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\documentstyle[12pt]{letter}
\begin{document}
\address{Northern Arizona University\\College of Engineering and Technology,\\
Flagstaff, Az}
\name{Martin Casado}
\signature{Martin Casado}
\date{Sept. 25, 1999}
\begin{letter}{Noel Keen\\Lawrence Livermore National Lab\\Livermore, Ca.}
\opening{Dear Sir;}
%Message Body
This letter is intended to formally introduce myself as a developer on the Parallel
Particle Framework ({\bf PPF}) project.  In this letter I will cover who
I am, my background, my understanding of the problem description and a 
preliminary risks analysis for the project.


My name is Martin Casado, and I am a senior computer science student at 
Northern Arizona University.  I have worked at LLNL for two summers 
one of those being with A division.  My background, with regards to the 
project, includes the following.
\begin{itemize}
\item Familiarity with DEC UNIX, Linux, AIX
\item Experience on the LC computers including:
\begin{itemize}
\item Blue Pacific
\item the Dec Tera Cluster
\end{itemize}
\item Experience working with the IMC physics package
\item Knowledge of OpenMP and MPI
\end{itemize}

From our discussion of the PPF, my understanding of the project is as follows.  We need
to design and implement an API which will be integrated in physics modules within the
KULL framework.  The API will provide a high level interface for parallelization of 
particles over large distributed memory super computers.  
 
A preliminary list of the risks for this project is as follows.
\begin{itemize}
\item Incompatibility with existing code
\item Lack of support for different particle types 
\item Lack of scalability
\item Main design platform is still largely expiremental 
\item Communication barriers between NAU and Livermore
\item Lack of intuitive programmer interface
\item Time constraints
\end{itemize}

Though there are a number of risks, through careful planning and program design
we will be able to create a fully functional Parallel Particle Framework.  I look forward
to working with you for the 99'-00' academic year.

%end Message body
\closing{Sincerely,}
\cc{Pat Miller\\Stu Wecker}
\end{letter}
\end{document}
