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The Research Institute for Applications of Computer Algebra ( RIACA ), in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, has as its goal the research of applications of computer algebra in the fields of mathematics and sciences, engineering, etc. It aims to be an institute with a strong international visibility.

The Research Institute for Applications of Computer Algebra (RIACA) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, organized on March 10-11, 1994, an international workshop entitled Human Interaction for Symbolic Computation. The main goal of the HISC workshop, which was held at CWI in Amsterdam and had over fifty participants, was to investigate new paradigms to improve human interaction with symbolic computation software.

A search for information in the directory would normally begin with consultation of the three-level index located at the end the volume (yellow pages). It may be tackled by the name or by any of the major terms appearing in the title of the organization. Acronyms may also be used, as well as geographical names (city, region, etc.).

This paper recommends we keep a close eye on what is going on around our planet as all improvements brought on ground in terms of light pollution could be quickly ruined by undesired luminous objects put in Earth orbit. A “pessimistic” approach would have it that, in the current global market context, if a company realizes that the technology is at hand and that the corresponding RoI is appealing, we could have advertising from space rather quickly. The “optimistic view” would moderate this by saying that things are not so simple even if it would be difficult to counter some preliminaries such as luminaries put in Earth orbit for humanitarian purposes. Beyond developing ties with other scientific disciplines concerned with environmental impact and disruption of circadian cycles in living beings, appropriate strategies would be to secure public support by ad hoc information and education. Astronomy is in need of a “cosmic Cousteau”.

The current dramatic evolution in information technology is bringing major modifications in the way scientists work and communicate. The concept of electronic information handling -and thus of electronic publishing -encompasses the diverse types of information, the different media, as well as the various communication methodologies and technologies. The structure itself of information has become different by the introduction ofhypertextual links. Fluid information is becoming a common concept. While publication is considered here as a public announcement (no implicit assumption being made as to the medium used), it is obvious that electronic publishing will have to diverge from an electronic version of contributions on paper and will become part of a more general diversified publishing policy. The procedures for validating published material and for evaluating scientific activities will have to be adjusted too. Provision of electronic refereed informa¬ tion independently from commercial publishers is now feasible and even maybe highly recommended in view of strict copyright policies tentatively applied by some publishers to the electronic material. In other terms, scientists and scientific institutions have now the possibility to run an efficient information server with validated (refereed) material without the help of a commercial publisher., Heck André. La publication électronique. In: Bulletin de la Classe des sciences, tome 8, n°1-6, 1997. pp. 21-26.

A few thoughts are presented on astronomical databases and archives from a user point of view. Shortcomings and possible future trends are also mentioned, as well as some considerations on a future ideal environment for direct home applications on real and remotely located astronomical data.

The present situation in the field of astronomical databases and archives is discussed. Shortcomings and possible future trends are mentioned, as well as some considerations on a future ideal environment for direct home applications on real and remotely located astronomical data.

The IUE project is described, with special emphasis on the IUE data management and archive retrieval.