Minutes from SSS Mtg 2008-Jun-24
 
Attendees: D.Harland, G.v.Moorsel, F.Owen, J.Rochford, L.Sjouwerman, B.Truitt


David noted that Lorant, Gustaaf, and Mark will be assessing the odds that the
OPT will be ready for configuring projects for Ka observing.  The call for
Ka proposals is expected in Oct 2008, and the TAC is expected to grant time
around the first day of 2009.  L, G, & M are supposed to make their assessment
by July 14.  From now until that time the scientists testing the tool will
focus on the main part of the OPT, not the source and instrument configuration
catalogs, and will concentrate on function more than look and feel.

Frazer had a number of issues in his most recent attempt to use the OPT,
detailed below.

  * For most of the problems encountered, work-arounds were possible.

  * The biggest issue is with the overall construction of a project
    and the heirachy involved (Project -> Program Blocks -> Scheduling
    Blocks -> Scans).  It is not at all obvious where to begin when
    confronted with the tool for the first time.  This may be a
    documentation issue, but there ought to be something that can point
    the way for a new user.

  * Problems encountered:

    1. Selecting a resource for a scan.  The expected behavior is that
       users are presented with a drop down list of their catalogs and
       groups, and the standard catalogs and groups, from which they
       may select an instrument configuration.  The actual behavior
       was not the expected.

    2. Pasting a scan to a particular point in the list of scans could
       use improvement.  Some suggestions:

       a. Amend the text that currently has "Paste xyz" so that it
          indicates whether the item will be pasted above or below
          the target item.

       b. Have paste-before and paste-after menu options.

    3. Could not copy and paste a scan that had no duration set.
       (This might be a "feature" -- the inability to duplicate
       a scan that is not fully formed.)

    4. It should be easier to create a new scan.  Right now one goes
       to the main menu and is then presented with a sequence of
       submenus.

    5. Could not easily copy the scans of a loop.  The goal was to copy,
       all at once, the complete list of scans in a loop and then paste
       them outside the loop.  We have no mechanism for copying multiple
       items.  The work around was to copy and paste the loop, then
       set the number of iterations of the pasted loop to "1".

    6. Could not move a loop within the list of scans.
       [This worked during the meeting.  It should be noted that just
       prior to the meeting the software on webtest had been updated
       and was not, therefore, the same software run by Frazer earlier.]

Lorant suggested that we have an "Export Script" button, or its equivalent,
so that users can download the observing script created for a particular
scheduling block.

Lorant said the documentation he is writing will be aimed at people who
have never seen the applications, but at the same time would be useful
for those who have some experience with them.

Lorant and Frazer had a discussion regarding Secondary Reference Pointing.
This pertains to high frequency observing where an X-band scan might be
used for initial pointing and then a Ka scan for a better pointing solution,
the joint result of which would be applied to subsequent scans.
It was not clear whether this is supported downstream of the OPT.
If it is, then the OPT should allow users to set up their observations
for secondary ref ptg; David wants to hear from Bryan Butler on this topic.

Lorant suggested that the NRAO source catalogs be presented in this order:

  + VLA
  + VLBA
  + Other
    + ...
    + ...
    + ...