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authorNorbert Preining <norbert@preining.info>2019-09-02 13:46:59 +0900
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+{
+\let\subsection\section
+
+\title{The matter of TUG}
+TUG has changed and is changing. Until the appearance of
+{\sl \TeX\ and TUG News} (TTN), TUG's newsletter, which was
+sent to every TUG member, the nature of these changes has
+not been made very public. For reasons which are sometimes
+clear and sometimes obscure, the details have not really
+been shared widely by the membership. Apart from the
+understandably bland and anodyne reports in TTN, other details can
+be found in the reports furnished by the five or six
+so-called international vice presidents. Regretably
+neither the President, Nelson Beebe, nor the Vice
+President, Rick Furuta presented their membership the
+guidance and information they deserved. But despite these
+inferred misgivings, I remain confident that TUG has a
+future, and that TUG remains the international voice of
+\TeX.
+
+TUG gives some appearance of being unhealthy and
+moribund. I suspect there are a number of reasons for
+this. Let me try to gather together some of these, and
+then tell you why I think that the alarum bells need not be
+sounded yet.
+
+
+\subsection{\TeX3}
+First, \TeX\ itself. For a moment ignore
+the euphoria about \TeX3 and virtual fonts. Really there is
+not much that is new there. ML\TeX\ had already solved the
+eight bit `problem' and virtual fonts had actually been
+around for a good many years. What \TeX3 did was to make
+these available in a non-proprietary way, so that they
+were truly part of \TeX. Perhaps more significant is
+Knuth's statement that there is to be no more development
+of \TeX\ at all (or of \MF\ or Computer Modern). The only
+proviso is that bug fixes may be carried out, until such
+times as Knuth's death, at which point work on \TeX\ must
+cease. Any development based on \TeX\ may not be called
+\TeX. It is by no means clear to me where, for example
+J\TeX, V\TeX, or extended Computer Modern fit into this
+embargo, but I guess we would all wish to respect Knuth's
+wishes. There is a slight paradox here. For many years,
+\TeX\ had not changed: basically since 1982. In the
+intervening years it has become evident that there were
+some pretty severe deficiencies in the system which, it
+could be argued, precluded it from achieving its avowed
+aim of producing `masterpieces of the typesetting art',
+unless of course that masterpiece happened to be {\sl The
+Art of Computer Programming}. The innovation of \TeX3
+suddenly reawakened the dream that perhaps Knuth would see
+\TeX\ as an evolving project. And just as suddenly, the
+prospect was dashed from our lips. My own hopes were that
+Knuth would refuse to bring \TeX\ up to an 8-bit standard,
+and equally to be unwilling to allow the hyphenation and
+diacritical support that we needed. In this way, the \TeX\
+world would have been forced to create a structure where
+enhancements like these could be accommodated, and \TeX\
+would still be \TeX. Instead, any improvements or changes
+will have to adopt a much more radical model. At much the
+same time, Leslie Lamport agreed that \LaTeX\ 2.09 would
+be `corrected' to version 2.10. This work was not to be
+done by Lamport, but by a team led by the dynamic duo
+(Mittelbach \& Sch\"opf), under the chairmanship of
+Lamport himself. This project evolved into the \LaTeX3
+project. So, in a sense, we have had the self removal of
+the chief players. What we are noting is that the flame
+is being passed on to a new generation, and that at the
+moment of being passed on it is in danger of being
+guttered.
+
+Ideally one would like the flame to be passed to TUG.
+TUG's support for \TeX\ is considerable, as one would
+hope. I guess it is widely known that it was TUG funding
+which enabled the \TeX\ project to be completed in the
+first place, and that it supports the {\tt texhax} digest
+and Orin Patashnik's completion of \BibTeX. It also
+supports a wide educational programme -- perhaps wider
+than you might realise, since many courses are delivered
+in house, with no advertising in TUGboat or elsewhere.
+
+\section{TUG works}
+A brief account of TUG's continuing activities includes
+\bitem \TUGboat: perhaps the single most cogent reason for membership
+of the group. Now published four times a year and comprising around 600
+pages in total, \TUGboat\ contains information on new developments in
+\TeX, \LaTeX, \AmSTeX, \MF, and the allied macro packages.
+
+ \bitem TUG's annual meeting brings \TeX\ users together to learn the
+latest in \TeX\ applications and innovations through seminars, talks
+and informal gatherings (the last three conferences have featured
+10-pin bowling as a major social event). Each conference is
+informative, but it is also friendly.
+
+\bitem TUG provides a single location for
+information, documentation and product purchase for
+\TeX-related materials (hardware, software, publications).
+
+
+\bitem pursues ways of extending the use and
+applications of \TeX\ into many areas (such as publishing
+-- hence the 1991 theme for the annual meeting).
+
+\bitem continues to provide seminars and classes for beginner,
+intermediate and advanced \TeX\ users. It is also developing
+new courses in other areas of concern to the community, for
+example typography, document design\dots
+
+\bitem is investigating methods for sponsorship to help
+ form and stimulate
+Local User Groups (LUGs).
+
+\bitem the publications committee is developing `\TeX\ and
+TUG News', a second TUG publication which may be available
+electronically, demonstrating \TeX's portability.
+
+\bitem the {\sc dvi} standards committee is working towards
+providing standards for drivers. The level 0 will be
+available `shortly'.
+
+\bitem is looking into ways in which it might `certify'
+\TeX\ products.
+
+\bitem is compiling a Resource Directory of all \TeX\
+material available; commercial and public domain \TeX\ implementations;
+supporting software; documentation; publishing services -- a sort of `Whole
+\TeX\ Catalogue'. TUG members should have received their copy by now.
+
+\bitem has recently purchased a disk copier so
+that it can begin to supply public domain software to the
+membership, in cooperation with Jon Radel.
+
+\bitem increasing public awareness of \TeX,
+particularly to the user of personal machines, not
+connected to any electronic network.
+
+\bitem Discounts: members obtain discounts on the annual meeting,
+TUG-sponsored courses and selected publications. There are also student
+rates for both membership and courses.
+
+From where does TUG obtain its funding? TUG's
+income comes from two sources: membership subscriptions
+and from `generated income'. The membership subscriptions
+cover \TUGboat\ but also leave a substantial surplus. In
+1990 the membership dues were \$171,000 and the
+TUGboat expenses were only about half of this at \$92,000. Note though
+that there is an advertising income of \$33,000; I assume that most of
+that advertising is in \TUGboat. Running the TUG office is met from the
+generated income. This includes sales, courses and conferences. (Yes,
+that's why they are so expensive.) In 1990, total TUG income was
+\$623,700. The two largest components of income were from the annual
+meeting and courses (\$206,000), and from the sales of
+books, software etc. (\$190,000). I~personally believe this
+factor, that the income generated from sources other than membership
+accounts for only 27\% of the total income inhibits
+serious attention to membership expansion. After all, extra members do
+not bring in significant amounts of extra cash. The net benefit is
+not large. Increasing
+membership by say 1000 would probably only generate \$35,000, less
+say \$5--10,000 for \TUGboat\ and its postage. Perhaps TUG should be
+pursuing industrial sponsorship from those hundreds of organisations who
+have or do benefit from \TeX: like DEC, Interleaf, IBM etc. At present
+they depend rather too much on the benevolence of a few vendors. No
+vendor I have talked to feels they have had any real `commercial'
+benefit from adverts in \TUGboat\ or attendance at the conferences. In
+fact, I was recently struck by the fact that in \TUGboat\ Volume~11,
+no.~4, there was no advert from PC\thinspace\TeX, for so long a stalwart
+supporter of the magazine.
+
+The dependence on courses for generation of income has
+meant that the recent downturn in the US economy has had
+a deleterious effect on TUG. The reduction in in-house
+courses has, at a stroke, induced a serious financial
+shortfall. After all, what is the first thing you cut
+back on? Why, education. In fact the sums are not so bad
+and TUG can survive on its reserves for a few years, serious thought
+has to be given to the pattern of finances.
+
+\subsection{The truth, but only some of the truth}
+But this still skirts round the problem. Let's tackle it
+at last. At the end of 1990, Ray Goucher, for many years
+TUG's Executive Director, left the organisation. I think
+it is fair to say that this was not the happiest of
+partings. Partly as a result, the Treasurer, David Ness,
+the Vice President, Rick Furuta, and later the Secretary,
+Calvin Jackson, have tendered their resignations. This in
+itself is no recipe for disaster, since the President may
+appoint replacements. Sadly though, as far as the Board is concerned,
+Nelson Beebe was curiously silent from late October 1990 through to
+about the middle of March 1991 (and not too voluble since). The
+Executive and Finance Committee were unable to act. This was especially
+sad, since the rest of the Board of Directors affirmed
+its willingness and determination to rally round in time of
+crisis and to be directed in ways which are constructive.
+In the face of this inaction, the TUG office thrived.
+Despite dire warnings from the President of mass staff
+resignations, the staff were as committed and active as
+ever. Under the temporary direction of the extremely able
+Ron Whitney, the business of TUG continued.
+
+In passing, Charlotte Larendeau, has recently married and has moved to
+California with her new husband. Charlotte's dynamic presence will be
+missed. She put her heart and soul into TUG and I'm delighted that she
+had time for romance (although rumour murmurs that email had an important
+part to play). Far from wishing to leave TUG, Charlotte may in the
+future be called on to help organise other conferences.
+
+
+\subsection{The problems restated}
+We therefore have three visible problems: that the former
+direction, embodied by Knuth (and to some extent,
+Lamport) is no longer there; that the TUG Executive
+apparently went absent without leave; and that TUG is
+going through a period of financial austerity. I do not
+believe that any of these are reasons to despair. In the
+first case, try to remember why Knuth wrote \TeX\ in the
+first place. Recall that he only expected it to be used
+by himself and his secretary; that it is a software tool
+to assist the production of {\sl The Art of Computer
+Programming}. Yes, it took on a life of its own, like
+some creation by Frankenstein. (I would be prepared to
+argue that the analogy may be pursued further, but only
+after a few beers\dots) The matter of the Executive was
+serious, but it has been evident for some years that the
+mechanism by which the executive are elected and the
+remainder of the Board appointed, needed substantial
+overhaul. It may have been adequate in the days when TUG
+membership was a small and almost exclusively from the
+United States, but it does not suit a large international
+organisation. Apart
+from the four elected office bearers, the only other
+elected members of the Board were the `International' Vice
+Presidents (presumably elected by their own groups). The
+title of Vice President is more an honorific one than one
+which actually bestows obligations on the bearer. So what
+I am saying is that this was a crisis that was bound to
+occur, by the very nature of the Board structure.
+
+And
+lastly, the financial problem: it is unfortunate that
+this should occur at a time when TUG should be extending
+its services to its membership, and should be more
+vigorously pursuing fields like publishing. Still, as
+Joachim Lammarsch of \dante\ and and Bernard Gaulle of
+\GB\ have both pointed out, much can be done with volunteer
+help. TUG seems to lack the skills to mobilise volunteers.
+Perhaps the fact that we have paid, professional, office
+staff has encouraged us, the membership, to assume that we
+are paying to have things done and therefore need not lift
+our hands to help. Clearly this is not a fair statement,
+since so many TUG members do give selflessly of their
+time and energy to TUG and \TeX\ related activities.,
+But note that the financial position is not as bad as once
+thought. Despite David Ness' scaremongering about a purported
+\$50,000 loss, attributable to the breakdown between the Executive and
+the remainder of the Board, close attention to the accounts will reveal
+not only that there is currently only a small projected loss for 1991,
+but that a sum of \$44,000 is listed in the 1990 accounts as `expense
+associated with departure of ED'. I am unable to find any evidence
+for Ness' claims. The office staff, and especially Ron Whitney are to be
+commended for their close attention to financial details over the last
+year.
+
+\subsection{A ray of hope}
+In March a board meeting was convened in Dedham. Despite the absence
+of Nelson Beebe, and most of the rest of the Executive
+and Finance committes, this was a very
+successful meeting which helped to repair most of the
+damage done by the Executive's abrogation of their
+responsibilities. This meeting has been reported to some extent in
+{\sl \TeX\ and TUG News}. I took it as a mark of some progress that
+even the dour Bernard Gaulle appeared to return more confident that TUG
+has a future. Among the plans adopted were that (at last) the Long Range
+Planning Committee will get under way; that a Publications Committee
+will review the current TUG publications and make proposals for new
+publications, which include a more informal newsletter (TTN), and that
+the voting procedure and the board structure will be overhauled. Much
+other work was done on the infrastructure of the Board, laying a useful
+foundation for the future. Reading between the lines much of the success
+of this board meeting seems to have lain in the absence of the old
+rearguard and the active, positive participation and preparation of
+people like Hope Hamilton and Christina Thiele who ensured that the
+meeting ran smoothly, was planned, and tackled the serious issues.
+Equally, the real support of the TUG office staff was an essential
+component.
+
+\subsection{Since the Annual Meeting}
+The fruits of these changes began to be reaped at the Annual Meeting at
+Dedham. The Long Range Planning Committee spend a lot of time together,
+immediately before, and during the meeting, and started to lay out a
+far reaching set of proposals which will be gathered together and
+published in some form by the end of the year. Similarly, the
+Publications Committee drew up the beginnings of a comprehensive
+overhaul of TUG's approach to publications. Other active committees
+included the Site Selection Committee for the 1992 meeting. The other
+major issue was the mechanics of the election of next year's Board. The
+Board is to be reduced in size to the President and 15 elected members,
+plus the 5 existing International Vice Presidents and the three
+Honorary members. The 15 elected Board members will be elected by the end
+of this year. If you are a TUG member, you will have received details of
+the election procedure. The only slightly awkward note was that the
+President, who will in future years be elected by postal ballot, was in
+this one special instance elected by the existing Board, but only for
+the year 1992. In this way, some continuity is ensured. It was thought
+to be unwise to have an entirely new Board {\it and\/} President. I find
+it incredibly ironic that as one of those who sought greater involvement
+of the membership in the selection of the Board and the President, I
+should now be in the position of having been elected to the post of
+President of TUG by the Board. I'm going to try to live with the irony
+(at least for one year).\looseness-1
+
+\subsection{Conclusion}
+Despite the problems I believe that \TeX\ is sufficiently
+important that joining TUG and participating in it
+actively is a small way of expressing my joy, gratitude and
+delight. It seems strange to me that we exult in the
+public domain aspect of \TeX\ and yet whinge over the
+paltry sums needed to join TUG, or fail to return something to the
+general good. If we believe that TUG needs changing, it seems more
+constructive to participate and try to change it, rather than standing
+on the sidelines and bemoaning its current state. We do not
+improve TUG by standing aloof, or by creating
+rival organisations. The Board has instigated some
+radical changes which I believe will ensure the long term
+future of the organisation. I am especially confident
+that the incoming Board will contain new blood which will
+invigorate, brim over with new ideas and spark us all
+with their enthusiasm. I look forward enthusiastically to
+my period as President.\author{Malcolm Clark}}