The Washington D.C. area Mathematica Special Interest Group will meet Friday, 5 December, 8:00-10:00 a.m. at the Alexandria Campus of Northern Virginia Community College, Room AA470 (see directions below).  Our website is web.mac.com/hrbishop.pmsi/DCSIG.m/DCSIG.html.

Early risers meet at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast in the cafeteria.  At 8:00 we'll move to classroom AA470.  The meeting will have prepared talks, informal discussion about Mathematica programming and applications, general questions, and new business.

The two prepared talks are:

#1  "Initial Impressions of Version 7" by Dave Vasholz

Abstract.  In this talk I will discuss comparisons between versions 6 and 7. My approach is to compare performances in the execution of a fairly elaborate hydrodynamics notebook that I discussed at the recent International Mathematica Users Conference 2008.  In addition, I hope to have some interesting material on image processing.

#2  "Use Of Locator Dials As Input Devices" by Dan Martinez

Abstract.  This talk continues earlier ones, to include "Data Presentation Using Dials" presented at the International Mathematica Users Conference 2008.

Bruce Colletti will present "MathGroup Corner", a summary of the month's highlighted traffic in MathGroup, a forum for Mathematica users (groups.google.com/group/comp.soft-sys.math.mathematica).  

To inquire about attending, e-mail Dan Martinez (dmarti...@sprintmail.com) or Bruce Colletti (bcolle...@compuserve.com).  In your e-mail subject line, please include 'Mathematica SIG.'  

DIRECTIONS to NVCC-Alexandria (3001 N. Beauregard St, Alexandria VA  22311).  From I-395, take the Seminary Road exit, go west on Seminary Road, past Beauregard (light), Echols (light), Fillmore, Dover, turn right on Dawes (light), and then pass the Coca Cola bottling plant.  Park curbside along Dawes for free (but make sure to park on the garage-side of the road).  However, if there's no space, then park in the metered lot located past the flashing traffic light.  Enter the outside doors of the Bisdorf Building (behind flagpoles):

-  For breakfast (7:30-8:00am), go downstairs to the cafeteria

- To go to Room AA470, climb to the top floor, turn left, walk down the long hallway and at the fork, veer right and go to classroom AA470 (on the left).  A SIG member will unlock the room.