 
\centerline{\bf DANTE}
\centerline{\bf  Deutschsprachige Anwendervereinigung \TeX}
\medskip
\noindent 
Last year, when I was in Exeter at the European
\TeX\ meeting, was the first time that the idea
of a German \TeX\ society came into my mind. I
saw that the organisation and
representation of the European \TeX\ users was not
very good. And the first step towards making
it better is in my opinion to improve the
organisation of the national groups.
 
So because of that, in Freiburg at the
German \TeX\ meeting I made the proposal
in my capacity as the coordinator of the German group to
found a German \TeX\ society, and asked for
comments about that idea. The response has been so
positive that I have gone on to prepare the
foundation.
 
On 14th of April 1989 in Heidelberg, it has come
to fruition. {\sc dante}, Deutschsprachige
Anwendervereinigung \TeX, has been
founded. I agree, the name is not from a
German. But the French users group has taken the
German GUTenberg, so we needed another well-known
name. 17 persons were present to found the
society, and after a discussion about the statutes
the board was elected. For chairman of the
society the persons present elected me. For vice
chairwoman  Gabriele Kruljac,
Max--Plank--Institut Stuttgart, for treasurer  Friedhelm
Sowa, Research Center of the University
Duesseldorf, and for secretary  Luzia
Dietsche, Research Center of the University
Heidelberg, have been chosen.
 
The principal aim of the society is to encourage advice and
cooperation among German language \TeX\ users. But
this is not the only intention. The user group will
examine proposals of members for new \TeX\
software, if there are some. It will above all
cooperate with other related national and
international \TeX\ groups. Besides, {\sc dante} shall
represent the interests of the German language
\TeX\ users to the TUG more than has happened
up till now. Perhaps that will be done in team-work
with other European \TeX\ groups.
 
Another activity will be the organisation of
training and education. The first training course will
perhaps be held at the next German \TeX\ meeting. Last,
but not least, a newspaper will be edited and published.
 
Institutions as well as individuals can become members.
Membership is possible for
universities, publishers, software houses,
computer companies, public authorities, private
persons, students,  to name but a few. The
dues for the various groups are graduated.
 
The first general meeting will take place together
with the German \TeX\ meeting on 4th--6th
October 1989 in Eichstaett. The first day of the
meeting will be reserved for the members of {\sc dante};
the other two days will be the same as normally
happens at meetings.
 
For more information about {\sc dante} please contact:
{\obeylines 
{\sc dante}
Deutschsprachige Anwendervereinigung \TeX
Research Center of the University Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 293
6900 Heidelberg 1
FRG
email {\tt  dante@dhdurz1}
}
\smallskip
\rightline{\sl    Joachim Lammarsch}
