ITAC Conference Call - September 14, 2010

Roll Call:

Absent:

Outstanding action items -- http://water.usgs.gov/usgs/itac/docs/outstanding_ais.html

• Agenda Items for Hawaii F2F
• Terri has email in to Ellen Rierson (Bureau Telecom. Manager) regarding T1 lines
• Stream View Update
• Update from Burl Goree on long-term plan for mobile computing unification
  ACTION: Terri will contact Burl for an update
• DCP lease/purchase of bandwith – update from Dan Schwitalla or Phil Turnipseed
• ACTION: Katherine will contact Phil and Dan and invite one of them to call in and brief ITAC at the HI F2F.
• Presenter – integrated PDF presentations (refer to Keith Kirk presentation sent in email from Terri)
• Some WSC staff are using Articulate, however, Articulate is expensive. Better rendering of scientific equations
• TJ Lane uses Articulate for her classes
  
  ACTION: Terri suggested hosting a webinar on Articulate or present Articulate and Adobe Presenter together – compare the advantages and disadvantages between the software packages.
  
  
• SharePoint tracking widget – track tasks (action items) in SharePoint through a meeting workspace; populate the workspace as an on-going task list.
  (HOLD FOR OCTOBER CALL)
  
  ACTION: Bob Swanson would like to have a “training” session on SharePoint prior to the Hawaii F2F.
  
  
• Rotation of Dave and Shaun off of ITAC
• Need nomination of a Studies Section Chief from either Central or Eastern Region
• Need nomination of a Data Chief either from Central or Western Region


ACTION: ITAC members are requested to submit names of potential candidates by the next call. Katherine requested that Dave and Shaun also make suggestions.

ACTION: Kim will remind ITAC in the monthly call reminder to submit nominations.

• T1 Lines
• Bob got a response from Paul stating that this is a paramount issue.
• Terri commented this why she is trying to have Ellen Rierson participate in the November F2F by phone. What is the Bureau’s long-term plan for updating telecommunications infrastructure?
  
  ACTION: Terri will set up a conference call with Ellen and Katherine to discuss the issues.
  
  
• Terri commented that Water Science Centers are complaining to the GIO about not being able to run their NWIS processes. The perception has become that NWIS is the problem.
• Katherine commented that we need to show Water Science Center perspective; hear from Bob and Ellen. It is important that Ellen be aware of the issue prior to the ITAC F2F.
• Katherine asked if Bob Wakelee is involved. Response: At this time he is not.
• Katherine commented that Bob Wakelee is a good advocate for Water.
• Terri commented that Bob Lent should share information he has on Water Science Center perspective and findings with Shawn Noble.
  
  ACTION: Bob Lent will share PowerPoint slides with Shawn Noble. Bob will also work with Joe Nielsen and Joel Dudley.
  
  
• ITAC Sponsored Webinars
• Katherine sent out the memo for repeat sessions of the Web Cam Basics Webinar
• Dates have been set for September 21st and 30th.
• Ramona reported that 21 are registered for the first session and 12 for the second session.
  
  ACTION: Ramona will send Kim presentations from the first run of the Web Cam Basics webinar.
  
  
• SIMS User Group
• Gary needs to clarify what his needs are for SIMS Users Group members and get back to ITAC
  
  ACTION – Hold for October call.
  
  
• New Business
• Bob reminded all to make their reservations for Hawaii, and to send travel information for posting on-line
• Bob asked Terri to upgrade her rental car to a mini-van
• Next call – finish up F2F agenda

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ACTION ITEMS:

ACTION – Terri will contact Burl for an update on mobile computing.
ACTION – Katherine will contact Phil and Dan and invite one of them to call in and brief ITAC at the HI meeting.
ACTION – Terri suggested hosting a webinar on Articulate or present Articulate and Adobe Presenter together – compare the advantages and disadvantages between the software packages.
ACTION – Bob Swanson would like to have a “training” session on SharePoint prior to the Hawaii F2F.
ACTION – ITAC members are requested to submit names of potential candidates by the next call. Katherine requested that Dave and Shaun also make suggestions.
ACTION – Kim will remind ITAC in the monthly call reminder to submit nominations for replacement of Dave and Shaun on ITAC.
ACTION – Terri will set up a conference call with Ellen and Katherine to discuss Bureau telecommunications issues.
ACTION – Regarding the issue with T1 lines in Water Science Centers, Bob Lent will share PowerPoint slides with Shawn Noble. Bob will also work with Joe Nielsen and Joel Dudley.
ACTION – Ramona will send Kim presentations from the first run of the Web Cam Basics webinar.
ACTION – SIMS User Group – hold for October call.