LINGUIST List 4.378

Sun 16 May 1993

Qs: Software at LSA

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1. John Paolillo, Query -- software and linguists

<rogersepas.utoronto.ca> asked people about their general software
needs/desires in linguistics. This brings to mind another question
that has been on my mind for some time -- one concerning the display
of software at LSA annual meetings. About two years ago, John Lawler
organized a very successful, well attended and interesting set
of presentations addressing the use(s) of computers in linguistics,
both for teaching and for research. It was decided that this should
become an annual part of the LSA meeting. Unfortunately, last year's
event (I think many will agree) was rather disappointing. The number
of presentations was far smaller, and all were rather poorly attended.
I am afraid that lack of interest will set in and that the software
exhibit will die in the near future. This would be a shame, since
the software exhibit stands to be crucially important in the modernization
of the field of linguistics, by bringing people together and informing
them about computational tools that are available and projects that
are under way.
 My query to LINGUISTs: What was wrong with the software exhibit?
What in your mind could the LSA do to make the exhibit successful?
Or, more negatively, was there anything that was done *right* about it?
Is there anything that should not be changed? If people post publicly,
it might be good (the LSA could be listening). If people send messages
to me, I'll post a summary.
 Thanks,
John C. Paolillo
Linguistics Program, University of Texas at Arlington.