Deductible Junkets
If you're headed to Atlanta for BBSCON
What began as a railroad depot has grown into a sprawling urban metropolis, home to Scarlett O'Hara, Ted Turner, and – surprise! – this year's ONE BBSCON. Ante-digital days left Atlanta with no fewer than 32 Peachtree streets, lanes, and roadways. But don't believe everything you hear – to find an actual peach tree you'll have to visit the 60-acre Botanical Garden!
After the conference sessions, when you're bulletin bored and ready to notwork, the bird's eye view of Atlanta from atop the Weston Peachtree Plaza hotel is highly recommended. But skip the sky-high-priced restaurant in favor of the observation lounge, then take in a drink and drink in the view.
Meanwhile, down on the streets of the biggest little city of the South, the CNN Center tour goes behind the scenes of Ted's media-opolis. Then head up to the High Museum of Art, a washing machine-like building designed by the modernist architect Richard Meir, housing a spanking-clean collection of 19th and 20th century American decorative art.
Hop the MARTA up to Midtown and walk over to Virginia Highlands, a bustling district of funky shops and neighborhood bistros. The Indigo Coastal Grill is worth the wait, offering a self-explanatory selection of enticing eats – the conch fritters are not to be missed! Just next door at Partners Morningside Cafe the noodles carry nuances of Italia and Asia. In the Buckhead area, the eclectic Nickiemoto's offers both traditional Japanese sushi and southwestern spice. If you're feeling truly haute and have an expense account to match, splurge at The Dining Room in the Ritz-Carlton.
Although mint juleps and iced tea are the classic southern quenchers, coffee houses have crept into Atlanta in recent years. Both Homage and Caf� Mythology, near the conference, offer caffeine and atmosphere, which are, of course, the two essential caf� components.
But no visit to Dixie would be complete without some down-home southern cooking. Sit down to the damnedest skillet-fried chicken, corn bread, and black-eyed peas in town at Deacon Burton's Soul Food Restaurant in historic Inman Park, the oldest residential district in Atlanta.
Continue your Southern ramble down at Blind Willie's, a small but intense (read: crowded) blues bar in Virginia Highlands. Folkier types should make the fifteen minute trip to Eddie's Attic, in Decatur; it's an acoustic alcove (and Indigo Girls hangout) with live music every night. For current events around town, leaf through the alternative newspaper, Creative Loafing – the Vigilantes of Love and Viva la Diva are recommended local rockers. If you're looking for some music under the stars, check out listings for outdoor concerts at the Lakewood Amphitheater.
But while the southern drawl may charm and the southern hospitality may delight, the southern heat does neither. Scarlett couldn't say it, but you will: "Thank God for air conditioning!"
Jessie Scanlon
Belvedere hugs and "come visits" to Laura Worley, peachy thank-yous to Turnerserfs Scott Frizzle and Nancy Harmeyer, and good karma to Scott Daniel.
Simulation of Adaptive Behavior; Brighton, England (August 8-12)
Researchers in psychology, robotics, and related fields flock to this international conference by the sea. This year's event, From Animals to Animats, covers the behaviors and underlying mechanisms that allow animals and potentially robots to adapt and survive in uncertain environments. The con-ference will focus on well-defined models, computer simulations, and built robots, rather than more experimental artificial intelligence theory. Well-adapted attendees will fly into Gatwick airport, just 30 minutes from Brighton. Registration fee is 260 pounds (US$389), students 130 pounds (US$195). Contact: SAB94, +44 (2) 73 678448, fax +44 (2) 73 671320, e-mail sab94@cogs.susx.ac.uk.
ONE BBSCON; Atlanta, Georgia (August 17-21)
The Online Networking Exposition and BBS Convention is the annual event when BBSers from all over the country actually log off and chat ... in person. You've had it up to your pocket protector with information superhighway hype, but ONE BBSCON is the nuts-and-bolts event of worldwide electronic networking. Sessions, organized by subject, cover software platforms and Internet connectivity issues, with respect to business, education, and other fields. Registration fees are US$250 May 2-August 1, and $325 after August 1. Contact: ONE, Inc.: +1 (303) 693 5253, modem +1 (303) 693 5432.
ISEA '94; Helsinki, Finland (August 20-25)
The Fifth International Symposium on Electronic Art, sponsored by Finnish educational and cultural organizations, brings together artists and scientists for a whirlwind week of papers, panel discussions, workshops, multimedia exhibitions, and performances that will turn today's electronic culture inside out. The conference will cover Spacescapes (how technological advances have altered our understanding of "space"), High & Low (the cultural histories of electronic technology), and The Next Generation (questions of the future of electronic art). In addition, ISEA '94 and Silicon Graphics will announce their annual six-month grants for struggling young artists in the electronic and computer arts. Registration fee: 2,600 Finnish markka (US$450), students 750 Finnish markka (US$140). Contact: ISEA '94 Project Manager Minna Tarkka, +358 (0) 756 3601, fax +358 (0) 756 3602, e-mail isea@uiah.fi; on World Wide Web http://uiah.fi/isea/onlinefront.html.
Virtual Reality Software and Technology; Singapore (August 23-26)
Sponsored by ACM SIGCHI and the Institute of Systems Science at the National University of Singapore, VRST '94 will be an international gathering of Virtual Reality virtuosos, intended to foster greater cooperation and exchange of ideas within the VR field. VRST '94 sessions will emphasize the research and development of VR systems rather than specific commercial products. As for Singapore, virtual spray paint is recommended. Registration price not available at publication. Contact Vicky Toh: +65 772 2003, fax +65 778 2571, e-mail vrst94@iss.nus.sg.
IEEE's Personal, Indoor, and Mobile Radio Communications Symposium and
ICCC's Wireless Computer Networks Regional Meeting; The Hague, Netherlands (September 19-23)
This walkie-talkie double-header provides a unique opportunity for wireless and radio communications users, providers, and policy makers to roll up their sleeves and network. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers's PIMRC '94 will concentrate on the latest in radio network technology. The International Council for Computer Communication's Regional Meeting on Wireless Computer Networks will focus on business and policy issues of wireless networks. Registration fee not available at publication. Contact ICCC/IEEE Conference Bureau: +31 (70) 3327947, fax +31 (70) 3323959.
