CPAC Meeting
February 17- 19, 1999
New Mexico District, Albuquerque, NW
4501 Indian School Road NE
(505) 262-5399

DAY 1

Introduction of new Members – Carl Goodwin

Member and Area of Representation

• Greg Shank - Data Base Administrator
• Jim Kolva -  Data Chief
• Howard Perlman - WWW Development

Not in Attendance

• Jon Scott - .Sarah Ryker was Jon Scott's substitute.
• Linda Pratt
• Greg Allord
• Kathy Miller
• Bob Davis

District Overview - Linda Weiss

Albuquerque District Chief

• 74 FTEs – $7 Million Budget
• Organizational Chart – handout
• No Contract employees
• Students are staff – few
• Trying to convert students to contract to begin filling positions

3 field Offices

• Albuquerque
• Las Cruces
• Carlsbad

Projects

• 45% Data
• 55%Investigation

District is moving locations (April)

Investigations - Roger Ferreira

• Work with military
• Native Americans
• Indian Water rights
• Training for collection Hyd data
• Training for Computer Training
• City Of El Paso
• City of Santa Fe

Projects

• Budget Concerns using AIS
• Most issues have been worked out
• Modeling Projects
• Middle Rio Grande Basin
• Tula Rosa
• Waco Basin
• Borders Texas, New Mexico & Mexico

Modeling Issues – Slowness of workstations

• Inconsistencies with numbers in models between Cooperator & Modelers
• Issues with Frame -> MS Word Compatibility

NT Server Support - Steve Richey

• 3 WinCenter machines
• Have not upgraded to WTS
• 6 NT4 workstations
• Considering Vanilla NT for Domain Controllers

Data Programs - Mike Roark

• Main concern is data transfer
• System needs to be simplified

Cooperator - Roberta Ball

• Sees data from the WEB as changing for the better
• Decoding differences

Computing Environment - Dan Winkless

• Would like a "Roadmap to the Computing Future"
• Discussed issues with DGs  

Past Action Items

Continued Actions

Action Item 1: Provide a detailed proposal of research of a RDBMS replacement. June (Stilnter, Lumb)

Action Item 2: Work with Merritt to decide on a strategy to integrate Merritt’s Annual data report scripts with NWIS. (Lumb)

Action Item 3: Invite Graig M to provide a demo of Lotus Notes for Tucson CPAC meeting . (Goodwin)

A member of CPAC may be recruited to provide a Lotus Notes Demo instead, if Graig can not attend.

Action Item 4:  Reevaluate & modify weighting factors in "Selection Process"in document for support for Software & Hardware. Work in progress. (Stiltnet, Williamson)

Action Item 5:  Use results from Action 14 to calculate for DIS supported software. Include a cost column for each supported item. (Stiltner, Hollway)

1 - Cost Analysis on Sun Servers

Passed out New Analysis handouts (2/9/99)

• Table 1 – Processes by Year & platform
• Table 2 – Costs to move NWIS to SUNS ’99
• Table 3 – Costs to move NWIS to SUNS ’00

WE NEED PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THIS MATRIX THAT WE FEEL IS NECESSARY

Elements of SUN & NT National Support – What is needed

• Salary & Travel for Members
• Specific DIS Salaries
• Training for TAC & DIS support people

Proposal – Why continue this cost analysis? McEwen

"The Sun cost analysis needs to be completed to document the process that CPAC used to evaluate the cost of replacing DG/NWIS with Sun/NWIS."

Process & Document these numbers

Action Item 6:  Provide final table in the SUN Cost Analysis with the Process for selecting SUN servers & supporting documentation (Stiltner)

Action Item 7: Provide comments to Gloria’s Sun Cost Analysis before the June CPAC meeting. (CPAC)

• Based on the Decision that has been made how did the process work? – Lew Wade
• What can we learn from this process?
• Was decision true to CPAC’s Recommendation?

Action Item 8: Provide a simple statement of chronology, securing Y2K funding, CPAC’s recommendation & OI’s funding decision to choose SUN Servers (WADE)

2 - Support for the SUNS – Stiltner

• David Boldt developing an application tape for the Suns. His highest priority.
• "Field-based people funded for Sun support:"
  • Scott McFarlane
  • David Boldt
  • Shawn Noble
  • Richard Hollway
  • DAN Winkless
  • Greg Shank
• 30 –40K for these people
• DIS will help Alpha & Beta Test NWIS 3_2 for Solaris – Richard will take the lead.
• Arkansas & Iowa will be the Beta sites
• Develop logical WEB pages for the Unix (DG & SUN) systems
• Good guidelines
• PROM levels are an issue on the SUNS. They can be upgrade. Concerns on future deliveries. Need for uniformity on PROM levels. Fix is quick & simple. Just need the process.
• X terminal booting is work in progress.

Unresolved issues

• Consistent Configurations
• Core applications

 Set the Spectrum:

Anything goes -> Suggest with Reason -> We only support this -> Thou shalt

 Where do each fall:

• NT: We Only Support
• Solaris: We only support

*Action Item 9: - Subgroup of 3 formed to draft a document for computer support issues in each district. This action was completed during the meeting and was continued during "Compuer Support Issues"

• Sarah Ryker
• Scott McEwen
• Carl Goodwin
• Dan Winkless

 Provide a straw proposal for discussion.

 Implementation of NWIS to the SUN – Alan LumB

 Presented DG/SUN Transition slides

• NWIS is currently in the "Comments" phase of the Transition
• Next Finalize & announce
• Then Implememnt

Discuss Problems & Vision

• Multiplatform Support
• Simple implementation steps

Options

• Screening

Other Options

• Delivery Schedule for NWIS4_1
• District Business cycle
• Impact on SA’s
• Y2K Risk

Timeline for moving all Districts to NWIS 3_2 on SUN then all districts to NWIS 4_1

• Set up Sun – Mar. - May
• Install NWIS 3_2 on DG – Mar. - May
• Install NWIS 3_2 on SUN – Apr. – Sep.
• Install NWIS 4_1 on SUN – Aug. – Feb.

CPAC Approval on the Proposal from OI//NWIS:

Comments

• The Install of 4_1 could spread out more, beyond Feb.
• 4_1 install may interfere with the Peak data reports time during Nov-Jan time period.
• If available before November, the 4_1 install could happen.
• Stretch period out until May ’00
• Move this item to the Screening Criteria.
• Impact on the SA’s were to be necessary anyhow.

Vote on:

Add "Impact on Annual Data Reports Deadline" to be a part of the Screening Process

Approval of extending the Install NWIS 4_1 on SUN till May ’00

**Approved

Action Item 10: Add "Impact on Annual Data Reports Deadline" to be a part of the Screening Process in the "SUN Only release options" document. (Lumb)

Action Item 11: Stress the major steps in an executive summary and be sure to provide the details when announced in the "SUN Only release options" document (Lumb)

* Action Items 12: Formulate a CPAC recommendation for NWIS & SUN transition CPAC to vote on for Friday. (Goodwin)

SPLUS Implementation

• Provided a Background on the S-Plus Decision

• Outline the Promotion of SPLUS use in the WRD

• Initial cost for the product is $600 + $200 for Maintenance & Technical Support

• So far, both e-mail & Telephone support has been positive.

• DIS will provide a certain level of Support via SPLUS_HELP, Web Page

• Vendor Demonstrations have been organized at WRD sties

2 Major Issues

How do we deal with Training?

Action Item 13: Investigate S PLUS training possibilities at District Offices for the final Implementation Plan. How much SPLUS would charge for training, CBT’s & Videos. (Stiltner)

Development of WRD Customizations to S-Plus

Action Item 14: Investigate funding options for the customization of S-Plus identified by Joyce Williamson. (Stiltner)

Action Item 15: Coordinate conference call between NWIS/DIS, Burl Goree and Sarah Ryker to integrate S Plus with NWIS & other sources. (McEwen)

Action Item 16: CPAC will vote to approve the S-Plus Implementation plan after the Training & Customization sections have been modified. Gloria will send e-mail for CPAC to vote. (CPAC, Stiltner)

Hardware & Software Inventory – CHASIS Proposal

• Chuck O’Hara is being funded $40,000 out of Y2K fund for a Database for Hardware & Software Inventory.

• Promised to be completed in Oct. ’99

• Susan Trapanese is the lead for this project.

Action Item 17: Provide CPAC with a Update on the CHASIS project. Progress Report by Mid-April (Stiltner)

Action Item 18: Overview & Demonstration of the HW & SW database work completed by June CPAC meeting. (Stiltner, O’Hara)

Issues:

How do we get districts to maintain the DB?

Windows Based Terminals Report

Scott McEwen & Chris Barnes presented Steve Brady’s findings on the Windows based Terminals.

The NCD ThinStar’s and WYSE WinTerms were tested.

    http://wwwdkslwr.cr.usgs.gov/~sbrady/winterm.html

Proposal to not make a decision because there is not enough technical knowledge. Pass the report on to the NT TAC.

Action Item 19: Have NT TAC analyze the WinTerm report and decide if they are a viable alternative. Provide a recommendation to CPAC and CPAC would support the decision. (Hollway, NT TAC)

Futcom 4

Scott McEwen - Has notes on a proposal for a new Futcom 4:

    http://wwwrcolka.cr.usgs.gov/uo/comp/futcom4.html

Housekeepiung Items

*Action Item 20: Election of next CPAC Chair to replace Carl as the Chair.

The Charter stated that this was not necessary.

DAY 2

Archival Policy

Janice Fulford & Scott McEwen

Janice Provided notes from Bill Kirby's Archiving Presentation:

ARCHIVING OF CONTINUOUS HYDROLOGIC TIME-SERIES DATA

Three types of "archives"

• Archtive archive (data server)
• System-backup-&-restore
• Historical archive

Data collected, recorded, & processed in digital format should be archived in digital format. Paper copy need not be produced.
Electronic digital archiving is a promising means for permanent preservation of archival information.

HISTORICAL ARCHIVES -- IDEAL

1. Raw data & metadata

• immediately after receipt
• all redundant & retransmitted

2. Adaps input data

• immediately after entry to UV file
• all redundant & retransmitted

3. Adaps edited input data

• immediately after saving & exiting  from UV-edit, Hydra, . . . .
• all edits, re-edits, . . . .

4. Adaps final results and supporting data

• immediately after approval for unconditional release
• all items needed for review

HISTORICAL ARCHIVES -- INTERIM

Use existing archive facilities in Adaps

• to_tape -- ADR raw data
• sentry_depot -- DCP and other raw  data processed through DECODES
• uv_archive -- edited & computed UV

Use archive staging directory when Adaps facilities do not exist
one for each station

• included in normal system-backup process
• system/DB admin creates
• user copies data/files to be archived
• system/DB admin copies data to permanent archive

Copy archived data to permanent medium

• paper copy not required
• CD-ROM is acceptable

HISTORICAL ARCHIVES -- INTERIM

1. Raw data
    - ADR -- use existing Adaps to_tape
    - DCP -- use existing Adaps sentry_depot
    - EDL & telemetry processed thru  DECODES -- use existing Adaps sentry_depot
    - EDL manually uploaded -- use archive staging directory (optional)

2. Adaps input data

    - Manually uploaded data (ADR, EDL) --copy uv-print file to staging directory
    - Automated telemetry (DCP, etc) -- (use sentry_depot file as best feasible solution)

3. Adaps edited data

    - copy uv-print file to staging directory


HISTORICAL ARCHIVES -- INTERIM

4. Adaps final results and supporting data
    - copy standard Adaps print-outs to files in the staging area --
    - uv-print files --
            - final edited input unit values
            - computed input & output unit values
    - daily values tables
    - Adaps standard print-outs of --
            - measurement file
            - rating descriptor points
            - data corrections file
            - shift adjustment file
    - primary computation print-out
    - plain-text ascii files --
            - station analysis
            - station description
            - level summary
            - station history

4-a. Final unit-values data
    - retain uv_archive file indefinitely

Action Item 21: Email CPAC the Archiving materials, including Bill Kirby’s Presentation (Fulford)

• Proposal has been considered for some time.
• Janice presented a Straw man proposal (Handouts)

  "Proposal to develop & Recommendations for Data Archiving Procedures & Policy"

• Proposal is  for a committee to work on a formal recommendation. Janice Fulford would chair this committee as the 5^th member.
• Recommendation made to have a meeting at the EROS Data Center.
• How will the committee work with the discipline offices & NWIS?
• No policy memos from discipline offices at this time.
• Parts of vision:

1. Formalize a recommendation
2. Become a reference for NWIS
3. Committee could fasttrack some issues
4. Bring together good representation from NWIS, OSW and the field

Lew proposed considering if this is an issue important enough for CPAC.

YES

Is it a high enough priority to spend resources on a committee.

YES

Richard Hollway proposed the following as a direction for the committee:

• Policy for "What Data to Archive" "Define Archive"
• Figure out "Methods" (Discipline specific issues)
• What is "acceptable media for archiving"

Action Item 22: Develop the charge & formal proposal for the formation of the Data Archiving Group and provide to CPAC (Fulford)

• Suggested committee membership:

1. Computer Specialist: Mike Cunningham (selected)
2. Data/Field Office Chief: Jim Kolva
3. Discipline Offices: Gary Buell
4. NWIS/ADAPS:

Concern about Travel & Salary

• NWIS Member should be taken care of. Paid for.
• Ask the discipline office to provide funding for at least the travel.

Action Item 23: Lew will obtain travel funding for the Archiving committee to meet for at least one meeting from the Discipline offices and will apprise Janice Fulford. (Wade)

Archiving of email & memos

Gloria handed out a memo on Archiving email & Memos.

Action Item 24: Provide Gloria with comments on the "Archiving Email & Memos" by Feb. 26. (all of CPAC)

Computer Support Issues

Action Item 9 from this meeting was completed.

Report on the subgroup that discussed computer support issues in each district.

Carl provided a Draft document on the ideas discussed by the subgroup during lunch.

The group included:

• Sarah Ryker
• Scott McEwen
• Carl Goodwin
• Dan Winkless

Document is a draft memo addressed to Regional Hydrologists & District Chiefs.

Draft addresses:

The level of delivery of computer services.

Computer support load on SA’s

Action Item 25: provide comments on Draft "System Administrator Support Staff" Memo to Carl Goodwin by the end of February (CPAC)

Action Item 26: Finalize & provide CPAC with the memo on "System Administrator Support Staff". (Goodwin)

Action Item 27: Present to Bob Hirsch to sign the "System Administrator Support Staff" memo to be sent. (Goodwin, Carswell, Wade)

Action item 28: Present to CPAC an overview of policy & Guidance provided to SA’s. The adequacy of that policy & guidance and the degree to which it is being effectively communicated will be discussed at next CPAC meeting. (Wade, McEwen, Stiltner)

NWISWeb Implementation

Software we are putting together on the Web is not adequate for the DG’s, particularly the real-time Data.

Needed is CPAC’s recommendation before proceeding with the implementation proposal.

ISSUE PAPER ON REAL-TIME WEB SERVERS:

Options:

1. Local (50) Linux servers
2. Local (50) SUN Ultra 5 Servers
3. Choice between 1&2
4. National Servers – 3 Large SUN 450 Server
5. Squeeze more out of current HW & SW (This options was dropped)

Another option has come forward out of the discussion:

Mix between Local & National server.

Alan provided a proposed Timeline for this implementation

Question: What part of the Real-time data change to provide poor performance?

A New suite of tools was added to develop the new software. A new design will be used. The new design & tools require more resources from the WEB server.

4 Issues:

1. Development of the next generation of "NWISWeb" Software
2. National Server Design
3. Serving Historical Data nationally
4. Serving Real-Time Data locally

Specifics to the process:

• Working Version of NWISWeb AUG. 99
• Historical Data with the NWISWeb on SUN450
• RealTime Data is the question (DG or Sun450 or SUN 5)
• National server design is not happening

3 Issues to work:

• Working Version of NWISWeb AUG. 99
• National server design is not happening
• real-time Data is the question (DG or Sun450 or SUN 5)

Rules for working this issue:

1. Let WEB Team continue. ASAP – do whatever review CPAC feels necessary.

Teleconference with the WEB Team/NWIS/CPAC to place some specific questions on the table. Framing call. Alan would organize this.

Action Item 29: Organize a Teleconference with WEB team, Richard, Hollway, Dan Winkless, Colleen Babcock, and Howard Perlman to discuss the specific questions on the new NWISWeb software. (Lumb)

Action Item 30 : Based on the WEB team teleconference, the CPAC Members involved will decide whether we should commission a formal review, guidance & go ahead, or just go ahead, and communicate this to CPAC. (Lumb, Hollway, Perlman, Winkless)

Action Item 31: CPAC/OI will communicate the results of the NWISWeb/CPAC conference call to the Division. (CPAC)

2. Begin the "Reliability of Serving Data"

Scott McEwen & Alan Lumb will spearhead and champion this effort. Dan Winkless will participate.

Action Item 32: Develop a Charge & Charter for the National Web Server Design Team (McEwen,Lumb,Stiltner, Lanfear)

 3. Need Focus Group on issue to use Hardware, Support, etc.… to server Real Time data locally. –Needs to analyze the NWIS data provided on the issue.

There seem 2 basic arguments

• Standardize
• Optimize performance

Options

• NWISWeb supported & Developed for SUN, but ……..
• Nothing we can do at this time until the other issues are resolved.

*** CPAC discussed and offered preliminary agreement to the following concept:

• NWIS web will be developed for and supported on SUN Solaris Operating System.
• But . . . . there is no intent to prohibit districts running that software on another system as long as they fully understand that the system will be developed for and supported on SUN Solaris.
  

Seed Money Discussion

List of items & projects that are critical for seed money is needed.

Be prepared for end of year money in a short period of time.

Action Item 33: Provide Carl with a list of items & projects that are critical for seed money. Carl will compile into a report for possible presentation to Senior Staff. Provide need, approach and funding. (CPAC, Goodwin)

Real-Time Delivery system

Course direction corrections

Next Steps for CPAC from TACOMA CPAC Meeting

"Form Real-time Data Delivery System Workgroup (RTDDS Workgroup)", the group and draft agenda
has been formed and a first meeting scheduled. Link to:

        http://wwwrcolka.cr.usgs.gov/uo/rtdds/rtwg.html
 

Formation of a workgroup – Status:

• Robert Mason ( OSW Rep.)
• Ernie Dreyer (NWIS)
• Bob Wakelee ( DIS)

Not fully formed and have not met yet.

Bill Carswell Presented the Human resources issues to the Senior Staff. Presented the RTData process, and the RT data queue process.

Human Resources Issue was remanded back to Bill Carswell & Scott McEwen. Personnel Office will work the issues based on some real life examples such as in the WA District.

Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime – David Madril, Admin Officer in Denver, Provided some clarification to this issue.

***Scott has provided an update on all related actions for this.

http://wwwrcolka.cr.usgs.gov/uo/rtdds/rtrpt.html

Action Item 34: Follow up on the Actions related to the RealTime Data Delivery System. (McEwen)

CPAC recommendation for NWIS & SUN transition CPAC to vote on

This was an action presented from yesterday.

Carl Goodwin presented the following Suggestions:

SUGGESTED CPAC MODIFICATIONS TO OI RECOMMENDATION FOR MOVING NWIS FROM DG TO SUN

1. In order to minimize adverse impacts on production of 1999WY Annual Data Report, the period for installation of NWIS 4_1 on the SUN Solaris platform should extend from September 1, 1999 to May 1, 2000.
2. To justify the time extension, a second element should be added to the screening criteria. Suggested wording of this element is: Time periods for accomplishing major changes should allow for minimal disruption to data report production.
3. The CPAC also suggests that the expanded discussion of implementation strategies, similar to the e-mail entitled "Issue papers for CPAC meeting", by Alan Lumb, be included in the material on this subject that is made available to WRD personnel.

CPAC Voted & Approved.

Architectural Vision of NWIS

Alan passed out a Vision Document it is also available on the web.

 Action Item 35: Read the NWIS Architectural Vision and provide Alan Lumb with your comments. (CPAC)

How does CPAC plan for the next IT Transition

Lew led the group in a brainstorm on how the next major transition will be funded.

• Saving for the Future
• 5 Year Plan?
• Working Capital Fund

What should CPAC do?

"Technology Refreshment"

1. Estimate costs for next environment
2. Identify elements to be refreshed
3. Identify Division goods and District Goods

• For "District" investment – Tell them it is their responsibility to save
• For "Division" investment – CPAC Recommendations.

Action Item 36: Think about Technology Refreshment (Working Capital Fund) and consider it for future (2003?) goal and discuss at future meetings. (Wade, Stiltner, Halley)

New Mexico Town Meeting

Linda Weiss introduced the CPAC to the District.

Bill Carswell Introduced himself to the District as he will be the new Regional Hydrologist for the Central Region, which New Mexico District is part of.

Carl Goodwin – Described the CPAC and his role.

Alan Lumb – NWIS – Described his role and the status of NWIS & future releases.

Gloria Stiltner – DIS – Handed out the New DIS Homepage and described the vision & future of DIS support

• Reiterated the Support for SUN Systems with Solaris 2.5 and Windows NT Based desktops.

Isabelle Halley – AIS – Described the future releases of AIS.

Sarah Ryker – Presentation of S-PLUS

DAY 3

Discussion of Town Meeting

Proposal to change the way CPAC organizes the Town Meeting.

Make it an "All Hands meeting" rather than a "Town Meeting"

Move it to the morning and schedule for 1 hour. If it spills over, that would be fine.

Action Item 37: Richard will help organize the Tucson "All Hands" meeting. Chris will organize a CPAC statement and format a flier to hand out to the Districts in advance. (Barnes, Hollway)

 Organize a CPAC statement and fomat a flier to hand out to the Districts in advance.

We need to Organize the agenda for next meeting earlier.

Computer Oriented Strategic View

3 areas to trigger a discussion of CPAC Goals

• CPAC Charter
• It is part of WRD’s Vision
• Is it being addressed

Proposal – Next CPAC meeting have an hour of discussion of candidates.

2 sources:

Results of analysis from Bill Carswell small group who analysis the important CPAC issues.

Members of CPAC nominated

Action Item 38: Form a small group to analyze the results of the Strategic Direction questionnaire. Bill Carswell will plan a conference call with this small group to include Dave Shultz, Susan Trapanese, Janice Fulford, Lew Wade and Bill Carswell. Provide resulting subset to CPAC before next meeting. (Carswell)

Action Item 39: CPAC members can suggest additions to the subset list. (CPAC)

Discussion of Goals

Renumber goals. Sequentially number without a year.

Motion: Scott proposed that we number the goals sequentially

Groups voted in favor of this motion.

Future CPAC Meetings

• Where will June & August meetings be held?
• June will be in Tucson
• August is up for discussion – Kentucky and Pennsylvania, Indiana are possibilities
• Bill Carswell asked for some feedback for something that the group would like to see at the next meeting. The site could be chosen accordingly.
• Scott mentioned that the SUN/NWIS implementation should factor into the decision of the future site.

Action Item 40: Bill Carswell will work with Merritt Blalock to decide on a good location for the August meeting and will report back to Carl Goodwin. SUN/NWIS will be major factor. (Carswell)

• Scott mentioned that Bob Davis would like to host a CPAC meeting sometime in Year 2000.
• November Dates- Carl proposed November 3-5. Georgia is a possible location.

 Agenda for the Next Meeting

Lew Wade led a discussion on the work we should focus on for the next CPAC meeting.

Some new processes for the next meeting(s)

**Candidate Agenda Items for the June Meeting

• Graig M Presents Lotus Notes Demo
• Proposal on RBDMS plan of action (Stiltner)
• Overview & Demo on CHASIS (

• 2003 Technology Refreshment Discussion (WADE)

• Presentation of new weighting factors and application of those factors to "Candidate List" (Corporate HW & SW. (Stiltner)

• NWISWeb Update (Lumb, Hollway, etc)

• Town Meeting (Hollway)

• SPLUS and Division Graphics

• SPLUS Customization
• SPLUS & NWIS (Stiltner, LUMB)

• Review of overview on Policy & Guidance to SA’s (Wade, McEwen, Stiltner)

• Gola 6 – Priority Item Discussion (Carswell)

• Review of each Goal progress

• Status of Goal 7

Action Items

Continued Actions

Action Item FEB1999.NM.1: Provide a detailed proposal of research of a RDBMS replacement. June (Stiltner, Lumb)

Action Item FEB1999.NM.2: Work with Merritt to decide on a strategy to integrate Merritt’s Annual data report scripts with NWIS. (Lumb)

Action Item FEB1999.NM.3: Invite Graig M to provide a demo of Lotus Notes for Tucson CPAC meeting . (Goodwin)

Action Item FEB1999.NM.4:  Reevaluate & modify weighting factors in "Selection Process"in document for support for Software & Hardware. Work in progress. (Stiltner, Williamson)

Action Item FEB1999.NM.5:  Use results from Action 14 to calculate for DIS supported software. Include a cost column for each supported item. (Stiltner, Hollway)

Cost Analysis on Sun Servers

Action Item FEB1999.NM.6:  Provide final table in the SUN Cost Analysis with the Process for selecting SUN servers & supporting documentation (Stiltner)

Action Item FEB1999.NM.7: Provide comments to Gloria’s Sun Cost Analysis before the June CPAC meeting. (CPAC)

Action Item FEB1999.NM.8: Provide a simple statement of chronology, securing Y2K funding, CPAC’s recommendation & OI’s funding decision to choose SUN Servers (WADE)

Support for the SUNS

*Action Item FEB1999.NM.9: - Subgroup of 3 formed to draft a document for computer support issues in each district:

• Sarah Ryker
• Scott McEwen
• Carl Goodwin
• Dan Winkless

Implementation of NWIS to the SUN

Action Item FEB1999.NM.10: Add "Impact on Annual Data Reports Deadline" to be a part of the Screening Process in the "SUN Only release options" document. (Lumb)

Action Item FEB1999.NM.11: Stress the major steps in an executive summary and be sure to provide the details when announced in the "SUN Only release options" document (Lumb)

* Action Items FEB1999.NM.12: Formulate a CPAC recommendation for NWIS & SUN transition CPAC to vote on for Friday. (Goodwin)

SPLUS Implementation

Action Item FEB1999.NM.13: Investigate S PLUS training possibilities at District Offices for the final Implementation Plan. How much SPLUS would charge for training, CBT’s & Videos. (Stiltner)

Action Item FEB1999.NM.14: Investigate funding options for the customization of S-Plus identified by Joyce Williamson. (Stiltner)

Action Item FEB1999.NM.15: Coordinate conference call between NWIS/DIS, Burl Goree and Sarah Ryker to integrate S Plus with NWIS & other sources. (McEwen)

Action Item FEB1999.NM.16: CPAC will vote to approve the S-Plus Implementation plan after the Training & Customization sections have been modified. Gloria will send e-mail for CPAC to vote. (CPAC, Stiltner)

Hardware & Software Inventory – CHASIS Proposal

Action Item FEB1999.NM.17: Provide CPAC with a Update on the CHASIS project. Progress Report by Mid-April (Stiltner)

Action Item FEB1999.NM.18: Overview & Demonstration of the HW & SW database work completed by June CPAC meeting. (Stiltner, O’Hara)

Windows Based Terminals Report

Action Item FEB1999.NM.19: Have NT TAC analyze the WinTerm report and decide if they are a viable alternative. Provide a recommendation to CPAC and CPAC would support the decision. (Hollway, NT TAC)

Housekeepiung Items

*Action Item FEB1999.NM.20: Election of next CPAC Chair to replace Carl as the Chair.

Archival Policy

Action Item FEB1999.NM.21: Email CPAC the Archiving materials, including Bill Kirby’s Presentation (Fulford)

Action Item FEB1999.NM.22: Develop the charge & formal proposal for the formation of the Data Archiving Group and provide to CPAC (Fulford)

Action Item FEB1999.NM.23: Lew will obtain travel funding for the Archiving committee to meet for at least one meeting from the Discipline offices and will apprise Janice Fulford. (Wade)

 Archiving of email & memos

Action Item FEB1999.NM.24: Provide Gloria with comments on the "Archiving Email & Memos" by Feb. 26. (all of CPAC)

Computer Support Issues

Action Item FEB1999.NM.25: provide comments on Draft "System Administrator Support Staff" Memo to Carl Goodwin by the end of February (CPAC)

Action Item FEB1999.NM.26: Finalize & provide CPAC with the memo on "System Administrator Support Staff". (Goodwin)

Action Item FEB1999.NM.27: Present to Bob Hirsch to sign the "System Administrator Support Staff" memo to be sent. (Goodwin, Carswell, Wade)

Action item FEB1999.NM.28: Present to CPAC an overview of policy & Guidance provided to SA’s. The adequacy of that policy & guidance and the degree to which it is being effectively communicated will be discussed at next CPAC meeting. (Wade, McEwen, Stiltner)

NWISWeb Implementation

Action Item FEB1999.NM.29: Organize a Teleconference with WEB team, Richard, Hollway, Dan Winkless, Colleen Babcock, and Howard Perlman to discuss the specific questions on the new NWISWeb software. (Lumb)

Action Item FEB1999.NM.30 : Based on the WEB team teleconference, the CPAC Members involved will decide whether we should commission a formal review, guidance & go ahead, or just go ahead, and communicate this to CPAC. (Lumb, Hollway, Perlman, Winkless)

Action Item FEB1999.NM.31: CPAC/OI will communicate the results of the NWISWeb/CPAC conference call to the Division. (CPAC)

Action Item FEB1999.NM.32: Develop a Charge & Charter for the National Web Server Design Team (McEwen, Lumb, Winkless)

Seed Money Discussion

Action Item FEB1999.NM.33: Provide Carl with a list of items & projects that are critical for seed money. Carl will compile into a report for possible presentation to Senior Staff. Provide need, approach and funding. (CPAC, Goodwin)

Real-Time Delivery system

Action Item FEB1999.NM.34: Follow up on the Actions related to the RealTime Data Delivery System. (McEwen)

Architectural Vision of NWIS

 Action Item FEB1999.NM.35: Read the NWIS Architectural Vision and provide Alan Lumb with your comments. (CPAC)

 How does CPAC plan for the next IT Transition

Action Item FEB1999.NM.36: Think about Technology Refreshment (Working Capital Fund) and consider it for future (2003?) goal and discuss at future meetings. (Wade, Stiltner, Halley)

 Discussion of Town Meeting

Action Item FEB1999.NM.37: Richard will help organize the Tucson "All Hands" meeting. Chris will organize a CPAC statement and format a flier to hand out to the Districts in advance. (Barnes, Hollway)

Computer Oriented Strategic View

Action Item FEB1999.NM.38: Form a small group to analyze the results of the Strategic Direction questionnaire. Bill Carswell will plan a conference call with this small group to include Dave Shultz, Susan Trapanese, Janice Fulford, Lew Wade and Bill Carswell. Provide resulting subset to CPAC before next meeting. (Carswell)

Action Item FEB1999.NM.39: CPAC members can suggest additions to the subset list. (CPAC)

Future CPAC Meetings

Action Item FEB1999.NM.40: Bill Carswell will work with Merritt Blalock to decide on a good location for the August meeting and will report back to Carl Goodwin. SUN/NWIS will be major factor. (Carswell)

Action 3: Policy statement addressing existence of Archiving Process. OSW Memo. (Fulford)

* Action 5: HR Issues with RTD – Complete & present document to Senior Staff (McEwen, Carswell, Goodwin)
                       Human Resources - Current Problems and Improvement Opportunities

Action 6: Individual Contacts to complete Software Projects Inventory (Barnes)

Action 8: Provide a detailed proposal of research of a RDBMS replacement. (Stiltner, Wood)

Action 8a: Email CPAC and key DB Players for input on Proposal. (Wood)

Action 9 – Form team to evaluate "Generic Solutions" towards reliable Real Time Data; include associated costs by 12/15 (McEwen)

Action 9a:  Follow up from previous RTD Actions (McEwen)

Action 12: Note to provide Lotus Status; Next Steps; who will pay. (Stiltner)

Action 13: E-Mail Concerns on Lotus Notes/Domino implementation. Compile and pass on to WRD Lotus Team. (CPAC, Barnes)

Action 17 Research and bring proposal for Archiving Policy if there is an interested - Next CPAC (McEwen & All of CPAC)