Welcome to DYALOGue Summer 2011

I just can't believe that it's already summer. But, as I look out of the window, I realise that we’ve passed summer equinox and managed a number of significant achievements since our last Newsletter in March.

Dyalog APL Windows Version 13.0 was made commercially available on April 1 in 32- and 64-bit versions. The AIX and Linux versions are also commercially available.

For more information on new feature/functionality please visit the Version 13.0 documentation page.

You can order print-on-demand Version 13.0 manuals from Lulu and, as usual, we have also made it possible to download free-of-charge PDF versions as well.

It's almost conference season again. As always this time of the year, we're in the process of putting together the detailed programme for the annual Dyalog User Conference. We're returning to the USA this year – Boston more specifically. The registration system is now live and I urge you to take advantage of the early bird discount of 10% and register now. Read more about Dyalog '11 here. We're in a smaller venue this year, so please also read the article in this newsletter on accommodation.

Over the spring, we worked on developing the tasks for The Third APL Programming contest. We had much valuable input for the tasks from the winner of last year's contest, Ryan Tarpine. The 2011 competition was kicked off on 12th May and the deadline for submission is 12:00 UTC (Noon), Sunday August 14, 2011. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to tell everyone you know – and students in particular – about the competition. It really is an excellent opportunity for anyone who would like to embark on learning APL. Read more about the programming contest later in this newsletter.

I am absolutely delighted to tell you that Brian Becker joined Dyalog in February this year. Brian will play a key role in the new 'APL tools group' that we have formed where he will take primary responsibility for the design, implementation and documentation of tools that we will be writing in APL in the years to come. There are many facets to Brian – outside of his dedication to the APL language – so take the opportunity learn more about him in the portrait in this newsletter.

As you read this article, Morten and I are in the process of planning our annual R&R where we will recharge the batteries before the conference. As usual, we're crewing on the good old sailing ship Anna-Elise (1932). This year, the plan is to visit the north coast of Poland and Rügen, which was part of the former DDR.

Once more – please take advantage of the 10% Early Bird discount for Dyalog '11 and register now. I am looking forward to seeing many of you in Boston the first week of October.

Enjoy your reading

Gitte Christensen