The BCS/IET Manchester Turing Lecture - Manchester Branch

Manchester Branch Newsletter
The Voice of the BCS in Greater Manchester
Issue 4 January 2007
Welcome to the fourth edition of the BCS Manchester Branch Newsletter. For the more observant amongst you:
there was no October Newsletter and yes, Quarterly has now disappeared. The next edition of this Newsletter is
scheduled for mid-summer (and I can’t wait – for summer that is!). If you have any comments, queries or suggestions
on anything raised in this newsletter then please contact me (details on the back cover). And remember, this is your
Branch and your Society.
With best wishes for 2007,
Andrew Mohan,
Chairman, BCS Manchester Branch.
The BCS/IET Manchester Turing Lecture
The Promise, The Limits, and The Beauty of Software
by Grady Booch, Chief Scientist IBM
Monday 22 nd January 2007
Within this generation, software has changed the way that individuals collaborate, organizations do business,
economies operate, and cultures interact.
Software-intensive systems can amplify human intelligence, but they cannot replace human judgement; softwareintensive
systems can fuse, coordinate, classify, and analyze information, but they cannot create knowledge.
Although software offers seemingly limitless promise, there are some very real limits to what software can do. Not
everything we want to build can be built: there exist pragmatic theoretical and technical limits that make software
development hard, if not in some cases impossible.
Furthermore, not everything we want to build should be built: there exist moral, economic, social, and political limits
that govern human industry.
Software-intensive systems are perhaps the most intellectually complex artefacts created by humans, and while the
majority of individuals in the civilized world rely on software in their daily lives, few of them understand the essential
complexity therein, the labour required to create such artefacts, and the beautiful and elegant chaos of their
architecture.
In this presentation, we will examine the promise, the limits and the beauty of software, as well as offer some
conclusions that can be drawn from the last 60 years of software and some expectations and cautions for the next
generation.
9th Turing Lecture
The all-pervasive nature of the general-purpose computer has made the most profound mark on almost every aspect
of our lives.
In honour and recognition of Turing's contribution in the field of computing, the BCS and IET established the Turing
Lecture in 1998. Grady Booch’s lecture represents the ninth lecture in the series and the third to be held in Manchester.
Booking Essential
Register at www.cs.manchester.ac.uk/Turing2007 (or contact the Chairman, details on back cover). Lecture will be held
in Lecture Theatre 1.1, Kilburn Building, School of Computer Science, University Of Manchester 5.30pm for 6.00pm.
The British Computer Society (BCS) is the leading body for those working in IT. BCS was incorporated by Royal
Charter in 1984. Its objects are to promote the study and practice of computing and to advance knowledge of and
education in IT for the benefit of the public. BCS is also a registered charity.
This newsletter was produced and posted with the support of:
MrB Book-keeping & Consultancy Services (0161-736 8477, www.mrbbookkeeping.co.uk) and Oldham Colourprint (0161-633 2044).
British Computer Society, Manchester Branch Newsletter, © Copyright BCS 2007.

Public good – an ethical dilemma
ID Cards and the NHS National Programme are two
current and highly contentious IT projects. They also
raise an ethical dilemma as to how BCS should respond
in terms of the public good.
Should BCS take an active role in bringing concerns
of an ethical nature involving the use of IT to the
public's attention? Dr. Richard Jennings MBCS, a
member of the BCS’s Ethics Expert Panel, recently
posed this question in an article entitled “Professional
organizations and political action - is there an ethical
issue?”.
This article explores the BCS’s Code of Conduct to
see what grounds there may be for BCS to express
political opinions and whether the Society should take a
political stand on matters involving IT.
The Ethics Expert Panel's purpose is to function as
both a pro-active and monitoring body to help BCS
members and the public at large to enjoy the benefits
of IT whilst making them aware of existing and
potential ethical misuse and ways of avoiding damage
to the public good.
The above points raise another important issue: where
does this Branch fit in?
The ability to criticise an IT project depends upon
your professional ability and knowledge. Indeed, BCS
has responded to and criticised the ID Card Scheme
and NHS National Programme, and suggested possible
improvements to them. With the relevantly qualified
BCS body authoring such reports.
The BCS has even, through various articles that have
appeared in the press, been able to inform the public
that such schemes are problematic.
Is however the identification of problematic IT
development and systems defending the public good?
Do you think the Branch should have an opinion on
such matters? If it should, then the question of how
that can be communicated to the wider BCS arises.
Ultimately, and more importantly, how should such an
opinion be expressed to the public?
www.thebigoptout.org
The NHS Confidentiality campaign was set up to
protect patient confidentiality and to provide a focus
for patient-led opposition the government’s NHS Care
Records System. NHS Care Records are currently being
rolled out and will form a huge national database of
patient medical records and personal information
(sometimes referred to as the NHS ’spine’) with no
opt-in or opt-out mechanism for patients at all. It is
very much akin to the government’s proposed ID
database.
The main questions raised in the article are given
below.
• Should BCS oppose the practice of computing
when it is not for the benefit of the public?
• If BCS is to take a political stand on matters such
as the ID Card, how does it decide what is for the
benefit of the public, or what is potentially
damaging to the public good?
• With contested matters such as ID Cards, by what
mechanism can members engage in the
formulation of BCS’s political opinion?
• How should the BCS then express its opinion?
The full article by Dr. Jennings is available at:
www.bcs.org/server.php?show=ConWebDoc.2957.
The BCS’s Code of Conduct can be viewed at:
www.bcs.org/codeofconduct.
The Branch – A Mechanism to Express Your Opinion?
The purpose of this article is to let you have your say
on two important matters that could and will (unless
things change) affect everyone in this country. IT is
being used to fulfil a political end. Should we, as IT
professionals, join in the debate?
Given below are two organisations that oppose the
ID Card Scheme and the NHS Care Records System.
Their opposition is not to the IT but the uses to which
it is being put. Should the BCS, or this Branch, support
such organisations as a means to express an opinion on
these matters to the general public?
You can express your opinion on this matter by
writing to the Chairman or engaging in the BCS’s
Ethics or Health Informatics Forum.
Chairman’s Note:
If there is sufficient interest in this matter then a
debate can be arranged for the Branch’s AGM in May.
www.no2id.net
NO2ID is the UK-wide, non-partisan campaign
opposing the government's planned ID card and
National Identity Register.
We bring together individuals and organisations from
all sections of the community and seek to ensure that
the case against ID cards and the database state is
forcefully put forward in the media, in the corridors of
power and at grassroots level.
We continue to actively campaign on all fronts for the
abolition of the ID scheme and repeal of the Identity
Cards Act 2006.
(The inclusion of the above information does not imply any support for these organisations by BCS.)
BCS Manchester Branch Newsletter © Copyright BCS 2007 2

WARPs
At December’s e-Crime talk the subject of WARPs
(Warning, Advice and Reporting Points, see
www.warp.gov.uk for further details) was introduced.
The Branch will be reporting further on these in
forthcoming newsletters.
However for those who weren’t there, WARPs are
part of the National Infrastructure Security Coordination
Centre’s (NISCC) Information sharing
strategy to help combat the increasing risk of electronic
attack on our information systems.
The North West Emergency Services WARP
(www.nwewarp.org.uk) is operated by the School of
Computing and Mathematical Sciences at Liverpool
John Moores University with support from the UK
Government Cabinet Office (CSIA), NISCC and
SELEX Communications Ltd.
Manchester to Offer Free wi-fi Access
A number of articles in the press have reported on
Manchester City Council’s intention to provide free
wireless internet access. Reports indicate that the area
covered by this will include 2.2 million people.
The Branch should be involved in such a major IT
project, particularly ensuring that the security aspect is
covered. If you are interested in exploring this further
please contact the Chairman.
Become a bureau trustee in Greater Manchester
The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their
legal, money and other problems by providing free,
independent and confidential advice, and by
influencing policymakers. They are currently seeking
professional people to become a trustee of their local
bureau. If you are interested, further details are
available at:
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
bureau_trustee_greater_manchester
What do you do for the BCS?
As a member of the BCS you could be involved in
interviewing potential members, working on
Knowledge Services Board, or a host of other activities.
If you are doing such things, then please tell us about
why you do it, how other interested members can
become involved, and how the Branch can help.
AGM 2007
The Branch AGM will take place on Wednesday, 16 th
May, 2007 at 6.15pm in the Renold Building, University
of Manchester, Sackville Street, Manchester.
Manchester Branch Web Site – RSS Feeds
Your branch website contains information about your
committee and current events and news that may be of
interest to you. The website also offers RSS feeds,
giving you a new way to receive information about
current events. For more information about RSS feeds
offered by our site visit: www.bcsmanchester.org.uk.
Branch Update
BCS-QAA deal to benefit academic regulation
BCS and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher
Education (QAA) have agreed to work more closely in
their higher education activities relating to computing.
(See www.bcs.org/news for further details).
The BCS in Greater Manchester
In the Greater Manchester area, the BCS comprises
many active groups. A list of events held by these
groups and how to contact them can be found on the
back page of this newsletter. You are welcome to
attend any of their meetings. A brief overview of these
groups is given here:
AgileNorth Specialist Group - a forum for technical
and business people who wish to learn and share their
experiences of becoming and being agile.
Computer Conservation Society - dedicated to the
conservation, restoration, and preservation of early
computers, software, and other digital records of
historical importance.
Health Informatics (Northern) Specialist Group -
promotes the theory and practice of using IT
responsibly in health care.
Manchester Branch – enables BCS members to
maintain contact with other professionals in their area,
keep abreast of current developments and have a real
input to their Society.
Methods and Tools Specialist Group - a forum for
the exchange of knowledge and practical experience of
methods and tools for the effective and efficient
development and maintenance of information systems.
Quality Specialist Group (North West) - in
association with Improve QPI Ltd, organises one-day
seminars on topics relating to IT Quality Management,
and the application of standards.
Professional Engineering Development Handbook
There are still a few copies of the PED handbook
from the Branch. This handbook covers events for all
engineering institutions in the North West of England.
If you want a copy please contact the Chairman.
BCS and Scouts Photo Competition
Scouts are snapping their vision of technology for a
chance to win a top-of-the-range digital camera and
camcorder!
More information on the Scouts’s website
www.scouts.org.uk/magazine/DecJan06/p90.html.
And now for something completely different…..
Have a look at www.saynoto0870.com.
BCS celebrates
BCS Manchester Branch Newsletter © Copyright BCS 2007 3

Thursday, 11 th January 2007
The Eye and Diabetes
Health Informatics (Northern) SG &
BCS Manchester Branch
Speaker: Dr. Tim Morris,
School of Informatics, Uni. of Manchester
Venue: Manchester Conference Centre,
Weston Building, Sackville Street, M1 3BB
Time: 6:15pm Buffet, 7.00pm Talk
Monday, 15 th January 2007
I'm not a Bottleneck,
I'm a free man!
AgileNorth SG
Speaker David Draper & Kevin Rutherford
Venue: Room CM018, Computing &
Technology Building. University of Central
Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE
Time: 7.00pm Talk
Tuesday, 16th January 2007
System 4 to
New Range Architecture
Computer Conservation Society
Speaker: Peter Wharton
Venue: Museum of Science and Industry,
Liverpool Rd, Manchester
Time: 5.00pm for 5.30pm
Monday, 22 nd January, 2007
The BCS/IET Manchester
Turing Lecture
Speaker: Grady Booch, Chief Scientist IBM
Venue: Lecture Theatre 1.1, Kilburn Building,
School of Computer Science,
Uni. Of Manchester
Time: 5.30pm for 6.00pm
Booking required for this meeting.
Thursday, 8 th February, 2007
Keeping Digital Data for Ever
BCS Manchester Branch
Speaker: David Holdsworth, Senior Visiting
Researcher, Leeds University Information
Systems Services
Venue: Renold Building, Uni. of Manchester
(UMIST campus), M60 1QD
Time: 6:15pm Buffet, 6.45pm Talk
AgileNorth Specialist Group
Contact: Kevin Rutherford
agilenorth@groups.yahoo.com
http://agilenorth.org.uk
Computer Conservation Society
Contact: William Gunn
william.gunn@ntlworld.com
01663-764 997
www.bcs.org/sg/ccs
Chairman
Andrew Mohan
Vice Chairman & Webmaster
Eur Ing Tony Addyman
Secretary
Dorothy Balmer
Treasurer
Christine Arrowsmith
BCS Manchester Diary
Thursday, 15 th February, 2007
Delivering CfH PACS &
Ensuring Benefits are Realised
Health Informatics (Northern) SG
Speaker: Kathy Mason,
National Implementation Director, PACS
Venue: Manchester Conference Centre,
Weston Building, Sackville Street, M1 3BB
Time: 6:15pm Refreshments, 7.00pm Talk
Tuesday 20th February 2007
Elliots & Borehamwood -
1947 to 1967
Computer Conservation Society
Speaker: Simon Lavington
Venue: Museum of Science and Industry,
Liverpool Rd, Manchester
Time: 5.00pm for 5.30pm
Tuesday 20th March 2007
Bits and Pieces
- A Hands on Look at
Unseen Museum Artefacts
Computer Conservation Society
Speaker Jenny Wetton
Venue: Museum of Science and Industry,
Liverpool Rd, Manchester
Time: 5.00pm for 5.30pm
Thursday, 22 nd March, 2007
Decision Support in Primary Care
Health Informatics (Northern) SG
Speaker: Dr. Francois Dupuits,
Uni. of Maastrict
Venue: Manchester Conference Centre,
Weston Building, Sackville Street, M1 3BB
Time: 6:15pm Refreshments, 7.00pm Talk
Tuesday, 3 rd April, 2007
NHS Connecting for Health
– The Clinicians’ View
Health Informatics (Northern) SG
Speaker: Prof. Mike Pringle & Barbara Stuttle,
National Clinical Leads
Venue: Manchester Conference Centre,
Weston Building, Sackville Street, M1 3BB
Time: 6:15pm Refreshments, 7.00pm Talk
Contacts and Further Details
Manchester Branch
Contact: Andrew Mohan
Andrew_Mohan@bcs.org.uk
0161-736 1276
www.bcsmanchester.org.uk
Methods and Tools Specialist Group
Contact: Keith Miller
K.Miller@mmu.ac.uk
www.methodsandtools.bcs.org
Manchester Branch Committee
General members
Darren Garsden
Dr. Sybil Hirsh
Denny Locker
George Nicholson
Prof. Bernard Richards
Dr. Richard Zobel
Tuesday, 17 th April, 2007
Disaster Mitigation of
Natural Disasters
IET & BCS Manchester Branch
Speaker: Dr. Richard Zobel
Venue: Renold Building Uni. of Manchester
(UMIST campus), M60 1QD
Time: 6:00pm Buffet, 6.30pm Talk
Tuesday, 1 st May, 2007
NHS Connecting for Health
– An LSP’s View
Health Informatics (Northern) SG
Speaker: Andrew Spence,
NHS Programme Director, CSC Alliance
Venue: Manchester Conference Centre,
Weston Building, Sackville Street, M1 3BB
Time: 6:15pm Refreshments, 7.00pm Talk
Wednesday, 16 th May, 2007
AGM
BCS Manchester Branch
Venue: Renold Building Uni. of Manchester
(UMIST campus), M60 1QD
Time: 6:15pm Buffet, 6.45pm Talk
Wednesday, 6 th June, 2007
Smart Garments
Health Informatics (Northern) SG
Speaker: Dr. Paul Beatty,
Uni. of Manchester
Venue: Manchester Conference Centre,
Weston Building, Sackville Street, M1 3BB
Time: 6:15pm Refreshments, 7.00pm Talk
Thursday, 14 th June, 2007
Reliability, Maintenance,
Environment & Risk
BCS Manchester Branch
Speaker: Dr. Richard Zobel
Venue: Renold Building Uni. of Manchester
(UMIST campus), M60 1QD
Time: 6:15pm Buffet, 6.45pm Talk
www.bcsmanchester.org.uk
for details and links to all BCS groups in
Manchester.
Health Informatics Specialist Group
Contact: Dr Roger Roycroft
roger@roycroft.eclipse.co.uk
01625-861 509
www.bcs-nmsg.org.uk
Quality Specialist Group (North West)
Contact: Kevin Daily
qsg@improveqpi.com
www.improveqpi.com
Correspondence Address
BCS Manchester Branch
c/o 23 Tenbury Close
SALFORD
M6 5BJ
Or email:
Andrew_Mohan@bcs.org.uk
BCS Manchester Branch Newsletter © Copyright BCS 2007 4