Simula SpringerBriefs on Computing - some of the most downloaded books in the field

Simula SpringerBriefs on Computing (SSBC) is a series of compact introductory texts aimed at researchers who are new to a topic in the field of computing science, getting them quickly up to speed. The three books published in this series so far (Scaling of Differential Equations, Anti-Fragile ICT Systems, and Solving PDEs in Python) have been exceptionally well received, with a combined total of well over 100 000 downloads. Two upcoming publications, Time Predictions and The Huawei and Snowden Questions, will interest researchers and the broader public, as they explore topics important for our professional and personal lives.

“I am surprised, delighted and relieved by the interest in these texts, and I take it as an indication of the need for compact introductions to relatively contracted topics. Congratulations to the authors and thank you to SpringerNature for believing in this series. This motivates us to pursue our efforts in open-access publishing with SpringerNature.”
- Aslak Tveito, CEO at Simula and Editor in Chief of SSBC.

“I am very happy that this ambitious project initiated by Simula is working very well. In particular, it is good to see the spectacular usage of the volume on FEniCS.”
- Martin Peters, Executive Editor at Springer.

“It was a joy to work on the book with my friend and colleague Hans Petter Langtangen, and I'm grateful to Simula and Springer for enabling the publication as open access. The book provides a hands on guide to FEniCS programming and covers quite a range of application domains in a compact and accessible format.”
- Anders Logg, author and Professor of Computational Mathematics at Chalmers University.

Current SSBC volumes

• Anti-Fragile ICT Systems(2016) by Kjell J. Hole. This volume introduces a novel approach to the design and operation of large ICT systems. Downloads: >3.2K per chapter (43.4K total).
• Scaling of Differential Equations (2016) by HP Langtangen and GK Pedersen. This volume serves both as a reference for various scaled models with corresponding dimensionless numbers, and as a resource for learning the art of scaling. Downloads: >2.6K per chapter (10.7K total).
• Solving PDEs in Python (2016)by Hans Petter Langtangen and Anders Logg. This volume provides a concise and gentle introduction to finite element programming in Python based on the popular FEniCS software library. Downloads: >10.4K per chapter (52K total).

Upcoming SSBC volumes

• Time Predictions:Understanding and Avoiding Unrealism in Project Planning and Everyday Life (to be published 2018) by Torleif Halkjelsvik and Magne Jørgensen. This volume explain why and when your time predictions will be over optimistic, and demonstrates how to improve the accuracy of your time predictions.
• The Huawei and Snowden Questions: Can Electronic Equipment from Untrusted Vendors be Verified? Can an Untrusted Vendor Build Trust into Electronic Equipment? (to be published 2018) by Olav Lysne. This book is of great interest toICT and security professionals who need a clear understanding of the two questions posed in the subtitle, and to decision-makers in industry, national bodies and nation states.

Suggestions

Do you have a suggestion for a topic or field in need of a comprehensive and concise overview?

Suggestions for topics and authors can be sent to Rachel Thomas (rachel@simula.no).