Lawrence, Kansas - 9/4-6/96 Present: Kathy Peter (Chair) Kevin Oberg Jonathon Scott Steve Brady Bill Carswell Pete Rogerson Greg Allord Dave Shultz (minutes) Brian Mrazik Jon Nowlin Cheryl Nelson Alan Lumb Susan Trapanese Tom Wood Isabelle des Fountaines Graig McHendrie Verne Schneider Arlen Harbaugh Merritt Blalock Betsy Daniels (facilitator &recorder) Absent: Guest: Walt Aucott Jared Bales Charles Tibbals Sharon Goss --------------------------------------------------------------------------- September 4, 1996 Orientation: Walt Aucott presented an overview of the organizational structure of the Kansas District, the hydrologic background of the state and the make-up of their program. Jim Morris (Chief, Computer Operations) gave an overview of the computer environment which includes a Prime, DGs, Sun, NT Server, Xterms, PCs and Macs. His section provides support for the DG hardware and software, the Prime hardware, provide network support for PCs and Macs. The network is moving from the existing Thicknet to 10Base-T. They have a Sun for running SAS. The NT Server is used for Excel, project management software (Timeline), Corel Draw and Adobe Illustrator. Town Meeting: o Introductions o Steve Brady was presented a Superior Service Award by Walt Aucott o Briefings NWIS/Hass Issues (Alan Lumb) NWIS-I Port to DG -same functionality as on Prime -project is currently on schedule -user testing in October followed by alpha and beta tests Futures Committee Report (Richard Hollway) -develop guidelines to purchase non-DG hardware -develop DG resources necessary for NWIS-I port -how WRD chooses which hardware and software nationally; six models which will be discussed by CPAC later in the week: 1. locally managed 2. market analysis 3. functional requirements analysis 4. I/O compatibility requirements 5. WRD core software analysis 6. popular vote (ie 1 person/ 1 vote) Applications Side of DIS (Tom Wood) New Ingres Maintenance Agreement key points -contract is directly with Computer Associates -will enable WRD to transfer licenses from DG to other Ingres supported platforms -options to extend contract through the year 2001 New Applications Set 9 key points -done over network not through tape distribution -contains new release of Perl, Web server software (Apache), new Frame templates, new Mosaic browser -release scheduled for October Spatial Data Support Unit -trying to modify contract with ESRI to allow GIS on NT Server System Support (Susan Trapenese) key points -the contracting environment in the government is changing which should allow us more flexibility in our procurement of hardware and software -top priority of her section is to facilitate the move off the Prime to the DG -telecommunications:WWW is driving the need for higher speed lines; some District Offices already have 128KB lines -PC,Mac and NT support in addition to Prime and DG support AIS (Isabelle des Fontaines) -looking at porting AIS to another Unix platform;also to a NT server; BRD and GD are looking at using AIS on nonDG platforms -Payroll module will be integrated into AIS release 4.0 after closeout -A streamlined project module, residing outside of AIS but using data from AIS is being planned. The module will be highly simplified from the current AIS Project Chief's modul. Isabelle is trying to assemble a group to start workin on requirements. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions/Answers Session Q: What assurance is there about getting brand name software in the future? A: Procurement restrictions still can get in the way of getting what users want although thresholds are higher. Other agency contracts can be used if they have what we want. Price is not the only criteria for selection; increasingly quality measurements are being used. Q: Are there ways to get new software for the DG such as Netscape? A: No way to get Netscape on DG but DG users can go through a NT Server to get to new applications. Q: If we are going in the direction of heterogeneous systems, don't we still have to have a core system to be able to communicate: A: The Futures Committee is addressing this issue. With Sun, SGI and NT, the hardware is affordable but software acquisition expenses are going to be significant. Kevin Oberg said that the explosion in the Web may obviate heterogeneity problems. Q: Has CPAC addressed issue of uniformity of homepages? A: WRD currently doesn't have a strategy. The subject may be addressed at the District Chiefs Meeting. It is also on the CPAC agenda for this meeting and hopefully we will have a recommendation for the Senior Staff. Q: Update new Travel Manager (TM) which will allow direct deposit electronically? A: Isabelle said TM may be replaced because of a Departmental Initiative even though AIS interface is done and being tested in several locations. Q: What about the Payroll Module? A: The Payroll Module will be on the tape coming out after close-out. There may be a Windows version coming out later in FY97. Q: Is G2 going to continue to be supported? A: This issue is on the CPAC agenda. Release 9 will have fixes for some bugs in the current version. Although G2 meets publication standards perhaps we could change publication standards so that off the shelf charting software can be used. Q: What can be done about poorly documented software like AwK and RDB? A: WRD class-notes could be made available. Also the O'Reilly series of books is available (Though the ones for awk and sed aren't great). Dave Wollock commented that he hopes the Division keeps national software support. Q: Was there incorporation of DODEC QA/QC features in NWIS-2? A: Pete Rogerson says yes but this is meaningless because of uncertainty of NWIS-2 project. Q: Could DODEC database evolve into NWIS-2? A: Alan Lumb says that they have analyzed several options such as this but it is not obvious that any of them could be stepped up to NWIS-2. Currently the two options that they are actively considering are upgrading NWIS-I and starting over. Q: Has the Division figured out what went wrong with NWIS-2? A: Alan Lumb said that the staff has identified 70 things that contributed to the failure to complete the project. Verne says the Senior Staff thinks they know what went wrong from their end of things. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Town Meeting Retrospective o Many of the questions and comments were similar to what CPAC has heard in other town meetings. The field is demoralized by the lack of decision making not just on computers but in such areas as publications. o The lack of documentation/training indicates we should acquire software that has plenty of documentation or we should be prepared to provide the training and documentation. We need to revitalize the WRD effort in computer training. o DODEC data base as a tool. Support issues. What are the priorities? o Better outreach about CPAC accomplishments and procurement changes is needed. Probably SAs know that there have been changes but scientists and field personnel may not know. o Need core set of Division software that is stable and that most users know how to use and are comfortable with. o Lack of consistency of Web homepages among Districts as to what is there and how it looks. There is also the gap between the historical data and the real-time data that is increasingly available. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- TAC Unix Security-Restricted Cooperator Access Dan Winkless Greg Senko Rich Hollway Web Server Guidelines available at: http://wwwqvarsa.er.usgs.gov/www/www-server-setup.html.access Action Item: Tom Wood should put Jeff Marso's notes on security from NCTM training course on Release 9. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Futures Group or Futcom-1 o Charge 1-Put together a document that describes current knowledge about several alternatives for providing additional non-DG computing power. Alternate #1 NT Server Alternate #2 non-DG Unix server and workstations Alternate #3 Desktop WINTEL PC The Futures Group put together a document for options on non-DG computing systems with a pointer to Web pages that include a table on estimated support costs in addition to current DIS-2 support. -Verne said that FTE may be a limiting factor. ->Discussion: -this kind of information needs to be a part of the decision making process -the DIS office could prepare an implementation plan but for which options? -Kevin Oberg asked how does this fit into the CPAC Strategic Plan? The answer was that this task was to meet a short-term problem ie EOFY purchases. -that there should be a message from CPAC to the Senior Staff that these purchases are being made and that there are longer term implications re: support at either the local or National level. -What are the support implications for Charge #1. Action Item: DIS to develop recommendations to CPAC on how to best support the Division's needs in FY97 with an environment of Primes, DGs,Macs and PCs and the three options developed by Futcom-1 for Charge 1. DIS should assume existing resources. They should focus on priorities and identify what will not be done. Due by October 21. o Charge 3-Develop one or more possible scenarios describing how WRD could choose its nationally supported hardware and software and the degree of support that it should provide. A handout discussing the six models: 1. locally managed 2. market analysis 3. functional requirements analysis 4. I/O compatibility requirements 5. WRD core software analysis 6. popular vote (ie 1 person/ 1 vote) ->Discussion about eliminating one or more of the methods from the list such as the popular vote model but several members thought that under certain circumstances this could be a viable method. ->Discussion about what to do with this report. Options discussed were: -use as an internal working tool -use to develop a process for choosing software - Verne suggested using tools on some real problem such as G2 conversion -use to develop a decision tree A proposal was made to accept the report. Jon Scott objected that the Futcom-1 members didn't feel that they had finished. Jon felt we should ask Futcom-1 to come up with a gameplan on how to choose method(s) for a particular application. Graig McHendrie said since we don't have a vision of the future so we don't really know how to use these tools. Graig McHendrie said that perhaps we could simplify future computing environment for the next 3 years to two options: #1 NT only #2 NT/Unix Greg Allord said he thinks Macs should not be thrown out of the mixture. Jon Nowlin said we should charge a subgroup to do a market analysis of where the major operating systems are going to evolve to in the next 3 years. Graig McHendrie wanted to expand the charge to the computing environment of the Division ie what applications might run on different operating systems. The environment to include OS, applications, standards,desktop interfaces and networks. The subgroup should advise CPAC what the most probable scenario based on available information by the next CPAC meeting in December. Action Item: Futcom-2 will come up with a refined charge for inclusion in the minutes. Done 9/6/96 (see below). Futcom-2 Charge: Create a draft document that describes the computing environment for WRD over the next three years. This description to include consideration of the most probable operating systems(s), the user desktop interface, computer/industry standards that will be important and network characteristics and impacts. This document to be delivered to CPAC two weeks before the next meeting. The members of the sub-committee are: Graig McHendrie Scott McEwen Merritt Blalock Jim Bettandorff Greg Allord Steve Regan Susan Trapanese Richard Hollway Steve Brady On 9/6/96 motion was made to accept the above draft charge as is. Motion carried. AI: Futcom-1 continues to work on Charge 3 and suggest circumstances under which the six methods can be used. Target date is the December CPAC meeting. Arlen Harbaugh (Chair) AI: DIS to develop and implement method of inventorying hardware and software. This should include an explanation of why the information is needed. They should develop a timeframe and report at the next CPAC meeting about the method. Draft to be issued by 12/2. o Charge 2-Document the DG resources (CPU size, memory and disk space) needed to run the ported NWIS-1 system. A recommendation was issued to the Districts that they needed at least: dedicated DG8500 quad processor 192 MB memory CSS-3 deckside housing with 4-four GByte disk drives wide differential SCSI controller card The four disk drives (a minimum) are for efficient database installation and performance. A deskside CSS-3 housing for the disk drives and controller providing wide differential SCSI are recommended. The 16 GBytes of disk capacity are more than adequate for all but the larger districts, and provides an allowance for growth. As a result of the recommendation, several Districts were able to make EOFY purchasing decisions. CPAC thanks Futcom-1 for a job well done. 9/5/96 Expectations for agenda items from members: CPAC recommendation on WWW issues better understanding of WWW issues better decision making process decision on G2 direction from CPAC on office automation software Fastplus versus Ingres Identify items to remove from Amdahl along with plan and timeframe ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- o Getting off the Amdahl (Verne Schneider) ~$400K/yr for disk storage charges 776 applications of which 13 still actively used 17 Districts sending data to EPA some historical data such as peak flows going to Web Server -> Discussion on Amdahl -Verne says that there is redundancy between Prime and Amdahl -Rich Hollway said we should just erase all the Daily Value files on the Amdahl because the Prime files are in the best shape; others commented that some stations have not been downloaded to Prime -> Discussion on Web Server -it will require a big effort by the Districts to clean up historical data; Jon Nowlin said that Cooperators will not be willing to pay for this -Kevin Oberg's group is developing tools to identify problems with data -Kathy Peter said that this will affect the poor Districts the most -water quality historical data will be even harder to clean up -Bill Carswell said that the President's initiative on Water Quality Data in 75 Cities might present an opportunity to get some funding for data cleanup -> Discussion on Work Breakdown for Getting Off Amdahl -questions about RDB on the H2O Server as a National data base; several members said there were problems with this as our policy -discussion about why we should be considering these two activities as linked; Kevin Oberg said the Web is a replacemnt for the Amdahl national coverage and thus we need to address both activities together if we are serious about getting off the Amdahl AI: WI and Tech Support to put together a status report on the action items for removing data from the Amdahl by 10/6/96. Amdahl Elimination (clarification on AI from previous meeting) -breakdown functions on Amdahl into its component parts; work with responsible organizational units to transfer those component parts to other computers or eliminate them entirely AI: TS and WI to put together a National Data Base proposal using the Web. The proposal should address both the creation of the data base and access issues. Report is due 12/2/96. o Other Web Issues (Kevin Oberg) -proposes that CPAC recommend that the USGS develop a strategy for use and support of the Web in accomplishment of its mission (see handout for the rest of the recommendation) -Graig McHendrie thinks the recommendation needs to be more specific and should include who the players should be -Should CPAC recommend to the Senior Staff that every District have a Web Server? -Greg Allord suggested splitting list up amongst the players AI: Kevin, Greg, Rich and others will make a more specific recommendation, along with which offices should be involved, by 9/6/96, in order that it can be presented at the next Senior Staff meeting in October as well as the District Chiefs meeting. Done 9/6/96 (included below). CPAC RECOMMENDATIONS ON Web ISSUES Statement of Need The World Wide Web has become a popular and useful means for the USGS to disseminate information to the public and within the organization. The Office of Water Information and District personnel have fostered the use and development of Web applications. However, the rapid increase in the use of the Web for data dissemination and publication has created a number of unresolved policy, technical, and training concerns. There is also considerable disparity within the USGS in Web expertise. At present, much of the expertise in both the development of Web applications and the setup and maintenance of Web servers is in District offices. There is a need to more effectively use this expertise in the USGS and to foster the development of additional expertise. Recommendation CPAC recommends that the Office of Water Information (OWI), Office of Technical Support (OTS), and the discipline offices develop a strategy and funding mechanisms for use and support of the World Wide Web in the accomplishment of the mission of the USGS. A national strategy and policy in the use of the Web for serving data and publications is essential. A national strategy and policy will (a) provide a consistent and usable means for the public to access USGS information, and (b) will also improve internal productivity and the quality of hydrologic data and data analysis. This effort should receive a high priority. Specific recommendations: 1. As the first step in developing a national Web strategy, OWI, OTS, and the discipline offices should develop a workplan for support and use of the Web. The workplan should include a work breakdown analysis, timelines, and costs. 2. OWI, OTS, and the discipline offices with input from the Districts should develop policy(s) on serving national databases on the Web . 3. All Districts need to install and operate a Web server. 4. Policy for publishing on the Web must be developed. 5. A training program needs to be initiated. A partial listing of some of the policy, technical, and training issues that need to be addressed when developing a national Web strategy are listed below. Policy Issues 1. Serve historical streamflow DV's and peak flow data in all Districts. 2. A basic level of consistency in look and feel between Districts serving data on the Web. 3. Consistent support from discipline offices to resolve policy and technical issues. 4. Definition of how much and what kind of checking should be done before data is served. 5. Process for approving the dissemination of data (HQ, District, Discipline office roles). 6. Define which reports should be put on the Web. 7. Consider a Web-based report series. 8. Definition of the approval and revision procedures for publishing on the Web. 9. Web reports will look different from conventional publications. Provide guidance on look and feel. 10. Availability of hydrologic and administrative applications software (Intranet vs. Internet). Technical Issues 1. Design for serving data on the Web for the WRD. 2. A definition of what data can be served. 3. Definition of the extent and kind of data checking required. 4. More effective use of software development expertise and software tools (stop reinventing the wheel). 5. Eliminate the data gap between real-time and historical data. 6. Adopt techniques for publishing reports on the Web using current and future hardware and software. 7. Serving data from other databases (QWDATA, GWSI). 8. Support publishing on the Web. 9. Make hydrologic application programs available on the Web. Training Issues 1. Instruction and documentation for running a Web server. 2. Web authoring and publishing. 3. Instruction and documentation for developing Web applications. 9/6/96 Discussion of Kevin Oberg group new handout inserted here -handout to be given to District Chiefs meeting workgroup on the Web -given to Bob Hirsch as part of CPAC chair's summary of Action Items -add specific recommendations to document; develop workplan, work breakdown, timeline and costs for implementing this strategy Motion was made and seconded to recommend that CPAC accept handout with above revisions (marked as Draft). Motion carried with 1 vote against. AI: Kevin will make changes and send out to members. Done. AI: CPAC members who are District Chiefs will meet with Bob Hirsch to introduce the topic; the handout will be made available to WWW workgroup at the District Chiefs meeting. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Status/Needs of Efforts to Serve Web data (not on the agenda)-Kevin Oberg -Kevin had a handout for informational purposes -Kevin mentioned a proposal to FEMA (Bob Mason-OSW)for serving real-time data on the Web for all the Districts; Kevin made copies available to any of the District Chiefs that were interested ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NCTM (Susan Trapanese) Budget and Resource Commitment -registration fees pay for ~85% of the cost of putting NCTM on -travel costs of participants are borne by their office -salary cost of personnel involved with planning and setting up are an additional cost (no estimate) -> Discussion -NCTM provides opportunities for training, networking, workshops -much of training material is subsequently available on Web -Verne said this is a cost effective way of providing training -Bill Carswell said we need to articulate why the Division needs a national meeting and why it meets our needs as well as control the planning of the meeting so it meets our needs -Verne said we need permission from the Director's office to hold a national meeting and that seamlessness is an issue -Bill thought that the scope of meeting should br users of computers in addition to system administrators. Motion made, seconded and carried that CPAC recommends to DIS that the NCTM should continue and that it should focus on training and presentations. Further that it not be held in conjunction with other meetings and that it be held at a cost-effective site. DIS should keep CPAC informed about plans for the next NCTM. AI: Susan Trapanese will provide some words about NCTM for inclusion in the minutes. Done 9/6/96 (included below). The National Computer Technology Meetings are sponsored by WRD and held every 2 years. This meeting is actually a workshop or symposium that concentrates on providing timely training to system administrators and other computer professionals. The meeting also gives all employees associated with computer application development and system administration the opportunity to network and broaden their perspectives in how computers are used to perform the Survey's mission. Although other Divisions can participate in the planning and forming of the agenda, the meeting focuses on WRD's needs and perspectives. This meeting is critical to the professional development of our computer professionals and is endorsed by CPAC. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- G2 Conversion to Multiple Platforms (Tom Wood) Handout provided. Much of workup described in the handout was done by Nelson Williams on detail from North Carolina. Alternatives Considered 1. Convert G2 to NT platform 2. Port G2 on another Unix platform 3. Redesign/rewrite G2, in Python, with MFC extensions for graphics for NT platform only 4. Purchase an off-the-shelf package for non-DG platform -> Discussion on why another alternative to enhance current DG version wasn't considered. Proposed Actions: 1. Continue to support G2, on DG, and provide bug fixes only. 2. Delay the decision on converting/porting/re-writing G2 for other platforms until Futcom-2 report. 3. Form a workgroup to review WRD graphics software capabilities and revise existing specs into functional categories. 4.Once specs have been revised: a. determine to what extent existing software capabilities meet those needs b. for each spec category, perform a market survey to determine if any other software can meet those needs c. make a recommendation to CPAC on the best course of actions 5.CPAC makes a decision. Comment re: evaluating specs-Publications should be coming out with new standards sometime next week. AI: Tom Wood to revise document, propose workgroup members and timeframes by 9/21/96. It was moved, seconded and passed that CPAC accept Tom's G2 report and proposal with changes discussed above. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Office Automation o An AI from the last meeting was for Sharon Goss to do business analysis of office automation packages. This was sent to Susan Trapanese but was not discussed at the meeting. In addition DIS was asked to do a 1 page analysis of MS Office. These analyses were made available to CPAC before the meeting. -> Discussion: -Jon Nowlin said he thinks there would be some real benefits to having one package that everyone in the Division used -Arlen said we need to identify the level of support that will be provided before a decision can be made -Jon Scott said he is uncertain as to the need for an integrated package Graig McHendrie moved that CPAC ask DIS to 1) Analyze MS Office Pro versus WRD requirements and document capabilities and deficiencies to the Districts and 2) Define support levels for MS Office Pro -> Discussion: -need for standard package when offices are required to buy this product -if we need a standard package or not After much discussion the group had a straw vote on the question of whether we should recommend mandatory acquisition of MS Office Pro and the hardware needed to run it at each site by the end of FY97? There was only one yes vote on this question. Then there was a straw vote on the question of would CPAC be willing to recommend MS Office Pro when office automation software was being purchased. There were 3 no votes on this question and 3 who voted that they could live with it. Then we had a discussion on what data would be needed in order for CPAC to recommend MS Office Pro: 1. licensure and copywrite information 2. benefits of standardization versus no standardization AI: DIS will provide draft guidance to the field regarding procurement of Office Automation software based on the results of their market analysis; including discussion of issues such as licensing, copywriting and support. This passed using super-majority rule. Arlen Harbaugh asked that the minutes note that he voted no. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Partwis Report (Verne Schneider) o Senior Staff Board (SSB)-Management Plan had two checkpoints-One at the end of August and the other at the end of September. The first checkpoint has been changed to September 17 and it is uncertain to what date of the second checkpoint will be changed to. The SSB goal is be able to give assurance to the Division that the goal of porting NWIS-1 from the Prime to the DG will be accomplished by 9/15/97 at all 46 sites. o Partwis interviewed NWIS staff to gather data about our ability to reasonably assure the conversion. At the 9/17 checkpoint the Senior Staff Board and Partwis will compare notes and see what additional resources are needed. -> Discussion: -whether this level of oversight will be extended to other efforts; Senior Staff members thought not but this oversight was necessary to build the confidence of the Division and it will not be remembered if the port is on time and successful -Merritt says that Partwis has discussed the problem of micro-managing the project ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NWIS (Alan Lumb) o Ingres versus Fastplus- The recommendation of the tests was to go with Ingres. Recommendation: CPAC accepts the NWIS recommendation that Ingres be the data base manager for use with the NWIS-1 port project. This motion was seconded and passed unanimously. o Timetable for NWIS-1 port -SWUDS on different schedule because not all Districts use it; it is ahead of schedule (mainly because of generous buffers developers gave themselves -overall Alan says the project is 8 days over since the start of the project in January, 1996. He will send out a status report on the project when it is available. Kevin Oberg brought up issue of cleaning up data on Primes, or at least running diagnostic software to let Districts know what shape their data is in. AI: NWIS takes the lead in the review of QA software tools for NWIS data. AI: NWIS to send out memo requesting Districts apply QA tools prior to NWIS-1 conversion. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9/6/96 Membership (Bryan Mrazik) o Four scenarios described in a handout with a fifth one added from the floor at the start of this discussion: Scenario Members # Managers A 17 6 Increase proportion of members with technical psoitions by decreasing number of managers B 14 4 Smaller group with larger proportion of members with technical positions; further decrease number of managers C 12 CPAC is smaller policy and planning group which has a number of technical committees which work on issues D 13 voting CPAC is a committee of users 5 non-voting providing oversight and direction to the computer program offices; program office representatives do not vote in policy, planning or procedural rcommendations E status quo -> Discussion: -program offices were comfortable with a non-voting status -senior staff members felt it was important for them to at least be at the table -several members felt that the problem with size could be handled with group discipline on how business was brought before CPAC (ie proper presentation of problem, options, analysis and recommendation) -several members felt that the current size was too large and that nothing would be lost by dropping a few members -Arlen said that it would help if CPAC had some support staff resources available; Kathy brought up that Verne would be willing to provide more support for Betsy to do things like work on agendas etc. -Arlen thought that CPAC's purpose for being was unclear; several members thought that before we discussed changing our mission everyone needed a chance to think about it AI: Kathy and Betsy will propose need for and level of support for facilitator for next FY to Verne; Graig McHendrie will do likewise for Web page management. Graig McHendrie made a motion that we accept the mission of CPAC as originally stated. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Bill Carswell moved that we accept the current membership list. The motion was seconded. Four members voted against. Betsy Daniels asked them what their objections to status quo were and which scenario(s) they favored instead. Bryan Mrazik said that with the current size CPAC was inefficient-he preferred scenario C. Arlen Harbaugh preferred scenarios B or C. Cherlyl Nelson was frustrated with CPAC's lack of progress and also preferred scenario B or C. Kevin Oberg voted against the status quo because he felt the matter needed more discussion but said he could live with the status quo. The results of a straw poll on all the scenarios: Scenario Against Votes A 11 B 11 C 14 D 10 E 3 AI: Graig McHendrie will send out matrix via Email for members to fine tune membership list. AI: Members rotating off CPAC (Jon, Kathy, Rich, and Arlen) at the December meeting should notify their supervisor that a replacement needs to be nominated. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Visitor Policy (Kathy Peter) In previous meetings CPAC has had an open-door policy. Kathy moved to formalize an open-door policy as part of the CPAC charter. -> Discussion: -Isabelle suggested that we advise visitors to use discretion about discussions at CPAC until minutes are made public AI: Kathy will draft a modification of the charter and circulate it to the members. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Decision Making Outline (Jon Scott) -> Discussion of handout -if materials not received 2 weeks prior to the next meeting the item will be tabled from the agenda unless there is a crisis Motion made and seconded to accept proposal with modification (date for receiving proposals). Motion passed. AI: Jon will make minor changes in document and Graig McHendrie will incorporate into CPAC Web page. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Software Library AI: Review document and send comments to Kate Flynn by 10/16/96. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Training and Documentation Verne said that the Technical Training Committes is scheduled to meet 11/6/96 so if a draft document was available he could present it then. AI: DIS will provide a 1 to 2 page proposal with help from Graig McHendrie which will include priorities. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- December Meeting in Las Vegas 12/16 1PM until 12/18 4PM. March Meeting in Menlo Park 3/10/97 1PM until 3/12/97 4 PM December Meeting Agenda o Amdahl and National Data Base o NCTM Report Update o Futcom-1 Report o Futcom-2 Report o DIS Report on Inventory of hardware and software in the Division o Software Library Proposal o Training and Documentation Strategy o New Chair/new members o NWIS Report o WWW Report o Water Availability and Quality Database (Nextwis) o Status of Strategic Plans Subgroups-Reports of Progress/Next Step ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AI: Strategic Plan Subgroups give progress report electronically to Graig by 11/15/96.