Sender: info-hol-request@edu.uidaho.cs.ted
Errors-To: info-hol-request@edu.uidaho.cs.ted
Date: Sat, 14 Mar 92 18:18:19 GMT
From: Juanito.Camilleri@uk.ac.cam.cl
Message-Id: <9203141818.AA05236@scaup.cl.cam.ac.uk>
To: info-hol@edu.uidaho.cs.ted


Dear HOL users,


I think alot has been said about the HOL93 users meeting. As the person
who made the Malta proposal I feel I ought to air my views...

1) I was not present at the HOL meeting last year and therefore was not
   aware of any discussions or informal understandings that henceforth
   the meeting should alternate across the pond.

2) I proposed Malta because:

   a) I saw the invitation for proposals did not imply that European
      countries should be excluded this time round.

   b) I wanted the HOL users to decide on the style of meeting they want.
      The HOL Users meeting has evolved from an informal platform of
      discussion to a conference with "in-house" refereed formal proceedings.
      Some agree with this metamorphosis others don't. To be honest I
      have mixed feelings about both styles, however, I wanted the
      electorate to have a choice not only on location but also on style.
      That is why I proposed a mail-shot which questions people's expectations
      and offered to cater for whatever the HOL community (and not the
      organisers) want.

   c) I wanted to place Malta on the Formal Methods map.

3) I regret there has been so much fuss about all this. If people had any
   objections to a European application why did they wait until after the
   closing date to air their views? Jeff preempted with his advert well
   before the closing date...after consulting Luc I followed suit at least
   a week before the closing date. Had anyone aired their opinions about
   the Europe/North American alternation at that stage...I would have
   reconsidered and none of this fuss would have arisen. Perhaps people
   could have been slightly more diplomatic...had anyone contacted me
   before the "Vote North America" banner was waved...I would have been
   most understanding. My e-mail address is jac1@uk.ac.cam.cl and not
   info-hol@edu.uidaho.cs.ted !! Mind you I assure all involved that no
   offence has been taken.

4) I agree that it is nice for the HOL meeting to alternate across the pond
   as long as users' wishes concerning the style adopted are discussed and
   respected. Perhaps one could also ensure that no site (or person) should
   host more than once until ALL new proposals are exhausted.

5) Since voting has already commenced....I do not wish to disrupt the ballot
   by withdrawing my offer at this stage. Having said this, I think Jeff and
   Phil have raised some valid points and I urge users to vote keeping these
   points in mind.

6) I think we ought to follow Luc's recent suggestion and maintain the current
   ballot to elect the next two sites. As far as I am concerned, I will be
   honoured to host the meeting either in 1993 or in 1994, however, after
   all that has been said and done it may be wise if people choose Malta
   for 1994.

I am looking forward to HOL93 wherever it may be!!

Many Thanks
Juanito


P.S. Hope we can discuss the style and aims of HOL meetings further.