NAUG MEETING (testers only)


             WED. Aug 07  13:15 (MT)
                          15:15 (ET)

1.  Release notes and development plans  (Fomalont)

2.  NAUG effort in documentation  (Fomalont)

3.  ALMA/AIPS++ Auditing (Myers/Glendening)

4.  Recent NAUG/AIPS++ work and comments (all)







Below are the development plans suggested by the NAUG two months ago.
We can change priorities or make changes.

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Summary of NAUG Development Plans (May 25):

1.  Improvement of Data Editing: Data editing is, perhaps, the most
difficult part of data reduction and further improvements are
suggested:

   a.  finish migration of msplot techniques into viewer library
   b.  flagging based on rms of data
   c.  antenna-based flagging and enlarging scope of flags
   d.  flagging transferal from one data set to another
   e.  testing and understanding of autoflag

2.  Scan-based Calibration: A high priority item from the last
development cycle.  We realize that it is nearly done, but have it in
our list to emphasize its importance and the need for testing.

3.  Correction of Visibility Data: (U-v) data corrections such as
antenna location errors and apriori telescope gains functions (on the
wish list last time) are needed.  We suggest the creation of a new
tool which contains functions which can provide these and many other
corrections to visibility data (egs CLCOR in AIPS).

4.  Spectral Line Reduction/Imaging Improvements:

   a.  forming a continuum ms from specified channels in a spectral line ms
   b.  implementing continuum subtraction methods (egs UVSUB, UVLIN, IMLIN)
   c.  see #1 for flagging spectral line data
   d.  ability of all imaging/deconvolution tasks to use data cubes

5.  Measuring set unions: Although a basic concatenate function is
available, it is limited to specially processed data and it could be
generalized to combine many ms's.  Multi-file input of many imaging
tools is also useful.  Removing slight position offsets

6.  Documentation: After the experience of the summer school AIPS++
demonstrations and student comments, we recommend that the AIPS++
group and NAUG decide on the best course of AIPS++ documentation
development over the next six months to one year.

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS (no priority order):

1.  Listing U-V data in various formats: On the wish list last time.
The table browser is not flexible enough to produce data listings
which are easily assimilated (eg LISTR in AIPS).  The listing of
calibration table values would also be useful.

2.  TVblink: On the wish list last time.  The fast blinking amongst
many images using the viewer is needed.  WHY SO DIFFICULT??

3.  Reorganization of Imager functions: Generated by the NAUG in May
2002.  Similar reorganization of functions in other tools could be
done.

4.  Measurement set averaging in frequency and time, and the creation
of subsets of the measurement set.

5.  Clearer Function Parameters: A more consistent and user-friendly
set of parameter names should be chosen.  Two recommended changes
are

   a.  Antenna and baseline specifications are confusing.  Why not use the
       AIPS syntax of ANTENNA and BASELINE?
   b.  Avoid the use of TAQL syntax as much as possible in the commonly
       used functions

6.  Mosaic and single-dish/interferometric Data Imaging: These complex
imaging techniques need further development and testing, using
simulated sky models.  A suggested goal is to incorporate this effort
with that needed for specification of the EVLA E-configuration
proposal.

7.  Viewer improvements: The NAUG recently submitted a list of
suggestions for viewer improvements.  Further iteration and testing of
any such changes will be useful.