JUNE'S ISSUE held a rich vein of letter-inciting content. Software professionals challenged "Dependable Software by Design" author Daniel Jackson about the new analytical tools developed to ensure the reliability of computer programs, especially those used in critical systems. Also, the four apocalyptic volcanic eruptions in what is now California and Wyoming that each covered large areas of North America under many centimeters of ash, described in "The Secrets of Supervolcanoes," by Ilya N. Bindeman, prompted many readers to wonder how future supereruptions will affect civilization.
"Toward Better Pain Control," by Allan I. Basbaum and David Julius, documented the promise of better drug therapies to help alleviate the agony of chronic pain. Needless to say, this topic was of personal interest to many, as was evidenced by the letters requesting more information on new treatments
