Date:    Sun, 04 Apr 1999 18:52:28 -0400
From:    John Pustaver <pustaver@swquality.com
Subject: Fwd: Boston SPIN - April Meeting Announcement

 Software Process Improvement Network (SPIN)
 April Meeting Announcement

 Topic: A BAD LAW FOR BAD SOFTWARE -- AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT
 Speaker: Cem Kaner

 When:  Tuesday, April 20, 1999. 6:30pm-8:30pm
           6:30-7:00 Networking and Round Tables
           7:00-7:10 Announcements
           7:10-8:10 Cem Kaner: A Bad Law for Bad Software --
                          and What We Can Do About It
           8:10-8:30 Questions and Answers

 Who:  Everyone (Academia, Government, Industry)

 Location: GTE, 77 "A" St., Needham MA.

 Info:  See our web page, http://www.cs.uml.edu/Boston-SPIN
        For SPIN info, contact Johanna Rothman, 781-641-4046,
        or jr@jrothman.com

 Abstract:
 A proposal to amend the Uniform Commercial Code with software specific
 rules will receive (what is supposed to be) final draft consideration this
 summer. If approved by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform
 State Laws (NCCUSL), the 200+ page proposal could reach state legislatures
 as early as this October. Because the bill is coming through NCCUSL (a
 highly influential legislative drafting organization that is largely funded
 by the state governments), there is a good chance that it will pass in many
 states even though it is a turkey.

 Cem Kaner has been actively involved in the development of Article 2B (the
 new law for software contracting), as an advocate for customers and for
 higher quality software. His work on 2B has been discussed widely in the
 press, including the New York Times, US News & World Reports,
 ComputerWorld, InfoWorld, PC World, Network World, etc.

 Kaner will provide an overview of Article 2B and its most serious problems,
 and we will discuss what it means for software quality and process
 professionals. To learn more about 2B before the meeting, check
 http://www.badsoftware.com (Kaner's site) and http://www.2BGuide.com (a
 publisher-side site).

 About the Speaker:
 Dr. Kaner holds a Ph.D. (experimental psychology), a J.D. (law degree), a
 B.A. (Arts & Sciences: primarily math & philosophy), and a certificate in
 quality engineering from the American Society for Quality. He is the lead
 author of TESTING COMPUTER SOFTWARE and of BAD SOFTWARE: WHAT TO DO WHEN
 SOFTWARE FAILS.

 Monthly Round Table Announcement  -  6:30 - 7:00 PM, before SPIN Meetings

 These are focused group or "birds-of-a-feather" sessions. We are looking
 for topics that you want to discuss. Propose your issues or topics as a
 Round Table and find solace and good ideas from the movers and shakers in
 the software community. Round Tables are generally informal discussions,
 with a facilitator, to stimulate and moderate discussion. Seating is
 limited to 10 people per table so come early! For roundtable information or
 if you would like to facilitate a round table, contact Caroline J. Starita,
 978-442-4004 or staritac@amp.com

 See our web page, http://www.cs.uml.edu/Boston-SPIN to see which topics are
 selected for this SPIN meeting.

 Directions: From Route 128 in Needham, take exit 19A onto Highland Avenue
 East. Take your first right by the Ground Round and take your second left
 onto "A" Street. GTE is the last building on the right. Enter the parking
 lot by the GTE sign and come into the building by the cafeteria entrance,
 which is located to the left of the main entrance. There will be a security
 guard at the entrance.

 Snow cancellations:  We will notify the membership via email to the SPIN
 distribution list, post the notice on the SPIN web page, and announce the
 cancellation on Channel 7 TV and radio, WRKO AM 680. We will attempt to
 make a 3pm deadline on the email to the SPIN distribution list.

 SPIN Sponsors:
 GTE Government Systems, Needham, MA, http://www.gte.com
 We thank the Computer Science department of UMass-Lowell for providing
 support and hosting our web page.

 --------------------
 --------------------
 Dan Allen
 Membership Chairperson - Boston SPIN
 danallen@danallen.com

 603-756-0924