COMMENT ⊗   VALID 00002 PAGES
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C00001 00001
C00002 00002	\input lett.tex  
C00068 ENDMK
C⊗;
\input lett.tex  
\font X=cmr6 \def \sm{:X}
\font Y=cmr9 \def\mc{\:Y} % medium caps for names like PASCAL
\font Z=manfnt 
\def\META{{\:Z METAFONT}}
\def\PASCAL{{\mc PASCAL}}
\def\TUG{{\mc TUG}}
\def\WEB{{\tt WEB}}
\def\TANGLE{{\tt TANGLE}}
\def\WEAVE{{\tt WEAVE}}
\def\PAS{{\tt PAS}}
    \def\TEX{\hbox{T\hskip-.125em\lower.5ex\hbox{E}\hskip-.075em X}}
\magnify{1200}
\date {May 21}
\stanford  
\to {Mr. Lance A. Carnes\cr
163 Linden Lane\cr
Mill Valley, Calif. 94941\cr}
{\noindent Dear Lance:}



\to {Mr. Robert R. Brown\cr
2229 Via Caliente\cr
Fullerton, Calif. 92633\cr}
{\noindent Dear Mr. Brown:}

Thank you for your \$100 check from the Hughes Aircraft Co. to cover the
cost of preparing and mailing one magnetic tape and the related hard-copy
documentation.

The enclosed tape contains the files needed to install the \WEB\ system on
your computer.  The format used in recording the tape is explained on an
attached sheet.  The hard-copy documentation is being sent under
separate cover.

These files are transcriptions of our internal files and while we believe
them to be reasonably accurate, we make no guarentee as to correctness nor
do we assume any obligation to supply corrections or additions.  This
material is all in the public domain and it may be reproduced and
distributed as desired.

You will, of course, have to take care of the system dependency aspects by
writing the necessary change files unless you are able to obtain copies of
suitable files from some other group having the same computer and
operating system.  Change files for our PDP-20 computer, with a {\mc
WAITS} operating system, are included as a rough guide as to how these
files are written.

\sign {\hfill Sincerely yours,\cr\ssqip\cr
\hfill Arthur L. Samuel}

\fin			 % C'est tout.

\end




\to {Mr. Larry Krummel\cr
QUBIX\cr
18835 cox ave.\cr
Saratoga, Calif. 95070\cr}
{\noindent Dear Mr. Krummel:}

The enclosed tape contains the necessary files to install \WEB\ 
on your computer.  The hard-copy
documentation is being sent under separate cover.

A list of the files on the tape and an extra sheet describing the format
used are attached.

I would like to call your attenting to the fact that this version of \TEX\
will not be maintained once the new \TEX82 becomes available.

\to {Mrs. Heather Brown\cr
Computing Laboratory\cr
University of Kent at Canterbury\cr
Canterbury, Kent  CT2 7NF\cr
ENGLAND\cr}
{\noindent Dear Heather:}

The enclosed tape contains the files that I mentioned in my letter of
April 26th.

I am also enclosing a survey sheet that I have been sending to a number of
people. We probably have most of the information from you already but it
will help make our records more complete if you could take the time to
answer.

I was pleased to learn that you are planning to attend the July {\mc TUG}
meeting. Letters simply do not take the place of the intra-group exchange
of information that takes place at such meetings.

It is certainly quite acceptable for you to leave the matter of settling
accounts with Stanford until the meeting.

\sign {\hfill Sincerely yours,\cr\ssqip\cr
\hfill Arthur L. Samuel}

\fin			 % C'est tout.

\end

\to {Dr. Ricky S. Palmer\cr
The University of Oklahoma at Norman\cr
Department of Physics and Astronomy\cr
440 West Brooks, Room 131\cr
Norman, Oklahoma 73019\cr}
{\noindent Dear Dr. Palmer:}

The enclosed tape contains the files needed to install the \WEB\ system on
your computer.  The format used in recording the tape is explained on an
attached sheet.  The related hard-copy documentation is being sent under
separate cover.

You will, of course, have to take care of the system dependency aspects by
writing the necessary change files unless you are able to obtain copies of
suitable files from some other group having the same computer and
operating system.  Change files for our PDP-20 computer, with a {\mc
WAITS} operating system, are included as a rough guide as to how these
files are written.

As you will observe, I did not use the tape reel that you sent with your
letter, both because it was not convenient to make up a special tape for
you at this time (we normally make several tapes at a time in advance) and
because the reel that you sent was unnecessarily large.  I am assuming
that you will want to get a copy of \TEX 82 when it becomes available and
that your tape can be used for that purpose.  At the moment, the small reel
is more than adequate.

Because of the unequal tape exchange and in view of the limited amount of
information that we are supplying at this time, a figure of \$25 should
cover our costs. Your check for this amount should be made payable to
Stanford University and mailed to me.

\sign {\hfill Sincerely yours,\cr\ssqip\cr
\hfill Arthur L. Samuel}

\fin			 % C'est tout.

\end
\to {Ms. Jo Ann Lockett\cr
Xerox Corporation\cr
Printer Systems Division\cr
880 Apollo Street\cr
El Segundo, Calif. 90245\cr}
{\noindent Dear Ms. Lockett:}

Paul Armer tells me that you are interested in learning something about
\TEX.  Quite a few people in Xerox, especially in Palo Alto, are well
acquainted with \TEX\ and they will be able to advise you as to its
merits.  There is, at the moment, a dearth of up-to-date information
available for distribution. I am, however, sending you a report on ``The \WEB\
System of Structured Documentation'' by Donald E. Knuth under separate
cover.

The \TEX\ typesetting system and the font generating program \META\ are
being rather widely used for the creation of books and documents of all
sorts and, I might add, \TEX\ is often used with Xerox printers.  This
letter, for example, was formatted by \TEX\ and printed on the Dover
printer. I would think that it might be well worth while for the Printing
Systems Division to make an especial effort to promote the use of \TEX\
with your printers, even going so far as to provide customers with
printer-driver programs to interface between the DVI output language from
\TEX\ and the input requirements of your printers.

One of the better ways of keeping informed as to the status of \TEX\ and
\META\ is to join the \TEX\ Users Group. This organization, known as TUG,
publishes a newsletter, TUGboat, that acts as the medium for the exchange
of information between \TEX\ users.  Membership costs \$15 per year and
one can join by mailing a check of this amount to the \TEX\ Users Group,
c/o Americal Mathematical Society, P.O. Box 1571, Annex Station,
Providence, RI 02901.

An entirely new version of \TEX, to be known as \TEX82, is currently in an
advanced state of development.  This version is being written in a new
\WEB\ language. We are currently recommending that new intended users
prepare for this new version of \TEX\ by installing \WEB\ on their
computers at this time and that they then wait for \TEX82 rather than to
try to put the older version of \TEX\ into operation at this late date.

I will be very glad to supply you with a magnetic tape containing the
source material needed to install \WEB\ on one of your computers.  This
material has been placed in the public domain and we distribute it freely
at our approximate reproduction costs which, at the moment,
appears to be \$100 for each tape supplied.  We are hoping to have
\TEX82 available for distribution by mid July.

\sign {\hfill Sincerely yours,\cr\ssqip\cr
\hfill Arthur L. Samuel}

\fin			 % C'est tout.

\end








\to {Mr. Robert D. Spray\cr
Arthur A Collins Inc.\cr
13601 Preston Road\cr
Dallas, Texas 75240\cr}
{\noindent Dear Mr. Spray:}

This is in reply to your letter of May 11, 1982 to Professor Knuth.

I am enclosing a brief description of the new \WEB\ programming system.
\ \WEB\ is being used to write a new and greatly improved version of the
text-processing program \TEX.

We are currently supplying the \WEB\ source code on magnetic tape to those
organizations that want to install it on their computer systems at the
nominal reproduction cost of \$100.  If you would like to receive this
material, a check for this amount should be made payable to Stanford
University and mailed to me.






\to {Mr Joe N. Meade\cr
The Clarinda Company\cr
176 West Adams\cr
Chicago, Illinois 60603\cr}
{\noindent Dear Mr. Meade:}

This is in reply to your letter of May 11th addressed to Professor Knuth.

The existing programs for \TEX\ and \META\ have been placed in the public
domain and are made available to those organizations that can make
effective use of them at no cost other than the reimbursement of the
nominal costs associated with the reproduction and distribution of the
necessary magnetic tapes and associated hard copy documentation.

\ \TEX\ is currently being used by a substantial number of book publishers and
the American Mathematical Society, to mention but one organization, is going
over to the use of \TEX\ for all of its publications.

Most users of \TEX\ have it installed on somewhat larger computers than
you are apparently contemplating. There would be a considerable
amount of programming effort involved in installing \TEX\ on a 16-bit
microprocessor and I am not at all sure that the results would be
satisfactory.  The smallest computer on which \TEX\ has been installed is,
to my knowledge, a Hewlett Packard and I believe this involved a considerable
amount of rewrite effort.  I believe that you would be well advised
to consider using a 32-bit microprocessor, at the very least.

An entirely new and greatly improved version, known as \TEX82, is
currently being written in a new language called \WEB.  This new version
will not be ready for distribution for perhaps two more months but when it
does become available, the work of adapting it to different computers will
be considerably reduced over the work that is required with the curent
version.  I am enclosing a brief description of this new programming
language.

One of the better ways of keeping informed as to the status of \TEX\ and
\META\ is to join the \TEX\ Users Group. This organization, known as TUG,
publishes a newsletter, TUGboat, that acts as the medium for the exchange
of information between \TEX\ users.  Membership costs \$15 per year and
one can join by mailing a check of this amount to the \TEX\ Users Group,
c/o Americal Mathematical Society, P.O. Box 1571, Annex Station,
Providence, RI 02901.

Should you wish to look into the problems of installing the \WEB\
system on a microprocessor, I will be glad to send you a magnetic tape
containing all necessary information and the associated hard-copy
documentation. Please enclose a check for \$100 made
payable to Stanford University and please mailed it to my attention.



\to {Mr.Glen S. Tenney\cr
Fantasia Systems Inc.\cr
1059 Alameda de las Pulgas\cr
Belmont, Calif. 94002\cr}
{\noindent Dear Mr. Tenney:}

Thank you for your letter of May 6, 1982 and for the check for \$100 to
cover our costs of preparing and mailing the enclosed magnetic tape and
the hard copy documentation that is being sent under separate cover.

The tape contains the necessary files to install the \WEB\ system on your
computer, the files relation to the existing \TEX\ in \PASCAL, some test
files, and some typical TFM and PXL font files.  These files are in the
order listed on one of the enclosed sheets and in formats as described on
another enclosed sheet.  May I call your attention to the fact that the
version of \TEX\ that is included will not be maintained once \TEX82 is
available.

\sign {\hfill Sincerely yours,\cr\ssqip\cr
\hfill Arthur L. Samuel}

\fin			 % C'est tout.

\end


\to {Mr. Stephen Monson\cr
Datapoint Corporation\cr
1601 Headway Circle\cr
Austin, Texas 78754\cr}
{\noindent Dear Mr. Monson:}

This is in reply to your letter of May 5th addressed to Professor Knuth.

\ \TEX\ is currently available in both the SAIL language and in \PASCAL,
although a new and greatly improved version, \TEX82, is now being written
in \WEB\ and should be available within the next couple of months.  The
special features of this new language and of the two pre-compilers \WEAVE\
and \TANGLE\ are briefly described on the enclosed sheet.  The current
versions of \TEX\ will no longer be maintained once \TEX82 becomes
available.

Since it will require some programming effort to adapt \TEX\ to your
computers, I believe that it might be better for you to consider
installing \WEAVE\ and TANGLE\ at this time and then to delay trying to
put \TEX\ into operation until \TEX82 becomes available.  Improved methods
of handling the system dependent features in \TEX82 should also simplify
the task of installing it on your computers.

\ \TEX\ has been placed in the public domain and we have been distributing
it at the nominal cost to us of reproducing and distributing the required
magnetic tape and associated hard-copy documentation which we have set at
\$100 per tape supplied.  Should you wish to receive the \WEB\  material at this
time, please make your check payable to Stanford University and mail it to me.

\sign {\hfill Sincerely yours,\cr\ssqip\cr
\hfill Arthur L. Samuel}

\fin			 % C'est tout.

\end

One further bit of information: The \TEX\ Users Group, knpwn as TUG,
publishes a newsletter, TUGboat, that acts as the medium for the exchange of
information between \TEX\ users.  Membership costs \$15 per year and one
can join by mailing a check of this amount to the \TEX\ Users Group, c/o
Americal Mathematical Society, P.O. Box 1571, Annex Station, Providence,
RI 02901.


\to {Mr. Robert McKay\cr
CSIRO Division of Computing Research\cr
PO Box 1800\cr
Canberra City\cr
ACT 2601\cr
AUSTRALIA\cr}
{\noindent Dear Bob:}

As you can see, I decided to jump the gun a bit and send you the \WEB\
information before receiving a formal request.  The files are listed on
the attached label and the format used is described on an enclosed sheet.
The related hard-copy documentation is being sent under separate cover
(but not as first class matter).

My present prognosis on \TEX82 is that it will not be available until late
July, although Knuth may surprise us.

Since you may not have seen my last message to you, I will repeat it.
I had assumed that you were in Australia but, since you seem to access
Stanford rather easily, I thought that you might try the net.  I also know
about the CSIRO and its red tape, having worked there for a few months
during 1973-74, and I KNOW all about surface mail to Australia.

The \$120 is an arbitrary figure and, while air mail is expensive, I
believe we can absorb it.  Also, before you get too far with your order,
the charge is handled as a reimbursement of costs incurred, we do not
issue invoices and we expect payment by check or money order made payable
to Stanford University and mailed to me. Don't worry about the delay in sending
payment and if, perchance, the CSIRO is not willing to pay it, just forget it.

I am also enclosing a survey sheet that I am sending to a few of the
more active users of \TEX.  I would appreciate your answers.

\sign {\hfill Sincerely yours,\cr\ssqip\cr
\hfill Arthur L. Samuel}

\fin			 % C'est tout.

\end

\to {Mr. Max McGregor\cr
Computer Language Research Inc.\cr
2395 Midway Road\cr
Carrollton, Texas 75006\cr}
{\noindent Dear Mr McGregor:}

Thank you for your letter of may 4th and the enclosed check for \$100 to
cover our costs in preparing the enclosed magnetic tape.
This tape contains the collection of files that we
discussed by phone.  I am attaching a list of the files and an explanation
of the format in which they are recorded.  The related hard-copy
documentation is being sent under separate cover.

These files are transcriptions of our internal files and while we believe
them to be reasonably accurate, we make no guarentee as to correctness nor
do we assume any obligation to supply corrections or additions.  This
material is all in the public domain and it may be reproduced and
distributed as desired.

As you will recall, this version of \TEX\ is soon to be made obsolete by
the introduction of the new \TEX82.  It would be my recommendation that
you give some consideration to installing the \WEB\ system at this time in
order to be ready to install \TEX82 when it becomes available.

\sign {\hfill Sincerely yours,\cr\ssqip\cr
\hfill Arthur L. Samuel}

\fin			 % C'est tout.

\end



\to {Monte C. Nichols\cr
Exploratory Chemistry\cr
Division 8313\cr
Sandia National Laboratory\cr
Livermore, Ca. 94550\cr}
{\noindent Dear Monte:}

We are beginning to prepare for the task of distributing \TEX82 when it
becomes available.  I am writing you as someone who might be interested in
helping us either by suggestion ways to handle the distribution problem or
by doing a little preliminary work in executing one of the ideas outlined below.

But first, a brief status report on \WEB\ and on \TEX82: 

\ \WEB\ is now in essentially its final form.  The latest improvements
were the introduction of the change file idea (see the enclosed sheet)
resulting in version 0.9 as described in the available hard-copy
documentation, and a minor modification to module 67 of \WEAVE\ and to
module 120 of \TANGLE\ as explained in an errata sheet.  Version 0.91 with
these corrections has, of course, met the test of reproducing itself and
it is being tested further through its use during the writing of \TEX82.
This version is now available on magnetic tape.  Those people who have an
earlier version of \WEB\ in operation will find it relatively easy to
write the necessary change files for \WEAVE\ and \TANGLE.  Others may have
to do a bit of boot-strapping.

\ \TEX82 is still some distance from completion but Don Knuth expects
to have it finished by the July \TUG\ meeting.  As \TEX82 is
written in \WEB, you will need to have \WEB\ up and running on your
machine in order to install \TEX82.  In addition, you, or someone, will
have to prepare the appropiate \TEX82 change file for your particular
computer and operating system.

Now as to the \TEX82 distribution problem:

We are faced with the basic problem as to who is to make and mail the
necessary tapes to the 270 or more installations that are now using \TEX\ or
that are planning to do so as soon as \TEX82 becomes available.
There is some sentiment that perhaps \TUG\ should  handle the distribution
and charge enough to net something to help pay for other \TUG\
activities. This will require a final decision by Stanford and the \TUG\
steering committee.  It is generally assumed that the site coordinators
should not be burdened with this routine work but that they should concern
themselves with the exchange of information between users who already have
\TEX\ available to them.  

In the meantime, there are a number of suggestions as to how the problem
of getting \TEX82 up and running on many different computers could be
simplified.  It is here that you might help.

One suggestion is that we get together a set of \TEX82 change files for
the major computers and that this set of files be sent out with the main
distribution of \TEX82.  Having such a set of change files, many users
would be able to find one that fits their particular situation so that all
they would have to do would be to use it. Others would be able to combine
features extracted from several such change files to approximate their
needs and these people would then have a relatively simple task of making
minor modifications.

For this scheme to work, we must find several people who would be willing
to do a little extra work in writing change files for a program that is
not yet complete.  This will be a bit difficult, but, fortunately, most of
the modules that are likely to involve systen dependencies have already
been written and we could supply dummy change files containing these
modules.  I would accept the responsibility for preparing such dummy
change files and for comparing the various change files that different
people write to make sure that all necessary aspects had been covered.

Another suggestion is that we write an executable test program that does
nothing except exercise the input-output features of \TEX82, opening input
files and reading them, sending appropiate messages to the terminal,
opening an output file and writing dummy messages into it, and generating
an error message explaining what it was able to do.  Dave Fuchs and I are
currently looking into the feasability of writing such a program.

Is it possible that you might consider writing a \TEX82 change file for us?
Were you to help us in this endeavor, we would cooperate and see that you
were one of the first to get copies of the completed \TEX 82 together
with the package of change files for your own use and for verification
that the changes files were indeed complete and accurate.  

Finally, as one bit of current business, we would like to have your reply
to the enclosed questionnaire.

\sign {\hfill Sincerely yours,\cr\ssqip\cr
\hfill Arthur L. Samuel}

\fin			 % C'est tout.

\end

\to {The Cadtec Corp.\cr
att. Mr. Wylie Robinson\cr
2444 Moorpark Ave. Suite 300\cr
San Jose, Ca. 95128\cr}
{\noindent Dear Mr. Robinson:}

In accordance with your phone authorization, I am enclosing a magnetic
tape containing the \WEB\ programs. 

As you will observe, I have recorded the \TANGLE\ and \WEAVE\ source
programs as written in \WEB, and I have also recorded the .{\tt TEX} and
the .\PAS\ forms.  The .{\tt SUAI-CHANGES} files will be of little direct
help but they do show how change files need to be written.  An attached
sheet explains the formats that we use for our tapes.

  You will have to do a bit of boot-strapping to get these programs
into operation on your system, as explained in the hard-copy documentation
that we are sending under separate cover.

I am also enclosing a survey sheet that hardly applies to you at this
time, but to keep our records straight, I would appreciate it if you would
return the survey with your answers.

\sign {\hfill Sincerely yours,\cr\ssqip\cr
\hfill Arthur L. Samuel}

\fin			 % C'est tout.

\end

Thank you for the information as to VAX/VMS modifications for \TANGLE. 
Since there were two copies of the \TANGLE\ information, I am led to wonder if
you had intended to send me one each of sheets for \WEAVE\ and \TANGLE\ rather
than two for \TANGLE. Is this possible?  

I am enclosing a survey sheet that we are sending to the principal users of \TEX.

While I am writing you, I will also include some text that I am
thinking of sending to a number of people.  I would be interested in your
reaction and any suggestions as to a better procedure.


\to {Professor Tom Armading\cr
Medical Center Computing Faculty\cr
University of Rochester\cr
P.O. Box 698\cr
Rochester, N.Y. 14642\cr}
{\noindent Dear Professor Armading:}

\to {Professor Robert Morris\cr
Mathematics Department\cr
University of Massachusetts\cr
Boston, Mass. 02125\cr}
{\noindent Dear Professor Morris:}

\to {Mr. Barry C. W. Doherty\cr
Americam Mathematics Society
P.O. Box 6248\cr
Providence, RI 02940\cr}
{\noindent Dear Barry:}

\to {Professor Ralph Stromquist\cr
Academic Computing Center\cr
University of Wisconsin\cr
1210 W Dayton St.\cr
Madison, Wisc. 58706\cr}
{\noindent Dear Ralph:}

\to {Dr. Erik Bertelsen\cr
RACAU\cr
The Regional EDP Centre\cr
The University of Aarhus\cr
Ny Munkegade, Bygning 540 \cr
DK-8000 Aarhus C Danmark\cr
DENMARK\cr}
{\noindent Dear Dr. Bertelsen}

\to {Mrs Susan Lee Plass\cr
CIT\cr
Polya Hall 203\cr
Stanford University\cr
Stanford, Calif. 94305\cr}
{\noindent Dear Susan:}

\to {Scott McCourt\cr
Software Unit Manager\cr
Advanced Systems Engineering\cr
Burroughs Corporation\cr
Corporate Drive, Commerce Park\cr
Danbury Conn. 06810\cr}
{\noindent Dear Scott:}

\to {Mr. Lance A. Carnes\cr
163 Linden Lane\cr
Mill Valley, Calif. 94941\cr}
{\noindent Dear Lance:}

\to {Barbara Beeton\cr
American Mathematical Society\cr
P.O.Box 628\cr
Providence, RI 02940\cr}
{\noindent Dear Barbara:}

I am enclosing several copies of the Survey sheet that I mentioned to you.
It seems to me that it would be worth while to send this out even though
we do already have some of the information that is requested.
I am particularly interested in finding a number of people who will supply
us with copies of their change files so that these could be sent out
at the same time that we send out the main source files.




\to {Steve Anderson\cr
Project Manager\cr
Candle Corporation\cr
10880 Wilshire Bldv. Suite 2404\cr
Los Angeles, Calif. 90024\cr}
{\noindent Dear Mr. Anderson:}

We are currently able to supply potential users of \TEX 82 with hard-copy
documentation and a magnetic tape containing the necessary source files to
enable one to install the \WEB\ system. The entire \TEX\ system is in the
public domain and we distributed this informatiion at roughly our
reproduction and distribution costs which we assume to be \$100 per tape
sent out.  So if you would like to have tape for \WEB\ send me a check for
this amount made payable to Stanford University.

The \WEB\ system consists of two pre-compilers. One of these, called
\TANGLE, will accept a \WEB\ written source file and produce a valid
\PASCAL\ program that can then be compiled by the usual \PASCAL\ compiler.
The second pre-compiler accepts the same original source file written in
\WEB\ and will produce a \TEX\ source file that will be interpreted by
\TEX\ to yield a well formated output document with table of contents and
a rather complete cross index.  The hard-copy documentation that we supply
for \WEB\ itself was produced in this way and demonstrates the type of
output produced.

Each of these pre-compilers will accept two input files, a master \WEB\
file, such as the \TANGLE\ and \WEAVE\ files that we supply and like the
new \TEX 82 file when it becomes available, and a second ``change'' file
that the user must provide or obtain from someone else who has the same
type of computer.  This change file is to contain a number of duplicated
modules taken from the main source file but modules that have been
modified to meet the system dependent features of his particular computer
and particular operating system.

In the past, the \TEX\ Users Group has designated certain individuals to
act as site coordinators for specific computers.  Presumably, this
arrangement will be continued although the site coordinators task should
be greatly simplified as a result of the introduction of the change file
provision. Also, \TEX 82 is being written with much more attention being
given to the portability aspects. Susan Plass has been the coordinator for
the IBM 370 and she tells me that you may find \TEX\ very slow on the 4341
running with MVS/SP.



Medical Computer Centre\cr
Room 4G\cr
Tupper Medical Building\cr
Halfax, N. S.\cr
CANADA B3H 4H7\cr}
{\noindent Dear Mr. Sherwood:}


I want to remind you that this version of \TEX\ will not be supported
once \TEX 82 becomes available.  As I mentioned in a previous letter, the new
\TEX 82 is being written in \WEB.

Under separate cover, I am sending you the related hard-copy documentation.

I am also enclosing a copy of a Pre-\TEX 82 Survey sheet that is soon to
be sent out.  I would appreciate it if you would return this with the
appropiate answers so that our records will be complete.



\to {Mr. P. C. de Bruijn\cr
Dept. Support and Services\cr
Philips' Telecommunication Industries B.V.\cr
P.O. Box 32, 1200 JD Hilversum\cr
THE NETHERLANDS\cr}
{\noindent Dear Mr. de Bruijn:}

This is in reply to your letter of April 9th, your reference SS-OT/PCdB/MK.

Since your organization in Belgium has a \TEX\ in operation, it would seem
to me that your simplest procedure would be to get copies of their
programs.  The entire \TEX\ system has been put into the public domain and
there are no restrictions as to its distribution.  There is, however, the distinct
possibility that the Brussels version of \TEX\ is not the latest one available,
and your Brussels people certainly do not have the 
latest information as to the new \WEB\ system described below.

It might, at first, seem easier for you to adapt our DEC version of \TEX\
to your needs, but there is the problem of character sets and the fact
that this version is written in the {\mc SAIL} language, a language that
is not generally available. It also happens that our {\mc SAIL} code is
not formatted correctly for easy recording on tape or at least for easy
use of the tape once recorded. Contrasting with this, the version that has
been designed for exported is written in {\mc PASCAL} and is in a form easily
transported and easily
compiled by the Hedrick compiler.  So, all in all, I believe that you
would be better off with this version.

It happens that an entirely new, and greatly improved, version of \TEX,
known as \TEX 82, is under development at the present time. The existing
versions will not be maintained once this new version is available.  We
are, therefore, somewhat reluctant to go to the trouble of supplying
copies of the existing programs to people who will scarcely be able to get
the present \TEX\ into operation before \TEX 82 becomes available.

\ \TEX 82 is being written in a new language called \WEB\ that combines
features of \TEX\ itself with those of \PASCAL.  We are currently
distributing information regarding \WEB\ and we are suggesting that future
\TEX\ users delay the actual installation of \TEX\ and perhaps plan to get
the \WEB\ system into operation on their computer during the intervening
time.  This system is described in a little more detail in the attached
sheet.

We will be glad to send you the curently available information on the
\WEB\ system if you would like to have it.  The cost of preparing
and mailing the necessary tape and the accompanying hard-copy
documentation is assumed to be \$120.  We do not supply invoices. A check
or money order for this amount in U.S. funds should be made payable to
Stanford University and mailed to me.  The information that we supply is
simply copied from our internal files and there is, of course, no
guarentee as to its accuracy and no assumed obligation to provide
corrections or updates.

I am sure that you will find that \TEX 82 will produce such high quality
output and with such relative ease that you will end up using it for all
of your document needs.


If you would like to try to get these latest \WEB\ files via the
arpanet, they now reside on directory <tex.web> at su-score, in what we
hope is their final form. Do let me know how you fare in getting them.
If you have trouble with the net, we will send you a magnetic tape.

I do not know the exact net protocol from your end, although I believe
that the following should work, once you are actually on the arpanet.  You
should type the following series of commands (of course, without the
quotes), each ending with a carriage return and waiting for confirmation:
``ftp su-score'', then ``log anonymous'', then ``guest'' in
reply to the request for a password. After connection has been established you
type ``get <tex.web>Tangle.web'' then ``get <tex.web>tangle.pas'', etc., and
finally ``bye''. Of course, if you want all of the tangle files, you could 
get them by typing
``get <tex.web>tangle.{\tt *}'', but this is rather dangerous as you will get files
that you do not want, you will slow things down, and you may run out of file space.

Files of interest are:  tangle.web, tangle.pas, tangle.tex, weave.web,
weave.pas, weave.tex, and finally, webhdr.tex. You might also like to look at
tangle.suai-changes and weave.suai-changes to see how we have handled the
change file situation at SU-AI.  These files all relate to the versions of
\TANGLE\ and \WEAVE\ that accept change files as well as master \WEB\ files.

In return for the document, I would very much like to have copies of the
change files that you generate to adapt tangle and weave to your computer
or computers.  Perhaps I might be able to get these via the net if you
tell me how.  I would also like to hear about any specific problems that
you may have.

\to {Professor Craig R. Platt\cr
Department of Mathematics and Astronomy\cr
The University of Manitoba\cr
Winnipeg, Manitoba\cr
CANADA R3T 2N2\cr}
{\noindent Dear Craig:}

\sign {\hfill Sincerely yours,\cr\ssqip\cr
\hfill Arthur L. Samuel}

\fin			 % C'est tout.

\end


This is in answer to your letter of April 1st to Professor Knuth.

\ \TEX\ and {\caps metafont} are in a transition state.  New and greatly
improved versions are in a rather advanced state of development but not
yet available for distribution.  They will certainly be available well
before the middle of the summer.

These new versions are being written in a new language called {\caps web}
that combines the features of {\caps pascal} and \TEX\ itself.  I am
attaching a sheet with a limited amount of information about this new
programming system.  Many users of \TEX\ are currently putting {\caps web}
onto their systems in anticipation of the new versions of \TEX\ and {\caps metafont}.

If you are interested in following this course, I will be glad to send you
a tape with the necessary files and an accompanying hard-copy document
that explains the system in full detail. This material is all in the
public domain and our only charges are the nominal cost of preparing and
distributing the necessary material which we assume to be \$100 per tape.
Payment should be by check made payable to Stanford University and mailed
to me.

Professor Knuth is currently planning three different books on
subjects relating to \TEX\ and {\caps metafont}, but these are some
distance in the future.  I am sure that they will all be available through
normal book distribution channels.

\sign {\hfill Sincerely yours,\cr\ssqip\cr
\hfill Arthur L. Samuel}

\fin			 % C'est tout.

\end

\to {Mr. Barry V. Gordon\cr
SPERRY\cr
Division Headquarters\cr
Great Neck, New York 11020\cr}
{\noindent Dear Mr. Gordon:}

This is in answer to your letter of April 7th to Professor Knuth.

\ \TEX\ and {\caps metafont} are in a transition state.  New and greatly
improved versions are in a rather advanced state of development but not
yet available for distribution.  They will certainly be available well
before the middle of the summer.

These new versions are being written in a new language called {\caps web}
that combines the features of {\caps pascal} and \TEX\ itself.  I am
attaching a sheet with a limited amount of information about this new
programming system.  Many users of \TEX\ are currently putting {\caps web}
onto their systems in anticipation of the new versions of \TEX\ and {\caps metafont}.

If you are interested in following this course, I will be glad to send you
a tape with the necessary files and an accompanying hard-copy document
that explains the system in full detail. This material is all in the
public domain and our only charges are the nominal cost of preparing and
distributing the necessary material which we assume to be \$100 per tape.
Payment should be by check made payable to Stanford University and mailed
to me.

According to my records, at least three groups are currently installing
{\caps web} on {\caps univac} machines, although there are at least a
dozen other users of \TEX\ who report that they have {\caps univac}
machines and presumably have earlier versions of \TEX\ operating on their
machines. Ralph Stromquist at the University of Wisconsin acts as the
{\caps univac} 1100 site coordinator for {\caps tug}, the \TEX\ Users
Group. Perhaps you should get in touch with him..


\sign {\hfill Sincerely yours,\cr\ssqip\cr
\hfill Arthur L. Samuel}

\fin			 % C'est tout.

\end



\to {Mr. R. Harries\cr
Ass't. Government Printer\cr
N.Z. Government Printing Office\cr
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND\cr}
{\noindent Dear Mr. Harries:}

The {\caps pascal} version of \TEX\ is curently available from Stanford
University at no cost other than that incurred in preparing and mailing
the necessary magnetic tapes and associated hard-copy documents.  This
cost is assumed to be \$120 in U.S.  currency. All of the basic \TEX\ code
has been placed in the public domain and it is currently being circulated
with no restrictions as to its use or to its further distribution. The
information that we supply is transcribed from our internal files and we
make no guarentee as to its accuracy nor do we assume any formal
obligation for updates and corrections.

The tape that we are currently supplying contains all necessary source
files for the presently released version of \TEX, some sample test files,
a reasonable collection of TFM and PXL font files that will be required,
and source files for an early version of the {\caps web} language as
described below.

Some work may be involved in adapting \TEX, as we supply it, to your
particular computer, operating system and printing device.  Many of the
existing users of \TEX\ have obviously had to do this work.  If you will
tell us something about your computer equipment, both available and
projected, we may be able to direct you to a user who has faced a similar
problem.  Most \TEX\ users are quite willing to supply copies of their
modified \TEX\ programs, again, at roughly their reproduction costs.

There is one further complication.  Professor Knuth, the author of the
original \TEX, is currently recoding \TEX\ with many major improvements.
This new version, called \TEX 82, will not be ready for distribution for some
time, perhaps three or four months.  You may prefer to wait for it.

\ \TEX 82 is being written in a new language, {\caps web} that combines
the features of {\caps pascal} with those of \TEX\ itself.  We are
currently supplying many \TEX\ users with full details concerning the 
{\caps web} system so that these users can get it installed
on their computer systems in readiness for \TEX 82.

W{\caps eb} offers many advantages over {\caps pascal} both to the
writer and to the user of large computer programs such as \TEX.  The
writer is able to prepare a single source file that contains the code and
all necessary or desired documentation. W{\caps eb} further permits the
code to be written in small modules, using macros, in a logical order as
dictated by ease of writing and ease of understanding and more or less
independent of the formal requirements inposed by {\caps pascal}.  Further
advantages of the {\caps web} language that will be of interest to you are, 1)
the ease with which programs may be moved from one computer to another and 2)
the ease with which updates as received from outside sources may be made
to programs that have been so moved.

Two pre-compilers are provided as a part of the {\caps web} system.  One
pre-compiler, called {\caps tangle}, extracts the necessary information
from the original source to produce a valid {\caps pascal} source program
ready for compilation.  The second pre-compiler, called {\caps weave},
translates the original source document into an input file for \TEX\ that
contains a complete cross index, a table of contents, and all necessary
formatting information to produce a final hard-copy document meeting
exacting typographic standards.

If you would like to receive a magnetic tape and the associated hard copy
documents as described, please write me to this effect and enclose a check
or money order made payable to Stanford University.  We do not send
invoice but the receipt of your check will be acknowledged by letter.

I seriously recommend that you consider installing {\caps web} on your system
at this time and wait until the \TEX 82 is available as I believe that its new
features will greatly improve it use for you intended application.


While we had earlier quoted a lower figure, we are finding that our
approximate cost of preparing and mailing one magnetic tape and the
associated hard-copy documents to Canada is approximately \$120 and we are
now asking for checks of this amount.  This cost figure does not cover the
expense involved in supplying any subsequent additions, revisions or
corrections.  When \TEX 82 becomes available we will have to estimate the
pro rata costs involved in its distribution and ask the recipients for
this amount, quite independently of whether or not they have paid to
receive earlier releases.

The main reason for getting \TEX\ and {\caps web} information at this time
is, of course, so that one may have \TEX\ available at an earlier date.
Other reasons are so that one will have has some experience in installing
\TEX\ and so that one will have {\caps web} up and running by
the time that \TEX 82 is available.  You will have to decide if this
advanced preparation warrants the extra cost.  \TEX  82 is still perhaps two 
or three months away. 
\end

\to {Mr.Frank Pettinicchio\cr
McGll University Computing Centre\cr
Burnside Hall\cr
805 Sherbrooke Street West\cr
Montreal, Quebec\cr
H3A 2K6\cr
CANADA\cr}
{\noindent Dear Mr. Pettinicchio:}


``Metafont has never been used to create Chinese characters, nor is it the
appropriate language for such a project. There is a language similar to
Metafont, called LCCD (Language for Chinese Character Display) that has
been used to design a hundred or so characters. The results looks pretty
good to my untrained eye, but the program is still experimental.''