<MX /> is the resurrection of a "underground newsletter" originally published in Bell Northern Research (then NORTEL) under the name "Business Systems Newsletter". The publication ran from November 1983 to December 1986. Behind the rather boring title were two individuals who wanted to share thoughts on various emerging technologies that interested them. The technology which triggered the newsletter was a Hyperion Computer, a small "portable" desktop computer designed and built in Nepean. The entire newsletter was put together and "published" on this computer, because it was possible. By the end of 1986, up to 200 employees including vice-presidents, had subscribed to the newsletter.

Ten years later, in 1996, the idea surfaced to resurrect this newletter, publishing on the WWW. The trigger this time was a article published in 1945 in The Atlantic Monthly written by Vannevar Bush (see sidebar). In this article, Vannevar Bush was trying to look ahead to determine what all the scientists and technologists were going to do now that the war was ending. His prophetic writings saw the emergence of information technology, webs of information, and some sort of information processing device he thought might be a desk with information processing capability. He called the device a MEMEX.

This newsletter is entitled <MX /> in honour of this prophetic view. It will explore themes and ideas that interest the two principals who hope you find it entertaining, educational and above all fun.

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