NRAO Applications Users Group Meeting - DRAFT MINUTES

Date: 2007-09-26 (Wednesday) 
Time: 1300 MDT (1500 EDT)

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Minutes:

Send additions or corrections to smyers

1. CASA Beta Release Status and Plans

   o We are still aiming to have the Beta Release "complete" on
     Sep 30 (available, at least internally, Oct 1)

     A sub-group of us (including Steve, Crystal, Gustaaf, Joe,
     Nicole) will make the call for when the "outside" see the
     release.  We will try to meet Friday.  Nicole is leaning
     towards a 1 - 2 week delay.  Again, we aim to have the 
     beta code frozen this weekend.

   o Documentation will probably not be as complete (or correct)
     as desired at this point due to delays in freezing and other
     issues.  We estimate this to be available Oct 8.

     Steve will ask some of the NAUGers to help check over
     cookbook chapters.  This is behind schedule but will
     happen either this Friday or next Monday.

   o Steve has a "Beta Watch List" at
     http://www.aoc.nrao.edu/~smyers/naug/beta/betawatch.txt

     Joe gave current status of watch items.
     I will keep updating this page.

2. CASA Beta Release testing

   o We will need intensive testing when we get a solid Beta 
     Candidate.  Some testing later this week will be helpful,
     and lots next week.  Focus should be on interactive stuff
     (that regressions wont catch) and also on finding crashes.

     Steve, Ed, Crystal, Gustaaf have agreed to test.  David
     might be able to help.  Also maybe some from Remy, Tony,
     and Rob.  Frazer was unsure whether there was the stuff
     he thought he needed for his testing (see beta release
     page).  Others?

3. CASA Boot Camp

   o scheduled for Oct 16-18 at AOC West (and via video link)

     can use Oct 15 for setup and intros for novices
     stay Oct 19 for NM Symposium and Jansky lecture

     preliminary curriculum available at:
     http://www.aoc.nrao.edu/~smyers/naug/beta/casabootcamp.txt

     This curriculum looked generally OK to the NAUG.  I will
     refine it further.  It was suggested Tak attend, since he
     will likely help with training the NAOJ folks.  Joe suggested
     having an 0600 calisthenics session to make it a real boot camp.

     A list of attendees is available, its currently around 15-18
     people.  Will send out the NAUG when next curriculum update
     is ready.

4. CASA Managment Interim Plans

   o We have an interim plan for Joe's replacement, with Brian
     Glendenning, Nicole, and Steve Myers taking on bits that
     Joe was previously handling.

     A draft of an announcement for this plan is:
     http://www.aoc.nrao.edu/~smyers/naug/beta/casamanagement.txt

     John Hibbard has offered to swap some NAASC hires and advertise
     for a developer in 2008.  This was heartily welcomed by all
     at the NAUG (e.g. "This is the best news Ive heard the last
     six months").  Looks like this is indeed going ahead.

5. CASA User Support Planning

   o We are working on plans for post-beta user support.  No
     definitive draft yet.  Current plan involves setting up
     a HelpDesk under the my.nrao.edu for registration, 
     downloading, and issue submission and response.

     Nicole was give the go-ahead to have the OpenSky developers
     put this into the Interactive Services part of my.nrao.edu.
     A question came up whether all traffic from this portal
     (queries and helpdesk replies) would be logged and how -
     it must be logged, and Nicole would know the details of
     how.  An email method of communication (ie. casahelp@my.nrao.edu)
     was strongly desired.

     A telecon will occur Friday to discuss this (along with
     the beta status).

     We will send the my.nrao interface mock-up to the NAUG.

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CASA Development Targets and Schedule

     - See project office page:
       http://projectoffice.aips2.nrao.edu
       and the CASA Wiki
       https://wikio.nrao.edu/bin/view/Software/CASA

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Upcoming meetings and deadlines:

   o 2007 Sep  30     CASA Beta Release!
   o 2007 Oct 16-18   CASA Boot Camp (AOC West)
   o 2007 Oct  31     CASA Beta Patch 0.5
   o 2007 Dec  31     CASA Beta Patch 1.0

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

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