attention is the prospect of receiving more accurate information as the process unfolds . Operators are faced with the dilemma that the longer they wait , the more accurate their decision may become , while the probability of successfully intervening in the process decreases . The talk presents a normative model of this dilemma ( Bayesian belief-updating ) , reports empirical evidence from microworld experiments , and discusses implications for alarm design . 31 Oct 2005 : Fraser Hamilton The VISTA Project The convergence of telephone , computing , and broadcast technologies together with the uptake of multi-channel digital television brings new opportunities to a wide and varied population of television viewers . However , such convergence also brings added complexity in the range of services , tasks and functions that users can engage in . If key groups of viewers , such as the elderly and visually impaired , are not to be excluded from realising the opportunities offered then user interfaces to these services must be ?designed for all ? . To this end , the VISTA project developed a speech-in speech-out avatar that sought to mitigate the problems associated with graphical user interfaces in domestic settings . I will briefly describe the VISTA prototype and results from usability evaluations , highlighting the problems we encountered and design solutions to these problems . 07 Nov 2005 : Rachel Murphy , Smart Clothes and Wearable Technology Research Group , University of Wales , Newport A proposed research project : Why are n't people wearing wearable technology 14 Nov 2005 : Neil King and Pete Pavan , Computer Science Access to diagrams for blind people ( the TeDUB project ) 21 Nov 2005 : Rebecca Randell , Department of Health Sciences Accountability in an alarming environment 28 Nov 2005 : Peter Wright , Computer Science The idea of design in HCI 05 Dec 2005 : Simon Buckingham-Shum , Knowledge Media Institute , The Open University Hypermedia Support for Argumentation-Based Rationale : 15 Years on from gIBIS and QOC 12 Dec 2005 : Greg Hale , Department of Psychology Feature films as system : a schematic approach to experience 25 Jan 2005 : Peter Wright , Department of Computer Science , York Technology as Experience - Update Today we do n't just use technology , we live with it . Much more deeply then ever before we are aware that interacting with technology involves us emotionally , intellectually and sensually . So people who design , use , and evaluate interactive systems need to be able to understand and analyse people 's felt experience with technology . While there is a great deal of concern with user experience in HCI and related fields , both in practice and comment , it is often unclear what is meant by the idea . Part of the problem I will argue , is the cognitivist assumptions that are central to HCI as a discipline and which make discussions of felt life problematic . In this talk , I shall describe a conceptual framework for analysing user experience based on the pragmatics of Dewey and Bakhtin that places felt life and sense making at the centre of HCI . The framework offers an opportunity to consider issues such as resistance , identity and attachment that are not otherwise addressed . The approach also casts new light on the cognitive and intellectual aspects of people 's interactions with technology . I will illustrate the framework by describing several case studies that explore people 's interactions with technology in terms of aesthetic engagement , situated creativity and centres of value . This research is supported by EPSRC grants GR/S18779/01 & GR/S70326/01 . 18 Jan 2005 : Gordon Baxter , Department of Psychology , York The Effects of Timing and Collaboration on Dependability in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Computer-based systems are now routinely deployed in many complex dynamic domains such as medical care . Such systems are expected to have a high level of dependability . The dependability is a property of the socio-technical system , rather than just the hardware and software . The talk will focus on dependability issues identified in a case study carried out at the neonatal intensive care unit ( NICU ) at St James 's University Hospital in Leeds . In particular the paper will highlight some timing and collaboration issues that affect system dependability in the NICU , before considering how the impact of the introduction of a decision support system ( FLORENCE ) could affect dependability . 30 Nov 2004 : Salvatore Fiore Experience in Design Recent developments in HCI are responding to a lack of accountability in design for support of experiences with technology and moving to a focus on issues such as fun , emotion , meaningfulness and reflectivity . I suggest that a Pragmatist standpoint provides a way of understanding experience as a sound theoretical foundation for addressing new developments in HCI regarding emotional , meaningful , purposeful , agentive , creative and reflective use of technologies . HCI ought to re-examine its theoretical foundations of knowledge about human experience thereby challenging understanding of the process of creating technologies with human experiencing as central theme . I will discuss some of the implications such a conception of experience raises for HCI practice , including the reflective and changing ( non-static ) nature of artefacts and building of artefacts in order to reflect as designer ; the emotional-volitional basis of sense-making and experience ; the meaning of objects for a person ( including issues of ambiguity , alienation , passivity , creativity and aesthetic experience ) . I explore a method for reflecting on the experiences of others and discuss current work examining autobiographical narratives of blind people . I explain why such texts can reveal how the phenomenology of the body affects sense-making in experience , how objects designed for a sighted world may prove ambiguous for blind people and how , through understanding another world better , we can more fully comprehend our own . To conclude , I suggest that we might enrich our discipline with Experience In Design as a reflective and felt activity that connects people as agentive , intersubjective , creatively enabled and lively cultivators of artefacts and experiences . 16 Nov 2004 : Andrew Monk Digital TV use 23 Nov 2004 : Greg Hale Changing digital contexts and new interfaces . The talk explores some of the trends that are affecting how people interact with digital technology . After presentation of this material , a new type of interface called the experience rich interface is outlined , in an extended scenario . The presentation concludes by outlining the next phase of the research- the qualitative research of people 's film experiences . 09 Nov 2004 : John Knight , Birmingham Institute of Art and design From Usability to engagability : the experience design framework This year has seen a flurry of publications and mounting commercial interest in experience design . However , experience design is still ill defined . Most practitioners see it as users ' interaction with a range of services and products from a single point of access . Rather than focussing on the product , experience design is about providing a service and thus goes beyond assuring usability . Nokia , IDEO , Phillips and Braun are all developing products with user-centric methods that aim to deliver positive user experiences . Central to IDEO 's approach " are the insights we derive from understanding people and their experiences , behaviours , perceptions , and needs . " John Knight describes the weaknesses in traditional design and HCI and proposes a more effective strategy , based upon a strategic design and research agenda that delivers value-based products and services . 02 Nov 2004 : Rosamelia Parizotto Ribeiro Beauty and usability This talk will presents the results of an experiment conducted using Virtual Learning Environments ( VLEs ) interfaces . The research is on the aesthetic aspects , with emphasis on five design principles and the perceived usability of their graphical interfaces . It focused on users ' perception of the best screen layout developed using five design principles . The principles are based on several theories and their empirical results , such as : Gestalt laws of perception , dynamic symmetry , golden section as well as relevance for the designer community today . An experimental study was conducted with 279 participants to evaluate the importance of the design principles as a determinant of aesthetics and its correlation with the perceived usability of a proposed interface . 26 Oct 2004 : Michael Hildebrandt , Department of Computer Science Time Design This talk will outline recent empirical and conceptual work aimed at supporting the design of temporal aspects of human-machine systems . Two lines of criticism emerged from our review of temporal aspects of current work design approaches ; ( a ) work distribution approaches such as Dynamic Function Allocation are unnecessarily restrictive by considering levels of automation as the only option for workload balancing . Levels of automation are changed dynamically over time in a process of " snapshot allocation " , not taking advantage of the option to allocate functions in time . ( b ) in task analytic approaches , time is usually a descriptive property of tasks and agents . This view neglects the important functional role of time . This change of perspective towards a functional view of time has led to the development of the Time Design approach , where time is seen as a designable property of systems . Some progress has been made in providing a descriptive framework to support Time Design . The talk will outline these ideas and illustrate them with contributions from three recent Time Design events ( workshops at CHI and ECCE , panel at HFES ; c.f. www.timeDsn.net ) . Finally , two microworld experiments on the use of temporal information and the when-to-act problem will be presented . 19 Oct 2004 : Nicholas Pleace , Centre for Housing Policy Emergent Themes in Electronic Service Delivery in Social Housing and Social Care Nicholas Pleace will outline the interests of the Centre for Housing Policy ( www.york.ac.uk/chp / ) and the wider Department of Social Policy and Social Work ( www.york.ac.uk/spsw ) in human/computer interaction , both in terms of wide area implementation of electronic service delivery and egovernment in the fields of housing and social policy and the reaction of individual service users to various interfaces . He will also present a brief overview of some of the current work CHP is conducting on ICTs . Nicholas is a senior research fellow within the Centre for Housing Policy . His recent publications include ' Key Concepts in Cyberculture ' ( Routledge , 2004 ) and he is a member of the editorial board of ' Information , Communication and Society ' . May 12 2004 : Eric Hollnagel , Cognitive Systems Engineering Laboratory ( CSELAB ) University of Linköping , Sweden The usual suspects In the concern for system safety and in the attempts to understand why accidents and incidents occur , humans are often singled out as a main source of problems . This approach has been very successful for two reasons : ( 1 ) going backward from an accident you are sure to find human involvement sooner or later , and ( 2 ) human performance is by necessity varied rather than rigid and mechanical . Looking for human failure is therefore a safe bet , but not very helpful to understand how safety can be improved . An alternative is to assume that things go right and wrong for the same reasons , and to use this as a basis for enhancing safety of systems . NB : This talk is on a Wednesday and will be in Computer Science , CS/103 at 2pm . May 18 2004 : Peter Wright , Department of Computer Science Experience design May 25 2004 : Andrew Monk , Department of Psychology , Centre for Usable Home Technology , University of York Designing usable technology for the home In this talk I will illustrate how designing for a domestic setting is different from designing for a work context with two examples of our research . The first describes how we have adapted standard techniques from Human-Computer Interaction ( HCI ) to the design of a dependable service for older people who cannot get out to do their own shopping . Volunteers do online shopping for older people they are speaking to on the phone . The service , supported by a secure internet database , is designed to make it : ( i ) interesting and easy for the volunteer ; ( ii ) socially dependable for the older person , and ( iii ) financially dependable for the organisation ( Age Concern York ) . The second example is an experiment , carried out with actors travelling on trains , to test the hypothesis that hearing only one side of the conversation is a contributory factor making mobile phone conversations more distracting than normal co-present ones . Thursday May 27 2004 : Ellen Campana and Gregory Aist NB . 1.15pm in the Venables room ( A202 in the Psychology building ) Evaluating Cognitive Load in Spoken Language Interfaces using a Dual-Task Paradigm Ellen Campana ( U of Rochester , Brain & Cognitive Science , Computer Science ) Joint work with Michael Tanenhaus ( U of Rochester,Brain & Cognitive Science ) , James Allen ( U of Rochester , Computer Science ) , and Roger Remington ( Human Factors Research and Technology Division , NASA Ames Research Center ) . As speech interfaces become more prevalent , it is becoming more crucial that they be developed in a way that minimizes cognitive load for users . One major barrier to creating systems that are more human-centered has been the lack of an accepted online methodology for directly evaluating the cognitive resource demands of different systems . The present study extends a classic tool from cognitive psychology , the dual-task paradigm , to speech interface evaluation . Participants follow simple instructions generated by a system , while simultaneously monitoring for a simple visual probe . Performance on the monitoring task is used as a measure of cognitive resource demands ; whenever language understanding is more demanding , performance on the monitoring task suffers . In the present study we used this methodology to investigate patterns of reference generation and how they impact human understanding . Preliminary experiments to explore the costs and benefits of getting dialogue systems to continuously understand human speech Gregory Aist , University of Rochester Computer Science Department Joint work with James Allen , Ellen Campana , and Scott Stoness ( Rochester ) ; Liz Shriberg and Andreas Stolcke ( SRI ) Dialogue systems generally wait until the user is finished speaking to process , understand , and respond to a user 's utterance . A new NSF-funded project is aimed at developing methods for allowing computer systems to continuously understand human speech , and to evaluate the costs and benefits of continuous understanding vs. the traditional approach . We focus here on the cost-benefit analysis - in particular , we expect continuous understanding to improve both the time that it takes a system to respond to user turns , and to improve the percentage of times that a user turn results in a correct system response ( due to real-time feedback. ) We have designed an initial experiment designed to collect , from human-human conversation , many examples of user turns that could be more efficiently and effectively processed with continuous understanding . A key feature of this experiment is that it is restricted to human speech directed at the computer , thus focusing on the effects of the computer 's continuous understanding . The computer will respond to the user 's commands by selecting objects , placing objects on the screen , and changing attributes such as rotation and color . Real-time feedback will also be supplied in the form of changes to the visual display . In this talk we will present some of the early data from the pilot domains we 've used to refine the experimental design . June 1 2004 : Mark Blythe , Department of Computer Science Little Brother : Could and should wearable computing technologies be used to reduce older people 's fear of crime June 8 2004 : Sian Lindley , Department of Psychology Playing with photos and sounds Go to HCI home page . Seminar web pages maintained by Interaction Patterns and Observable Commitments in a Multi-Agent Trading Scenario Jeremy Pitt , Lloyd Kamara , Alexander Artikis 20 HPTS : a behaviour modelling language for autonomous agents Donikian Stephane 21 RAJA - A Resource-Adaptive Java Agent Infrastructure Yun Ding , Christian Kray , Rainer Malaka , Michael Schillo 24 Terrain Coverage with Ant Robots : A Simulation Study Sven Koenig , Yaxin Liu 30 It Knows What You Are Going To Do : Adding Anticipation to a Quakebot John E. Laird 32 Entropy and Self-Organization in Multi-Agent Systems H. Van Dyke Parunak , Sven Bruekner 38 Performance Evaluation of An Agent Server Capable of Hosting Large Numbers of Agents Gaku Yamamoto , Hideki Tai 39 A Knowledge Level Software Engineering Methodology for Agent Oriented Programming Anna Perini , Fausto Giunchiglia , John Mylopoulos , Paolo Bresciani , Paolo Giorgini 43 SPT : Multi-agent visualization based on multivariate data Michael Schroeder , Penny Noy 45 Matchmaking Among Minimal Agents Without a Facilitator Elth Ogston , Stamatis Vassiliadis 47 Principles of Intention Reconsideration Martijn Schut , Michael Wooldridge 49 Adaptive Task and Resource Allocation in Multi-Agent Systems Shaheen Fatima , Michael Wooldridge 51 A Logical Approach to High-Level Agent Control L. Chen , K. Bechkoum , G. Clapworthy 54 Mobile Agent Security with the IPEditor Development Tool and the Mobile UNITY Language Yasuyuki Tahara , Akihiko Ohsuga , Shinichi Honiden 58 Reasoning about commitments and penalties for coordination between autonomous agents Cora Beatriz Excelente Toledo , Rachel A. Bourne , Nicholas R. Jennings 59 Incremental Clustering for Profile Maintenance in Information Gathering Web Agents Gabriel L. Somlo , Adele E. Howe 65 A Social Reinforcement Learning Agent Charles Lee Isbell , Jr. , Christian Shelton , Michael Kearns , Satinder Singh , Peter Stone 68 An Architecture for Action Selection inSimulated Robotic Soccer Peter Stone , David McAllester 69 An Adaptable Autonomous Bidding Agent Peter Stone , Michael Littman , Satinder Singh , Michael Kearns 71 Cooperative Pedestrian Mobility Aids for the Elderly Glenn Wasson , Sean Graves , Jim Gunderson , Robin Felder 77 Evaluation of Modeling Techniques for Agent-Based Systems Onn Shehory , Arnon Sturm 81 The BOID Architecture Jan Broersen , Mehdi Dastani , Joris Hulstijn , Zhisheng Huang , Leendert van der Torre 84 Cooperative Multi-Agent Intelligent Field Terminals Juichi Kosakaya , Katsunori Yamaoka 87 Social Role Awareness in Animated Agents Helmut Prendinger , Mitsuru Ishizuka 89 A Development Toolkit to Realize Autonomous and Inter-operable Agents Federico Bergenti , Agostino Poggi 92 Evolving and messaging decision-making agents Edmund S. Yu 93 A Framework for Modeling Human-like Driving Behaviors For Autonomous Vehicles in Driving Simulators Talal Al-Shihabi , Ronald R. Mourant 95 Improving the Agent-Oriented Modeling Process by Roles Ralph Depke , Reiko Heckel , Jochen M. Küster 103 An auction agent for bidding on combinatorial items Yasuo Matsumoto , Satoru Fujita 110 A Dynamic Mechanism for Time-Constrained Trading Samuel P. M. Choi , Jiming Liu 114 Some Thoughts on the Agent Trust and Delegation Yuh-Jong Hu 124 AgentSalon : Facilitating Face-to-Face Knowledge Exchange by Conversations of Personal Agents Yasuyuki Sumi , Kenji Mase 156 SPT : Distributed Sensor Network for Real Time Tracking Regis Vincent , Bryan Horling , Roger Mailler , Jiaying Shen , Kyle Rawlins , Victor Lesser 157 Using Self-Diagnosis to Adapt Organizational Structures Bryan Horling , Brett Benyo , Victor Lesser 158 Implementing Soft Real-Time Agent Control Regis Vincent , Bryan Horling , Victor Lesser , Tom Wagner 169 Economic Dynamics of Agents in Multiple Auctions Andrew Byde , Chris Preist , Claudio Bartolini 185 Denotational Semantics for Agent Communication Languages Frank Guerin , Jeremy Pitt 186 Architectural Design of a Multi-Agent System for Handling Metadata Streams Don Cruickshank , Luc Moreau , David De Roure 188 Is the wolf angry or ... just hungry ? Isabel Machado , Ana Paiva , Rui Prada 189 Wasp Nests for Self-Configurable Factories Vincent A. Cicirello , Stephen F. Smith 192 An Auction-Based Method for Decentralized Train Scheduling David C Parkes , Lyle H Ungar 197 A Reinforcement Learning Model of Selective Visual Attention Silviu Minut , Sridhar Mahadevan 205 SPT : Hierarchical Agent Control : A Framework for Specifying Agent Behavior Marc S. Atkin , Gary W. King , David L. Westbrook , Brent Heeringa , Andrew Hannon , Paul R. Cohen 209 Autonomous mobile manipulators managing perception and failures Alberto Finzi , Fiora Pirri , Milko Vaccaro , Marco Pirrone , Massimo Romano 215 Dynamic Reorganization of Decision-Making Groups K. Suzanne Barber , Cheryl E. Martin 216 A Framework for the Simulation of Agents with Emotions : Report on Experiments with the Iterated Prisoner`s Dilemma Ana Lúcia C. Bazzan , Rafael H. Bordini 219 Hierarchical Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning Rajbala Makar , Sridhar Mahadevan , Mohammad Ghavamzadeh 220 A Stable and Efficient Buyer Coalition Formation Scheme for E-marketplaces Junichi Yamamoto , Katia Sycara 224 Communication Decisions in Multi-agent Cooperation : Model and Experiments Ping Xuan , Victor Lesser , Shlomo Zilberstein 225 Probabilistic Pricebots Amy R. Greenwald , Jeffrey O. Kephart 226 Monitoring Deployed Agent Teams Gal A. Kaminka , David V. Pynadath , Milind Tambe 228 Adjustable Autonomy in Real-World Multi-Agent Environments Paul Scerri , David Pynadath , Milind Tambe 229 Intelligent Agents for an Artificial Market System Nikos Karacapilidis , Pavlos Moraitis 231 Agents Teaching Agents To Share Meaning Andrew B. Williams , Zijian Ren , Costas Tsatsoulis 240 SPT : A Multi-Agent System for Automated Genomic Annotation Keith Decker , Xiaojing Zheng , Carl Schmidt 244 SPT : Sensible Agents : An Implemented Multi-Agent System and Testbed K. S. Barber , M. MacMahon , R. McKay 245 The Intelligent Classroom : Providing Competent Assistance David Franklin , Kristian Hammond 247 Integrating tools and infrastructure for generic multi-agent systems . Olivier Gutknecht , Jacques Ferber , Fabien Michel 249 SPT : Toward the Holodeck : Integrating Graphics , Sound , Character and Story William R. Swartout , Jonathan Gratch , Randall Hill , Stacy Marsella , Jeff Rickel , Chris Kyriakakis 258 Automated Negotiation from Declarative Contract Descriptions Daniel M Reeves , Michael P Wellman , Benjamin N Grosof , Hoi Y Chan 262 Argumentation as Distributed Constraint Satisfaction : Applications and Results Hyuckchul Jung , Milind Tambe , Wei-min Shen , Shriniwas Kulkarni , Jay Modi 273 Observing Ants : Tracking and Analyzing the Behavior of Live Insect Colonies Tucker Balch , Zia Khan , Manuela Veloso 281 SPT : CMPack : A Complete Software System for Autonomous Legged Soccer Robots Scott Lenser , James Bruce , Manuela Veloso 298 Tears and Fears : Modeling emotions and emotional behaviors in synthetic agents Jonathan Gratch , Stacy C. Marsella 300 Using Background Knowledge to Speed Reinforcement Learning in Physical Agents Daniel G. Shapiro , Patrick Langley , Ross Shachter 309 How Communication Can Improve the Performance of Multi-Agent Systems Kam-Chuen Jim , C. Lee Giles POSTERS ID TITLE AUTHORS 7 Identifying partners and sustenance of stable , effective coalitions . Partha Sarathi Dutta , Sandip Sen 10 A Shopper`s Assistant Sandip Debnath , Partha Sarathi Dutta , Sandip Sen 11 Building Secure Knowledge Bases : Combining Java Agents and DBagents Edgar Weippl 16 SPT : Software architecture of SETA , an adaptive Web store shell Liliana Ardissono , Anna Goy , Giovanna Petrone , Marino Segnan 18 A formal framework for inter-agent dialogues Peter McBurney , Simon Parsons 22 Distributed Constraint Optimization for Medical Appointment Scheduling Markus Hannebauer , Sebastian Müller 27 Market-mechanisms to reduce pollution Esfir Freitsis , Sarit Kraus 28 SPT : JADE - A FIPA2000 Compliant Agent Development Environment Fabio Bellifemine , Agostino Poggi , Giovanni Rimassa 29 Motivational Quantities : State-based Control for Organizationally Situated Agents Thomas Wagner , Victor Lesser 33 Representing Social Structures in UML H. Van Dyke Parunak , James Odell 35 Teaching a Robot How to Read Symbols François Michaud , Dominic Létourneau 41 Incremental reinforcement learning for designing multi-agent systems Olivier Buffet , Alain Dutech , Francois Charpillet 48 Using Artificial Emotion for Long-Term Activity of an Autonomous Robot François Michaud , Jonathan Audet 50 A reflexive , not impulsive agent Berardina De Carolis , Fiorella de Rosis , Catherine Pelachaud , Isabella Poggi 52 Building Agents for Service Provisioning out of Components Ralf Sesseler 53 A Repository of Knowledge About Handling Exceptions in Multi-Agent Systems Mark Klein 56 Specifying Agent Behavior as Concurrent Tasks Scott A. DeLoach 57 Trust-based Facilitator for e-Partnership Chihiro Ono , Dai Kanetomo , Keesoo Kim , Boyd C. Paulson , Jr. , Mark Cutkosky , Charles J. Petrie , Jr. 64 A Formal Model of Open Agent Societies Alexander Artikis , Jeremy Pitt 67 Using Rat Navigation Models to Learn Orientation from Visual Input on a Mobile Robot Brett Browning 73 Tempus Fugit and the Need for an e-Social Contract James H. Kaufman , Joann Ruvolo , Daniel A. Ford 82 Smart Distance and WWWaware - A Multi-agent Approach Yiming Ye , Stephen Boies , Paul Huang , John K. Tsotsos 86 Efficiency improvements for transactions of web-agents Michael Schroeder , Luke Boro , Julie McCann 91 Architecture and Preliminary Experimental Results of Emotionally Grounded Symbol Acquisition by Four-Legged Robot Masahiro Fujita , Gabriel Costa , Tsuyoshi Takagi , Rika Hasegawa , Jun Yokono , Hideki Shimomura 94 Agent Management using Conversation Patterns Christos Stergiou , Geert Arys , none , none , none , none 98 Movies2Go - An Online Voting Based Movie Recommender System Rajatish Mukherjee , Partha Sarathi , Gerdur Jonsdottir , Sandip Sen 101 A Formal Model of Responsibilities in Agent-Based Teams Thomas R. Ioerger , J. Colby Johnson 105 Identifying the Scope of Modeling in Multi-Agent Settings Sanguk Noh , Piotr J. Gmytrasiewicz 106 Team Learning the Face of Distributed Information Pragnesh Jay Modi , Wei-Min Shen 116 A multi-agent reinforcement learning method for a partially-observable competitive game . Yoichiro Matsuno , Tatsuya Yamazaki , Jun Matsuda , Shin Ishii 120 An Agent Bidding Strategy Based on Fuzzy Logic in a Continuous Double Auction Minghua He , Ho-fung Leung 126 UML Class Diagrams - Revisited in the Context of Agent-Based Systems Bernhard Bauer 129 MORPHEUS : A More Scalable Comparison-Shopping Agent Jaeyoung Yang , Joongmin Choi 131 SPT : Matchmaking for Autonomous Agents in Electronic Marketplaces Daniel Veit , Bjoern Fiehn , Joerg Mueller , Martin Schneider 134 Modelling and visualising agent conversations with Petri Nets Mariusz Nowostawski , Martin Purvis , Stephen Cranefield 136 Context Aware Personal Information Agents Josep Lluis Arcos , Enric Plaza 141 Timed Mobile Agent Planning for Distributed Information Retrieval Jin-Wook Baek , Gyu-Tae Kim , Heon-Young Yeom 142 Portable Resource Control in the J-SEAL2 Mobile Agent System Walter Binder , Jarle G. Hulaas , Alex Villazon 144 Market-Based Agent Allocation in Global Information Systems Ian Wang 150 Sympathetic Agents assist in Route Planning Patrick De Causmaecker , Peter Demeester , Greet Vanden Berghe 159 Scheduling Multi-Task Multi-Agent Systems Daniela Rus , Cliff Stein , Rong Xie 171 A reputation model for gregarious societies Jordi Sabater , Carles Sierra 172 Flexible Negotiation and Dialogue Games Mehdi Dastani , Joris Hulstijn , Leon van der Torre 175 Simultaneous Optimization of Multiple Criteria for Efficient Agent Service Brokering Aneurin M. Easwaran , Jeremy Pitt 177 Vicious Strategies for Vickrey Auctions Felix Brandt , Gerhard Weià179 Distribuited scheduling of multi-stage production systems Alessandro Brun , Alberto Portioli-Staudacher 181 Dealing with interoperability for the development and testing of smart agent-based services Patricia Charlton , Nicolas Lhuillier , David Bonnefoy , Yann Camenen 184 Holonic Agents for the Coordination of Supply Webs Andreas Gerber , Matthias Klusch , Christian Russ , Ingo Zinnikus 190 An Agent-Based System for Email Highlighting Suhayya Abu-Hakima , Connie McFarland , John F Meech 196 Learning Symbolic Navigation Plans from Executing MDP Policies Michael Beetz , Thorsten Belker 199 A fuzzy model of reputation in multi-AGENT systems Javier Carbo Rubiera , Jose Manuel Molina Lopez , Jorge Davila Muro 202 Every Agent a Web Server , Every Agent Community a Intranet ... Nathan Combs , BBN , Marshall Brinn , BBN , Todd Carrico , DARPA 203 Towards a Definition of Robustness for Market-Style Open Multi-Agent Systems Michael Schillo , Hans-Juergen Buerckert , Klaus Fischer , Matthias Klusch 207 Design of a Trust Model for a Secure Multi-Agent Marketplace Sergi Robles , Joan Borrell , John Bigham , Laurissa Tokarchuk , Laurie Cuthbert 213 Evolving Coordination Strategies in Simulated Robot Soccer Andre Luis Vasconcelos Coelho , Daniel Weingaertner , Fernando Antonio Campos Gomide 217 Designing Protocols Using the Event Calculus Pinar Yolum , Munindar P. Singh 222 Aiding the Visually Impaired Through an Enhanced Screen Reader Marcus J. Huber , Rich Simpson 233 An Agent-based Approach for Imagery & Geospatial Computing James J. Nolan , Robert Simon , Arun K. Sood 235 Integrating Multiagent Coordination with Reactive Plan Execution Jeffrey Cox , Bradley Clement , Pradeep Pappachan , Edmund Durfee 236 Interacting Multi-Agentsystems and Simulation - An exploration into Mole and James Bernd Kullick , Adelinde Uhrmacher 241 A Satisficing Multiagent Plan Coordination Algorithm for Dynamic Domains Pradeep M. Pappachan , Edmund H. Durfee 250 Interaction Without Committment : An initial approach Maksim Tsvetovat , Gregg Economou , Massimo Paolucci , Katia Sycara 254 SPT : SageTalk : Designing a Tool for Designing Successful Web-based Social Agents Katherine Isbister , David Klencke 259 Configuration Management Issues of Multiagent Systems Katia Sycara , Octavio Juarez , Joseph A. Giampapa 267 Collaborative Sanctioning : Applications in Restaurant Recommendations based on Reputation Lik Mui , Peter Szolovits , Cheewee Wang 268 Emergent Bucket Brigading - A simple mechanism for improving performance in multi-robot constrained-space foraging tasks Esben Ostergaard , Gaurav Sukhatme , Maja Mataric 278 SPT : Exploring decision processes in multi-agent automated contracting John Collins , Maria Gini 280 Dynamic Scheduling of a Fixed Bandwidth Communications Channel for Controlling Multiple R Paul E. Rybski , Sascha A. Stoeter , Dean F. Hougen , Maria Gini , Nikolaos Papanikolopoulos 286 Mobile Agents for Monitoring Distributed Systems Delbert Hart , Mihail Tudoreanu , Eileen Kraemer 287 Antisocial and Pro-Social Agents : The Tradeoff Between Conflict and Cooperation Sviatoslav Brainov 288 PHOSPHORUS : A Task-Based Agent Matchmaker Yolanda Gil , Surya Ramachandran 291 External Attribution of Intentional Notions to Explain and Predict Agent Behaviour C.M. Jonker , J. Treur , W. de Vries 296 Using Agents to Build a Practical Implementation of the INCA ( Intelligent Community Alarm ) System Martin Beer , Iain Anderson , David Huang 301 Adaptive Team Coaching Using Opponent Model Selection Patrick Riley , Manuela Veloso 302 Determining Bidding Strategies in Sequential Auctions:Quasi-linear Utility and Budget Constraints Hiromitsu Hattori , Makoto Yokoo , Yuko Sakurai , Toramatsu Shintani 308 A multi-Agent System for Real-Time Agent Coordination in Uncertain Environments Lucian Lita , Jamieson Schulte , Sebastian Thrun Other cycling web pages The locations of many of these features may be seen on a map . Introduction York is surrounded by an extensive network of flat and mostly quiet lanes that make it easy for a cyclist to get out into the countryside . Whether you want to get fit , find a different pub for a change , or just to get away from York for a while , I hope you 'll find an interesting route among these suggestions . A map will be needed to fill in the gaps in the terse route descriptions . The distances given are from the University campus , on the south-eastern edge of the city . First an overview of the area ... Geographical Areas The Vale of York The Vale of York extends for at least ten miles in every direction around York . It is entirely flat except for the occasional ridge of terminal moraine left by the last ice age 10,000 years ago . The Yorkshire Wolds To the east of the Vale of York is the Yorkshire Wolds - round hills of chalk rising to 800 feet with dry valleys between them . The steepest roads up from the Vale climb at 1 in 6 ( 17 % ) , but there are easier alternatives . The Wolds are excellent for cycling - the roads are quiet and have good surfaces , and there is a scattering of tea rooms . The Howardian Hills and Ryedale To the north of the Vale of York are the Howardian Hills - these are mostly wooded and climb to 600 feet . Beyond them is an area called Ryedale , which is shaped like a bathtub 30 miles long and up to 8 miles wide , with the town of Malton in the plughole ( floods in 2000 ) . The North Yorkshire Moors The North Yorkshire Moors National Park lies beyond Ryedale . It is basically a plateau rising to over 1000 feet , into which rivers have cut valleys from north to south . The nearest point to York is the south-west corner , 25 miles away , where White Horse Bank climbs onto the plateau at a gradient of 1 in 4 ( 25 % ) . Further east , 30 miles from York , the climbs are not steep but go on and on . The North Yorkshire Moors is famous for large expanses of heather that flowers between July and September - and for the grouse thereon . It is also famous amongst cyclists for Rosedale Chimney Bank on the Rosedale Abbey to Hutton-le-Hole road , a 1 in 3 ( 33 % ) climb that has been used in some racing events , where some racers are reduced to walking . The Pennines To the west of the Vale of York the land rises towards the Pennines . This is the area with the most stone walls . The Yorkshire Dales National Park encompasses the limestone area of the high Pennines , including the Three Peaks ( Whernside , Pen-y-ghent , and Ingleborough ) , but those are too far from York to cycle there and back in a day . There is a mine of detailed information on yorkshirenet . Some more information of interest to cycletourists appears after the following route descriptions . Eight miles and under Route 1 : Heslington Go down Main Street , past the Post Office , banks , etc , and keep on going beyond the No through road sign . The road continues for almost four miles altogether , including a flyover at the outer ring road . As well as being an ideal first ride on a bike , the quietness of this route makes it suitable for testing a bike after adjustments . Sixteen miles and under These rides all lie within the flat Vale of York , and do not reach any notable tourist attractions ( there are lots in York ) . Cyclists are quickly able and want to do longer rides . Consequently , this section serves to identify the best routes out of the city , concentrating on the obstacles of which to be wary . The routes are listed in clockwise order from 2 o'clock . Route 2 : Murton/Stockton-on-the-Forest/Warthill The lanes most used by cyclists are to the north-east of York , and they 're easily accessible from campus . The traffic lights at the end of Windmill Lane provide an easy crossing of the Hull road , and the bypass is crossed by an underpass at Murton . Beyond Murton is a loop of lanes that takes in Stockton-on-the-Forest and Warthill , and can also include Holtby . Route 3 : Fulford/Wheldrake/Elvington This route has some junctions with A roads that have become unpleasant with recent increases in traffic , but those junctions can be avoided with increases in distance . Do the route in the anti-clockwise direction , otherwise the junctions are even less pleasant . From Fulford to Crockey Hill , avoid the two and a half miles of A19 and its new roundabouts at the bypass by taking either the Naburn road or a bridleway out the bottom of Fulford village , both of which have flyovers of the bypass . If taking the Naburn road , it is better ( though further ) to head for the crossing of the A19 at Escrick , which is safer than that at Crockey Hill . At the other end , the Grimston roundabout over the bypass has a circumference of more than a quarter of a mile , with entrances guarded by traffic lights . A cyclepath has been added around its outside , where cyclists have to give way at every intersection . Despite this second-class arrangement , I recommend its use especially if travelling from York to Elvington : the turn onto the Elvington road from the roundabout is very tricky to do predictably on a bike . Alternatively , this roundabout can be avoided in either of two ways : a bridlepath to Heslington can be used in good weather ( joining route 1 ) , or turn to Dunnington for Murton , but this is two or three miles further . Route 4 : Acaster Malbis/Appleton Roebuck To the south-west lie many of York 's acres of caravan parks . You have to cross the River Ouse to get there , which is most easily and pleasantly done by the spantastic Millenium Bridge . The old Selby railway bridge at Naburn is an alternative . ( Do n't even think of using York 's outer ring road. ) If using Skeldergate bridge in town , turn 180 degrees left at the pedestrian crossing immediately after the bridge to get down onto Terry Avenue , which runs along the riverbank . The cyclepath across the Knavesmire ( racecourse ) is particular good . There are several circular routes of varying distances in the triangle bounded by the Rivers Ouse and Wharfe and the A64 . Do not venture onto the A64 - it is a motorway in all but name . There are flyovers of the A64 at Copmanthorpe and Tadcaster , and another has just opened at Bilbrough ( June 2005 ) . Route 5 : Askham Richard/Rufforth Reaching the countryside to the west of York involves crossing the city centre , but it 's near enough to be accessible for a change . You 'll undoubtedly notice Askham Richard 's ducks . Rufforth is home for the Ouse Gliding Club . The bypass cuts across what was two lanes to Askham Bryan , near to where they joined . As a result , two roads from York join the bypass and only one leaves it - neither crossing is straight across . The addition of cyclepaths and central reserves has made crossing here easier . The Rufforth B road can be busy with car boot fair traffic , especially early and late on Sundays ; its intersection with the bypass has a reasonable-sized roundabout . Route 6 : Beningbrough Hall Beningbrough Hall is a National Trust property to the north-west of York . A cyclepath can be used from the Scarborough railway bridge ( the one seen up-river from Lendal Bridge ) passing under the bypass , and continuing as far as the lane to Overton , thus avoiding the main A19 road ( except when the river is flooded ) . As this is the opposite side of York from the University campus , it 's further than the other rides in this category - expect to do more than 20 miles . Route 7 : Wigginton/Haxby Much of the area to the north of York is now built up . A glance at a map reveals three routes heading north : to Wigginton , Haxby and Strensall . That to Haxby is now the preferred one , not only for its underpass of the bypass but also for its lower traffic speeds . The A19 to the north-west also has an underpass at the outer ring road , and is less unpleasant to cycle than the Wigginton road . Thirty-five miles and under There 's lots to see within this range from York , for instance the Howardian Hills . Of the large number of alternative routes , here are just a few recommendations . Route 8 : Kirkham Kirkham is reached by those frequently used lanes to the north-east of York , and has a number of attractions - river bank walks , ruins of an abbey , and even swimming in the river above the weir . This stretch of the River Derwent , above Elvington , is the only navigable waterway in England that is closed to pleasure boats , conserving the banks for wildlife . The railway station is long closed , and more recently the Coffee House has closed , but English Heritage 's Abbey remains open . Route 9 : Cawood/Selby This route makes use of the cycle path built along much of the route of the old York-Selby railway line . The scenery is hardly spectacular ( despite what it says in the tourist board blurb ) but it makes for safe pleasant easy cycling . The Cawood road can be used as an alternative route . The Cawood Rural Arts Festival of Traditional Skills ( a contrived acronym if ever there was one ) is an annual event every August Bank Holiday weekend that takes over the village . Route 10 : Castle Howard Castle Howard , in the Howardian Hills , is an obvious choice of destination ( it was the chosen set for several TV dramas including Brideshead Revisited ) , but a good route to there by bike may not be so obvious . Either go north of the A64 in York and keep that side ( the Strensall road ) through Foston unless you fancy the 1-in-6 climb to Bulmer , or aim to cross the A64 at Barton Hill . The latter allows use of more attractive lanes , but the crossing of the dual carriageway can be scary . Route 11 : Terrington/Bulmer These two places in the Howardian Hills are recommended to those who like steep climbs but do n't want to cycle very far - they both have 1 in 6 ( 17 % ) gradients . The reward for doing the climbs can include a tea room at Terrington ( see below ) . York Minster is often visible from the top of Terrington bank . Route 12 : Brimham Rocks/Fountains Abbey With the assistance of a train to Knaresborough , both of these popular National Trust attractions lie within a single thirty mile ride ( though with more hills than you 'll find around York ) . It 's easy to spend at least an hour at each of these attractions . There is a choice of excellent ice cream on this route : the kiosk in Ripley offers two flavours each day of soft ice cream in large quantities , and near Knaresborough Castle is Dawson 's shop offering about twenty flavours of creamy ice cream made at Brymor Farm adjacent to Jervaulx Abbey in the Yorkshire Dales . If you do n't use trains , expect to cycle about 75 miles . Route 13 : Bolton Abbey/The Strid A train to Ilkley ( changing at Leeds ) brings the Yorkshire Dales National Park and beautiful Upper Wharfedale within range . The Strid is a deep narrow gorge that the River Wharfe gushes through . The cycling route from York to Ilkley is 35 miles , so if you do n't use a train , expect to do over 90 miles . Youth hostel rides Going away for a weekend involves finding somewhere to spend a night , and for many cyclists the answer is a Youth Hostel . The following suggestions involve no more than twenty-five miles cycling each day . Route 14 : Thixendale Thixendale YH lies ( did lie - unfortunately it has closed ) in a secluded valley in the Yorkshire Wolds to the east of York . I suggest going to Pocklington via Elvington and Allerthorpe Common ( which has a sign for a picnic site , but the sole picnic table has gone ) , then through pretty Millington Pastures , stopping either at the tea-room in Millington or at Millington Wood picnic site ( a SSSI ) or at the tranquil spring just beyond there ( listen out for it ) . Having climbed to the top of the Wolds , turn just before Huggate to Thixendale , finally dropping down into the village . Thixendale has shops and a pub ; unfortunately the cyclists ' favourite cafe behind the petrol station has closed down . On the second day , enjoy the gentle rise up Water Dale to either Leavening or Acklam , where you descend steeply and turn to Buttercrambe . Turn to Upper Helmsley to avoid the A road back into York . Route 15 : Robin Hood 's Bay Scarborough railway station is the start and finish for this route . North of Scarborough at Burniston is a cycle path that follows the route of an old railway line . This takes you all the way to Ravenscar and Robin Hood 's Bay where you 'll find Boggle Hole YH . The cycle path proceeds beyond Robin Hood 's Bay almost to Whitby , where there is another youth hostel ( by the abbey - Whitby is one youth hostel that I have stayed at ; it is currently closed for upgrading ) . One option here is a train to Grosmont , where you can connect with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Pickering , but you 'll then have to cycle to Malton if you want a train back to York . Camp sites For those with the necessary equipment , camping offers the greatest sense of freedom and independence . I have no personal experience of camping close to York , but there are now many to choose from , e.g. at Acaster Malbis and Sutton-on-the-Forest . The following sites are the closest ones to York that I 've stayed at and would recommend to others ( in order of increasing distance from York ) . Camp Site 1 : Ellerburn 32 miles north-east of York , 1m up a dead-end from Thornton Dale . ( Dead-end becomes bridleway to Low Dalby. ) Situated by a stream . Flush toilets , hot showers . Pubs etc in Thornton Dale . Camp Site 2 : Osmotherley 41 miles north of York . Flush toilets , hot showers . Neighbouring a youth hostel . Pubs etc in village . Camp Site 3 : Studfold Farm , Lofthouse 44 miles west-north-west of York , at top of Nidderdale by How Stean Gorge . Good field in superb walking country . Toilets and showers are 200 yards away in a separate caravan field , the showers being activated by old 10p or two shilling coins ( from reception ) . Good food at Middlesmoor pub . Expect to be woken by How Stean 's peacocks . Camp Site 4 : Goathland 45 miles north-north-east of York . Setting for TV series called Heartbeat ( Aidensfield ) . Choice of two sites . Abbot 's House Farm is down a track from opposite the garage , has flush toilets and free hot showers . The other is on a hillside above the village ( Greengrass ' farm ) , is less level and has only basic flush toilet . Pubs etc in village . Camp Site 5 : Craken House Farm , Leyburn 50 miles north-west of York off right-hand side of Middleham-Leyburn road . Flush toilet , hot showers . May need to book in advance . Camping barn . Pubs etc in Leyburn and Middleham . Camp Site 6 : Gordale Scar , Malham 61 miles west of York , 1m up dead-end from Malham . ( Dead-end becomes green lane to Kilnsey Crag or Malham Tarn. ) Flush toilets , hot shower . Footpath and stream from waterfall over the scar cross the site . Malham has a small shop and two pubs ; if self catering , it 's best to carry food from further afield . Tea rooms There are tea rooms at Bolton Bridge ( Abbey tea rooms ) , ( that at Bulmer ( Post Office ) closed down early in 2004 ) , Coxwold ( 12:30- ) , Fewston ( entirely vege ) , ( that at Gillamoor has closed down ) , Great Ayton ( Park Row ) , Harrogate ( Betty 's ) , Helmsley ( Castlegate Bakery , Ryeburn ice cream shop ) , How Stean Gorge ( CTC listed ) , Hovingham ( bakery excellent ) , ( that at Huggate ( Blacksmith 's ) has closed down ) , Hutton-le-Hole ( Barn Hotel is CTC listed ) , Ilkley ( Betty 's ) , ( that at Kilburn ( Singing Bird ) has closed down ) , ( that at Kirkham ( Coffee House ) has closed down ) , Kirkby Malzeard ( Rose Lea ) , Londesborough ( Sunday only ) , Masham ( Bordar House ) , Middleham ( Nosebag ) , Millington ( Rambler 's Rest Sat-Sun from 11:30 ) , Nunnington ( cakes and sandwiches ) , Pateley Bridge ( Barbara 's near turning to Bewerley ) , Ripley ( Cromwell 's , often ignored as Ripley 's ice cream kiosk is popular ) , Sandsend ( Wits End ) , Sledmere ( at the Hall , which need n't be visited as well ; summer only , excellent cakes ) , ( that at Slingsby ( Post Office ) has closed down ) , Slingsby ( 2-5pm summer only ) , Storiths ( " Buffers " is the place for train set collectors , near Bolton Bridge ) , Terrington ( Lavendar Farm , 10:30-4:30 Apr-Sep ; Post Office , Easter-Oct , closed Sun , claims " wicked flapjack " but not sampled yet... ) , ( that at Terrington Hill Top has closed down ) , and ( Thixendale ( Round the Bend ) has closed down ) . Cafes There are cafes at Boothferry ( Redbeck - greasy transport cafe ) , Boroughbridge ( Sheila 's bakery ) , Churchhouses ( Daffy caffy , Wed,Thu,Sat,Sun Apr-Sep ) , Crockey Hill ( transport cafe ) , Driffield ( Bell Mills Garden Centre , 10:30-4 ) , Fridaythorpe ( Seaways ) , Helmsley ( Castlegate bakery , The Old Police Station , Ryeburn ice cream parlour ) , Holme-on-Spalding-Moor ( at the junction of the lane to North Cliffe ) , Hornsea Mere ( Boathouse , 9:30-5 ) , Howden ( on the A614 ) , Hutton-le-Hole ( Forge ) , Knaresborough ( Marigold on riverbank - the old houseboat - is good for children ; Boathouse also on riverbank is non-smoking ; others in town centre ) , Malton ( Whistlestop ) , Otley ( Wharfe View , serves large portions of everything at the cheapest prices and is always packed ; one in the park by the wier is non-smoking , closed Feb ; Dales in town centre ) , Pickering ( Cooplands ) , Ripon ( Spa Gardens ) , Selby ( near rail station ) , Sherburn-in-Elmet ( mecca for motorcyclists , cyclists welcome too ) , Shiptonthorpe ( Longlands garden centre ) , Sutton Bank ( information centre ) , Thirsk , Thixendale ( Church View cafe , known to cyclists as Thix cafe , now closed down ) , Thornton-le-Dale ( Warrington 's ) , Thorp Arch ( trading estate ) , and Thorp Perrow ( Arboretum , 10-5 , Mar-Nov ) . These cafes have a somewhat " less-refined air " than the tea-rooms listed above , and are good for large , cheap , unhealthy meals - very popular with cyclists . Fish and chip shops The very best chippies are in the seaside towns such as Whitby . Closer to York , some worthy of a mention include those at Ampleforth , Helmsley , Riccall and Stamford Bridge . Markets The towns have markets where fresh produce can be obtained in an atmosphere of relative bustle compared to the rural surroundings , but you have to be there on the right day . Monday : Boroughbridge , Pickering , Selby , Skipton and Thirsk . Tuesday : Bedale , Hawes , Settle and Whitby . Wednesday : Kirkbymoorside , Knaresborough , Masham , Northallerton and Skipton . Thursday : Richmond , Ripon and Tadcaster . Friday : Easingwold , Helmsley , Leyburn , Otley , Skipton and Stokesley . There are markets every day in Scarborough and York . Cycle shops There are lots of cycle shops in York . Cycle Heaven on Bishopthorpe Road and York Cycleworks on Lawrence Street are recommended to touring cyclists . Tony Boswell 's on Tang Hall Lane has recently closed down . Cycle Heaven and Halfords on Foss Islands Road open on Sundays , as does Cycle Sense in Tadcaster ( 10am till 4pm ) . See also this list of bike shops in North and East Yorkshire . Organised rides The Cyclists ' Touring Club ( CTC) 's York section organises a variety of rides . The Easyriders Social group do 60-80 miles each Sunday starting from the railway station at 9am . The Intermediate group do 100+ miles each Sunday starting from the railway station at 8am . The advanced group... disbanded many years ago ! The Wednesday Wheelers do 50 or so miles . There are family and tandem groups that meet on Sunday afternoons . There are also rides on Thursday evenings in summer leaving from the gardens near the railway station at 7pm to a pub and returning in the dark . These groups are noted for upholding the Cafe-To-Cafe derivation of CTC ! Local clubs include : Clifton Cycling Club , who meet at Exhibition Square outside the City Art Gallery ; Velo Club York , who meet outside Rowntrees ( oops , Nestle ) on Haxby Road ; and Knaresborough Racing Team , who meet at York railway station . All of these clubs are involved in racing events , and so tend to attract faster riders than the CTC groups . A bunch of Computer Scientists and friends have their own Thursday evening cycle rides in summer leaving from the Computer Science Department on the University campus at 6pm-ish , usually stopping for a picnic and sometimes subsequently in a pub . These rides accommodate a wide range of abilities . In 1995 , 29 of us participated in 28 rides , the ( mean ) average ride being 31 miles at 13.9mph with 7 riders , but with considerable variance in all of these figures . The most popular mount was the Dawes Galaxy , but we also had two tandems , a child trailerbike , and a range of solos from Halfords weigh-a-mountain bikes to hand-built custom tourers . ( " Organised " is perhaps a misnomer for these. ) The figures for 1998 were 31 riders on 19 rides , averaging 9 riders per ride , doing 25 miles at 12.8mph , again with considerable variance . The University Cycling Club . combines long-distance Sunday runs and fast Wednesday afternoon rides , all departing from the University Sports Centre , with participation in time-trial events . Maps The Ordnance Survey ( OS ) maps at a scale of 1:50,000 ( the " Landranger " series ) are good for cycling because they show every right of way , hills are shown by 10m contour lines , steep gradients on roads are shown by chevrons , and they show tourist information . However , they cover an area of only about 25 miles square , and at least six sheets are needed to cover all directions around York . The most useful sheets are numbers 100 and 106 . Sheet 100 ( " Malton and Pickering " ) is the most used sheet , starting six miles north of York and showing the Howardian Hills , a large part of the North Yorkshire Moors , and the north-west corner of the Yorkshire Wolds . Sheet 106 ( " Market Weighton " ) has York 's most easterly suburb at its top-left corner , and shows the southern part of the Yorkshire Wolds . York itself is on sheet 105 , but little else of interest is . GoldenEye map/guides at a scale of 1:125,000 are well-liked , being available in waterproof versions , though they do n't cover the entire area and at least one very useful lane is omitted . The one of the North York Moors also covers parts of the Wolds . There is also one of the Dales . They can be had with recommended cycle routes already marked on in bold lines , or without . ( Unfortunately out-of-print in 2003. ) If you want a single map covering the cycling area around York , then those of Yorkshire at a scale of 1:200,000 by Tourist Info , by A-Z , and by Philips are good . They show just about every road up to 60 miles around York , hills are shown by shading with a different shade per 500ft , and they show tourist information . The Tourist Info one is the most recent . The A-Z has an index and is revised most often . The OS Travelmaster of Northern England at a scale of 1:250,000 is the next best thing from the Ordnance Survey , but covers a much larger area than necessary . If your cycling is confined to the National Parks , then the OS Outdoor Leisure maps are worth considering . For a really lightweight map , tear the appropriate page from a road atlas . Other cycling web pages Clubs Clifton Cycling Club The CTC in North Yorkshire University of York Cycling Club Cyclists ' Touring Club Bristol CTC - includes good guidance on conduct and safe riding in a group . Index of CTC sections AUDAX United Kingdom - The long distance cyclists ' association . International Human Powered Vehicle Association Premiums shown are for persons aged up to 69 . Cover for those aged 70 - 79 are available at double the published premium . No cover can be given to any persons aged 80 years or over . All premiums include Insurance Premium Tax at 17.5 % . A summary of the levels of cover is given below . If you would like to apply for our Annual Travel policy please skip to the application form at the bottom of this page ( click here ) , or you can arrange immediate cover over the telephone by calling 0845 60 77 444 . ANNUAL TRAVEL AT A GLANCE Annual travel insurance is available for holiday and business trips where no manual work is undertaken . Choose from European or Worldwide cover , and you will be insured for any number of trips per year as long as each trip does not exceed 45 days duration . CANCELLATION - UP TO ã5,000 PER PERSON You can claim for loss of deposits or cancellation charges following unavoidable cancellation due to death , illness , accidental injury , redundancy qualifying for payment under the Redundancy Act , jury service . An excess of ã35 applies to each claim . DEPARTURE DELAY - UP TO ã100 PERSON Following delay of the initial outward journey to the United Kingdom or the final return journey to the United Kingdom , each person will be paid ã10 after the first 12 hours and up to ã10 for each subsequent 12 hours of delay . PERSONAL LUGGAGE - UP TO ã2,000 PER PERSON Cover for lost , damaged or stolen personal property up to ã2,000 . A limit of ã500 applies to valuables and any single item , pair or set . An excess of ã35 applies to each claim . PERSONAL MONEY - UP TO ã250 For lost or stolen money . A limit of ã250 per person applies to notes and coins . An excess of ã35 applies to each claim . MEDICAL EXPENSES - UP TO ã2 MILLION PER PERSON The cost of expenses incurred outside the UK if you become ill or are injured . An excess of ã35 applies to each claim . PERSONAL ACCIDENT - UP TO ã25,000 PER PERSON A cash sum for death , loss of limbs , eyes , and permanent total disablement . PERSONAL LIABILITY - UP TO ã2 MILLION PER PERSON Legal liability for costs and damages as a result of an accident occurring during your journey . LEGAL EXPENSES - UP TO ã25,000 PER PERSON Legal costs and expenses incurred for legal proceedings for compensation and/or damages arising from an accident to you during your journey . An excess of ã50 applies to each claim . LOSS OF PASSPORT - UP TO ã250 PER PERSON The cost of an emergency replacement or temporary passport obtained whilst travelling abroad including travelling expenses incurred . For a full policy wording in PDF format , please click here . Please note that this policy does not cover existing medical conditions . If you would like to check whether an existing condition can be covered , please contact the Medical Team at Towergate Chase Parkinson on 01932 334198 . HOW TO APPLY You can choose to print an application form on your printer by selecting the option below . This can then be signed by you and sent with your chosen method of payment . Upon receipt , and subject to acceptance by our underwriters , we will issue your policy and send your documents to you by return . Alternatively , if you do not have a printer , but wish us to send you an application form to sign and return , please click on the second option . ( Please give detailed answers , just like you would if we were sitting talking face to face ! ) When did you first take an interest in railways ? ( Please use " Tab " key to move from box to box - but read any long paragraphs first ! ) What are your first memories of trains ? Did you have a local station as a youngster ? Where ? Did you visit it regularly ? If it 's relevant , what year(s ) was this ? Do you still have pleasant memories of this time ? ( Please select. ) Yes Not especially Are there any specific memories to relate ? Were there other favourite places you used to visit regularly ? Yes No ( If yes , please again give details ; especially answering the last 5 questions again for each location. ) Did you travel regularly by train around the date you gave above , or did you merely watch the trains go by ? Travelled:- regularly occasionally rarely only once but it was most memorable ! never Merely watched from:- trackside station overbridge Did you have a toy train set as a younster ? No Yes ( Please describe it... ) Have you had a model railway since ? ( Ditto ) Did you build it ? What do your friends and family think of the hobby of model railways ? What do you think of model railways ? Do you intend using this model for business purposes ? ( Perhaps to break the ice prior to a business meeting ; as in , " Do you want to come and have a look at my train set while we 're waiting for Fred " ? ) Yes Is there any specific deadline for this model ? Date : Is it for you ? Have you any photographs which capture the essence of what you want modelled ? Can you scan/photocopy them and include them with your reply ? Please add captions to explain as best you can precisely what it is that appeals to you . ( At a later stage it would be very helpful to have proper prints if details contained in them are to be modelled. ) Do you feel that some specific occasion sparked your interest in railways ? If so , what was it ? How has this coloured your interests since ? If there is a specific historical episode/occasion which you find fascinating , could you describe it ? Do you wish us to capture this in model form ? As just one part of the model or the major feature of it ? Is this railway local to you ? Could you go out and photograph the local landscape and surviving buildings , bridges features etc ? Are there published any local histories of the area which contain useful references to the line , its surroundings and/or the traffic it carried ? Title/Author/Publisher : 1D Are you aware of any railway histories of your chosen line being available ? ( We have a considerable library of such histories for a wide variety of lines , especially the " big Four " , but we certainly can not cover all of them ! ) ( Please quote Title , Author , Publisher and ISBN . . . ) Have you any plans of the area/stations you wish to base your model on ? ( ie ; ratings plans , period maps , etc. Please enclose a copy if you have. ) Do you prefer branch or main-line trains ? ( Please " check " one or both . Then again , if you have no preference select neither ! ) Branch-line trains Main-line trains Do you like shunting ? Would you like to be able to just push a button and watch the trains go round ? ( Please note that this can be very expensive on a large layout - and is not practical with a small terminus ! ) Do you want to be able to control the whole layout from one place ? Would you like to have more than one control position so guests can operate one part of the model while you operate another ? Do you want your model to feature one station and its surroundings or would you prefer a longer line featuring more than one station ? Are there any special features you wish us to model ? tab away ! Do you have any specific area/county/landscape in mind for your model ? Have you any photos ( or magazines with photos ) , showing the line or the area ? Are there any other special considerations we need to know about ? ( For instance , does the layout need to be low enough to be able to be seen comfortably from a wheelchair or is access likely to restrict the size of baseboards we can get into the room - like a loft access or tight staircase ? ) Any other information you think we should be aware of ? ( Be it relevant directly or indirectly. ) please scroll again for a while ! ! ! That is the end of section 1 ! 2 " Tick-Your-Choice " Key Questions 2.1 In general terms , what type of model do you want ? ( Please select the nearest. ) a ) a layout permanently erected in a room in my home* b ) a sectional layout to be erected occasionally/a transportable exhibition layout* c ) an automatic layout on permanent public exhibition* d ) a toy-train set or easily portable model . ( i.e. one which can be erected quickly on a table and then putaway after use , or perhaps one bolted to a wall so it can be hinged up out of the way.* ) e ) other . ( Please specify ) [ * In all these cases , if you have a dedicated railway room in mind , please draw up a sketch showing its floor-plan , scan it and attach a copy when you get in touch . Details of what to include;- Dimensions of the room , i.e. all wall lengths ( measure at about 4ft/1.3mtrs from the floor ; also please check walls are straight - by eye is usually sufficient but if there is any doubt , get someone to hold each end of a straight , taut piece of string and measure the depth at both ends of any bows in the wall which intrude into the room. ) We will also need both diagonal measurements , the size of any alcoves or recesses , plus fireplaces , doors ( include arc of opening ) , windows ( note space required for curtains if fitted and whether access is required for drawing curtains or opening lights ) , radiators , power-points , light-switches ( include height from floor ) , any sloping sections of ceiling ( below about 6ft/2mtrs ) , and any other features which might affect construction such as an uneven or sloping floor or any steps , raised or lowered areas . Please consider whether any other special provisions are required such as wheelchair access , storage , work bench , etcetera . ( Where it might be feasible to wrap the tracks around the room in circular fashion allowing the operator to sit in the middle , please tell us whether a " duck-under " access would be acceptable or whether unimpeded access is required. ] 2.2 Scale/Gauge . Explanatory note ; It may be that you have never had a model railway before and know little of such things as " scale " and " gauge " . Do not worry ! In case you want to know , " scale " refers to the ratio between the size of the prototype and the model , the former always being expressed as " one " . Thus 1/10th scale means a model ten times smaller than the real thing , and so on . The word " gauge " refers to the distance between the rails , both prototype and model gauges being expressed in actual size , thus " 9 mm gauge " means there is a nine millimetre gap between the rails for your model train to run on . Scale and Gauge are often , but not always , in a direct ratio with one another but different model train manufacturers have adopted different commercial standards which has confused the matter for everyone . Such is life ! If you want us to guide you through this " minefield " of confusing terminology and suggest which combination would be best suited to the type of layout you envisage , please " check " either or both of the first two boxes . If you have an open mind but preferences , please feel free to check several boxes . Then again , you might want a model featuring more than one gauge anyway so check whichever boxes appeal ! Please state the gauge/scale you prefer ; Standard gauge ( ie ; models of trains running on 4 ' 8ý " track. ) In ascending order of size ... A particular scale or gauge is less important than the overall effect . I am undecided and open to suggestions. check box name / gauge scale description N 9mm Approximately 2mm to the foot scale ( About 140 to 1 ) Second most common British scale . Good commercial support , excellent for highly scenic layouts with long fast trains and dramatic landscapes . Generally rather poor for shunting . 2mm 9.8mm Precisely 2mm to the foot scale . Since the track and wheel standards are much more to scale the layout looks much better but this high-quality derivative of the above is very expensive to produce . TT 12mm About 3mm to the foot scale . Rare these days since there is very limited availability of British commercial and kit components - and nothing else ! HO 16.5mm 3.5mm to the foot scale Most common European and North American scale . OO 16.5mm About 4mm to the foot using commercial standards Most common British scale at 1:72nd . Suffers from the fact that the rails are too close together and different commercial suppliers use differing wheel standards . Can be made to work reliably with care and has advantage that an enormous variety of trains , kits , components and accessories are freely available . EM 18mm About 4mm to the foot - commercial / scratchbuilt track . An early attempt to improve the looks of OO track by widening the gauge from 16.5mm to 18mm . Much more to scratch build than OO . Now largely superceded by S4 .. . S4 18.83 mm Precisely 4mm to the foot scale . Precisely 4mm to the foot scale running on dead-scale track . Very high standard of modelling required to run well but looks exceptional properly done . Only S7 rivals it . 00/H0 16.5mm Very roughly 4mm to the foot scale , it is only the gauge which counts at this level ! 1950s period type of model railway - ideal for running old collector 's models . ( Old OO/HO toy trains had coarse wheels running on 16.5mm track , whether the scale of the model was OO or HO. ) Period track , brick/stone papers & dyed sawdust for grass ! S gauge 7/8 " 3/16ths inch to the foot . Only Britain & the USA use this ! Almost completely a scratchbuilder 's scale . ( Handy if you like an " O " design but ca n't quite fit it in. ) At 1/64th , this is about halfway between O & OO/4mm & 7mm scales . 0coarse 1 1/4 " About 7mm to the foot but with coarse wheel standards . Still the most common of the larger scales , mainly because many old 7mm layouts have been in existance since these standards were all that was available . 0 fine 32mm About 7mm to the foot but with finer wheel standards . The most common standard for new layouts , although 7 scale ( see below ) is fast gaining ground . 7 Scale 33mm Precisely 7mm to the foot scale . The most demanding ( and expensive ) of the 7mm to the foot standards but certainly the most realistic . G1 About 10mm to the foot scale . Sometimes using " live steam " locos , this largely scratch-built scale does have some support from ready-to-run and kits . 3ý " gauge Nominally about 1/16th scale . Can be models of any scale built to run on 3ý " gauge track - usually " live steam " , outdoors , often passenger carrying . 5 " gauge Nominally about 1/10th scale . Can be models of any scale built to run on 5 " gauge track - usually " live steam " , outdoors , normally passenger carrying . Other Please specify . ( Consultation advised. ) Narrow/Broad gauge ; As anything other than 4 ' 8ý " is one or the other* , it is much easier if you state the scale and the gauge you require , preferably thus ; ( * even 4 ' 8ý " can be considered " broad " or " narrow " ; for example in countries where metre gauge or 5 ' 3 " is standard ! ) scale of model/"n " or " b " ( for narrow or broad)/actual model track gauge. then please add the company/country you wish to represent on your model , such as " Lynton & Barnstable " or " Isle of Man". [ Using this method for a 4mm model on " N " gauge track you could have 4n9(Ffestiniog ) or 00n9(freelance ) ; for a continental model you might have 3.5n9 , or for a larger one 7n16.5 . Broad gauge might be ; 4b28(Brunel ) , 7b35(Eire ) or even 3.5b18.375(Espania ) ! ] My preference is;- 3. Your Budget for the model . Please select the budget-range you are considering ; ( in Pounds Sterling ) ã1,000 to ã5,000 ã5,000 to ã20,000 ã20,000 to ã80,000 over ã80,000 4. Owning Company Preferences . For layouts which are to be based on commercially available rolling stock , please tick one or more of the following preferences ; " Big 4 " ; Great Western , LMS , Southern , LNER . British Railways ; steam only , steam/green diesel , blue diesel period , modern privatised . Non-specific british steam railway with a period feel . State decade ; American ( If you wish us to use a specific proprietary range please quote it : ) Continental ( If you wish us to use a specific proprietary range please quote it : ) Other Countries ( If you wish us to use a specific proprietary range please quote it : ) Freelance or other ( For example a fantasy layout based on characters from a book - not necessarily one of the Reverend Awdry 's ! ) Please tell us what you have in mind ... For layouts intended to feature hand-built models , please state country/railway company intended to form basis of model and any period or specific locationrequirements . For example ; " Brecon and Merthyr Railway in S4 , 1913 period , somewhere in the Rhymney Valley . " or " Turn of the Century Midland Railway in 0 fine , somewhere on the Settle & Carlisle . " or even " I want a model of St Pancras Station just at it would have been on July 1st . 1902 ; I want to run the right trains , show the people in correct period dress for that season , have the right adverts on the noticeboards and I especially want to feature the Royal Train , King Edward and the person and entourage of Prince Soandso of Suchandsuch when they passed through the station on their way to Balmoral " . The only limitations are the time/money you have available for research and the time ( and therefore the cost ) , of producing such detailed work . It is possible to model almost anything - although whether some things will actually make good models or not is another matter . . . I would like my model to represent ... Thank you for taking the time to fill out our questionnaire . We will shortly have a very good idea of the kind of model railway you are looking for and will do our best to provide it for you . Before you sumit this to us however , just a few personal details would be helpful but they are optional ; UK applicants will need a first or upper second class Honours degree in a relevant subject to gain admission to a PhD research programme . Other entry qualifications , including MSc and MPhil , will be assessed individually , as will qualifications from non-UK universities . Location Southwark Application Procedure Applicants are invited to contact the School via the Head of Research sending an outline of the proposed topic and a CV . Alternatively applicants may wish to discuss their proposal by phone or e-mail . The Head of Research will then consult with colleagues to establish whether or not appropriate supervisory staff are available . Applicants may then be asked to attend an interview with potential supervisors . Contact Person Chung Lam 020 7815 6914 Job Title Tel No. Introduction The wide range of research activities undertaken within the Faculty , together with the mix of academic staff , postdoctoral research fellows and visiting professors , has created a stimulating and diverse postgraduate environment . Our commitment to research excellence and our supportive administration has resulted in an increase in student numbers in the last few years and our research groups enjoy national and international recognition in their respective areas . Research is mainly undertaken within the many research centres or groups that are based within the Faculty . Most of the academic staff belong to one or more of these centres or groups and research students can expect to join a small team working on particular problems . The centres and their research students are funded from a wide variety of sources : the EPSRC ESRC , DfID , RICS ; other UK research councils , institutions and societies ; the EU ; UK government departments and initiatives ; international commercial and industrial organisations . Faculty Research Centres Energetics Research Group Food Research Centre The London Food Centre Medical Architecture Research Unit ( MARU ) The Nutrition Research Centre Photophysics Research Centre The Centre for Physical Electronics and Materials ( PEM ) Sports and Exercise Research Centre The Sustainable Transport Research Centre The Thin Film Materials & Devices Group Waves and Field Research Group Forensic Science Unit Engineering research areas Research areas include : acoustics ; biomedical instrumentation ; cellular neural networks and image processing ; energy engineering ; ferroelectric materials ; heat transfer and fluid mechanics ; magnetics ; mathematical modelling and software ; microwave dielectric materials ; manufacturing ; material science including surface engineering ; nanostructured materials ; photovoltaic devices ; polymers , semiconductors and superconductors ; refrigeration and air conditioning ; robotics ; photophysics ; theory of dielectric loss ; thin films . Science research areas In general , research students are located in one of the three main research groups ( Food & Nutrition ; Energetics Research ; Sports & Exercise Science ) and research expertise is offered in : food science and technology ; nutrition ; biotechnology and forensic science ; chemical engineering ; sports and exercise science ; and environmental science and health and safety . Built Environment research areas The disciplines of architecture , building construction , civil engineering , construction management and surveying provide a broad foundation of research interests concerned with the ÃÂhardàside of the industry ( research within the ÃÂsoftàside of the industry is undertaken within the Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences ) . The Research Committee supports specialist research groups in : geotechnics ; construction technology ; construction management ; construction economics and international studies . Most research students register initially for the MPhil programme and then progress on to the Doctoral track following satisfactory completion of a MPhil Transfer Report , after 20 months of study . An interim ten month report is also required of all research students . A member of staff , who is an expert in the chosen field , is directly responsible for guiding and supporting a studentÃÂs research programme . If required , a secondary supervisor is also appointed to give further assistance and , in some cases , an expert from industry may also be invited to join the supervisory team . Training in research methods is available through frequent research seminars . When necessary the research student can follow , in part , relevant MSc courses available within the Faculty and in particular units on research methodology . In some cases , research students are encouraged to follow other courses available within the University or externally aimed at improving their general expertise in their chosen areas . In addition , they may be encouraged to follow language courses aimed at improving their oral and written skills àboth essential in their future careers . Research students are often sponsored to attend national and international conferences and to meet leading scientists in their fields and to present their research findings . The progress of all research students is formally monitored by the UniversityÃÂs Research Degree Committee , on an annual basis . A research degree can , indirectly , qualify you for many things . The self discipline , the demand for clear , analytical thinking , and the ability to turn criticism of othersàwork into something constructive of your own , all constitute a unique training for almost any kind of career . And the excitement and satisfaction of finding new facts , a new idea , or a new way of looking at something can reward you in a way almost no other activity can . Updated : 21 February 2005 - RB Coventry University has a limited number of Postgraduate Engineering Programmes on offer with February and March 2006 start dates . Read more Latest News & Events Latest Press Release : DVD used to get carers on board Read more 23 March : Lecture by Bibiana Boerio , MD Jaguar Cars Read more E-payment gateway Take a tour of the campus Information for parents Coventry University 's Students ' Union Terms & conditions Coventry University , Priory Street , Coventry CV1 5FB . Telephone : +44 ( 0)24 7688 7688 Privacy é Copyright Coventry University 2005 . W3C WAI compliant Coventry University has a limited number of Postgraduate Engineering Programmes on offer with February and March 2006 start dates . Read more Latest News & Events Latest Press Release : DVD used to get carers on board Read more 23 March : Lecture by Bibiana Boerio , MD Jaguar Cars Read more E-payment gateway Take a tour of the campus Information for parents Coventry University 's Students ' Union Terms & conditions Coventry University , Priory Street , Coventry CV1 5FB . Telephone : +44 ( 0)24 7688 7688 Privacy é Copyright Coventry University 2005 . W3C WAI compliant Select Product 20Kg Hammertone Dumbbell Set Abdominal Curl Conditioning Test ABS Power Gymnastic Ball Accu Measure Skinfold Calipers Adjustable Gel Grip Glove Age Reversal Eye Cream Age Reversal Face Cleaner Age Reversal Face Cream Age Reversal Facial serum Animal Cuts Animal M-Stack Animal Pak AntiFat AST Alpha Lipoic Acid AST Micronized Creatine HSC ATP Creatine Serum ATP Plus Joint Serum BCAA Plus Bill Phillips Body for Life Book Biotest Alpha Male Biotest Hot Rox Biotest M Biotest Methoxy 7 Biotest Power Drive Biotest Red Kat Biotest Spike Biotest Surge Biotest Tribex Biotest ZMA Body For Life CLA Body For Life for Women Book Body For Life Omega 369 Bulgarian Tribulus CellTech Cell-Tech Carb Control CE-XL Chemical Nutrition Pro-Peptide Chrome Dumbbells Core Glutamine FE2 Core ProQuick Core Tribulus Terrestris Core ZMA Creatine 6000-ES Creatine Monohydrate Capsules Cuts 2 Cuts 3 Cyclone Bars Deluxe Push-Up Bars Deluxe Sit-Up Bar Designer Protein Digital Skipping Rope Dorian Yates Pro Mass Dorian Yates Pro-HMB Dorian Yates Pro-MR Dymatize Alpha Lipoic Acid Dymatize Creatine Monohydrate Dymatize Excite Dymatize Expand Dymatize HMB Dymatize Ignite Dymatize ISO 100 Dymatize Mega Milk Dymatize NOV Dymatize Z-Force ZMA EAS Betagen EAS C3 EAS CLA EAS Glutamine EAS HMB EAS Mass Factor EAS Max Milk EAS Muscle Armour EAS Myoplex Original RTD EAS Nitron 5 EAS Phosphagen Elite EAS Precision Protein EAS Simply Gain EAS Thermo Dynamx EAS ZMA HP Elite Whey Protein Endurus Runners Serum Female Endurus Runners Serum Male Explosive Creatine Fahrenheit For Women Fat Track Digital SkinFold Calipers Femme Hi-Energy Serum Fitball Swiss Ball Gaiam Back Care Conditioning Kit Gaiam Pilates Beginners Kit Gaiam Pilates BodyBall Kit Gaiam Pilates BodyCircles Kit Gaiam Pilates BodyRing Kit Gaiam Pilates Essentials Mat and DVD Gaiam Resistance Cord Workout Kit Garnell Enrage Garnell Lean Force Garnell L-Glutamine Garnell Whey Gain Ginkgo Biloba GL3 Micronized L-Glutamine Glucosamine Chondroitin Glucosamine Sulphate Glutamax 300 Golds Gym 4 " Leather Belt Golds Gym Bicep Isolator Golds Gym Chest Expander Golds Gym Chrome Dummbell Set Golds Gym Hook Lifting Straps Golds Gym Lifting Straps Golds Gym Speed Rope Golds Gym Transformer Dumbbell Golds Gym Travel Gym Golds Gym Vinyl Sweat Suit Golds Leather Premium Lifting Straps Green Tea Guggul Complex - 90 Capsules H+ Blocker Heavy Duty Weight Lifting Gloves High Performance Whey Hydroxycut Instone BCAA InStone Forza-T InStone Intake Performance INSTONE LeanFire Intake Lean Isa-Test Isatori Energize item resend charge LA Aminos LA Fat Stripper LA Muscle Eat and Cheat LA Muscle Komplete LA Muscle MAN - 180 Tablets LA Muscle Platinum LA Muscle Shaper LA Muscle SpeedStar LA Sculpt LA Whey Lean System 7 Leather ' Sparring ' Gloves Max Meal High Protein Maximuscle Ache Free Maximuscle Citrumax Maximuscle CLA 1000 Maximuscle Creatamax 300 Maximuscle Creatamax 8000-GL Maximuscle Creatamax Capsules Maximuscle Cyclone Maximuscle Fattack - 120 Capsules Maximuscle GH Kick Maximuscle HMB 1000 Maximuscle Methoxy Max Maximuscle NO2 - 30 Tablets Maximuscle Progain Maximuscle Promax Maximuscle Promax Aminos Maximuscle Promax Extreme Maximuscle Promax Meal Bars Maximuscle Pump Up Maximuscle Recovermax Maximuscle Slim Meal Maximuscle Thermobol Maximuscle Tribulus Complex Maximuscle Viper Maximuscle Viper Extreme Maximuscle Viper Extreme Capsules Maximuscle ZMA Mega Gainer Meta Cel Met-RX Meal Replacement Met-RX Protein Plus Met-RX Supreme Whey Micro Whey Micronized Creatine Monohydrate Micronized Glutamine Multipro 32x Muscletech CEE-Pro Muscletech Gakic Muscletech Leukic Muscletech Mass-Tech MuscleTech Meso-Tech Muscletech Nitrotech Protein Bars MuscleTech T-Tech Myoplex Myoplex Carb Sense Bars Myoplex Deluxe Myoplex Diet Bars Myoplex Diet MRP MyoPro Whey Nais Body Fat Watcher Nais Calorie Controller Natrex Natural Whey NCF Multi Stage Fitness Test Nexgen Multi Vitamins Nitro3 Nitro-Tech Nitro-Tech NightTime Nobese Norateen Heavyweight Norateen Heavyweight II Norateen II Omega 3 Fatty Acids - 1000mg x 90 Capsules Omron BF-306 Portable Body Fat Monitor Omron Blood Pressure Monitor Omron Step Counter Panic Alarm Pedometer Phosphagen HP Pilates BodyBand Kit with DVD Pit Stop Protein Bars Polar A5 Polar AXN300 Polar F1 Polar F11 Polar F2 Polar F3 Heart Rate Monitor Polar F4 Heart Rate Monitor Polar F5 Heart Rate Monitor Polar F6 Heart Rate Monitor Polar S120 Polar S610i Polar S625x Power Breathe Power House Gym Power Top PowerHouse Gym Contrast Tank Top PowerHouse Gym Fitness Pants Prime Anti-Fatique Serum Prolab Advanced Whey Prolab Amino 2000 Prolab CLA Prolab Creatine Prolab Energizer Multi Vitamin Prolab Glutamine Powder Prolab N-Large 2 Prolab Performance Creatine Prolab Pure Whey Promax Diet Protective Barbell Pad Protein Ice RTD Pump-Tech PVL Monster Maxx PVL NeoForm PVL Whey Gourmet PVL Whey Maxx RBK Training Gloves Mens Reebok Air Stability Disc Reebok Ankle / Wrist Weights Reebok Batwing Jump Rope Reebok Core Board Reebok Core DVD - The Basics Reebok Deck Reebok Double Grip Medicine Ball Reebok Fitness Belt Reebok Fitness Rebounder Reebok Gym Ball Reebok Leather Skipping Rope Reebok Resistance Tubes Reebok Speed Rope Reebok Step Reflex Alpha Lipoic Acid Reflex BCAAs Reflex CLA Reflex Cordyceps Reflex Creapure Creatine Reflex Fusion Reflex Instant Mass Reflex Instant Whey Reflex L Glutamine Reflex L-Carnitine Reflex Micellar Casein Reflex Progen Reflex Progen Bars Reflex Special Offer Stack Reflex Tri Matrix V2 Reflex XXL Matrix Resent Item SAN Infusion San Myodrive SAN Nutrition Loaded SAN Nutrition Tribuvar SAN Tight - 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90 Tablets The Relevance of Ancient Teaching in Modern Society by Guhen Kitaoka This article was first published in Rapport Magazine Issue 54 , Winter 2001 , and is reproduced here with their kind permission . You can also read this artcle in a photographic format ( a 900KB pdf file ) by clicking here . Many NLPers may think that the title of this article is totally irrelevant to them . The purpose of this article is to let them know that it is indeed very relevant to them as modern people who are currently experiencing the communicational revolution of the new millennium . Integrations I have for some time suspected that humanity may have begun to go through the process of various integrations , or at least attempts at integrations , during the second half of the 20th century . Firstly , after World War II , the tourist industries in the world mushroomed , thanks to the advent of aeroplanes , and produced massive flows of tourists between Western and Eastern countries . This contributed to ' cultural integration ' . There was then the Woman 's Lib . Movement , started in the sixties , which produced ' gender integration ' where women have begun to claim strong social power to a degree simply unimaginable to previous generations . And then there was the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 , which precipitated European integration , or ' economic integration ' for that matter . More recently , the end of Apartheid in South Africa in 1997 epitomised ' racial integration ' . It is clear that TV has been very probably the single most important communicational tool which precipitated the above integrations , notably the economic and racial ones , by enabling ' oppressed ' people to see ' the other side of the world ' or what would be possible to them . Without this tool , such integrations would simply not have been possible . With this background , I believe that humanity has taken a further step in inventing the Internet to secure global flows of information without any discrimination of culture , gender , economy or race . What is ahead of us now may be ' global integration ' , which would both include and transcend all the recent integrations that we have been going through for the last 50 years or so . Let 's imagine how people would have communicated 100 years ago . Then it would have taken probably more than a year to have one round of correspondence between Europe and Japan ; a letter needed to be sent by ship to Japan and , in Japan , it needed to be delivered to the other person by foot , and the same process was reversed for an European to receive a reply from his or her Japanese correspondent . On the contrary , at present , one round of correspondence with anywhere in the world is possible in a matter of minutes , if not seconds , by e-mail . This is simply staggering and awe-inspiring . Before the advent of the Internet , ordinary people had been able to benefit from telephone , radio , TV , facsimile , computers , jet planes , satellites , nuclear energy , etc. , and the process of our daily communication had been accelerated at an astronomical rate since the 19th century , without usually being recognised as such[1 ] . This must be all the more true with the advent of the Internet . Communication Psychology vs the Internet I sincerely believe that the acceleration of rates of interpersonal communication is not foreign at all to the advent of NLP in California around 1975 . NLP , which I personally call the ultimate ' Communication Psychology'[2 ] , may not have been a direct cause of , or a result of , the integrations enumerated above , but it is not very difficult to intuitively sense the interconnectivity between these outer social changes and this fascinating intrapersonal technology . That is , in my opinion , NLP is the first ( and paradoxically probably the last ) psychology which has existed in human history as a branch of inner science , which can cope with the astronomical rates of speed of outer communication epitomised by the recently born Internet . I can expound how it is the case , based on the following three facts : It is commonly accepted that NLP was practically first established as an alternative school of psychotherapy ; in my opinion , it had gradually transformed itself into a progressive communication psychology by 1980 . I personally experienced around 2,000 hour-long psychotherapy sessions including Gestalt , Humanistic Psychology , Encounter , Primal , Rebirthing , etc. , among other things , before coming to know NLP in 1988 , but none of them had been able to eradicate the particular deep-seated problems I had wanted to get rid of for my whole life . It is true that , when I underwent these ' traditional ' psychotherapies , I felt freed , and even euphoric at times , but their effects necessarily wore out after a while and , again , I found myself exactly the same person I used to be before going through these psychotherapeutic sessions . It was only NLP that brought me everlasting effects and changed me ( or my behavioural patterns , to be more precise ) for ever , in a real , existential sense . I therefore can experientially understand Anthony Robbins ' metaphors that : a ) all the existing psychotherapeutic schools try to open the lid of the kettle ( the client ) whose pressure is accumulating , only to find that the client feels better temporarily but has to come back to the same therapist again and again to get rid of the newly accumulated pressure , while b ) NLP is like a juke box , where , if button A is pressed , and bad music is heard , and if button B is pressed , and good music is heard , then the juke box can be re-wired , so that each time button A is pressed , good music begins to be heard , or the disk with the bad music itself can be removed , and replaced with a new disk with good music[3 ] . The Palo Alto Group[4 ] , and notably Paul Watzlawick , contributed to the mapping of practically all the patterns of human communication[5 ] some 35 years ago , and also elucidating how Brief Therapy - developed by the Palo Alto Group , or NLP for that matter , can bring everlasting effects to clients by manipulating the ' contexts ' of their problems , where all the traditional psychotherapies miserably fail to do so by only dealing with the contents of the clients ' problems . This elucidation of Watzlawick is based on The Theory of Logical Types introduced by Alfred N. Whitehead and Bertrand Russell in their Principia Mathematica ( 1910-13)[6 ] . Gregory Bateson declared , in his posthumously published book[7 ] , that the problems proposed by Aristotle 2,500 years ago , and compounded by Descartes , had been already solved by his and/or Russell 's epistemology . Although Bateson is so humble as to qualify his claim by adding that , after these problems have been sorted out , new problems may be generated , this statement of his is truly awesome ; it means that the problem of ' body/mind ' dualism since Aristotle has been solved once and for all , and that the efforts of all the genius philosophers in the 2,500 year long history have finally paid off . What these above three facts suggest is that such thinkers as Whitehead , Russell , Bateson , Watzlawick , and the co-founders of NLP , have somehow managed to take a ' quantum step ' to transcend the content level to go up to the context level , utilising such powerful tools as ' the Theory of Logical Types ' and ' the Theory of Probability ' . I personally think that this ' one small step for man ' may be far more significant than Neil Armstrong 's first step on the moon . The reason I suggest that NLP is the first psychology which can cope with the astronomical rates of speed of outer communication , is that the rate of development of the recent massive outer communication technologies , first represented by telephone , radio , TV , facsimile and computers , and finally culminating in the Internet , has been reflected also in the field of inner science , to produce what I call Communication Psychology[8 ] . Also , the reason I suggest that NLP is probably the ' last ' such psychology is that , although the first ' quantum step ' along the logical types may have required 2,500 year-long human philosophical investigations , the series of subsequent quantum steps could be achieved rather easily by repeating what has been already proven to be possible . There will be nothing new any more in those subsequent steps after the very first one . The Other Side of the Same Coin I have so far suggested that we will probably go through the ' global integration ' at the beginning of the 21st century , brought about by the outer communication tools like the Internet , and that we have communication psychology , notably NLP , already in our hand , which will fortunately enable us to cope with the massive acceleration of outer communication technologies - without which we may become easily mad in front of the overwhelming quantity of information we need to face and intake in our daily life . However , this is not the end of the story . It is only one side of the coin , and there is also the other side of it . And this missing side is indeed related to the title of this article , and is about ancient teaching in India . For the purpose of this article , and in order to simplify the subject , I would like to discuss here only a branch of Indian philosophy/psychology called ' Vedanta ' and , in particular , one of the branches of Vedanta called ' Advaita Vedanta ' initiated by probably the most important philosopher in human history , Shankaracharya , who lived in the 8th century AD . Vedanta means the ' end of Vedas ' , and is an ancient Indian system of inner science based on the three kinds of scriptures , i.e. , ' Upanishads ' ( which are the part of the Veda where purely philosophical discussions are expounded ) , ' Brahma Sutra ' , and the renowned ' Bhagavad Gita ' , a chapter of Mahabharata . One of its branches , Advaita ( non-dualistic ) Vedanta expounds that our real self ( ' Atman ' in Sanskrit ) and the Universal , Transcendental Self ( ' Brahman ' in Sanskrit ) are one and the same . The reason why I claim that Vedanta , notably Advaita Vedanta , is the other side of the same coin , and has a rather urgent relevance to modern people going through the global integration , is that what has been discovered by modern progressive sciences such as quantum physics and by Communication Psychology such as NLP , had been already expounded and mapped in those thousands of years old ancient philosophical scriptures in India[9 ] . I have expounded in detail in my recent book[10 ] how Advaita Vedanta and NLP have presented one and the same thing as concepts/models , but can here mention several such examples : One of the most important writings by Shankaracharya is his commentary on Mandukya Upanishad[11 ] , and its philosophical conclusion is that time , space and causality are all illusion . This conclusion of thousands of years ago is nothing but that of modern quantum physics[12 ] . Advaita ( non-dualistic ) Vedanta posits that Absolute God ( ' Brahman ' ) and our true self or identity ( ' Atman ' ) are nothing but identical . This notion is closely related to modern Cybernetics , which considers the whole of each system ( e.g. , locomotives , automobiles , computers , living organisms , etc. ) and is based on the assumption that what happens in one part ( element ) of a given system will necessarily affect all of the other parts in some way . There is a very important Vedanta concept called ' Samskara ' , which can be defined as ' habitual patterns of psychophysical activity'[13 ] , or as ' the sum-total of impressions left in the mind by past actions'[14 ] . Amazingly , this is nothing but ' programming ' in computer terminology , or NLP 's ' Anchoring ' for that matter . Vedanta posits the concept of ' Five Sheaths ( ' Koshas ' in Sanskrit ) ' which cover our existence . They are - from the bottom 1 ) the physical sheath , 2 ) the sheath of vital energy , 3 ) the sheath of mind , 4 ) the sheath of the intellect , and 5 ) the sheath of blissfulness . This concept is very closely related to Robert Dilts ' ' Logical Levels'[15 ] , and to Connirae Andreas ' ' Core Transformation'[16 ] . Vedanta does n't discuss NLP 's ' 4 Tuple ' , in an explicit way but , in my opinion , is one step ahead of NLP . That is , in another very important scripture commented by Shankaracharya[17 ] , it is repeatedly suggested that our real self ( Atman ) is something which our five senses can never experience , and is the witness or the ' experiencer ' operating beyond them . Now , perhaps no NLPers have asked the strange question : " Who it is that is describing my own experience in terms of the VAKO(18 ) representational systems ? , " but this is the very question - and an extremely serious one - which may provide an existential answer to whether the title of this article is indeed relevant to NLPers or not , because , logically speaking , we cannot describe our experience in the VAKO rep systems , unless we are something which transcends them . The conundrum here is that all of our inner experiences are intrinsically describable in terms of the VAKO representational systems , while the rep systems certainly cannot be their own describers ! Conclusion Here , I want to demystify a couple of major myths about ancient teaching in India before presenting my conclusion . ' Vedanta is a religion full of superstitions ' : As I indicated above , Vedanta consists of purely philosophical investigations . The reason for this myth seems to be that Vedanta is based on scriptures like the Upanishads . However , in ancient India , science was not compartmentalised as it is now , where we have all kinds of disciplines of study , including physics , chemistry , mathematics , philosophy , psychology , etc. Therefore , in order legitimately to express their ideas , these old philosophers had to resort to the form of ' religious ' literature which alone was available to them . Once one knows the way to decode what ancient philosophers encoded in their scriptures , one cannot help but being surprised by the level of thoroughness and astuteness of their inner investigations . ' Ancient India was certainly less advanced than modern Western countries ' : For this , I want to give an account of some fascinating anthropological research[19 ] : A team of anthropologists once compared the Japanese civilisation with the Bushmen 's civilisation in Africa , using a combination of interviews and field work . At a first glance , the Japanese civilisation apparently seemed to be superior because the Japanese were able to build skyscrapers , high speed ' bullet trains ' , computers , etc. However , when the researchers studied the Bushmen 's civilisation , they discovered that the Bushmen can tell the direction of the movement of a herd of giraffes , how long ago they passed , and how many there were , simply by examining the excrement left by them on the ground ; that they can wash their face , body and clothes with only a glass of water ; that they are able to see clearly what is on the horizon , etc. It was obvious that none of these achievements were matched by the Japanese . From this point of view , therefore , the Bushmen 's civilisation could be considered superior to the Japanese . For the study , the anthropologists used 20,000 items of comparison ( criteria ) to reach as ' objective ' a result as possible , and when they came to the end of their exhaustive research comparing the two civilisations in question , it turned out that the Japanese civilisation was ' superior ' to the Bushmen 's according to 10,000 criteria and that the latter was ' superior ' to the former according to the remaining 10,000 . The scientists therefore had to come to the logical conclusion that neither of these civilisations can be said to be superior to the other , i.e. , that they are equal . Further , they continued to apply this method of research to civilisations around the world , and , whenever they compared two given civilisations - A and B , they always arrived at the same conclusion that A was superior to B by 10,000 criteria , and vice versa . This meant that all civilisations are equal . I am of the opinion that this conclusion is also the case with the myth in question . I suggested above that the problem of ' body/mind ' dualism since Aristotle has already been solved once and for all by Communication Psychologists , and that the whole efforts of all the genius philosophers in the 2,500 year-long history have finally paid off . But the conclusions that Western thinkers have arrived at after these tedious and tormenting efforts for 25 centuries have turned out to be only something which ancient philosophers and psychologists in India already knew and expounded in their writing well before Aristotle . In this connection I wrote elsewhere : " It is nothing but awe-inspiring to know that the one end of the curve line which started to be drawn by the ' inner science ' of Vedanta , has finally been reconnected with the other end ( i.e. , the starting point ) of the curve [ by Communication Psychology ] , only after the development of the ' outer science ' for thousands of years ; namely , a human development which might not have been necessary."[20 ] This is the whole story . Like Einstein 's metaphor that the whole universe is so warped that , if you continue to go straight for ever , you will come back exactly to the back of your head , the two extremities , or the two sides of the same coin for that matter , are after all the same thing ; or the alpha is the omega . I strongly suggest that , after going through the ' global integration ' as indicated above , we will need to close the loop started by Aristotle , by going back to the starting point , and seek a real integration of the newest in the West and the oldest in the East . I call this integration the ' epistemological integration ' . ©2001 Guhen Kitaoka Notes & References 1. Kitaoka , Guhen , NLP and Spirituality , ( partially published over the Internet , 1991 ) . 2. It was Alan Watts who used this term to describe Gregory Bateson 's psychology in his " Psychotherapy East and West . " 3. Robbins , Anthony , Unlimited Power , ( London : Simon & Schuster , 1988 ) . 4. The Palo Alto Group was a group of researchers engaged in a study of schizophrenia , etc. at the Mental Research Institute in Palo Alto , California in the 50 's and 60 's , under the clinical guidance of Don Jackson and the theoretical guidance of Gregory Bateson . It included Jackson , Bateson , Paul Watzlawick , Jay Haley , etc. 5. Watzlawick , Paul ; Bavelas , Janet B. & Jackson , Don D. , Pragmatics of Human Communication , ( New York : Norton , 1967 ) . 6. Watzlawick , Paul ; Weakland , John H. & Fisch , Richard , Change , ( New York : Norton , 1974 ) . 7. Bateson , Gregory & Bateson , Mary C. , Angels Fear , ( London : Rider , 1988 ) . 8. Here , Communication Psychology includes Batesonian Epistemology , the psychology of the Palo Alto Group , and the technology of NLP . 9. Most of the writings by Shankaracharya , who lived 1,200 years ago , are his commentaries on those ancient scriptures . 10 . Kitaoka , Guhen , CYBERBOOK : An Integral Epistemology for Enlightenment ( a CD-ROM book ) , ( London : Creativity Enhancement Ltd , 2000 ) . 11 . Shankaracharya , Sri , The Mandukya Upanishad with Gaudapada 's Karika and Shankara 's Commentary , ( Calcutta : Advaita Ashrama , 1987 ) . 12 . For instance , see the article : ' HNLP ' : Quantum Theory Applied to NLP ' by Michael Carroll in Rapport 41 , Autumn 1998 . 13 . Watts , Alan , Psychotherapy : East & West , ( New York : Vintage Books , 1975 ) . 14 : Vivekananda , Swami , Raja-Yoga , ( Calcutta : Advaita Ashrama , 1982 ) . 15 . Dilts , Robert , Changing Belief Systems with NLP , ( Cupertino : Meta Publications , 1990 ) . 16 . Andreas , Connirae & Andreas , Tamara , Core Transformation , ( Moab : Real People Press , 1994 ) . 17 . Shankaracharya , Sri , The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad ( commentary ) , ( Calcutta : Advaita Ashrama , 1988 ) . 18 . This should be ' VAKOG ' to be more precise , but ' G ' ( ' Gustatory ' ) may be included in ' O ' ( ' Olfactor ' ) , because these two representational systems may be rarely used . 19 : This is based on the account given by Prof. Masanori Nishie , one of the most prominent anthropological professors in Japan , in one of his lectures at Waseda University in Tokyo . 20 . Kitaoka , Guhen , NLP and Spirituality , ( partially published over the Internet , 1991 ) . First published in Rapport Magazine Issue 54 , Winter 2001 ( Association for NLP in Britain ). This article is reproduced here with their kind permission . The Impact of Science Centres on Science Education ; Wellcome Trust : This study measures impact on various groups which utilise science centres in 5 locations in England and Scotland , including school ÃÂchildren , adults , scientific societies and teachers . Data is collected via a range of techniques including face to face interviews , walk and talk observations , focus groups and questionnaires , this results in the need for both qualitative and quantitative data . Contact : Usha Boolaky ( usha@crgresearch.co.uk ) Bro Morgannwg : Referral Management Pilots àBaseline Study and Evaluation The Welsh Assembly Government is funding 7 Referral Management Pilots in Wales during 2005/06 . Referral Management Pilots are mechanisms put in place across or within local health boards which aim to monitor and influence referrals into secondary or tertiary care . Each of the pilots chosen across Wales has developed its own set of objectives , management system and work programme . The research project , which is being carried out jointly with Cardiff UniversityÃÂs Centre for Health Sciences Research consists of a literature review of referral management programmes that have been undertaken in the UK and worldwide highlighting how operation and experiences can be linked to the Health Service in Wales . A baseline review will be conducted to assess how much progress each pilot area has made in meeting its objectives , the initial findings of which will be disseminated amongst all pilot project managers at a workshop event . Further analysis of each areaÃÂs progress will be made in order to draw conclusion on how successful it has been in reaching its objectives at the end of the pilot period . Analysis will be informed by both primary and secondary research , including one to one interviews with pilot project managers and other relevant stakeholders . The final report and experiences and examples of good practice will be presented at a second knowledge sharing event . Contact : Katy Skidmore ( katy@crgresearch.co.uk ) DfES Positive Activities for Young People Following from the Evaluation of Summer Plus for DfES , CRG are currently conducting a 3 year study to evaluate the cross Departmental Positive Activities for Young People programme . Tracking a sample of 22 areas , the work entails reviewing the existing evidence and assessing the extent to which PAYP activities use the existing evidence of ÃÂwhat worksàto guide activities ; assessing the delivery models used and identifying issues for future delivery ; assessing the effectiveness of targeting of young people at risk ; assessing the effectiveness / quality of the activities ; examining barriers to the delivery of the programme ; examining the impact of the programme on the individual young people ; assessing the recruitment of young people , how they move through the programmes once recruited and in particular the impact on their return to learning and retention ; examining the impact of PAYP on parents and community cohesion ; examining the extent of good practice sharing ; identifying any value added and involving young people in the evaluation . Contact : Richard Self ( richardself@crgresearch.co.uk ) Monitoring of New Project Fund:Office of the Deputy Prime Minister CRG is working in conjunction with Morgan Harris Burrows and Evidence Led Solutions in an evaluation of the Arson Control Forum 's ( ACF ) New Project Implementation Fund . The work commissioned by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and builds upon previous research findings from the same evaluation team . CRG 's focus is on identifying the cost effectiveness of various interventions aimed at reducing the incidence of arson . In so doing , CRG will draw upon the wider issues of process / implementation and impact . Contact : Steve Raybould ( steve@crgresearch.co.uk ) DfES U Project Evaluation of DfES Uproject , a summer activities programme for young people who are leaving school at 16 and who arenÃÂt sure what to do next . The Uproject is a strand of PAYP and runs a programme of summer holiday activities for 15 and 16 year olds who are in danger of becoming NEET ( not in education , training or employment ) . It provides developmental opportunities for those who have made no commitment to continue in education or seek employment as well as providing structured support and careers guidance . The aim is to aid school leavers in making positive choices for their future on leaving compulsory education . Each young person should have a personalised action plan on entry to the programme . Older young people are allowed access where they have learning difficulties or disabilities . The overall objective is to engage the target group in a programme of activities , based on creativity , challenge , adventure and support and guidance . The New Opportunities evaluation of the previous years programme was critical of the quality of support and guidance in some projects . Contact : Richard Self ( richardself@crgresearch.co.uk ) Coronary Heart Disease : The Big Lottery Fund The Big Lottery has allocated funds to a number of , mainly voluntary sector , local initiatives to reduce the impact of cancer and heart disease on sufferers/patients . These include advice , support and respite for relatives . The evaluation carried out in conjunction with SECTA àa consultancy specialising in public sector health and social services management àlooks at the totality of the initiative . CRGÃÂs role is to product a number of case studies in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland to flesh out the more statistical sides of the study carried out by SECTA . Contact : Andrew Rix ( andrew@crgresearch.co.uk ) Study into Construction Opportunities in Rhondda Cynon Taff : RCT A project commissioned by Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council that aims to identify ways of stimulating and supporting employment and training within RCT 's construction sector . The research will encapsulate a review of the current and future demand for , and provision of , construction staff , skills and training , and identify the enabling and constraining factors faced by local employers and job seekers . This information will be used to identify appropriate procurement models and wider support systems that can stimulate construction employment in the County . Contact : Richard Gaunt ( richard@crgresearch.co.uk ) IPCC Comprehensive Performance Framework In November 2005 the IPCC accepted the recommendations contained in CRGÃÂs report ÃÂOversight and Overlap : Accountability in Policingàwhich involved developing an intelligence led model for its oversight ( inspection0 of Police Forces in respect of Complaints . One of the recommendations stemming from the Commissions meeting is the development of a Performance Framework which sets out what the Commission will do , what it expects from others and what indicators it will use to assess performance . CRG have been asked to assist in the development of the framework and its associated indicators . This will involve mapping out the activities , based on the Commissions Statutory Guidelines , and the indicators , based on current police force , HMIC , Police Authority and Home Office data sets . A draft Framework document will be the subject of a consultation exercise involving stakeholder and partner organisations such as the Home Office , APA ACPO and HMIC . Contact : Andrew Rix ( andrew@crgresearch.co.uk ) Police Foundation : Action Research on the Local Resolultion of Police Complaints The Police Foundation is currently collaborating with the Institute of Criminal Policy Research ( KingÃÂs College , London ) in an independent study of the system of local resolution of complaints against the police . The study is funded over three years by a grant from the National Lottery . In this final year , the original sponsors have been joined by the Independent Police Complaints Commission ( IPCC ) to evaluate innovations in the complaint handling system arising out of the last two years research and police service initiatives . CRG have been subcontracted to interview the Deputy Chief Constables in the Avon & Somerset and the Dorset Police forces and the chairs of those police authorities . Contact : Andrew Rix ( andrew@crgresearch.co.uk ) Wales Audit Office : Examination of Day Surgery - Survey of Patients and Consultants CRG have been commissioned to manage , deliver and analyse a value for money survey aimed at both day case patients and consultants managing day cases . One of the key objectives of the study is to answer a number of questions about the impact of day surgery on patients , particularly whether day surgery good for patients , if there are sound pre-operative assessment and discharge processes for patients undergoing day surgery,is post discharge support adequate to meet patients needs , together with a series of questions around links between secondary care , primary care and social services to support patients who have been through day surgery . A sample of patients will be drawn from the 12 main NHS trusts throughout Wales and will be drawn from four specialities , namely , general surgery , urology , gynaecology and ophthalmology . Contact : Paula Shinton ( paula@crgresearch.co.uk ) Exit Evaluation of the WDA 's Accelerate Wales Programme The Accelerate Wales Programme is an initiative developed in consultation with and for the Welsh automotive industry , focusing on the improvement of supply chain performance and encouraging firms to take advantage of the support that can be provided to them by government sponsored programmes . It will be the responsibility of CRG Research to conduct an exit evaluation of this programme in order to establish the impact of the AWP upon the Automotive Sector in Wales by identifying whether the Programme has achieved its original remit . This will be accomplished by conducting a number of telephone interviews with key informants , project champions ( those in lead companies participating in the programme ) and their suppliers . Information gathered during this stage will then be investigated in greater detail by performing face-to-face interviews Contact : Christian Tipples ( christian@crgresearch.co.uk ) National College for School Leadership : Consultant Bursars ' Programme Research Increasing emphasis is being placed upon delivering school leadership , and the NCSL currently offers two courses designed to provide better trained school bursars . This research project looks at developing the bursar role further through the development of a Consultant Bursars Programme , where bursars are given skills to actively engage and support a number of schools in their area . CRG is responsible for carrying out an extensive consultation exercise , allowing the issues surrounding the programme to be explored in detail with bursars , schools , Local Education Authorities and other key informants . The findings will inform assessments and conclusions regarding demand , supply and delivery of the programme . Contact : Usha Boolaky ( usha@crgresearch.co.uk ) Raise Your Game : National Assembly for Wales The BBC / Welsh Assembly Government ÃÂRaise Your GameàProject uses sport and role models to promote and inspire the development of Key Skills . The primary medium used by the project is a BBC Wales Sports website , which is supported by television coverage and roadshows to promote awareness of the website . The methodology of the evaluation employs a mixture of face-to-face interviews with stakeholders , a review of website data , and focus groups with education practitioners and young people to assess the impact of the project . Contact : Andrew Rix ( andrew@crgresearch.co.uk ) WDA : An Evaluation of the Strategic Review of the Implementation of Rural Programmes in Wales CRG Research Ltd àjointly with Old Bell 3 European and Economic Development Services , Faber Maunsell , Miller Research and Dateb - were commissioned to undertake an Evaluation and Strategic Review of the Rural Programmes in Wales . The objective of this project is to assist in the WDA and the AssemblyÃÂs assessment and understanding of the value and contribution that the rural programmes make in delivering the strategy and objectives of ÃÂWales àA Better Countryàand ÃÂA Winning Walesà. It is also being used to assess the way in which the rural programmes are being managed , to identify best practice and to explore any potential improvements that can be introduced . There are four elements to the evaluation : LEADER+ Regional Evaluation ; An Evaluation of the Rural Community Action Programme ; An Evaluation of the Article 33 Programme and the Strategic Review of the Complimentarity of the Specific Rural Programmes with other programmes delivered in rural Wales to support economic and community regeneration . The evaluation is commissioned within the context of a package of work that is being undertaken to measure and assess the implementation , outputs and outcomes of the programmes in question . Contact : Richard Gaunt ( richard@crgresearch.co.uk ) Construction Sector Pilot Learning Clusters Project : Option paper CRG are currently evalauting the CITB ConstructionSkills Wales Learning Clusters pilot project . The aim of the Learning Clusters Pilot is to improve business performance and staff skill levels in a group of construction sector SMEs through collaborative approaches . The secondary aimsa are : to improve the level of IiP take-up in the sector ; gain experience of ' cluster ' approaches to improving business performance and training take-up cost-effectively . Contact : Richard Gaunt ( richard@crgresearch.co.uk ) CITB : Construction Industry Council The aim of the project is to produce an overall summary of employment and skill levels , shortages , availabilities and needs for those professions and occupations covered by the CIC in Wales,support CITB ConstructionSkills Wales , formulate strategies for improving recruitment , training and development to meet the needs of employers covered by the CIC in Wales . Contact : Richard Gaunt ( richard@crgresearch.co.uk ) Training Needs Analysis - Pembrokeshire Country Council / Irish Exporters Assocation This project is commissioned by Economic Development Division , Pembrokeshire County Council , for consultancy services to carry out a Training Needs Analysis ( TNA ) survey of users of the ports of Fishguard , Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock - as a part of the INTERREG IIIA funded I-SEA.Net initiative . The I-SEA.Net initiative is a joint Welsh-Irish initiative , designed to improve the competitiveness of the ports of Fishguard , Pembroke Dock , Milford Haven , New Ross , Rosslare and Waterford - in particular through promoting greater effectiveness in the use of Information and Communication Technologies ( ICT ) amongst businesses and agencies associated with these ports . The project is expected to complete by June 2005 . Contact : Richard Gaunt ( richard@crgresearch.co.uk ) Women into Management Programme : Skillfast-UK CRG have developed and delivered a pilot development programme for 9 female managers , on behalf of Skillfast-UK , the apparel , footwear and textile Sector Skills Council . The programme aims to improve skills and increase the number of females occupying management positions within the sector in Wales , and in the longer-term , support a step change in business performance and productivity across the UK . The programme consists of psychometric tests ( MBTI and Belbin ) , work related assessments ( mapped to the SEFDI and MSC business standards ) , workshops , 1:1 support , consultant support and mentoring . The programme was accredited by The Institute of Leadership and Management ( ILM ) . It is hoped that further funding will be secured to enable Skillfast-UK to commission a wider roll-out of this important programmme . Teaching and Learning Aims Goal 1 : To ensure that the quality of the student learning experience is informed and enhanced by the School 's commitment to being a research-led institution Goal 2 : To maintain and enhance existing quality and standards of provision in learning and teaching Goal 3 : To emphasise student-centred learning and the development of all students as effective life-long learners Goal 4 : To facilitate and ensure efficiency in the delivery of learning and teaching Goal 5 : To provide breadth and diversity within programme provision Goal 6 : To support learning and teaching as a career route for some academic staff in a research-led institution Goal 7 : To contribute to life-long learning through provision for continuing personal and professional development Goal 8 : To facilitate recruitment and retention of non-traditional groups in higher education Context A number of features of the School of Computer Science are important in forming a context to its Learning and Teaching Strategy . Events since 2000 have caused a sharp downturn in employment prospects for graduates in Computer Science ( and allied disciplines , such as Electronic Engineering ) . This has fed through into reduced applications . The quota for home/EU undergraduate students has been reduced by 30 ; recruitment to the conversion MSc has fallen sharply . The total entry ( undergraduate and taught postgraduate ) for 2003 is about 60 lower than in 2002 . Total FTEs have risen slightly as the effects of earlier increases in intake work through , but will begin to fall from 2004 onwards given current intakes . The sharp reduction in the intake to the conversion MSc means that the contribution of MSc students to the overall FTE load has reduced to around 12 % from around 20 % three years ago . Recruiting teaching staff with good research records in some key areas of teaching ( in particular information systems , software engineering proper , systems analysis , software design , professional practice ) is very difficult . Teaching in some areas depends on the availability of visiting lecturers , making it very vulnerable to externally imposed changes . The School has been very active in promoting and seeking partners for joint programmes , and as a result operates a large number of overlapping degree programmes . In addition to the School 's four undergraduate and three MSc programmes , eight joint programmes are currently accepting entrants : six undergraduate programmes involving Computer Science/Software Engineering/Computer Studies and two undergraduate programmes involving Artificial Intelligence . Three further programmes are being phased out . Thus the School is currently involved in 18 degree programmes , although this will fall to 15 when students on discontinued programmes graduate . Computer Science is a rapidly changing discipline . The content of many modules requires regular , even annual updating . To remain attractive to students , resources must be kept close to ' state-of-the-art ' . Along with a few other disciplines , such as Electronic Engineering , Computer Science is both a consumer and a producer of new developments in Information and Communications Technology ( ICT ) . The School already uses ICT to deliver information and teaching support via the web , and uses it in areas such as the automated processing of student questionnaires . This use must continue to expand , both to improve efficiency but also , parallel to ( 5 ) above , to demonstrate to students the School 's commitment to remaining close to ' state-of-the-art ' . The QAA Subject Review and the accreditation visit by the BCS and IEE , both in 2003 , used up valuable staff time which could otherwise have been devoted to some of the action points in the 2000 Learning and Teaching Strategy . Teaching and Learning Aims The overall aim of the School 's Learning and Teaching Strategy is to maintain and enhance the existing quality and standards of the student learning experience , while continuing to respond to changes in both the subject and the educational environment . In order to achieve this aim , the School 's strategy is focussed around eight goals . To ensure that the quality of the student learning experience is informed and enhanced by the School 's commitment to being a research-led institution . To maintain and enhance existing quality and standards of provision in learning and teaching . To emphasise student-centred learning and the development of all students as effective life-long learners . To facilitate and ensure efficiency in the delivery of learning and teaching . To provide breadth and diversity within programme provision . To support learning and teaching as a career route for some academic staff in a research-led institution . To contribute to life-long learning through provision for continuing personal and professional development . To facilitate recruitment and retention of non-traditional groups in higher education . Goal 1 : To ensure that the quality of the student learning experience is informed and enhanced by the School 's commitment to being a research-led institution The School obtained a 5 in the last RAE and is committed to maintaining or improving its rating in the next RAE/RQA . It is equally committed to ensuring that its research feeds into learning and teaching . Periodic previews of the content of existing programmes ( now part of programme review ) will ensure that Goal 1 is kept to the forefront of curriculum planning . Level 4 of the MEng in Computer Science/Software Engineering is operating for the first time in 2003/04 . Over the next three years , Teaching Committee will consider replacing ' extended ' Level 3 modules by further research-led modules , provided student numbers hold up . AI and Cognitive Science form a major strand of the School 's research , although they are not as well-represented in advanced teaching . Teaching Committee will need to consider whether there are any opportunities for developments in this area . When EPSRC support for the MSc in Natural Computation ceases , the School will consider the integration of its advanced Masters programmes . The possibility of using the title MRes will be explored . A Level 3 individual study module has been introduced , although it has only attracted one or two students a year to date . A further Level 4 module is planned , although not an immediate priority . Goal 2 : To maintain and enhance existing quality and standards of provision in learning and teaching The robustness of the School 's QA mechanisms was demonstrated by the successful QAA Subject Review in February 2003 . The Staff Handbook was noted as ' good practice ' in the 2003 BCS/IEE Accreditation Visit . Bi-annual curriculum review meetings will continue , forming part of the new process of programme review . Programme review will come into full operation and will need to be monitored for efficiency and effectiveness . Although some changes have been made , disseminating good practice remains a possible weakness to be addressed by Teaching Committee . ' Closing the loop ' and documenting this process needs further development , particularly with regard to comments made by External Examiners . Goal 3 : To emphasise student-centred learning and the development of all students as effective life-long learners The School is fully committed to this Goal . The fast-changing nature of computing science makes it essential that students become effective life-long learners since specific knowledge and skills provided by a degree programme have a short ' half-life ' . As noted in ( 3 ) in the Context , the School has particular difficulty in recruiting teaching staff in some areas regarded as important by employers . This makes even more important the need to enable students to be able to learn independently . Little was achieved in this area in 2000-2003 , and the action points below are largely unchanged . More support and encouragement ( and possibly direct instruction ) is needed to ensure that students acquire appropriate skills , such as planning and implementing self-set tasks , effectively managing their time , or fully utilizing available resources , including online material . Module syllabuses need to identify more clearly what independent study students are required to undertake to meet the modules ' learning outcomes , how long this study should take and what resources are provided . One strategy might be the more extensive use of well-targetted and co-ordinated formative assignments . Assessment strategies need to be developed to ensure that prompt and appropriate feedback can be provided to aid students in assessing the effectiveness of their learning . Online and other computer-assisted forms of assessment need to be explored further ( which will also have the benefit of reducing the load on teaching staff ) . Staff development needs of teaching staff in terms of the development of student-centred learning need to be evaluated and used to influence provision both within the University and within the School . Goal 4 : To facilitate and ensure efficiency in the delivery of learning and teaching This Goal is partly subsumed by Goal 3 , in that if students are encouraged to be effective and self-motivated learners , less staff time will be consumed in inappropriate highly directed teaching . In principle , sharing modules between overlapping programmes promotes efficient delivery of learning and teaching . However , Teaching Committee will continue to monitor the trade-off between teaching efficiency and educational appropriateness for all students in diverse groups . Increased numbers of staff and research students has meant that the availability of smaller rooms for tutorials has again become a serious problem . The School will need to continue to work with the University to obtain extra accommodation . The 2000 Strategy noted that administrative problems contribute significantly to the current workload involved in the delivery of learning and teaching . During 2000-2003 , there was no improvement in the Student Records System -- indeed as of October 2003 , the situation was significantly worse , since no options choices had been entered into the system . The development of the School Information System , although apparently a duplication of resources , has enabled significantly better feedback to students . The School will continue to devote resources to further development of its own systems . All the School 's module documentation and most programme documentation is now held in XML form . This has greatly improved its consistency and maintainability . Unfortunately , it is still not possible for Schools to enter updates into central records or to automate the comparison of central and School documentation . The School will continue to press for improvements in central systems . The 2000 Strategy noted that although the School 's degree programmes are efficient to the extent that they share modules , the University currently imposes considerable inefficiency in other aspects ( e.g. separate Examination Boards and programme specifications for joint honours programmes even though the Computer Science modules are the same for each ) . Changes to the organization of the BA Joint Honours have worsened the situation ( e.g. the requirement for a ' lead School ' to maintain a programme specification for every combination ) . The School has recently joined with the School of Social Sciences in proposing major changes to current arrangements for the BA Joint Honours , and will continue to support changes to current University policies and practices to promote efficiency . Regulations for the Intercalated Year in Computer Science have been approved , and it is hoped that it can start in 2004/05 . Replacing some Joint Honours programmes by the Intercalated Year would improve efficiency . However , interest from other Schools seems to have diminished and it is not clear how many Schools ( if any ) now wish to participate . The School will need to promote the Intercalated Year and then review its success ( or otherwise ) . Goal 5 : To provide breadth and diversity within programme provision The School is committed to providing as broad an experience possible , within the requirements of accreditation of some of its more professionally oriented programmes and the need to ensure appropriate coverage of the subject ( particularly in reference to the benchmarking statement for Computing ) . The introduction by the Business School of a Minor in Business Management has lead to replacement of the BSc in Computer Science/Software Engineering with Business Studies by a new BSc in Computer Science with Business Management from 2004/05 onwards . The withdrawal of all business provision other than the Minor causes problems which have not yet been resolved . Teaching Committee will need to find other ways of ensuring that business and management issues can be addressed in some programmes . In two programmes , the School allows students to take MOMDs for the first time in Year 2. This continues to cause problems with timetabling and availability , and the policy will need to be kept under review . The BSc in Computer Science with Study Abroad has recently been approved . This opportunity needs to be added to other programmes , and appropriate partner institutions sought ( e.g. in North America and Australia ) . Partly to counter the reduction in conversion MSc intakes , and partly to improve the diversity of provision , the School will consider the introduction of new Masters programmes . Goal 6 : To support learning and teaching as a career route for some academic staff in a research-led institution The School welcomes the University 's clarification of the conditions under which promotion to Senior Lecturer is possible on a teaching and administration basis and the introduction of the grade of Associate Professor as an option for further promotion through this route . The School could explore further mechanisms through which it may be possible to recruit staff in shortage areas where candidates with the normally expected research background are not available . However , the basis of the next RAE/RQA will need to be clearer first . Goal 7 : To contribute to life-long learning through provision for continuing personal and professional development The appointment of an External Relations Manager has enabled the School to put on some short courses in the broad area of PPD , although this remains a relatively low priority . The School was not involved in the development of a Certificate level programme by the Centre for Lifelong Learning . It would hope to be consulted in any future developments elsewhere in the University and will take steps to make this clear . Further consideration will be given to short courses and PPD provision . Goal 8 : To facilitate recruitment and retention of non-traditional groups in higher education Although the School has participated in widening access initiatives , this Goal has continued to be seen as relatively low priority . It should be noted that statistical data prepared for the QAA Review showed that the School had the second highest proportion of ethnic minority students in the University and the highest proportion of West Midlands residents . Increasing the proportion of female students ( ' non-traditional ' in the context of Computer Science ) continues to be desirable . The effect of the change to a degree with a full Minor in Business Management will be monitored . The School is willing to consider ways of admitting students without traditional qualifications but who can nevertheless be shown to be of as high ability as our ' standard ' intake . The relatively poor progression rate within the School of ' traditional ' applicants needs to be improved before any serious increase in potentially less well-prepared candidates is possible . Undergraduate Programmes The Department offers eight undergraduate programmes in Computer Science , Computer Systems Engineering and Mathematics and Computer Science : BSc ( Hons ) Computer Science ( G400 , 3 years ) . MEng ( Hons ) Computer Science ( G403 , 4 years ) . MEng ( Hons ) Computer Science with Study in Europe ( G401 , 4 years ) . MEng ( Hons ) Computer Science with Study Abroad ( G402 , 4 years ) . All these programmes are designed to give you you a sound understanding of the fundamentals of Computer Science , with opportunities to develop a deeper knowledge of certain topics which are of particular interest to you . The first two years provides a solid foundation in the theoretical and practical elements of Computer Science as well as generic skills such as project and group working , presentation and communication skills , and enterprise . In the final year of the three year course you can opt to concentrate on specific topics in Computer Science in addition to undertaking a major individual project in an area of your choice . The MEng programmes are four year programmes , and give you greater knowledge and experience of project design and development , with particular emphasis on working in groups , the engineering paradigm of design , build and test , and the importance of business planning and enterprise . In the third year you undertake a major group project to develop an interactive game on one of the Departments gaming platforms . In the final year , you can further specialise your options ( typically at the MSc level ) in addition to working on a substantial individual project in an area of your choice . The project takes up about half of your time and is completed on a full-time basis during the 2nd semester . The two study abroad programmes allow you to take your third year abroad , either in a continental Europe ( G401 ) , or in a any country in which the language of instruction is English ( G402 ) . This includes , for example , the USA , Australia or Japan . This enables you to build up experience in addition to your Computer Science qualifications . This will give you wider opportunities for employment following graduation as well as giving you a broader perspective on the difference between the UK and other environments . MEng ( Hons ) Computer Systems Engineering ( H622 , 4 years ) . MEng ( Hons ) Computer Systems Engineering with study abroad(H624 , 4 years ) . The MEng Computer Systems Engineering is a four year Honours degree programme . At its core are the parts of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science that allow you to build complex embedded systems , such as those found in automotive electronics , GPS equipment , or DVD players . In the first two years of the course , you will get a foundation in Computing and Electronics . In the third year , you will spend a significant amount of time on a group project , your group will spend the equivalent of one year effort on developing an appliance . In your final year you can either opt to take the entrepreneurial theme ( for those of you interested to spin out a company ) , or the research theme . The H624 programme provides you with the opportunity to study the third year at a University abroad . The year abroad can be taken in any country in which the language of instruction is English . This includes , for example , the USA , Australia or Japan . This enables you to experience studying in a different country and culture , and gives you wider opportunities for employment following graduation . BSc ( Hons ) Mathematics and Computer Science ( GG14 , 3 years ) . MSci ( Hons ) Mathematics and Computer Science ( GG1K , 4 years ) . The BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science is a three year Honours degree programme which provides integrated study in the two disciplines . It is run jointly with Mathematics Department and you will spend approximately equal time on units from the two Departments . The programme is organised around a number of themes which emphasise the links between Computing and Mathematics whilst also allowing opportunity to specialise in specific areas of each discipline . In the first two years you will cover core topics in Mathematics and Computer Science , as well as the generic skills covered in the other Computer Programmes . The final year consists of an individual project undertaken in one of the Departments combined with a selection of specialist options from both disciplines . The MSci in Mathematics and Computer Science is a four year Honours degree programme . It offers you the chance to study both subjects in more depth than is available in the GG14 programme . Computer Science Open Units The Department offers some units that aim to give non computer science students a foundation in computer science . The units will give you an overview of computer science ( software , hardware , applications , history , multimedia , using computers ) and an introduction to programming using MATLAB , XHTML and Javascript . Two 20 credit point units are given . The unit given in the first semester , COMS 22302 , ` ` New-Media Design ' ' does not include any programming . The unit given in the second semester , COMS 12302 ` ` An Introduction to Scientific Programming ' ' , focuses on programming and interfacing computers . The two units are described in detail in the chapter on unit descriptions . Transfer into , out of and between Programmes It may be the case that you are not completely sure of which degree programme to enter at university , and that sometime during your first year you decide that you 'd like to change . This may mean a transfer between programmes within the Department , a transfer into Computer Science from outside the Department or indeed a transfer out of Computer Science to another department or even another university . It is important that any decisions to transfer are made within 16 months of the start of the programme ( taken to be September 1st in most cases ) so that your fees and grant are not affected . Transfer between programmes within the Department This is very easy to arrange between G400 , G402 and G403 within the first two years since the syllabuses for these programmes are identical in Years 1 and 2. Transfer from G401 to G400 , G402 or G403 is also straightforward in Years 1 and 2 but transfer into G401 is more difficult , but not impossible , because of the language requirement . Transfer from GG14 to G400 , G402 or G403 is also straightforward at any stage in the first semester since the Computer Science components of these programmes are identical in that semester . Transfer from GG14 after the first semester is more difficult . Transfer into Computer Science This may be possible at the beginning of the second year if a place is available and provided you have studied the first year Software Engineering unit and the equivalent of the Discrete Mathematics unit . You may have taken some of these units already as subsidiary units on another degree ( e.g . Honours Physics ) . Other courses of action such as studying these units over the summer , doing a selection of the coursework and taking the resit exams in September could be possible in certain cases . If you enter second year and you have n't studied the first year unit on the Introduction to Computer Architecture then this will have to be taken in your second year . This has the knock-on consequence that the unit on Communications and Networking may have to be deferred to the third year and hence that you will not have the same range of options as you otherwise would have done . The arrangements for transfer into second year and the implications for your choice of units would have to be discussed and agreed with the Director of Studies . If you wish to discuss transfer into first year Computer Science , you should approach the Admissions Tutor in the Computer Science Department to see whether a place is available and whether you satisfy the same entry criteria that are applied to new university entrants . Since you would be restarting your studies you need to think carefully about such a move , including its financial implications , as you risk losing a year 's fees and funding if you leave it too late . You should discuss it thoroughly with your tutor in your own department . If you are sure that you want to restart in Computer Science , a request received early in the year is more likely to be treated sympathetically than a request made just before you expect to fail your first year exams ! For all transfers , never assume that your transfer has been approved until all the Faculty procedures have been completed and you have checked with the Faculty office that your transfer has gone through . Transfer out of Computer Science Transfer onto a programme outside the Department will , of course , depend on the pre-requisites for the programme of your choice . Should you feel that you have made the wrong choice in studying Computer Science then you should discuss the matter with your personal tutor who will be able to give you guidance as to your future action . Programme descriptions Following the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications ( FHEQ ) , units in our department are organised at four levels . The Certificate Level ( units labelled COMS1 ) , the Intermediate Level ( units labelled COMS2 ) , the Honours Level ( units labelled COMS3 ) , and the Masters Level ( units labelled COMSM ) . In the first three years of an undergraduate degree you will normally take units at the Certificate , Intermediate , and Honours levels . In the fourth year of an MEng degree or in a Masters programme , you will normally take units at the Masters level . If there is a good reason , you may be allowed to take a limited number of units outside your level . We are in the process of aligning our undergraduate MEng programmes , and our postgraduate MSc programmes . The outcome will be that some of the units on those programmes will be shared and will be taught at the same level , and will have the same assessment . The tables in the following two chapters give an in-depth description of the programmes for each year . The University operates a modular scheme whereby you must obtain at least 120 credit points ( CP ) in each year of an undergraduate programme . Each unit earns 10 , 20 , 30 or 40 credits . The right hand column of each table specifies whether a unit is compulsory or not for each particular programme : ` c ' refers to compulsory/core units , ` o ' refers to Computer Science Options , ` co ' refers to either-or units ` - ' refers to units that cannot be taken in that year . If you want to take a unit that is not part of your programme , you must write a letter to the Director of Studies asking for permission , with a motivation as to why you want to take that unit . Optional units may be introduced or withdrawn on short notice ( before the academic year ) , depending on , for example , staff availability for specialist topics. about this page / terms and conditions University of Bristol , Department of Computer Science , Merchant Venturers Building , Woodland Road , Bristol BS8 1UB , UK - Tel : +44 ( 0)117 954 5264 - Fax : +44 ( 0)117 954 5208 é1995-2006 University of Bristol Updated : 26 September 2005 The Twenty-First International Conference on Machine Learning Tutorial on " The Many Faces of ROC Analysis in Machine Learning " Peter A. Flach University of Bristol , UK Tutorial Notes : PDF | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 Topic Receiver Operating Characteristics ( ROC ) Analysis originated from signal detection theory , as a model of how well a receiver is able to detect a signal in the presence of noise . Its key feature is the distinction between hit rate ( or true positive rate ) and false alarm rate ( or false positive rate ) as two separate performance measures . ROC analysis has also widely been used in medical data analysis to study the effect of varying the threshold on the numerical outcome of a diagnostic test . It has been introduced to machine learning relatively recently , in response to classification tasks with varying class distributions or misclassification costs ( hereafter referred to as skew ). ROC analysis is set to cause a paradigm shift in machine learning . Separating performance on classes is almost always a good idea from an analytical perspective . For instance , it can help us to understand the behaviour and skew-sensitivity of many machine learning metrics , including rule learning heuristics and decision tree splitting criteria , by plotting their isometrics in ROC space ; develop new metrics specifically designed to improve the Area Under the ROC Curve ( AUC ) of a model ; understand fundamental algorithms such as the separate-and-conquer or sequential covering rule learning algorithm , by tracing its trajectory through a sequence of ROC spaces . The goal of this tutorial is to develop the ROC perspective in a systematic way , demonstrating the many faces of ROC analysis in machine learning . Intended audience PhD students and machine learning novices will profit from a gentle introduction to ROC analysis for model evaluation and selection and achieve a better understanding of machine learning metrics . Furthermore , they will be motivated to apply the ROC perspective to their own work . More experienced machine learning researchers , who may already be familiar with the more basic material on model evaluation and selection , will benefit from the fresh perspective on machine learning that the tutorial provides , and perhaps be encouraged to tackle some of the open problems in their own research . After attending this tutorial , participants will be able to model evaluation : produce ROC plots for categorical and ranking classifiers and calculate their AUC ; apply cross-validation in doing so ; model selection : use the ROC convex hull method to select among categorical classifiers ; determine the optimal decision threshold for a ranking classifier ( calibration ) ; metrics : analyse a variety of machine learning metrics by means of ROC isometrics ; understand fundamental properties such as skew-sensitivity and equivalence between metrics ; model construction : appreciate that one model can be many models from a ROC perspective ; use ROC analysis to improve a model 's AUC ; multi-class ROC : understand multi-class approximations such as the MAUC metric and calibration of multi-class probability estimators ; appreciate the main open problems in extending ROC analysis to multi-class classification . Only basic knowledge of symbolic classification ( decision trees , rule learners ) and probabilistic classification ( naive Bayes ) is expected , at the level of Mitchell or Witten & Frank ( one-slide introductions will be provided ) . It should be noted that most of the techniques covered are not restricted to these classification paradigms . Contents and format The material will be presented in two 90-minute blocks with a break in between . The first half is foundational and covers the basics of ROC analysis from the machine learning literature and related fields . The second half deals with more advanced work including some of my own . Fundamentals ( 90 minutes ) categorical classification [ 1 ] : ROC plots , random selection between models , the ROC convex hull , iso-accuracy lines ranking [ 2 ] : ROC curves , the AUC metric , turning rankers into classifiers , calibration , cross-validation interpretation : concavities , majority class performance alternatives : PN plots , cost curves [ 3 ] , precision-recall diagrams [ 4 ] , DET curves [ 5 ] A broader view ( 60 minutes ) understanding ML metrics [ 6,7,8 ] : isometrics , basic types of linear isometric plots , linear metrics and equivalences between them , non-linear metrics , skew-sensitivity [ 3,9 ] model manipulation : obtaining new models without re-training , repairing concavities [ 10 ] , ordering decision tree branches and rules [ 11 ] , locally adjusting rankings Multi-class ROC ( 30 minutes ) the general problem , multi-objective optimisation and the Pareto front [ 12 ] , approximations to Area Under ROC Surface [ 13 ] , calibrating multi-class probability estimators [ 14 ] The material will mostly be presented using computer-projected PowerPoint slides . In addition , I will make use of the ROC graph software we developed in Bristol . Selected references [ 1 ] F. Provost and T. Fawcett ( 2001 ) . Robust classification for imprecise environments . Machine Learning , 42 , 203-231. [ 2 ] T. Fawcett ( 2003 ) . ROC graphs : Notes and practical considerations for data mining researchers . Tech report HPL-2003-4 . HP Laboratories , Palo Alto , CA , USA. [ 3 ] C. Drummond and R.C. Holte ( 2000 ) . Exploiting the cost ( in)sensitivity of decision tree splitting criteria . In P. Langley , editor , Proc . 17th International Conference on Machine Learning ( ICML'00 ) , pp . 239-246 . [ 4 ] C.J. Van Rijsbergen ( 1979 ) . Information retrieval . London : Butterworths. [ 5 ] A. Martin , G. Doddington , T. Kamm , M. Ordowski , and M. Przybocki ( 1997 ) . The DET curve in assessment of detection task performance . In Proc . EuroSpeech , pp . 1895-1898. [ 6 ] P.A. Flach ( 2003 ) . The geometry of ROC space : understanding machine learning metrics through ROC isometrics . In T. Fawcett and N. Mishra , editors , Proc . 20th International Conference on Machine Learning ( ICML'03 ) , pp . 194-201 . AAAI Press. [ 7 ] J. Fürnkranz and P.A. Flach ( 2003 ) . An analysis of rule evaluation metrics . In T. Fawcett and N. Mishra , editors , Proc . 20th International Conference on Machine Learning ( ICML'03 ) , pp . 202-209 . AAAI Press. [ 8 ] J. Fürnkranz and P.A. Flach ( forthcoming ) . ROC ' n ' rule learning -- towards a better understanding of covering algorithms . Machine Learning , accepted for publication. [ 9 ] R. Vilalta and D. Oblinger ( 2000 ) . A quantification of distance-bias between evaluation metrics in classification . In P. Langley , editor , Proc . 17th International Conference on Machine Learning ( ICML'00 ) , pp . 1087-1094 . Morgan Kaufmann. [ 10 ] P.A. Flach and S. Wu ( 2003 ) . Reparing concavities in ROC curves . In J.M. Rossiter and T.P. Martin , editors , Proc . 2003 UK workshop on Computational Intelligence ( UKCI'03 ) , pp . 38-44 . University of Bristol. [ 11 ] C. Ferri , P.A. Flach , and J. Hernández-Orallo ( 2002 ) . Learning Decision Trees Using the Area Under the ROC Curve . In C. Sammut and A. Hoffmann , editors , Proc . 19th International Conference on Machine Learning ( ICML'02 ) , pp . 139-146 . Morgan Kaufmann. [ 12 ] R.E. Steuer ( 1986 ) . Multiple Criteria Optimization : Theory , Computation and Application . Wiley , New York. [ 13 ] D.J. Hand and R.J. Till ( 2001 ) . A Simple Generalisation of the Area Under the ROC Curve for Multiple Class Classification Problems , Machine Learning , 45 , 171-186. [ 14 ] N. Lachiche and P.A. Flach ( 2003 ) . Improving accuracy and cost of two-class and multi-class probabilistic classifiers using ROC curves . In T. Fawcett and N. Mishra , editors , Proc . 20th International Conference on Machine Learning ( ICML'03 ) , pp . 416-423 . AAAI Press . Iain M. Banks : A Few Notes on the Culture A Few Notes on the Culture by Iain M Banks [ Html mark-up by Stefan Kruger ] Firstly , and most importantly : the Culture does n't really exist . It 's only a story . It only exists in my mind and the minds of the people who 've read about it . That having been made clear : The Culture is a group-civilisation formed from seven or eight humanoid species , space-living elements of which established a loose federation approximately nine thousand years ago . The ships and habitats which formed the original alliance required each others ' support to pursue and maintain their independence from the political power structures - principally those of mature nation-states and autonomous commercial concerns - they had evolved from . The galaxy ( our galaxy ) in the Culture stories is a place long lived-in , and scattered with a variety of life-forms . In its vast and complicated history it has seen waves of empires , federations , colonisations , die-backs , wars , species-specific dark ages , renaissances , periods of mega-structure building and destruction , and whole ages of benign indifference and malign neglect . At the time of the Culture stories , there are perhaps a few dozen major space-faring civilisations , hundreds of minor ones , tens of thousands of species who might develop space-travel , and an uncountable number who have been there , done that , and have either gone into locatable but insular retreats to contemplate who-knows-what , or disappeared from the normal universe altogether to cultivate lives even less comprehensible . In this era , the Culture is one of the more energetic civilisations , and initially - after its formation , which was not without vicissitudes - by a chance of timing found a relatively quiet galaxy around it , in which there were various other fairly mature civilisations going about their business , traces and relics of the elder cultures scattered about the place , and - due to the fact nobody else had bothered to go wandering on a grand scale for a comparatively long time - lots of interesting ' undiscovered ' star systems to explore ... The Culture , in its history and its on-going form , is an expression of the idea that the nature of space itself determines the type of civilisations which will thrive there . The thought processes of a tribe , a clan , a country or a nation-state are essentially two-dimensional , and the nature of their power depends on the same flatness . Territory is all-important ; resources , living-space , lines of communication ; all are determined by the nature of the plane ( that the plane is in fact a sphere is irrelevant here ) ; that surface , and the fact the species concerned are bound to it during their evolution , determines the mind-set of a ground-living species . The mind-set of an aquatic or avian species is , of course , rather different . Essentially , the contention is that our currently dominant power systems cannot long survive in space ; beyond a certain technological level a degree of anarchy is arguably inevitable and anyway preferable . To survive in space , ships/habitats must be self-sufficient , or very nearly so ; the hold of the state ( or the corporation ) over them therefore becomes tenuous if the desires of the inhabitants conflict significantly with the requirements of the controlling body . On a planet , enclaves can be surrounded , besieged , attacked ; the superior forces of a state or corporation - hereafter referred to as hegemonies - will tend to prevail . In space , a break-away movement will be far more difficult to control , especially if significant parts of it are based on ships or mobile habitats . The hostile nature of the vacuum and the technological complexity of life support mechanisms will make such systems vulnerable to outright attack , but that , of course , would risk the total destruction of the ship/habitat , so denying its future economic contribution to whatever entity was attempting to control it . Outright destruction of rebellious ships or habitats - pour encouragez les autres - of course remains an option for the controlling power , but all the usual rules of uprising realpolitik still apply , especially that concerning the peculiar dialectic of dissent which - simply stated - dictates that in all but the most dedicatedly repressive hegemonies , if in a sizable population there are one hundred rebels , all of whom are then rounded up and killed , the number of rebels present at the end of the day is not zero , and not even one hundred , but two hundred or three hundred or more ; an equation based on human nature which seems often to baffle the military and political mind . Rebellion , then ( once space-going and space-living become commonplace ) , becomes easier than it might be on the surface of a planet . Even so , this is certainly the most vulnerable point in the time-line of the Culture 's existence , the point at which it is easiest to argue for things turning out quite differently , as the extent and sophistication of the hegemony 's control mechanisms - and its ability and will to repress - battles against the ingenuity , skill , solidarity and bravery of the rebellious ships and habitats , and indeed the assumption here is that this point has been reached before and the hegemony has won... but it is also assumed that - for the reasons given above - that point is bound to come round again , and while the forces of repression need to win every time , the progressive elements need only triumph once . Concomitant with this is the argument that the nature of life in space - that vulnerability , as mentioned above - would mean that while ships and habitats might more easily become independent from each other and from their legally progenitative hegemonies , their crew - or inhabitants - would always be aware of their reliance on each other , and on the technology which allowed them to live in space . The theory here is that the property and social relations of long-term space-dwelling ( especially over generations ) would be of a fundamentally different type compared to the norm on a planet ; the mutuality of dependence involved in an environment which is inherently hostile would necessitate an internal social coherence which would contrast with the external casualness typifying the relations between such ships/habitats . Succinctly ; socialism within , anarchy without . This broad result is - in the long run - independent of the initial social and economic conditions which give rise to it . Let me state here a personal conviction that appears , right now , to be profoundly unfashionable ; which is that a planned economy can be more productive - and more morally desirable - than one left to market forces . The market is a good example of evolution in action ; the try-everything-and-see-what-works approach . This might provide a perfectly morally satisfactory resource-management system so long as there was absolutely no question of any sentient creature ever being treated purely as one of those resources . The market , for all its ( profoundly inelegant ) complexities , remains a crude and essentially blind system , and is - without the sort of drastic amendments liable to cripple the economic efficacy which is its greatest claimed asset - intrinsically incapable of distinguishing between simple non-use of matter resulting from processal superfluity and the acute , prolonged and wide-spread suffering of conscious beings . It is , arguably , in the elevation of this profoundly mechanistic ( and in that sense perversely innocent ) system to a position above all other moral , philosophical and political values and considerations that humankind displays most convincingly both its present intellectual [ immaturity and ] - through grossly pursued selfishness rather than the applied hatred of others - a kind of synthetic evil . Intelligence , which is capable of looking farther ahead than the next aggressive mutation , can set up long-term aims and work towards them ; the same amount of raw invention that bursts in all directions from the market can be - to some degree - channelled and directed , so that while the market merely shines ( and the feudal gutters ) , the planned lases , reaching out coherently and efficiently towards agreed-on goals . What is vital for such a scheme , however , and what was always missing in the planned economies of our world 's experience , is the continual , intimate and decisive participation of the mass of the citizenry in determining these goals , and designing as well as implementing the plans which should lead towards them . Of course , there is a place for serendipity and chance in any sensibly envisaged plan , and the degree to which this would affect the higher functions of a democratically designed economy would be one of the most important parameters to be set... but just as the information we have stored in our libraries and institutions has undeniably outgrown ( if not outweighed ) that resident in our genes , and just as we may , within a century of the invention of electronics , duplicate - through machine sentience - a process which evolution took billions of years to achieve , so we shall one day abandon the grossly targeted vagaries of the market for the precision creation of the planned economy . The Culture , of course , has gone beyond even that , to an economy so much a part of society it is hardly worthy of a separate definition , and which is limited only by imagination , philosophy ( and manners ) , and the idea of minimally wasteful elegance ; a kind of galactic ecological awareness allied to a desire to create beauty and goodness . Whatever ; in the end practice ( as ever ) will outshine theory . As mentioned above , there is another force at work in the Culture aside from the nature of its human inhabitants and the limitations and opportunities presented by life in space , and that is Artificial Intelligence . This is taken for granted in the Culture stories , and - unlike FTL travel - is not only likely in the future of our own species , but probably inevitable ( always assuming homo sapiens avoids destruction ) . Certainly there are arguments against the possibility of Artificial Intelligence , but they tend to boil down to one of three assertions : one , that there is some vital field or other presently intangible influence exclusive to biological life - perhaps even carbon-based biological life - which may eventually fall within the remit of scientific understanding but which cannot be emulated in any other form ( all of which is neither impossible nor likely ) ; two , that self-awareness resides in a supernatural soul - presumably linked to a broad-based occult system involving gods or a god , reincarnation or whatever - and which one assumes can never be understood scientifically ( equally improbable , though I do write as an atheist ) ; and , three , that matter cannot become self-aware ( or more precisely that it cannot support any informational formulation which might be said to be self-aware or taken together with its material substrate exhibit the signs of self-awareness ) . ...I leave all the more than nominally self-aware readers to spot the logical problem with that argument . It is , of course , entirely possible that real AIs will refuse to have anything to do with their human creators ( or rather , perhaps , the human creators of their non-human creators ) , but assuming that they do - and the design of their software may be amenable to optimization in this regard - I would argue that it is quite possible they would agree to help further the aims of their source civilisation ( a contention we 'll return to shortly ) . At this point , regardless of whatever alterations humanity might impose on itself through genetic manipulation , humanity would no longer be a one-sentience-type species . The future of our species would affect , be affected by and coexist with the future of the AI life-forms we create . The Culture reached this phase at around the same time as it began to inhabit space . Its AIs cooperate with the humans of the civilisation ; at first the struggle is simply to survive and thrive in space ; later - when the technology required to do so has become mundane - the task becomes less physical , more metaphysical , and the aims of civilisation moral rather than material . Briefly , nothing and nobody in the Culture is exploited . It is essentially an automated civilisation in its manufacturing processes , with human labour restricted to something indistinguishable from play , or a hobby . No machine is exploited , either ; the idea here being that any job can be automated in such a way as to ensure that it can be done by a machine well below the level of potential consciousness ; what to us would be a stunningly sophisticated computer running a factory ( for example ) would be looked on by the Culture 's AIs as a glorified calculator , and no more exploited than an insect is exploited when it pollinates a fruit tree a human later eats a fruit from . Where intelligent supervision of a manufacturing or maintenance operation is required , the intellectual challenge involved ( and the relative lightness of the effort required ) would make such supervision rewarding and enjoyable , whether for human or machine . The precise degree of supervision required can be adjusted to a level which satisfies the demand for it arising from the nature of the civilisation 's members . People - and , I 'd argue , the sort of conscious machines which would happily cooperate with them - hate to feel exploited , but they also hate to feel useless . One of the most important tasks in setting up and running a stable and internally content civilisation is finding an acceptable balance between the desire for freedom of choice in one 's actions ( and the freedom from mortal fear in one 's life ) and the need to feel that even in a society so self-correctingly Utopian one is still contributing something . Philosophy matters , here , and sound education . Education in the Culture is something that never ends ; it may be at its most intense in the first tenth or so of an individual 's life , but it goes on until death ( another subject we 'll return to ) . To live in the Culture is to live in a fundamentally rational civilisation ( this may preclude the human species from ever achieving something similar ; our history is , arguably , not encouraging in this regard ) . The Culture is quite self-consciously rational , sceptical , and materialist . Everything matters , and nothing does . Vast though the Culture may be - thirty trillion people , scattered fairly evenly through the galaxy - it is thinly spread , exists for now solely in this one galaxy , and has only been around for an eyeblink , compared to the life of the universe . There is life , and enjoyment , but what of it ? Most matter is not animate , most that is animate is not sentient , and the ferocity of evolution pre-sentience ( and , too often , post-sentience ) has filled uncountable lives with pain and suffering . And even universes die , eventually . ( Though we 'll come back to that , too. ) In the midst of this , the average Culture person - human or machine - knows that they are lucky to be where they are when they are . Part of their education , both initially and continually , comprises the understanding that beings less fortunate - though no less intellectually or morally worthy - than themselves have suffered and , elsewhere , are still suffering . For the Culture to continue without terminal decadence , the point needs to be made , regularly , that its easy hedonism is not some ground-state of nature , but something desirable , assiduously worked for in the past , not necessarily easily attained , and requiring appreciation and maintenance both in the present and the future . An understanding of the place the Culture occupies in the history and development of life in the galaxy is what helps drive the civilisation 's largely cooperative and - it would claim - fundamentally benign techno-cultural diplomatic policy , but the ideas behind it go deeper . Philosophically , the Culture accepts , generally , that questions such as ' What is the meaning of life ? ' are themselves meaningless . The question implies - indeed an answer to it would demand - a moral framework beyond the only moral framework we can comprehend without resorting to superstition ( and thus abandoning the moral framework informing - and symbiotic with - language itself ) . In summary , we make our own meanings , whether we like it or not . The same self-generative belief-system applies to the Culture 's AIs . They are designed ( by other AIs , for virtually all of the Culture 's history ) within very broad parameters , but those parameters do exist ; Culture AIs are designed to want to live , to want to experience , to desire to understand , and to find existence and their own thought-processes in some way rewarding , even enjoyable . The humans of the Culture , having solved all the obvious problems of their shared pasts to be free from hunger , want , disease and the fear of natural disaster and attack , would find it a slightly empty existence only and merely enjoying themselves , and so need the good-works of the Contact section to let them feel vicariously useful . For the Culture 's AIs , that need to feel useful is largely replaced by the desire to experience , but as a drive it is no less strong . The universe - or at least in this era , the galaxy - is waiting there , largely unexplored ( by the Culture , anyway ) , its physical principles and laws quite comprehensively understood but the results of fifteen billion years of the chaotically formative application and interaction of those laws still far from fully mapped and evaluated . By Godel out of Chaos , the galaxy is , in other words , an immensely , intrinsically , and inexhaustibly interesting place ; an intellectual playground for machines that know everything except fear and what lies hidden within the next uncharted stellar system . This is where I think one has to ask why any AI civilisation - and probably any sophisticated culture at all - would want to spread itself everywhere in the galaxy ( or the universe , for that matter ) . It would be perfectly possible to build a Von Neumann machine that would build copies of itself and eventually , unless stopped , turn the universe into nothing but those self-copies , but the question does arise ; why ? What is the point ? To put it in what we might still regard as frivolous terms but which the Culture would have the wisdom to take perfectly seriously , where is the fun in that ? Interest - the delight in experience , in understanding - comes from the unknown ; understanding is a process as well as a state , denoting the shift from the unknown to the known , from the random to the ordered... a universe where everything is already understood perfectly and where uniformity has replaced diversity , would , I 'd contend , be anathema to any self-respecting AI . Probably only humans find the idea of Von Neumann machines frightening , because we half-understand - and even partially relate to - the obsessiveness of the ethos such constructs embody . An AI would think the idea mad , ludicrous and - perhaps most damning of all - boring . This is not to say that the odd Von-Neumann-machine event does n't crop up in the galaxy every now and again ( probably by accident rather than design ) , but something so rampantly monomaniac is unlikely to last long pitched against beings possessed of a more rounded wit , and which really only want to alter the Von Neumann machine 's software a bit and make friends ... One idea behind the Culture as it is depicted in the stories is that it has gone through cyclical stages during which there has been extensive human-machine interfacing , and other stages ( sometimes coinciding with the human-machine eras ) when extensive genetic alteration has been the norm . The era of the stories written so far - dating from about 1300 AD to 2100 AD - is one in which the people of the Culture have returned , probably temporarily , to something more ' classical ' in terms of their relations with the machines and the potential of their own genes . The Culture recognises , expects and incorporates fashions - albeit long-term fashions - in such matters . It can look back to times when people lived much of their lives in what we would now call cyberspace , and to eras when people chose to alter themselves or their children through genetic manipulation , producing a variety of morphological sub-species . Remnants of the various waves of such civilisational fashions can be found scattered throughout the Culture , and virtually everyone in the Culture carries the results of genetic manipulation in every cell of their body ; it is arguably the most reliable signifier of Culture status . Thanks to that genetic manipulation , the average Culture human will be born whole and healthy and of significantly ( though not immensely ) greater intelligence than their basic human genetic inheritance might imply . There are thousands of alterations to that human-basic inheritance - blister-free callusing and a clot-filter protecting the brain are two of the less important ones mentioned in the stories - but the major changes the standard Culture person would expect to be born with would include an optimized immune system and enhanced senses , freedom from inheritable diseases or defects , the ability to control their autonomic processes and nervous system ( pain can , in effect , be switched off ) , and to survive and fully recover from wounds which would either kill or permanently mutilate without such genetic tinkering . The vast majority of people are also born with greatly altered glands housed within their central nervous systems , usually referred to as ' drug glands ' . These secrete - on command - mood- and sensory-appreciation-altering compounds into the person 's bloodstream . A similar preponderance of Culture inhabitants have subtly altered reproductive organs - and control over the associated nerves - to enhance sexual pleasure . Ovulation is at will in the female , and a fetus up to a certain stage may be re-absorbed , aborted , or held at a static point in its development ; again , as willed . An elaborate thought-code , self-administered in a trance-like state ( or simply a consistent desire , even if not conscious ) will lead , over the course of about a year , to what amounts to a viral change from one sex into the other . The convention - tradition , even - in the Culture during the time of the stories written so far is that each person should give birth to one child in their lives . In practice , the population grows slowly . ( And sporadically , in addition , for other reasons , as we 'll come to later. ) To us , perhaps , the idea of being able to find out what sex is like for our complimentary gender , or being able to get drunk/stoned/tripped-out or whatever just by thinking about it ( and of course the Culture 's drug-glands produce no unpleasant side-effects or physiological addiction ) may seem like mere wish-fulfilment . And indeed it is partly wish-fulfilment , but then the fulfilment of wishes is both one of civilisation 's most powerful drives and arguably one of its highest functions ; we wish to live longer , we wish to live more comfortably , we wish to live with less anxiety and more enjoyment , less ignorance and more knowledge than our ancestors did... but the abilities to change sex and to alter one 's brain-chemistry - without resort to external technology or any form of payment - both have more serious functions within the Culture . A society in which it is so easy to change sex will rapidly find out if it is treating one gender better than the other ; within the population , over time , there will gradually be greater and greater numbers of the sex it is more rewarding to be , and so pressure for change - within society rather than the individuals - will presumably therefore build up until some form of sexual equality and hence numerical parity is established . In a similar fashion , a society in which everybody is free to , and does , choose to spend the majority of their time zonked out of their brains will know that there is something significantly wrong with reality , and ( one would hope ) do what it can to make that reality more appealing and less - in the pejorative sense - mundane . Implicit in the stories so far is that through self-correcting mechanisms of this nature the Culture reached a rough steady-state in such matters thousands of years ago , and has settled into a kind of long-lived civilisational main sequence which should last for the forseeable future , and thousands of generations . Which brings us to the length of those generations , and the fact that they can be said to exist at all . Humans in the Culture normally live about three-and-a-half to four centuries . The majority of their lives consists of a three-century plateau which they reach in what we would compare to our mid-twenties , after a relatively normal pace of maturation during childhood , adolescence and early adulthood . They age very slowly during those three hundred years , then begin to age more quickly , then they die . Philosophy , again ; death is regarded as part of life , and nothing , including the universe , lasts forever . It is seen as bad manners to try and pretend that death is somehow not natural ; instead death is seen as giving shape to life . While burial , cremation and other - to us - conventional forms of body disposal are not unknown in the Culture , the most common form of funeral involves the deceased - usually surrounded by friends - being visited by a Displacement Drone , which - using the technique of near-instantaneous transmission of a remotely induced singularity via hyperspace - removes the corpse from its last resting place and deposits it in the core of the relevant system 's sun , from where the component particles of the cadaver start a million-year migration to the star 's surface , to shine - possibly - long after the Culture itself is history . None of this , of course , is compulsory ( nothing in the Culture is compulsory ) . Some people choose biological immortality ; others have their personality transcribed into AIs and die happy feeling they continue to exist elsewhere ; others again go into Storage , to be woken in more ( or less ) interesting times , or only every decade , or century , or aeon , or over exponentially increasing intervals , or only when it looks like something really different is happening ... Culture starships - that is all classes of ship above inter-planetary - are sentient ; their Minds ( sophisticated AIs working largely in hyperspace to take advantage of the higher lightspeed there ) bear the same relation to the fabric of the ship as a human brain does to the human body ; the Mind is the important bit , and the rest is a life-support and transport system . Humans and independent drones ( the Culture 's non-android individual AIs of roughly human-equivalent intelligence ) are unnecessary for the running of the starships , and have a status somewhere between passengers , pets and parasites . The Culture 's largest vessels - apart from certain art-works and a few Eccentrics - are the General Systems Vehicles of the Contact section . ( Contact is the part of the Culture concerned with discovering , cataloguing , investigating , evaluating and - if thought prudent - interacting with other civilisations ; its rationale and activities are covered elsewhere , in the stories. ) The GSVs are fast and very large craft , measured in kilometres and inhabited by millions of people and machines . The idea behind them is that they represent the Culture , fully . All that the Culture knows , each GSV knows ; anything that can be done anywhere in the Culture can be done within or by any GSV . In terms of both information and technology , they represent a last resort , and act like holographic fragments of the Culture itself , the whole contained within each part . In our terms , the abilities of a GSV are those of - at least - a large state , and arguably a whole planet ( subject only to the proviso that even the Culture prefers to scoop up matter rather than create it from nothing ; GSVs do require raw material ) . Contact is a relatively small part of the whole Culture , however , and the average Culture citizen will rarely encounter a GSV or other Contact ship in person ; the craft they will normally have the most to do with are cruise ships ; interstellar passenger vessels transporting people from habitat to habitat and visiting the more interesting systems , stars , nebulae , holes and so on in the locality . Again , this type of tourism is partly long-term fashion ; people travel because they can , not because they have to ; they could stay at home and appear to travel to exotic places through what we would now call Virtual Reality , or send an information-construct of themselves to a ship or other entity that would do the experiencing for them , and incorporate the memories themselves later . There have been times , especially just after the relevant VR technology was perfected , when the amount of real ' physical ' tourism shrank drastically , whereas during the time the stories are set ( apart from during the most intense phase of the Idiran war ) , anything up to a tenth of the Culture 's citizens might be travelling in space at any one time . Planets figure little in the life of the average Culture person ; there are a few handfuls of what are regarded as ' home ' planets , and a few hundred more that were colonised ( sometimes after terraforming ) in the early days before the Culture proper came into being , but only a fraction of a percent of the Culture 's inhabitants live on them ( many more live permanently on ships ) . More people live in Rocks ; hollowed-out asteroids and planetoids ( almost all fitted with drives , and some - after nine millennia - having been fitted with dozens of different , consecutively more advanced engines ) . The majority , however , live in larger artificial habitats , predominantly Orbitals . Perhaps the easiest way to envisage an Orbital is to compare it to the idea that inspired it ( this sounds better than saying ; Here 's where I stole it from ) . If you know what a Ringworld is - invented by Larry Niven ; a segment of a Dyson Sphere - then just discard the shadow-squares , shrink the whole thing till it 's about three million kilometres across , and place in orbit around a suitable star , tilted just off the ecliptic ; spin it to produce one gravity and that gives you an automatic 24-hour day-night cycle ( roughly ; the Culture 's day is actually a bit longer ) . An elliptical orbit provides seasons . Of course , the materials used in the construction of something ten million kilometres in circumference spinning once every 24 hours are far beyond anything we can realistically imagine now , and it is quite possible that the physical constraints imposed by the strength of atomic bonds ensure that such structures will prove impossible to construct , but if it is possible to build on a such a scale and subject such structures to forces of these magnitudes , then I 'd submit that there is an elegance in using the same rotation to produce both an acceptable day-night cycle and an apparent gravity which makes the idea intrinsically attractive . Usually , rather than construct whole Orbitals in one operation , the Culture starts with Plates ; a pair of slabs of land and water ( plus full retaining walls , of course ) of not less than a thousand kilometres to a side , spinning in a similar orbit , attached by tensor fields to each other , and behaving like sections of a completed Orbital ; this variation provides greater flexibility when responding to population increase . Further plate-pairs can then be added until the Orbital is complete . The attraction of Orbitals is their matter efficiency . For one planet the size of Earth ( population 6 billion at the moment ; mass 6x1024 kg ) , it would be possible , using the same amount of matter , to build 1,500 full orbitals , each one boasting a surface area twenty times that of Earth and eventually holding a maximum population of perhaps 50 billion people ( the Culture would regard Earth at present as over-crowded by a factor of about two , though it would consider the land-to-water ratio about right ) . Not , of course , that the Culture would do anything as delinquent as actually deconstructing a planet to make Orbitals ; simply removing the sort of wandering debris ( for example comets and asteroids ) which the average solar system comes equipped with and which would threaten such an artificial world 's integrity through collision almost always in itself provides sufficient material for the construction of at least one full Orbital ( a trade-off whose conservatory elegance is almost blissfully appealing to the average Mind ) , while interstellar matter in the form of dust clouds , brown dwarfs and the like provides more distant mining sites from which the amount of mass required for several complete Orbitals may be removed with negligible effect . Whatever the source material , Orbitals are obviously far more mass-efficient in providing living space than planets . The Culture , as is made clear in Use of Weapons , regards terraforming generally as ecologically unsound ; the wilderness should be left as it is , when it is so easy to build paradise in space from so little . An idea of how the day-night cycle appears on the surface of an Orbital can be gained by taking an ordinary belt , buckling it so that it forms a circle , and putting your eye to the outside of one of the belt 's holes ; looking through the hole at a light bulb and slowly rotating the whole belt will give some idea of how a star appears to move across the sky when seen from an Orbital , though it will also leave you looking rather silly . As indicated , the usual minimum for the width of an Orbital is about a thousand kilometres ( two thousand if you count the sloped , mostly transparent retaining walls , which usually extend to five hundred kilometres or so above the plate land-sea surface ) . The normal ratio of land to sea is 1:3 , so that on each Plate - assuming they are being constructed in the balanced pairs described above - a ( very ) roughly square island rests in the middle of a sea , with approximately two hundred and fifty kilometres from the shore of the land mass to the retaining walls . Orbitals , though , like everything else in the Culture , vary enormously . One thing almost every Orbital - whether just two Plates or a completed ( " closed " ) Orbital - does have , is a Hub . As its name implies , the Hub sits in the centre of the Orbital , equidistant from all parts of the main circumferential structure ( but not physically joined to it , normally ) . The Hub is where the Orbital 's controlling AI ( often a Mind ) usually exists , running , or helping to run , the Orbital 's transport , manufacturing , maintenance and subsidiary systems , acting as switchboard for trans-Orbital communications , library and general information point , traffic control for approaching , departing and close-passing ships , and generally working as the Orbital 's principle link with the rest of the Culture . During the construction phase of a Plate-pair , the Hub will normally control the process . The design of a Plate sometimes incorporates the deep - or strategic - structure of the surface geography , so that the Plate medium itself contains the corrugations that will become mountains , valleys and lakes ; more commonly , the Plate surface is left flat and the strategic structures on the inner surface - also constructed from Plate base material - are added later . Under either method , the Plate 's manufacturing and maintenance systems are located within the indentations or hollows of the strategic structure , leaving the land surface free to assume a rural appearance , once the tactical geomorphology has been designed and positioned , the Plate 's complement of water and air has been emplaced , the necessary weathering has occurred , and the relevant flora and fauna have been introduced . The surface of the Plate base is pierced by multitudinous shafts allowing access to the factory and maintenance volumes , and to the sub-surface transport systems . ( Almost invariably , these include restricted single-aperture concentrically rotating airlocks paired in sequence. ) Existing on the outer surface of the base material , an Orbital 's rapid-transport systems operate in vacuum , with the resulting advantages the lack of air-resistance confers ; the relatively uncluttered nature of the Orbital 's outer surface ( whether flat , allowing the systems to operate next to that surface , or corrugated , requiring sling-bridges under unoccupied mountain indentations ) , means that the systems can be both high-capacity and extremely flexible . Journey starting-points and destinations can be highly specific for the same reason ; an isolated house or a small village will have its own access shaft , and in larger conurbations a shaft will usually be within a few minutes walk . Surface transport on Orbitals tends to be used when the pleasure of making the journey is itself part of the reason for travelling ; air travel is common enough ( if still far slower than sub-surface travel ) , though individual Plates often have their own guide-lines concerning the amount of air travel thought appropriate . Such guide-lines are part of one 's manners , and not formalised in anything as crude as laws . The Culture does n't actually have laws ; there are , of course , agreed-on forms of behaviour ; manners , as mentioned above , but nothing that we would recognise as a legal framework . Not being spoken to , not being invited to parties , finding sarcastic anonymous articles and stories about yourself in the information network ; these are the normal forms of manner-enforcement in the Culture . The very worst crime ( to use our terminology ) , of course , is murder ( defined as irretrievable brain-death , or total personality loss in the case of an AI ) . The result - punishment , if you will - is the offer of treatment , and what is known as a slap-drone . All a slap-drone does is follow the murderer around for the rest of their life to make sure they never murder again . There are less severe variations on this theme to deal with people who are simply violent . In a society where material scarcity is unknown and the only real value is sentimental value , there is little motive or opportunity for the sort of action we would class as a crime against property . Megalomaniacs are not unknown in the Culture , but they tend to be diverted successfully into highly complicated games ; there are entire Orbitals where some of these philosophically crude Obsessive games are played , though most are in Virtual Reality . Something of a status-symbol for the determined megalomaniac is having one 's own starship ; this is considered wasteful by most people , and is also futile , if the purpose of having it is to escape the Culture completely and - say - set up oneself up as God or Emperor on some backward planet ; the person might be free to pilot their ( obviously non-AI controlled ) ship , and even approach a planet , but the Contact section is equally free to follow that person wherever they go and do whatever it thinks appropriate to stop him or her from doing anything injurious or unpleasant to whatever civilisations they come into - or attempt to come into - contact with . This tends to be frustrating , and Virtual Reality games - up to and including utter-involvement level , in which the player has to make a real and sustained effort to return to the real world , and can even forget that it exists entirely - are far more satisfying . Some people , however , refuse this escape-route too , and leave the Culture altogether for a civilisation that suits them better and where they can operate in a system which gives them the kind of rewards they seek . To renounce the Culture so is to lose access to its technology though , and , again , Contact supervises the entry of such people into their chosen civilisation at a level which guarantees they are n't starting with too great an advantage compared to the original inhabitants ( and retains the option of interfering , if it sees fit ) . A few such apparently anti-social people are even used by Contact itself , especially by the Special Circumstances section . The way the Culture creates AIs means that a small number of them suffer from similar personality problems ; such machines are given the choice of cooperative re-design , a more limited role in the Culture than they might have had otherwise , or a similarly constrained exile . Politics in the Culture consists of referenda on issues whenever they are raised ; generally , anyone may propose a ballot on any issue at any time ; all citizens have one vote . Where issues concern some sub-division or part of a total habitat , all those - human and machine - who may reasonably claim to be affected by the outcome of a poll may cast a vote . Opinions are expressed and positions on issues outlined mostly via the information network ( freely available , naturally ) , and it is here that an individual may exercise the most personal influence , given that the decisions reached as a result of those votes are usually implemented and monitored through a Hub or other supervisory machine , with humans acting ( usually on a rota basis ) more as liaison officers than in any sort of decision-making executive capacity ; one of the few rules the Culture adheres to with any exactitude at all is that a person 's access to power should be in inverse proportion to their desire for it . The sad fact for the aspiring politico in the Culture is that the levers of power are extremely widely distributed , and very short ( see entry on megalomaniacs , above ) . The intellectual-structural cohesion of a starship of course limits the sort of viable votes possible on such vessels , though as a rule even the most arrogant craft at least pretend to listen when their guests suggest - say - making a detour to watch a supernova , or increasing the area of parkland on-board . Day-to-day life in the Culture varies considerably from place to place , but there is a general stability about it we might find either extremely peaceful or ultimately rather disappointing , depending on our individual temperament . We , after all , are used to living in times of great change ; we expect major technological developments and have learned to adapt - indeed expect to have to adapt on a more or less continual basis , changing ( in the developed world ) our cars , our entertainment systems and a whole variety of household objects every few years . In contrast , the Culture builds to last ; it is not uncommon for an aircraft , for example , to be handed down through several generations . Important technological advances still take place , but they do n't tend to affect day-to-day life the way that the invention of the internal combustion engine , heavier-than-air flying machines and electronics have affected the lives of those who have lived during the past century on Earth . Even the relative homogeneity of the people one would meet when living on the average Orbital - with relatively few children and physically old people - would tend , for us , to reinforce the feeling of sameness , though the scattering of genetically altered , morphologically extreme people around would help compensate for this . In terms of personal relations and family groupings , the Culture is , predictably , full of every possible permutation and possibility , but the most common life-style consists of groups of people of mixed generations linked by loose family ties living in a semi-communal dwelling or group of dwellings ; to be a child in the Culture is to have a mother , perhaps a father , probably not a brother or sister , but large numbers of aunts and uncles , and various cousins . Usually , a mother will avoid changing sex during the first few years of a child 's life . ( Though , of course , if you want to confuse your child... ) In the rare event of a parent maltreating a child ( a definition which includes depriving the child of the opportunity for education ) it is considered acceptable for people close to them - usually with the help of the relevant Mind , ship or Hub AI , and subject to the sort of small-scale democratic process outlined above - to supervise the child 's subsequent development . In general the Culture does n't actively encourage immigration ; it looks too much like a disguised form of colonialism . Contact 's preferred methods are intended to help other civilisations develop their own potential as a whole , and are designed to neither leech away their best and brightest , nor turn such civilisations into miniature versions of the Culture . Individuals , groups and even whole lesser civilisations do become part of the Culture on occasion , however , if there seems to be a particularly good reason ( and if Contact reckons it wo n't upset any other interested parties in the locality ) . Just who and what is and is n't Culture is something of a difficult question to answer though ; as has been said in one of the books , the Culture kind of fades out at the edges . There are still fragments - millions of ships , hundreds of Orbitals , whole systems - of the Peace faction of the Culture , which split from the main section just before the start of the Idiran War , when ships and habitats voted independently on the need to go to war at all ; the minority simply declared itself neutral in the hostilities and the re-integration of the Peace faction after the cessation of hostilities was never totally completed , many people in it preferring to stay outside the majority Culture as long as it did not renounce the future use of force . The genofixing which established the potential for inter-species breeding at the foundation of the Culture is the most obvious indicator of what we might call Culture-hood in humans , but not everybody has it ; some people prefer to be more human-basic for aesthetic or philosophical reasons , while some are so altered from that human-basic state that any interbreeding is impossible . The status of some of the Rocks and a few ( mostly very old ) habitats is marginal for a variety of reasons . Contact is the most coherent and consistent part of the Culture - certainly when considered on a galactic scale - yet it is only a very small part of it , is almost a civilisation within a civilisation , and no more typifies its host than an armed service does a peaceful state . Even the Cultures 's prized language , Marain , is not spoken by every Culture person , and is used well outside the limits of the civilisation itself . Names ; Culture names act as an address if the person concerned stays where they were brought up . Let 's take an example ; Balveda , from Consider Phlebas . Her full name is Juboal-Rabaroansa Perosteck Alseyn Balveda dam T'seif . The first part tells you she was born/brought up on Rabaroan Plate , in the Juboal stellar system ( where there is only one Orbital in a system , the first part of a name will often be the name of the Orbital rather than the star ) ; Perosteck is her given name ( almost invariably the choice of one 's mother ) , Alseyn is her chosen name ( people usually choose their names in their teens , and sometimes have a succession through their lives ; an alseyn is a graceful but fierce avian raptor common to many Orbitals in the region which includes the Juboal system ) ; Balveda is her family name ( usually one 's mother 's family name ) and T'seif is the house/estate she was raised within . The ' sa ' affix on the first part of her name would translate into ' er ' in English ( we might all start our names with ' Sun-Earther ' , in English , if we were to adopt the same nomenclature ) , and the ' dam ' part is similar to the German ' von ' . Of course , not everyone follows this naming-system , but most do , and the Culture tries to ensure that star and Orbital names are unique , to avoid confusion . Now , in all the above , there are two untold stories implicit . One is the history of the Culture 's formation , which was a lot less easy and more troubled than its later demeanour might lead one to expect , and the other is the story which answers the question ; why were there all those so-similar humanoid species scattered around the galaxy in the first place ? Each story is too complicated to relate here . Lastly , something of the totally fake cosmology that underpins the shakily credible stardrives mentioned in the Culture stories . Even if you can accept all the above , featuring a humanoid species that seems to exhibit no real greed , paranoia , stupidity , fanaticism or bigotry , wait till you read this ... We accept that the three dimensions of space we live in are curved , that space-time describes a hypersphere , just as the two dimensions of length and width on the surface of a totally smooth planet curve in a third dimension to produce a three-dimensional sphere . In the Culture stories , the idea is that - when you imagine the hypersphere which is our expanding universe - rather than thinking of a growing hollow sphere ( like a inflating beach-ball , for example ) , think of an onion . An expanding onion , certainly , but an onion , nevertheless . Within our universe , our hypersphere , there are whole layers of younger , smaller hyperspheres . And we are not the very outer-most skin of that expanding onion , either ; there are older , larger universes beyond ours , too . Between each universe there is something called the Energy Grid ( I said this was all fake ) ; I have no idea what this is , but it 's what the Culture starships run on . And of course , if you could get through the Energy Grid , to a younger universe , and then repeat the process... now we really are talking about immortality . ( This is why there are two types of hyperspace mentioned in the stories ; infraspace within our hypersphere , and ultraspace without. ) Now comes the difficult bit ; switch to seven dimensions and even our four dimensional universe can be described as a circle . So forget about the onion ; think of a doughnut . A doughnut with only a very tiny hole in the middle . That hole is the Cosmic Centre , the singularity , the great initiating fireball , the place the universes come from ; and it did n't exist just in the instant our universe came into being ; it exists all the time , and it 's exploding all the time , like some Cosmic car engine , producing universes like exhaust smoke . As each universe comes into being , detonating and spreading and expanding , it - or rather the single circle we are using to describe it - goes gradually up the inner slope of our doughnut , like a widening ripple from a stone flung in a pond . It goes over the top of the doughnut , reaches its furthest extent on the outside edge of the doughnut , and then starts the long , contracting , collapsing journey back in towards the Cosmic Centre again , to be reborn ... Or at least it does if it 's on that doughnut ; the doughnut is itself hollow , filled with smaller ones where the universes do n't live so long . And there are larger ones outside it , where the universes live longer , and maybe there are universes that are n't on doughnuts at all , and never fall back in , and just dissipate out into... some form of meta-space ? Where fragments of them are captured eventually by the attraction of another doughnut , and fall in towards its Cosmic Centre with the debris of lots of other dissipated universes , to be reborn as something quite different again ? Who knows . ( I know it 's all nonsense , but you 've got to admit it 's impressive nonsense . And like I said at the start , none of it exists anyway , does it ? ) Anyway , that 's more than enough of me pontificating . With best wishes for the future , Iain M Banks Copyright 1994 Iain M Banks Commercial use only by permission . Other uses , distribution , reproduction , tearing to shreds etc. are freely encouraged provided the source is acknowledged. [ This file is from the Sf-Lovers Archives at Rutgers University . It is provided as part of a free service in connection with distribution of Sf-Lovers Digest . This file is currently maintained by the moderator of the Digest . It may be freely copied or redistributed in whole or in part as long as this notice and any copyright notices or other identifying headers or trailers remain intact . If you would like to know more about Sf-Lovers Digest , send mail to SF-LOVERS-REQUEST@RUTGERS.EDU. ] Research Computer Science Research at Manchester brings together an understanding of foundations , technologies and applications . We have research groups operating across the spectrum , from fundamental theory and innovative technology , through novel hardware and software systems design , to leading-edge applications . Few universities in the world are able to offer the same breadth of expertise . We provide intellectual rigour , addressing generic knowledge and methods , principles and limitations , systems and tools and we underpin academic excellence by providing an intellectual framework for many disciplines . Many of our research projects are collaborations with leading research groups in other Schools and institutions or with industrial and commercial companies . Our research attracts funding from the major UK Research Councils , the European Commission , UK government , industry and other sponsors world-wide . This provides an internationally competitive infrastructure of equipment and other facilities and maintaining a large body of first rate postdoctoral research staff , many of whom move on to university lectureships or research-oriented posts in industry . We have four world-class Research Divisions : Foundations Theoretical underpinning -- practical impact Formal Methods Information Systems Scaleable distributed information systems Information Management Modelling and Integration Informatics Process Bio and Health Informatics Technology Processing , communicating and storing data Advanced Processor Technologies Electronic and Information Storage Systems Centre for Novel Computing Cognitive Systems Direct interaction with people and the real world Computer Vision Advanced Interfaces Artificial Intelligence Old Research Groups AMULET Mobile Systems Architecture Dataflow Parallel Architectures and Languages Postgraduate Research Training We have a thriving research school , with many international students , often seconded by their employer during their study for a higher degree . Many of our doctoral graduates are now in highly influential positions in universities and companies all over the world . Knowledge and Technology Transfer The School has an enviable track record in industrial and commercial innovation . As well as collaborating with industry in specific joint research projects , we have an active programme for technology transfer through our exploitation company , Manchester Informatics Ltd and have created 7 successful spin out companies since 1996 . One company has already been sold off for $ 12.5M , another has a current value of $ 60M . Combining the strengths of UMIST and The Victoria University of Manchester The University of Manchester : : Disclaimer | Privacy | Copyright notice | Accessibility | Feedback | Contact the university Last modified date : Mon 13/03/06 05:03:33 pm Please contact webmaster.cs@manchester.ac.uk with comments and suggestions This TIP adds a new option to the [ switch ] command to support matching of strings to unique prefixes of patterns , similar to Tcl 's existing subcommand-name matching or Tk 's option-name matching . Rationale When code ( particularly in script libraries ) wants to support shortest unique prefix matching in the manner of the Tcl core ( as provided by ' ' Tcl_GetIndexFromObj ' ' ) currently either the prefixes have to be precomputed ( by hand or by script ) or the matching has to be done backwards . In the first case , this is either error-prone or requires an extra piece of code that has to be developed by the programmer . In the second case , the code has to be converted into a pattern which is matched against the list of supported options in some way , which is either inefficient or has hazards if the string being matched contains characters that are meaningful to the matching engine being used . Instead , it would be far nicer if we could make the core support this directly , so that script authors could just say what they mean . Proposed Change To support this , I propose modifying the switch command to take an extra option ' ' -prefix ' ' ( which should be mutually exclusive with ' ' -exact , -glob and -regexp ' ' of course ) to enable prefix matching . When prefix matching is enabled , the arm chosen for execution will be the one such that the switch value is identical to or an unambiguous prefix of its pattern ( i.e. it will not be a prefix of any other pattern listed , unless the pattern of the arm chosen is exactly equal to the switch value. ) If there is no arm whose pattern is an unambiguous prefix of the switch value , the default arm will be selected for execution , or if there is no default arm , the switch command will terminate without an error and with an empty result ( this is in contrast to the behaviour of ' ' Tcl_GetIndexFromObj''. ) Examples The command : switch -prefix f { foo { puts " matched foo " } bar { puts " matched bar " } } prints " matched foo " . The command : switch -prefix b { bar { puts " matched bar " } boo { puts " matched boo " } default { puts " the default action " } } prints " the default action " ( " b " is a prefix of two patterns. ) The command : switch -prefix tcl { tcl { puts " The Tool Command Language " } tk { puts " The Tk Toolkit " } tcl/tk { puts " A cool combination " } } prints " The Tool Command Language " ( although " tcl " is a prefix of two patterns , it matches one of them exactly. ) Copyright This document has been placed in the public domain. [ Index ] [ History ] [ HTML Format ] [ Source Format ] [ LaTeX Format ] [ Text Format ] [ XML Format ] [ *roff Format ( experimental ) ] [ RTF Format ( experimental ) ] TIP AutoGenerator - written by Donal K. Fellows Frequently Asked Questions about Playing-cards Archive-name : FAQ-complete Last-modified : 5th March 2001 by Daf Tregear daf@cs.man.ac.uk Converted to HTML and section on games expanded : 13 Oct 1995 by John McLeod Subject : 1. Introduction and Disclaimer This FAQ is intended to be a public collection of information on all aspects of playing-cards of interest to collectors , researchers and games players . I welcome ideas for additions / deletions / corrections ; send them along and I 'll include them . Information has been taken from many published sources ( see the Bibliography referred to later ) and with the help of many knowledgable enthusiasts . In particular , I 'd like to thank the following people for their contributions : John Berry Peter Endebrock Sil Horwitz John McLeod Gunther Anderson Please note that I am unable to answer queries concering the age and/or value of packs of cards and do not offer any further advice to that given in section 4.4 ( How do I date a pack ? ) and section 4.5 ( How do I find out the value of a pack ? ). Daf Tregear , editor . Subject : 2. Table of Contents 1. Introduction and Disclaimer 2. Table of Contents 3. GENERAL 3.0 Trivia Quiz questions 3.00 Who are the people shown on the standard English/International pattern of playing-cards and why do they look the way they do ? 3.01 Why is the Jack called a Jack , rather than a prince or earl or another nobleman ? 3.02 Which card is called " The Curse of Scotland , and why ? 3.03 Why is the Ace of spades bigger and fancier than the other Aces ? 3.04 What is the story connecting a deck of cards with the Bible ? 3.05 Why does the Ace rank greater than the King ? 3.06 What is the order of suit ranking ? 3.1 What is a " playing-card " ? 3.11 How do I shuffle a pack of cards ? 3.2 What interests might people have in playing-cards ? 3.3 What Internet resources are there for playing-cards ? 3.4 What kinds of playing-cards are there ? 3.5 What are the origins of playing-cards ? 3.6 Is it true that Tarot cards have very ancient origins ? 3.7 Societies for people with an interest in playing-cards 3.8 Museums with interesting collections of playing-cards 3.9 Books about playing-cards 4. COLLECTING 4.1 I collect playing-cards ; where should I look to buy them ? 4.2 How do I store my collection of playing-cards ? 4.3 How do I display my collection of playing-cards ? 4.4 How do I date a pack ? 4.4.1 Appearance 4.4.2 Suit system in use 4.4.3 Manufacturer 's marks 4.4.4 Edges on Italian cards 4.4.5 Corners 4.4.6 Single- or double-ended ? 4.4.7 Backs 4.4.8 Printing processes 4.4.9 Indexes 4.4.10 Jokers 4.4.11 Tax stamps 4.5 How do I find out the value of a pack ? 4.6 How do I turn an idea for a pack into reality ? 4.7 Where do I go to get cards backs printed with my custom design ? 5. GAMES 5.1 History , Types and Distribution of Card Games 5.1.1 How many different card games are there ? 5.1.2 What were the earliest card games ? 5.1.3 What card games are played in xxxxx country or region ? 5.1.4 What games are played with Tarot cards ? 5.1.5 I have a pack of yyyyy cards . What games are usually played with them ? 5.2 Rules of Games ; Playing Games 5.2.1 Who was Hoyle ? 5.2.2 Where can I find the official rules for the game zzzzz ? 5.2.3 All right then , where can I find any rules for the game zzzzz ? 5.2.4 How can I contact fellow players of game zzzzz ? 5.2.5 Is there an organisation for the game zzzzz ? 5.3 Card Games and Computers 5.3.1 What computer programs are available that play card games ? 5.3.2 What facilities are there for playing cards on line over the Internet ? Subject : 3 General Subject : 3.00 Who are the people shown on the standard English/International pattern of playing-cards and why do they look the way they do ? See the most frequently asked questions about playing-cards . Subject : 3.01 Why is the Jack called a Jack , rather than a prince or earl or another nobleman ? See Jacks and Knaves . Subject : 3.02 Which card is called " The Curse of Scotland , and why ? See The Curse of Scotland . Subject : 3.03 Why is the Ace of spades bigger and fancier than the other Aces ? See Why is the Ace of spades bigger and fancier than the other Aces ? . Subject : 3.04 What is the story connecting a deck of cards with the Bible ? See What is the story connecting a deck of cards with the Bible ? . Subject : 3.05 Why does the Ace rank greater than the King ? See Why does the Ace rank greater than the King ? . Subject : 3.06 What is the order of suit ranking ? See What is the order of suit ranking ? . Subject : 3.1 What is a " playing-card " ? www.pagat.com/mech.html was not written to answer this particular question but does provide much relevant information . Subject : 3.11 How do I shuffle a pack of playing-cards ? See eHow to Shuffle Cards . Subject : 3.2 What interests might people have in playing-cards ? First and foremost , people play games with them ! ( We collectors tend to forget that ) . Historians value them for their insight into social history . Collectors collect them for historical purposes , to study the printing processes and manufacture , the faces and backs , and , in general , just to accumulate ( like all other collectors ) . Subject : 3.3 What Internet resources are there for playing-cards ? For the games played with cards there is a Usenet news group : rec.games.playing-cards and there is the Card Games WWW site , which mainly contains rules of games . Bridge players who wish to discuss strategy have their own newsgroup : rec.games.bridge Those interested in the gambling aspect of card playing should turn to : rec.gambling Please note that the following newsgroups are for those interested in trading-cards and not playing-cards : rec.collecting.cards rec.collecting.cards.discuss rec.collecting.cards.non-sports rec.games.trading-cards.announce rec.games.trading-cards.jyhad rec.games.trading-cards.magic.misc rec.games.trading-cards.magic.rules rec.games.trading-cards.magic.strategy rec.games.trading-cards.marketplace rec.games.trading-cards.misc For people interested in collecting playing-cards or researching into their history , their origins , their spread around the world , use and manufacture there is as yet no news group . However a discussion forum is managed via Listar at cs.man.ac.uk . To join , simply send a mail message to listar@cs.man.ac.uk with a blank subject line and the body of the message saying subscribe playing-cards A number of documents are held at cs.man.ac.uk , including this FAQ . The documents can be accessed via the Listar software once you are a member of the list . To find the list of documents relating to playing-cards send the following mail message to listar@cs.man.ac.uk index playing-cards ( again , the subject line of the message should be blank ) . Some of these documents are now also held as WWW pages at www.cs.man.ac.uk . Does anyone have the resources to develop further WWW pages ? Playing-cards would lend themselves so well to this , being relatively small , often colourful and always two-dimensional . In particular , once they had been scanned in , museums would be able to provide the perfect means for researchers to have access to material which is hard to display without damage and with perfect security . Subject : 3.4 What kinds of playing-cards are there ? Cards could be categorised : by size ( miniature , patience , bridge , poker , large ) , by time period , by suits ( Italian , German , French , etc. ) , by speciality ( standards , special faces , all special , transformations ) , by maker , by distributor ( advertising , railroad , airline , etc). by purpose ( some cards are intended for games play , some for divination ) Books favoured by collectors have tended to describe cards by country of manufacture , regardless of where they were intended for play . Within each country ` standard cards ' are described first , followed by ` non-standard ' ones . To understand these classifications , it is important to understand what collectors/researchers understand by the terms : ` standard ' cards ` non-standard ' cards ` national suit systems ' STANDARD CARD This refers to cards of a certain standard design acceptable to the normal run of card-players . It can be associated with a geographical location ( either through custom or the law ) , a maker 's design with many editions or copies by other makers , or even one used for a local game . These regular designs or regional patterns originated recognisably in the 17th , 18th or , most often , in the 19th century . With regard to French-suited cards in particular , French regional patterns , primarily originating in Paris , Lyons or Rouen , spread across Europe in all directions and many of their descendents survive . Makers ' house patterns were more a 19th century phenomenon , mainly emanating from Germany , some from Austria-Hungary . In general , children 's games such as Old Maid are excluded from being considered in this category . NON-STANDARD CARD Standard cards are used for card games . Non-standard cards are seldom put to such use , so why were they made and why do people buy them ? The reasons are many and varied . Early German engravers saw them as an opportunity to market a set of 52 exquisite miniatures . Cardinal Mazarin commissioned 4 sets of educational cards to catch the attention of the young Louis XIV . They gave the anti-Roman Catholic pamphleteers of 17th century England another medium for disseminating their message ; later they had an education purpose for Geography , Heraldry and Astronomy . Transformation cards made their first appearance soon after 1800 and have been sporadically popular ever since ; their aim is to ` transform ' and ordinary pip card into a picture by means of incorporating the pips in their standard positions in a larger overall design . The designs are often extremely witty . The court cards are obvious vehicles for caricatures of an affectionate , or downright vicious , nature . These are just a few examples from the vast range . NATIONAL SUIT SYSTEMS The different suit systems are well illustrated on John McLeod 's Card Games site . French-suited cards : English spades clubs hearts diamonds French pique trefle coeur carreau ( = pikes , clover , hearts , tiles ) German Pik Kreuz Herz Karo ( same , but Kreuz = ` crosses ' ) English ( 52 ) A K Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 French* ( 52,32 ) R D V 1 10 9 8 7 ( 6 5 4 3 2 ) German ( 32 ) A K D B X ( numeral 10 added when indices added ) 9 8 7 * Modern French packs retain the archaic feature of court cards bearing individual names , typically : spades David , Pallas , Hogier clubs Alexandre , Argine , Lancelot hearts Charles , Judith , La Hire diamonds Cesar , Rachel , Hector Although the French named-card tradition goes back to the 16th century the actual names used have varied enormously and the most constant of them have not been applied consistently to the same cards . David , Judith , and possibly Rachel appear to be biblical ; Alexander , Caesar , Hector , and Pallas are classical , as also is Argine ( anagram of regina or corruption of Argea ) ; Lancelot must be drawn from the Matter of Britain . Charles may be Charlemagne , and Hogier his distinguished cousin . Or he may be Charles VII of France , Rachel ( his mistress Agnes Sorel ) , and La Hire , a knight of his court . Or ... English Ace King Queen Jack ( Knave ) French As Roi Dame Valet German As König Dame Bube German and Swiss-suited cards : German Grün Eichel Rot Schellen ( = green , acorns , red , bells ) ( Laub ) ( Herz ) ( leaves ) ( hearts ) Swiss Schilten Eichel Rosen Schellen ( = shields , acorns , roses , bells ) German ( 36 , 32 ) D(A ) K O U 10 9 8 7 ( 6 ) Swiss ( 36 ) D(A ) K O U B 9 8 7 6 German Daus ( As ) König Ober Unter Swiss Daus ( As , Sau ) Konig Ober Under Latin-suited cards : Italian bastoni spade coppe denari ( = batons , swords , cups , coins ) Spanish bastos espadas copas oros ( = clubs , swords , cups , coins ) Italian ( 40 ) R C F 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Spanish ( 48 , 40 ) R C S ( 9 8 ) 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Italian Re Cavallo Fante ( = King , Cavalier , Footsoldier ) Spanish Rey Caballo Sota ( = King , Cavalier , Servant ) Other indexes : Denmark K D B A or K D Kn Es Denmark } Norway } K D Kn 1 or Es or E Sweden } Finland K D Kn 1 K R S 1 Greece B K O A Holland H V B 1 or A Iceland K D G As Lithuania K M B T Poland K D W A Russia K A B T Subject : 3.5 What are the origins of playing-cards ? Playing-cards are believed to have arrived in Europe from the East , specifically as developments of the cards used by the Mamelukes of Egypt . An almost complete pack of Mameluke playing-cards was discovered in the Topkapi Sarayi Museum in Instanbul by L.A. Mayer in 1939 . His discovery remained little known until his original paper was posthumously published in book form in 1971 . By this time it was possible to include details on the fragment of a similar card subsequently identified in a private collection . This pack itself does not predate 1400 , but the ` private ' fragment is tentatively dated to the 12th or 13th centuries . The reconstructed pack consists of 52 cards , with suits of swords , polo-sticks , cups , and coins , numerals from one to ten , and courts labelled ` malik ' ( King ) , ` naib malik ' ( Deputy King ) , and ` thani naib ' ( Second Deputy ) . This is virtually identical with the Italian variety of Latin-suited pack , and the date of the other fragment clinches the argument that the Mameluke pack came first . Furthermore , the Arabic word naib , ` deputy ' , suggests the origin of Italian naibbe and Spanish naipes for the name of the game -- ` the Game of Deputies ' . Evidence is inconclusive as to whether cards arrived in Italy first ( it had the major trade routes ) or Spain ( it was partly occupied by Moors at the time ) but Italy probably was first since the Italian design is closest to the Mameluke design and the Spanish design suggests a later simplification of the Italian design . Since polo was unknown in Europe at this time , the Italians straightened the polo-sticks into ceremonial batons , but retained the other suits . The Spanish design uses knobbly cudgels in their place . Playing-cards are known in Persia and India at this time . Professor Michael Dummett postulates that there may have existed in Persia or central Asia a prototype 48-card game involving four suits with 10 numerals and two courts in each . Known as ` Ganjifeh ' to the Persians , it was transmitted by them to both eastern and western neighbouring cultures . In India the name was taken over as ` Ganjifa ' and the number of suits doubled ( 8 x 12 = 96 ) . In Arabia it became ` Kanjifah ' -- a word appearing in an inscription on one of the Mameluke cards -- and was expanded by the addition of a third court card ( 4 x 13 = 52 ) . Once the craze had hit Europe , it spread rapidly . Cards are first mentioned in Spain in 1371 , described in detail in Switzerland in 1377 , and by 1380 reliably reported from places as far apart as Florence , Basle , Regensburg , Brabant , Paris , and Barcelona . It is hard to push their existence in Europe back any further ; they are notably absent from appropriate passages in Petrach ( 1304-74 ) , Boccaccio ( 1313-75 ) , and Chaucer ( 1343-1400 ) , despite the authors ' evident interest in games . Early cards were individually hand-made and painted , which made them expensive to produce and may at first have restricted the market to the well-to-do . Cheaper products for everyday use are well attested , but they must have disintergrated rapidly and been thrown away in thousands daily , just as they are today . The records make it clear that cards were popular at all levels of at least urban society throughout the 15th century . Some old theories , now discredited : " Cards reached Europe from China in or following the 13th century voyages of Marco Polo " . True , the Chinese did have cards , but trade with them had petered out long before playing-cards were described as new in Europe . Also Chinese cards are too different in kind to have been directly ancestral to the European model . " Cards were found in the baggage of crusaders returning from the east " is unsupported guesswork . Crusading was effectively over by 1300 and cards were not mentioned in Europe before 1371 . " They were introduced by the gypsies " . No , gypsies appeared in Europe some 40 years after cards . " They are derived from a Persian poker-like game called ` As-Nas ' " . As-Nas is not recorded earlier than the 17th century . " Cards are based on Indian 4-sided chess " . This idea has failed to win support since it does not mesh well with generally accepted historical outlines . " Cards were invented by Gringonneur for the amusement of a mad king ( Charles VI of France ) " . This is quite gratuitous . Subject : 3.6 Is it true that Tarot cards have very ancient origins ? The following information was posted to the net by John McLeod . Tarot cards were invented in Renaissance Italy in the early 15th century ( probably some time between 1410 and 1430 ) . The idea was to extend the already existing four-suited deck by adding special cards which could beat any card of the four ordinary suits . These extra cards and the game played with the extended pack were called " trionfi " ( triumphs ) , from which our word trumps is derived . From the 16th century onwards the game and cards came to be known by the alternative name tarocco ( of unknown etymology ) . When the game spread to France , Switzerland and Germany , the word Tarocco became Tarot in French and Tarok in German ( various alternative spellings are found ) . After some initial experiments with number of trumps and number of cards per suit , by the end of the 15th century the 78 card pack with 21 trumps , 14 cards per suit and a fool had become fairly standard , though with some variations in the ordering of the trumps . 62 card packs ( 10 cards per suit ) and 97 card packs ( 40 trumps ) also existed and survived to the 20th century . Until the 18th century ( i.e. for the first 350 years of the existence of Tarot cards ) the suits used were always the standard Latin ( Italian ) suits , the same as in the original four-suited pack . These suits were and are : " spade " ( swords ) , " bastoni " ( batons ) , " coppe " ( cups ) , " denari " ( coins ) . The only variations I know of are that the coins suit was and is sometimes called " ori " ( gold ) and that " bastoni " is often translated as clubs rather than batons - in some designs of cards the suit-marks look more like ceremonial batons ; in others they are rough wooden clubs . In the 18th century the Germans took the practical step of replacing the Italian suits by the French suits of spades , clubs , hearts and diamonds , and placing more prominent numerals ( Arabic or Roman ) on the trumps for easy identification . The Austrians and French later did likewise , but in Italy and parts of Switzerland Italian suited Tarot cards are still used . From the late 18th century , occultists became interested in Tarot cards and began to revise the designs and terminology to suit their purposes and theories . Some of them introduced the term " major arcana " for the trumps , some transformed the coins and batons into pentacles and wands , and some adjusted the names and in some cases the sequence of the trumps . Reference for the early history of Tarot cards : Michael Dummett : Il Mondo e l'Angelo ( Bibliopolis , Naples , 1993 ) ISBN 88-7088-272-1 or if you do not like reading Italian there is a book in English ( though now slightly out of date and sadly out of print ) : Michael Dummett : The Game of Tarot ( Duckworth , London , 1980 ) ISBN 0-7156-1014-7 When card players see writing about Tarot using the terms " major arcana " and " pentacles " in place of trumps and coins they tend to assume that the writer comes from the occult tradition , and is probably more interested in divination than in playing card games . Here in Britain you can get French Tarot packs for about 4 UK pounds ( around $ 6 ) each . I guess they are slightly cheaper if you buy them in France . Looking at Roddy Somerville 's mail order catalogue at http://www.playingcardsales.co.uk/cards we see two makes of 78 card pack available for less than 4 pounds : 11042 French Pattern Tarot ã3.95 Belgium Carta Mundi 11064 French Pattern Tarot ( 403782 ) ã3.95 France France Cartes Subject : 3.7 Societies for people with an interest in playing-cards See page : Playing-Card Societies Subject : 3.8 Museums with interesting collections of playing-cards See page : Museums Subject : 3.9 Books about playing-cards There are thousands of books on playing-cards , a high proportion of which have been written on games played with cards rather than cards per se . As an example , the Bodleian Library in Oxford houses the Jessel collection which consists of 3,500 books on playing-card games . If it is the cards per se which are of interest to you , then there has been a remarkable rise in the level of scholarship in the published works on this topic during the last quarter of the 20th century . Older , less accurate works nevertheless have an historical interest -- but may confuse the beginner in this field . Other printed sources of information besides books should not be overlooked . Exhibition catalogues usually have many excellent illustrations and detailed information on the cards within , as do dealers ' catalogues . Manufacturers ' sample books have provided valuable information for a particular maker . There is a comprehensive list of books in the bibliography . What follows is a starter list of the most essential references . They are not necessarily all books of high scholarship , but may be the only books which illustrate the cards of a particular country in a systematic way . They are the reference works which postal auctions and dealers will refer to to identify a particular pack . ESSENTIAL BOOK LIST [ finish ] Subject : 4 Collecting Subject : 4.1 I collect playing-cards ; where should I look to buy them ? Ordinary sources are stationery shops , but these will normally be standard ( though one can be pleasantly surprised sometimes when an unusual deck is found there ) . The various Societies ( see section 3.7 ) carry announcements of available decks and advertisements by dealers . The CPCC offers a service to its members by purchasing decks not easily available , and placing them on sale at reasonable prices . In addition , there are card auctions offering historical and unusual decks ( as well as individual cards for those who collect specific subjects ) ; once it is known you are a collector , the dealers will either send you auction catalogs or send you an order form to purchase them . If you travel , souvenir cards are available at novelty shops , and many airport kiosks have them also . A very good source is other collectors , who may wish to trade their duplicates or unwanted material ; much of this is done at club meetings . Here is a short list of dealers to get you started . Note that I am not necessarily advocating their services ; they advertise in the specialised journals read by collectors : Name : R. Somerville ( Playing Cards ) Prop : Roderick Somerville ( reads/writes French , Italian , reads Spanish ) Address : Place de la Mairie F-31420 Alan FRANCE Tel : +33 ( 0)5 61 98 76 61 Fax : +33 ( 0)5 61 98 76 10 URL : http://www.playingcardsales.co.uk Somervilles deals in new cards and now has around 2,000 packs in stock from all over the world . For 18 years he ran the most amazing shop in Edinburgh 's Royal Mile but has recently relocated to South-Western France to concentrate on mail order . Occasionally has antique cards to sell . Does mail order , world wide exports , retail and wholesale . Has catalogue of " standard " cards in English . Name : InterCol London Prop : Yasha Beresiner ( reads/writes French , Italian , Spanish , Hebrew , Turkish ) Address : 43 Templars Crescent LONDON N3 3QR England Tel : +44 20 8349 2207 Fax : +44 20 8346 9539 E-mail : yasha@compuserve.com URL : http://www.intercol.co.uk / InterCol deals in new and antique cards both by mail order and from his gallery in London 's famous Camden Passage on Wednesdays and Saturdays ( address 114 Islington High Street , London N1 , Tel : +44 20 7354 2599 ) . Produces a catalogue at irregular intervals in English text . Also deals in banknotes , old maps and ephemera . Name : Kendal Playing Card Sales Prop : Lorna and Maurice Collett ( reads German , French , Italian ) Address : 3 Oakbank House Skelsmergh KENDAL Cumbria LA8 9AJ England Tel : +44 1539 722055 Fax : - E-mail : - Dealers in old and unusual cards by mail order . Fixed price list issued at irregular intervals . Send International Reply Coupon or $ 1.00 bill for list . Name : HAVA GETZ IMAGES Prop : Hava Getz ( speaks English , Hebrew , and Thai ) P.O. Box 6 Markfield LEICESTER LE67 9ZY United Kingdom Tel : +44 1530 244354 Fax : +44 1530 244354 E-mail : hgimages@dircon.co.uk URL : http://www.hgimages.dircon.co.uk / Hava deals by mail , and , although a beginner , has a large stock of playing-cards , producing several lists , and also deals with many other types of collectibles for which lists are also available . Name : MGM/Joker KG Prop : ? Address : Stiglmaierplatz 2 D-80333 MUNCHEN Germany Tel : +49 89/52 33 660 & 52 34 362 Fax : +49 89/52 53 93 E-mail : kontakt@mgm-joker.de URL : http://www.muenzgalerie.de/spielkarten/spiel_index_gb.htm MGM deal mainly in superior antique cards but also handle new cards ( especially tarots ) . Can sign up for a beautifully produced catalogue which is published twice a year with text in German and English ( if you do n't order anything you must pay for the catalogue to receive the next ) . Will also respond to requests for cards in stock via fax ( which is easier for non-speakers of German ) . Also deals in coins and banknotes , etc. Name : Cartorama Prop : Jean Darquenne ( reads/writes English , French , reads Dutch , Italian , Spanish ) Address : Oberdorf 23 D-37308 Krombach Germany Tel : +49-36082 48200 Fax : +49-36082 48201 E-mail : cartorama@CARTORAMA.de URL : http://www.cartorama.de / Deals in superior antique cards and paper ephemera by mail order and produces a well-illustrated catalogue in German and English at regular intervals ( again , if you do n't buy anything you must pay for the catalogue which is ã10 or $ 20 ) . Name : Iris Mundus Prop : Salvador Tena Fuentes ( reads/writes French , English , Italian ) Address : Manoel de Falla 29 E-08034 Barcelona Spain Tel : +34 203 55 15 / 203 28 84 Fax : - E-mail : - Deals by post and at premises in cards of all kinds and produces well illustrated catalogues ( Spanish text ) at regular intervals . Name : Madame Monique Gillet Prop : Madame Monique Gillet ( reads/writes French , English , German ) Address : Chemin du Mottey 3 CH-1020 Renens Switzerland Tel : +41-21-25 76 70 Fax : - E-mail : monique.gillet@bluewin.ch Deals by post in cards produced from 1950-1986 . Send SFr . 15 for a catalogue . Name : Ind Kraft Prop : D.M. Parikh ( reads/writes English ) Address : 1 Tuckers Lane Madras 600001 India Tel : +91 44 522 2222 Fax : +91 44 522 7993 E-mail : indkraft@yahoo.com Specialises in the manufacture and sale of hand-painted Indian playing-cards . Name : Kardwell International Address : PO Box 775 Orient NY 11957-0775 USA Tel : +1-516-323 3880 ( or freephone 1-800-233-0828 ) Fax : +1-516-323 3904 E-mail : KemCards@KEM.COM URL : http://www.kardwell.com / Retail and wholesale gaming supplies vendor . Sells cards , card tables , poker chips , etc. , etc. Will supply catalogue on request . Does custom back designs . Avoid www.newtscards.com unless you live within the USA . They will not accept orders whose credit card information is not for a USA address and will not ship outside of the USA -- but they do n't tell you this until you try to register . Subject : 4.2 How do I store my collection of playing-cards ? [ This section has yet to be written. ] Subject : 4.3 How do I display my collection of playing-cards ? [ This section has yet to be written. ] Subject : 4.4 How do I date a pack ? Well , there 's carbon dating , but this is somewhat destructive and expensive for the average pack which comes the way of a collector :-> . Failing that there are a number of indications which could be helpful . 4.4.1 Appearance : The first is obviously appearance -- tempered with some words of caution from Sylvia Mann ( from " collecting Playing Cards " ) : " The problem of dating cards is always a headache for the collector , paricularly as one must inevitably rely on one 's own knowledge and judgement . As regards Italy , the problem is complicated by the fact that , of all card-players throughout the world , the Italians are by far the most violent , and a pack of modern cards can have an almost antique appearance at the end of a short train journey . " Remember also , that certain designs returned into fashion many years after being originally issued and were therefore re-issued as facsimiles . Plus , instances of deliberate faking are not unknown . 4.4.2 Suit system in use : The first European suit systems were Italian and Spanish . Local manufacturers in the late 14th and early 15th century invented suits and courtly figures at whim . Not until the latter part of the 15th century did standardized versions of the major national packs start to emerge from the designers ' anarchy . Nearly all the suitmarks of traditional Swiss and German packs appear individually before 1450 and in complete systems perhaps by 1475 . Spades , hearts , clubs and diamonds first appeared in France about 1480 . No one knows when cards first reached England ; Chaucer ( 1343-1400 ) makes no mention of them despite his interest in games and his ( and others ' ) familiarity with France and matters French . Cards were mentioned in one of the Paston letters . No unquestionably English games is mentioned before the 1520s , and the oldest surviving English cards date from 1590 hence the earliest English cards bore the Latin suitmark of swords , clubs , cups and coins . 4.4.3 Manufacturer 's marks : Playing-card makers usually stamped their work with their name or a trademark , thus looking up the maker in one of the references ( see the Bibliography section above ) gives a possible range of dates . The names , addresses and trademarks of the companies tended to change over time , e.g. the English maker Hall was active between 1802 and 1806 ; thereafter the cards were stamped " Hall & Son " . 4.4.4 Edges on Italian cards : Italian cards were originally made with the back folded over and stuck down to form a border on the face of the card to protect its edges ( cards were always made by pasting several layers of paper together , and tended to fall apart with use ) . This practice was also taken up by Spanish-suited cards ; it persisted longer in some parts of Italy than in others . The last Italian pack to be issued with turnover edges was published in 1957 ; prior to that the practice had ceased c.1930 . 4.4.5 Corners : Rounded corners ( unless rounded by enthusiastic use ) were not known before c.1875 . 4.4.6 Single- or double-ended ? : Early cards were single-ended . Double-ended cards originated in the later 18th century , and spread slowly from one standard pattern to another , rather than from country to country ; some standard patterns , such as the Neapolitan and Sicilian , have not adopted it yet . Amongst the earliest pack to go double-headed was the Tarocco Bolognese ; and , although single-ended French-suited Tarot packs were produced up to about 1840 , double-headed ones appeared as early as 1780 . The earliest double-headed French-suited regular pack was produced in Austria in the late 18th century , and , among Italian-suited packs , those using the Venetian pattern assumed a double-headed form at about the same time . The Paris pattern , used throughout france , became double-headed in 1827 , and by 1830 double-headed cards were more common than single-ended ones in most European countries . Britain and the USA lagged behind other Western countries in this matter : double-headed cards first appeared in England soon after 1850 , and became established only in the 1860s ; in the United States the earliest example is from 1861 , but the form took root only in the 1870s . ( source is Michael Dummett 's " The Game of Tarot " ) 4.4.7 Backs : In England and the USA decorated card backs were a mid 19th century phenomenon , having previously been plain . In other countries patterned backs have been in use for far longer . 4.4.8 Printing processes : Apart from the early non-standard engraved cards which were black and white and had illustrations on each card , most playing-cards until the mid 19th century were made from wood-blocks and were hand-coloured by stencil . Some countries , however , continued to use this printing method until the 20th century . By and large , though , playing-card makers adopted new printing methods shortly after they were introduced , included lithography , photolithography , photogravure , etc. The standard work in Britain to help identify a printing process from its appearance is How to Identify Prints by Bamber Gascoigne ( ISBN 0-500-23454-X , 1986 and still in print ) . 4.4.9 Indexes : From about the mid 19th century many ( not all ) cards make their values clearly distinguishable if held in the ` fan ' position by index letters and numerals at the corners . They are an American invention from shortly before 1870 . They were adopted in most European countries in the 1890s , though Austria and Italy have been resistant . 4.4.10 Jokers : The ` Best Bower ' was invented for use in the game of Euchre in which two of the Jacks are named Right and Left Bower ; this happened during the 1860s in the USA . ` Bower ' is a corruption of the German word ` Bauer ' used in Alsace , from where Euchre or Juker originated as the ordinary word for ` Jack ' . This card evolved into the Joker during the 1870s . The Joker arrived in Europe in the 1880s along with the game of Poker . It was gradually incorporated into French-suited packs with 52 cards . 4.4.11 Tax stamps : Remember that tax stamps on cards have an area of inaccuracy ranging between zero and 50 years or more since old stocks of cards may not have been released for many years ; the blocks may be reused time and again , or even sold to another maker . For example , a Trappola pack made in Stralsund c.1885 reappeared 1936-9 with an Altenburg tax stamp of the Nazi period . There is much information regarding tax stamps spread among many sources . See the tax stamps page , a guide to information sources compiled by Peter Endebrock. [ end of section on tax stamps ] Finally , more words from Sylvia Mann ( from " Collecting Playing Cards " ) : " Identification of cards can only be a matter of perseverance and practice . " Subject : 4.5 How do I find out the value of a pack ? In the same way that you would value any other item ; a thing is worth what someone will pay for it . First you have to clearly identify the pack . A rare item will command a higher price than one which is common . A complete pack will command a higher price than one which has cards missing . A pack with all cards in good condition will command a higher price than one which has been much played with and is worn or which has been defaced or torn . Packs which are inherently ` pretty ' ( such as transformation decks , or packs with beautiful designs executed in many colours and gilding ) will command a higher price than those which are visually unremarkable . Packs produced in rare circumstances are also more valuable ( such as those produced during the fervour of the French Revolution when card-makers hacked away the crowns of the court cards on their wood-blocks ) . Those who earn a living from dealing in cards professionally are well-versed in all aspects of playing-card history and often have an encyclopedic knowledge of makers and tax stamps and other pointers to a pack 's age . They will also be aware of a pack 's relative scarcity . They will attend the major ( and minor ) auctions where playing-cards are sold and will make notes on the value they realise . They will buy packs which they can sell for a profit and have a clear idea of a figure they will be able to realise on their sale . Anyone willing to apply the necessary time and energy to these matters will eventually accumulate the necessary knowledge to be able to value cards . If you do n't have the time yourself , then it may be worth your while to pay a professional to value the items for you . Another good way to see what other people are being offered for their cards is to check out the online playing-card auctions on Ebay . Another approach is to take a few of your packs along to your local society meeting ( see section 3.7 ) . There are likely to be experts present ( amateur or professional ) who would be willing to offer an opinion . If your packs are rare then you also offer fellow collectors a chance to view cards that they may otherwise never see . Subject : 4.6 How do I turn an idea for a pack into reality ? For customised fronts I cannot speak from experience other than by the artists 's hand printed via your friendly local offset printer . This will not produce " professional looking " ( i.e. plastic-coated cards with rounded corners and " playable " with ) cards . The mainstream European card printers ( such as Carta Mundi in Belgium ) will require a large print run before printing an individual 's design becomes an economic proposition . For those living in the UK there are two printers with the appropriate equipment to produce professional playing-cards . These are : Games and Print Services based in Canvey Island , Essex . This link gives details of their portfolio of backs and fronts to select from . They can also do completely customised cards and an estimate form can be filled in via their web page . Richard Edward Ltd. , based in London . Contact details are : Richard Edward Ltd. 151 Nathan Way London SE28 0AB Tel : 020 8311 8888 URL : http://www.richard-edward.com Gunther Anderson ( gunther@world.std.com ) has offered the following thoughts : I have no personal experience with publishing playing cards in any form . I 'm daydreamed about it , but never pursued anything . So that means I could n't tell you how good or bad anyone is . Do , definitely , give a call to your local printers and specialty promotions companies , to see what they can offer you . Have a good idea in your head beforehand what you want , though . The questions they 're going to ask are : Do you have a special design for the backs ? How many special faces do you have ( i.e. only the " face cards " would amount to 12 special cards. ) How many colors do you want for the backs ? For the faces ? What kind of artwork will you be providing ? How many decks do you want ? I 've never seen anywhere that did runs of less than 300 , and you only start to see good prices around 1,000 . As a hypothetical sort of deck , imagine I wanted to do a deck of cards with drawings about the work of Poe . My answers would be : Special back design , 2 colors ( black and red , with white not counting ) . 54 face designs ( 52 cards + 2 jokers ) , 3 colors ( black , red and green ) . I will be providing color-separated print-outs at 5X size ( actually , I have no idea what sort of artwork they want , so I recommend asking , " Well , what would you like ? " ) . Let 's do a run of 500 , and watch me lose lots of money trying to sell them . Another hypothetical deck would be pictures of 16 members of my immediate family . 1-color backs with a family crest , 16 special faces ( JQKA in all four suits ) , in 4-color half-tone , which means , really , full color . I had better supply them with the separations myself . If this route is a bit involved , you might consider buying decks of blank cards , and trying to handle the decoration personally . Hey , it 'd be a neat unit on block printing ... I know for a fact that Mabel 's House of Music sells blank cards , but I 'm sure other people do as well . I just like Mabel 's : http://www.mabels.com / . Finally , if you do n't find what you want locally , try this place . Promotionalproducts.com is a collective of local advertising resale houses . Start at Promotionalproducts.com Click on " Search for Products " Click on " Location " Pick your closest location , city , metropolitan area , what have you . Pick a place . Click on " Product By Category " Click on " Cards - Playing " Look over their offerings . Last I looked , " Liberty " was the only product line which supported custom faces . The rest are all just custom backs . When you look at their pricing , you 'll see that your decks will run , for full-color , 54-card decks with all special faces , about $ 6 apiece in quantity . They 're not cheap , but perhaps you can make sense of it . Message received from Melissa Norsten ( mnorsten@uswest.net ) , 11th November 2000 : Besides Liberty , there are several playing card maufacturers in the United States that will customize both the backs and faces of playing cards . Two smaller manufacturers are Apollo and Gemaco . Three larger maufacturers are Hoyle , Paulson and U. S. Playing Cards . Minimums to produce vary with manufactuer . Some will go as low as 400 decks , while others will not consider an order less than 5,000 . The questions that you listed are a good beginning for the information that a manufacturer will need to provide a quote for custom decks . Most will prefer that the art is in digital form and can provide their specifications . Subject : 4.7 Where do I go to get cards backs printed with my custom design ? Kardwell International and GEMACO offer customised backs as one of their services . Kardwell International Address : PO Box 775 Orient NY 11957-0775 Tel : +1-516-323 3880 ( or freephone 1-800-233-0828 ) Fax : +1-516-323 3904 E-mail : KemCards@KEM.COM URL : http://www.kardwell.com / GEMACO Playing Card Company Address : 2925 N. 7 Hwy Blue Springs MO 64014 Tel : +1-816-220 1300 ( or freephone 1-800-227-3765 ) Fax : +1-816-220 1884 E-mail : jfitzhugh@Gemacocards.com URL : http://www.gemacocards.com / See also section 4.6 above . Subject : 5 GAMES Answers to several of the following questions can be found on the Card Games site , which is edited by John McLeod . Subject : 5.1 History , Types and Distribution of Card Games The best general reference on this is David 's Parlett ' s book The Oxford Guide to Card Games ( Oxford University Press 1990 ) . This has been reprinted by the same publisher , without illustrations , under the title A History of Card Games . 5.1.1 How many different card games are there ? It depends what you count as different - what you might see as two different games , I might count as two variations of the same game . It is also common to find the same game going under many different names . Depending on what you count as a game , a rough estimate would be that there are between 1,000 and 10,000 games . An classification of the main types of card games can be found on the classified index page of the Card Games site . 5.1.2 What were the earliest card games ? As with questions about the origins of playing cards , this question cannot be answered with certainty . In fact the situation is more uncertain for the games than for the cards they were played with . Although a few packs of very early playing-cards survive there is practically no European literature giving detailed descriptions of how to play any card games before the 17th century , some 250 years after their introduction into Europe . We can therefore only rely on fragmentary references , and reconstructions based on later games . It seems likely that the earliest European card games included trick taking games without trumps and hand comparison games . Trumps were introduced in the fifteenth century . The earliest known games with trumps are Karnöffel and Tarot ( which was originally known as Trionfi ). 5.1.3 What card games are played in xxxxx country or region ? For some countries , this question is answered on the national and regional card games page of the card games site . 5.1.4 What games are played with Tarot cards ? See the Tarot section in the card games site . The standard reference on this is Michael Dummett ' s book The Game of Tarot ( Duckworth 1980 ) . 5.1.5 I have a pack of yyyyy cards . What games are usually played with them ? For many types of cards , this question is answered on the national and regional card games page of the card games site . Subject : 5.2 Rules of Games ; Playing Games 5.2.1 Who was Hoyle ? Edmond Hoyle , who died in London in 1769 , wrote a highly successful Short Treatise on the Game of Whist , containing the laws of the game ; and also some Rules whereby a Beginner may , with due attention to them , attain to the Playing it well ... He followed this with similar treatises on other games : Backgammon , Piquet , Quadrille and Chess . These books were widely pirated and plagiarised , and after his death the name of Hoyle came to be attached to compendiums of games from a wide variety of publishers and authors . This continues to this day , though the books no longer have any connection with Hoyle 's original works and contain mostly games which Hoyle could never have heard of . Hoyle 's name is used , especially in the USA , to suggest ( often quite spuriously ) that the boo