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\F1\CMay 29, 1979



Paul L. Locatelli, S.J.
Academic Vice President
University of Santa Clara
Santa Clara, Ca. 95030


Dear Fr. Locatelli:

\JDr. Ruth E. Davis, my wife, has recently accepted a position in your
Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Department. She told me of your
plans to acquire a DEC-20. That machine, coupled with 
Santa Clara University's location,  represents an incredible potential
for the development of an exceptional university computing facility. Your location, in the 
heart of the world's computer industry, offers a unique opportunity to
influence the quality of future computing applications; furthermore
an attractive program will encourage industrial interaction superior to that
experienced by Stanford at the periphery of the Valley or San Jose State
with their  financial difficulties. 

The DEC machine is an  excellent  choice; the DEC machines have consistently been
chosen as the basis of interesting computing systems. DEC's PDP-1 was the first
truly interactive computer; the PDP-6/PDP-10/DEC-20 family of machines is the
basis of the last fifteen years of artificial intelligence research; the PDP-11
family is an elegant blend of a small machine with large-scale capabilities.

Regardless of the appearance of the preceeding paragraph, I am \F5not\F1
a DEC salesman. Rather, for many years I have been concerned with  the 
quality of computer science education; I have been particularly dismayed about the
lack of  care given to the computer-related tools which accompany the curricula.
I see your current efforts as a hopeful sign, given that the program is 
developed in an innovative manner.

I am enclosing a general description of my view of  a university computing
facility. If you find it attractive and wish more details please contact me.
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Yours sincerely,



John R. Allen
18215 Bayview Dr.
Los Gatos Ca, 95030

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