Book excerpt: Hardbound. This book is based on the proceedings of the first of a new International Conference series convened to increase the awareness of the potential of new supercomputers amongst scientists and engineers.These 22 papers deal with algorithms for supercomputing, distributed computer systems, as well as user experience and benchmarking. A further 17 selected papers are published in a companion volume entitled Applications of Supercomputers in Engineering: Algorithms, Computer Systems and User Experience edited by C.A. Brebbia and A. Peters. Both volumes are essential reading for all industrial researchers and academics who are involved in calculations using supercomputers and also for those wanting to keep abreast of future trends.