Abstract :
"Minicomputers – Trends and Applications" was the title of a symposium held at the National Bureau of Standards on March 1, 1972. Attended by a capacity audience of over 640, the symposium was sponsored by the IEEE Computer Society\´s Eastern Area Committee and Washington, D. C. Chapter. Chairman of the symposium was James A. Cunningham of the National Weather Service who was assisted by Program Co-chairmen Thomas N. Pyke, Jr., of NBS nd Paul L. Hazan of the Singer Company as well as other active Washington area Computer Society members. Welcoming remarks were given by Dr. Ruth M. Davis, Director of the NBS Center for Computer Sciences and Technology. The keynote address, "Minicomputers – A Challenge in the 70\´s", was presented by Kenneth Olsen, President of the Digital Equipment Corporation. Speakers and panel members were chosen to represent a broad perspective of the field. Included in the program were two panel discussions intended to furnish practical advice to users on the proper selection and use of minicomputers.