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                                Modeling of Complex System Conference
                                                   and
                                Component Object Model Workshop
                                                Update

                                        July 12-17, 1998

                                        New Orleans, LA, USA

                                      (Please Circulate)

If you are familiar with the conference and its purpose you can skip down to
the UPDATE section.  If this is the first you have heard of the conference
please read on.

This a conference for modelers about methods and issues related to the
development of models of complex systems.  We, as modelers, are moving into
an era where we are trying to address many complex issues e.g., Ecosystem
Management, Global Climate Change, Forest Health, Sustainability.  The
magnitude and complexity of these issues is beyond the capabilities, scope
and resources of any one modeler or a small group of modelers.  We must find
a better way to share models and the libraries of knowledge embedded in
them.  This is the purpose of the Component Object Model Workshop

Several modeling issues will become of critical importance as we reuse
models and their components to develop complex systems.  The development of
models of complex systems, in whole or in part, through component reuse
allows us to mix and match components that have may different temporal and
spatial scales.  What are the implications of this on the resolution and
scale of the newly developed system?  What about error propagation?  Do we
have tools to assist us in analyzing and designing models of complex systems
to evaluate the impact of these issues and avoid them?   What can
individuals who have wrestled with these problems tell us?  How do we
efficiently represent the information contained inside the models of complex
systems?  The purpose of  The Modeling of Complex Systems Conference is to
discuss these questions and related topics.

The conference is being advertised and administered strictly through
electronic means i.e., the web and e-mail.  If you are interested and want
the complete story please go to the conference/workshop web
http://Wally.USFS.Auburn.Edu/Conference/ where you can register, submit the
title of a paper, or submit an abstract.

Conference Themes

Both concept and applied papers are invited for these Conference themes.

Linking Different Scales and Types of Models - Concepts, methods and
anecdotal experiences related to linking models of different spatial and
temporal scales and/or types of models.

Model Reuse - Methods and approaches that can be or have been used to
integrate and reuse models for the development of complex systems.

Model Engineering - Concepts, methods and experiences related to the
methods, tools, and processes that can be used to analyze, design,
implement, and test models of complex systems.

Complex-System Representation- Techniques, tools and approaches to present
or represent the information in models of complex systems in a useful and
understandable form.


Cost

The cost for the conference is $1000 US.   This includes the cost of
attending the conference, lodging for 5 nights (Sunday - Friday) at the
Royal Sonesta Hotel, the Icebreaker, Poster Session Socials, and the costs
for all breaks.  Additional fees are charged for the conference banquet,
field trip and farewell lunch.  The costs for these events are:

Banquet - $65
Field Trip - $60
Farewell Lunch - $40

The cost for attending the conference and all events is $1165 US.

N.B*    A block of 80 rooms is being held at the Royal Sonesta until June 1,
1998.  If you want to take advantage of the excellent rates we have
negotiated and its ideal location you must register before June 1.  The
registration fee for the conference will be $700 after June 1 and will not
include lodging.

Deadlines

- As soon as possible (ASAP) - Titles of papers
-  April 1, 1998 - Submission of final abstracts.
- April 15, 1998 - Notification of acceptance
- June 1, 1998 - Receipt of Registration and fees to guarantee lodging at
Royal Sonesta Hotel
- June 30, 1998 - Submission of papers to be included in the proceedings.

UPDATE

The conference is progressing nicely with several proposed presentations
submitted at this point.  If you would like to see the titles of the
proposed presentations go to the recently added "titles & abstracts" page in
the conference web.  Also notice there have been some adjustments of the
deadlines for the conference.

If you are interested after have read everything remember to check out the
web site http://Wally.USFS.Auburn.Edu/Conference/ for the full story.

If you have questions use the e-mail address below.

Rick Smith
(for the Conference/Workshop Committee)


**********************************************
Rick Smith
Research Forester
USDA Forest Service
Southern Research Station
G.W. Andrews Forestry Sciences Laboratory
520 Devall Drive
Auburn, AL
USA    36849-5418
SmithR@Forestry.Auburn.Edu
http://Wally.USFS.Auburn.Edu/Conference/
Tel: +1-334-826-8700
Fax: +1-334-821-0037
**********************************************