Iterations: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Software History

Last revised: 13 September 2002

About Iterations

Iterations is a new journal published by the Charles Babbage Institute (CBI) to provide an electronic forum for scholarship and other discourse on the history of software. It is launched as a component of CBI's NSF-sponsored software history project, "Building a Future for Software History."

Editorial Board

Dr. Martin Campbell-Kelly, Prof. of Computer Science, University of Warwick
Dr. Mary Croarken, Sackler Fellow at the National Maritime Museum-Greenwich
Dr. Peter Denning, Prof. of Computer Science, George Mason University
Dr. Paul Edwards, Prof. of STS, University of Michigan
Dr. Bernard Galler, Prof. of Computer Science, Emeritus, University of Michigan
Mr. Martin Goetz, President of Goetz Associates and Past President of ADR
Dr. Casimir Kulikowski, Prof. of Computer Science, Rutgers University
Dr. Michael Mahoney, Prof. of History, Princeton University
Dr. Raúl Rojas, Prof. of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Univ. Berlin

Editor: Jeffrey R. Yost
Associate Editor: Philip L. Frana

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should submit to Iterations?

Iterations is open to anyone interested in presenting original work in the emerging discipline of software history. Iterations provides an outlet for scholarly articles on software history, a forum for first hand accounts of significant events and developments in software, reviews, and feedback from readers and authors. Analyses of software history that draw upon perspectives and methodologies from other disciplines are encouraged.

Inquiries and submissions should be sent electronically (MS Word attachment is the preferred form for submissions) to cbi@umn.edu. Inquiries can also be made by contacting Jeffrey Yost or Philip Frana at (612) 624-5050, sending email to cbi@umn.edu or sending mail to: Iterations; Charles Babbage Institute; 211 Andersen Library; University of Minnesota; Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455.

What is the Charles Babbage Institute?

Established in 1977, the Charles Babbage Institute (CBI) is a research center and archives at the University of Minnesota dedicated to promoting study of the history of information technology. CBI conducts and fosters research, preserves relevant documentation, offers graduate fellowships, and sponsors symposia, conferences, and publications. See the CBI home page for additional information.

What is the Software History Project?

The Software History Project, "Building a Future for Software History," is a Charles Babbage Institute (CBI) project sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF awarded a grant to CBI in September 1999 to develop, organize, and disseminate resources and knowledge on the history of software. The project has four components: (1) organizing a knowledge network of individuals in the software community, (2) creating a Web-based historical dictionary of software, (3) publishing an online journal of software history, and (4) conducting an oral history initiative to interview pioneering individuals in software from academe and industry.

What is the review process?

All article submissions will be sent to a minimum of two qualified referees in a standard double blind review process. At least one of the Iterations Editorial Board members will serve as a referee on each submission, or the board will approve the outside referees.

How should submissions be formatted?

Submissions are accepted electronically via email attachment (cbi@umn.edu) or by sending a PC-formatted disk to the Charles Babbage Institute for the History of Information Technology, 211 Elmer L. Andersen Library, 222-21st Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455. The text of submissions should be double-spaced in Microsoft Word and articles should include endnotes rather than footnotes. Authors will also need to include a short abstract (75 to 150 words), and list of four to eight relevant keywords for indexing purposes.

In what format will articles in Iterations be published?

Iterations will publish all articles in both HTML and PDF formats.

Will Iterations publish software code?

Iterations is not a digital archive and will not serve as a repository for the collection and dissemination of code. If a small piece of code is critical to the analysis of a particular article, the journal will consider including a linked endnote containing code. The author will be responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions.

When do new articles come out?

Iterations publishes on a continuous basis. Articles will be published and given a publication date as soon as they are granted final acceptance. Volumes will be associated with calendar years.

What is the advantage of continuous publication?

As an electronic-only journal utilizing continuous publication, Iterations bypasses many delays encountered by print publications, and facilitates the rapid dissemination of historical research and commentary.

Can I republish articles published in Iterations?

The author may republish in print form articles published in Iterations. If a new version does not contain fundamental changes, authors are required to credit and provide the URL of Iterations. Authors are not authorized to republish work published in Iterations in electronic form without consent from the Editor of Iterations.

Are unsolicited comments or opinion/editorial pieces accepted by Iterations?

Yes, these pieces are published at the discretion of the editorial staff.

Can I subscribe to Iterations?

The Charles Babbage Institute is publishing Iterations free of charge. Those who wish to receive email announcements when new articles are posted can request to be added to the Iterations list. Please send an email request to cbi@umn.edu with "Iterations Subscribe" as the subject.

How can I donate records on software history?

The Charles Babbage Institute collects, preserves, and makes available to researchers relevant records on the history of computing, software, and networking. Please contact the CBI archivist Elisabeth Kaplan at (612) 625-9053 for further information.

Whom should I contact for answers to other questions?

For queries contact Dr. Jeffrey R. Yost, Editor or Dr. Philip L. Frana, Associate Editor and Reviews Editor (email: cbi@umn.edu; ph.: 612-624-5050), at the Charles Babbage Institute, 211 Elmer L. Andersen Library, University of Minnesota, 222-21st Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455.

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