NRAO AIPS++ Users Group Meeting

Date: 2004-3-10 (Wednesday)
Time: 1300 MST
Video Hub: SOC-conf (CV should call in to Socorro)
Rooms: SOC317/CV311

AIPS++ Threat Level is: Yellow = Elevated
  [ALMA TST1 concluded, prepare for TST2...]

Draft Minutes:

1. NAUG News

   o SS5 work is closing out (nominal freeze 12Mar04, release 16Mar04).
     
     *Joe noted that this would slip at least a week to allow some 
      important stuff to be included.

   o The NAUG pre-testing for ALMA TST1 proved to be critical for the
     success of this test.  We thank those who participated in this
     testing, and appreciate these efforts (which were impacted by being
     immediately following the holiday season).

     *John is still working on his comparisons for continuum subtraction.

     *It was asked whether it will be possible to recruit new NAUG members
      from incoming postdocs etc.  We will have to wait until they arrive
      (presumably in the fall) though.

   o The items that need NAUG review/testing can be found at:

     http://projectoffice.aips2.nrao.edu/testing.html 

     (also accessed from the Module Testing link on front page).

     Joe would like a review of:

        Imager - multi-spectral window imaging
        Calibrater - interpolation

        Viewer - blinking
        Viewer - statistical editing of data - use the adjust menus to 
          select rms, etc. for editing (in MS and Visibility Selection 
          of Adjust Panel).

     The aim is for the NAUG to sign off (or indicate problems with) 
     these functions.  Comments should be in the form of:

        functionality:
        usability:
        documentation:

     See examples of Debra's reports under the "NAUG Comments" links 
     under the first two items.

     *Walter mentioned that he had started testing these items, and
      was working on a report.  Note that multiple tests by different
      people was a good thing.

   o There was some NAUG feedback on George's Data Selection
     proposal which was posted on the ALMA Offline TWiki page:

     http://almasw.hq.eso.org/almasw/bin/view/OFFLINE/DataSelection

     Walter's short comments can be found at:

     http://www.aoc.nrao.edu/~smyers/aips++/notes/2004-01-13-brisken.txt

     It would be good to have more comments!

     *Steve claimed he was going to comment on this soon.

2. AIPS++/ISD Status Report

   o An offer has been made and accepted for the AIPS++ "Architect" (part
     Athol-replacement) position.  Dave DeBonis will start April 5.

3. ALMA

   o ALMA TST1 has been completed.  The report can be found at:

 http://aips2.nrao.edu/projectoffice/almatst1/reports/UserTestReport.feb04.pdf

     *DISCUSSION: Joe will lead an "after action report" of the TST1 
      pre-testing and testing experience, including how we want to move
      toward TST2.

     *As noted above, the pretesting by the aips++ group and the NAUG was
      very important.  The main items turned up by the outside testing had
      to do with the different OS used.  We were also hampered by lack of
      knowledge about the datasets and the expected results, which should
      not be the case for TST2.  See the report for more details.

   o ALMA TST2 is on the horizion.  It has been pushed back to August in order
     to afford time for development, which has been hard to schedule due to
     the pressures of testing.  

     For TST2 info, see:

     http://aips2.nrao.edu/projectoffice/almatst2/ALMA_TST2.html

     One of the focuses of TST2 is mosaicing.  We have some possible test
     datasets in hand, and will begin evaluating these.

     *ACTION: Joe and Steve will take first crack at the mosaicing data.

     *It was noted that it might be possible to slip the Q1 testing (TST3,
      TST5) by a month to start on Feb 15 in order to put more time between
      the release and the holidays.

     *Joe pointed out that more continuous testing was desirable leading up
      to TST2.  Some NAUG members pointed out that focused testing under a
      deadline was efficient, and should be scheduled in.  Perhaps a focused
      testing period in May/June leading up toward the Summer School.

4. EVLA

   o No known EVLA issues at this time.

 5. Main Event - Presentations and Discussion Items

   o There is no "Main Event" scheduled this meeting, as the discussion 
     of the ALMA TST1 after-action report is the big item.

     *Suggestions for upcoming events:

      - Tim & Sanjay on wide-field imaging and/or mosaicing (see below)

      - Lindsey on the ALMA proto-pipeline

   o Other developments:

     Tim & Sanjay have been working on some critical algorithm improvements
     in the areas of wide-field imaging and mosaicing.  I hope to get a
     short report on this at a future NAUG meeting...

6. AIPS++ Developments - see latest targets and info at Project Office:
     http://projectoffice.aips2.nrao.edu/

   o SS5 Targets -- see Project Office page for development status and
     testing info.

7. Upcoming meetings and deadlines:
   o 2004 Mar 16         AIPS++ SS5
   o 2004 Apr 1          ALMA Release 1.1
   o 2004 Apr 26-28      AUI Visiting Committee (SOC)
   o 2004 Aug 1          ALMA CDR2 = Judgement Day! (NOTE - DELAYED From Jul1)
   o 2004 Aug 1          ALMA TST2 begins??

   The agendas for past NAUG meetings are archived at:
   http://www.aoc.nrao.edu/~smyers/aips++/agenda/

   The minutes for past NAUG meetings are archived at:
   http://www.aoc.nrao.edu/~smyers/aips++/minutes/