INTERVIEWS

INTERVIEWS by STEPHEN IBARAKI, FCIPS, DFNPA, FGITCA, MVP

Chats with Kelly Gotlieb, Internationally Renowned Pioneer in Computing - Kelly talks about his Lecture at the University of Toronto, his 90th birthday celebrations and reflecting back

This week, Stephen Ibaraki, FCIPS, I.S.P. continues his regular chat sessions with computing pioneer, Calvin C. (Kelly) Gotlieb, C.M., M.A., PhD.D. (University of Toronto), D. Math. (Hon., University of Waterloo), D. Eng. (Hon., Technical University of Nova Scotia), Fellow of the Canadian Information Processing Society (FCIPS), Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the British Computer Society (BCS) and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).

Kelly Gotlieb is currently Professor Emeritus in Computer Science and in the Faculty of Information Studies at the University of Toronto (UT). He is a computing pioneer, whose innovations and accomplishments helped lay the foundation of an entire worldwide industry, educational stream, and profession. His contributions are so profound and their impact so diverse and in so many areas that the lasting value cannot be comprehended. Have a look at this blog to find out more: http://blogs.technet.com/cdnitmanagers/archive/2006/09/29/459971.aspx

To listen to the interview, click on this MP3 file link

The latest blog on some selected interviews can be found in the IT Managers Connection (IMC) forum where you can provide your comments in an interactive dialogue.
http://blogs.technet.com/b/cdnitmanagers/

DISCUSSION:

Interview Time Index (MM:SS) and Topic

:01:00:  Kelly, you gave a lecture at the University of Toronto to a full house. Can you outline the theme and memorable insights from your lecture?
"....I chose the life history of the hardware and software – computers that we designed, built, boarded and bought, and woven through it the people who did things and the problems that we solved together...."

:02:49: Will the PowerPoints be made available from your lecture?
"....Yes, I have the PowerPoint slide collection....I've given it to the department and it's available to anybody who wants it...."

:03:37: There was a special dinner reception after the lecture. What amazed you? What surprised you? What made you laugh? What made this day special?
"....Although I've had a wonderful life with computers and computing, what's more important is the life I've had with people....My four grandchildren ended up with a really fun piece about why 90 was important, and they each took time and said something that they had themselves thought up. It was a wonderful way to end the evening...."

:05:11: You celebrated your 90th birthday. What would you like to share from this perspective and from reflecting back?
"....All the things I've been able to do, it's always a case of being able to do it with people....When you get to be 90 they say the short term memory goes first. But the long term memory fortunately, in my case anyway, is still there so I remembered all these people....After the dinner, going around tables and being able to talk with them was really a moving experience for me...."

:06:40: Michael Williams from the University of Calgary was also there and you had something special happening with him afterwards. Can you comment?
"....I’ve known Mike since 1952....He's interviewed me several times and he wanted to do one more interview on my experiences as Editor-in-Chief of the ACM Journal....We had a long talk on many things. He's a person I much admire...."

:07:50: Tell us more about the special honour you will receive this fall from the University of Victoria?
"....It will be formally given to me in November of this year...."

:08:55: Do provide your additional thoughts about your work, life, and family?
"....Talk (with people), and find out what you can admire about them and then let them know. That's a good way to get along...."

:09:56: You continue to do your work as co-chair of the ACM Awards Committee. Can you comment further?
"....I still keep quite busy with my work with ACM. As co-chair of the Awards Committee my main job is to appoint members to the committees (of which there are about 20)...."

:12:30: Kelly shares about some of the people who attended the March 28 event.

:17:09: Thank you Kelly for all the interviews that you've done and will continue to do and the contributions that you've made to this country, education, industry and worldwide and for sharing with our audience.
"....I feel I've been lucky to have so many people to work with. Almost everybody I've encountered my whole life has been helpful to me and we were able to work together. My family life has been blessed...."