USGS
Internal USGS Access Only

CPAC Meeting
June 2 - 4, 1999
Arizona District, Tucson, AZ
520 N. Park Ave, Suite 221
Tucson, AZ   85719
(520) 670-6671

Minutes

DAY 1

District Introduction & Presentations

 Nick Melcher – District Chief

Provided a brief history or area & state

Relationship with UofA

Many staff members provide classes for the Hydrologic department/Civil Engineering Dept.

 20 students work for the District

 Evolving Relationship with University

 Relationship with National Weather Service

 Future Opportunities for the District

 New Technologies for Measuring Discharge

 - Introduction of CPAC & AZ District Staff

 

Web Cam Presentation

 

 Mark Werley, Computer Specialist, AZ District

 AXIS Communications Network Web Cam

Produces Live snapshot images and is available via a website

Costs about $800.00

Available always  at:

  http://az.water.usgs.gov/wrsa-meet/webcams.html

 Also has a IP address that can be hit by a browser directly and produces a web page. The web page uses Java directly from the AXIS device

 Web cams are currently being used in the AZ District. Installed in some gaging stations to view the streamflow.

 Verde River has been operating more than a year. Uses a cellular connection to receive the visual updates. Data files are processed to web server using Samba from a laptop to the file server and expect script to ftp the file to the web server.

 Second installation is planned for the San Pedro River. Need for Low Flow warnings because of the history of this River and the effect on the surrounding ecosystem.  

 

Tucson Computer Section Strategic plan

 Mark Presented the Strategic Plan for the computer section.

 

Tuscon Town Meeting

Presentations from NWIS, AIS, and DIS

 NWIS – Alan Lumb

 Update on Release schedule for the NWIS software.

 AIS – Isabelle Halley

 Discussed the delivery of the new AIS and TNA. There will be a Web based version T&A.

 Travel manager – Attempting to work with OPS to get a version of Travel manager to run on either the Sun or the NT.

 DIS – Gloria Stiltner

 WRD Infrastructure

 Hardware & OS

Software

Use of mainstream applications

  

Town Meeting with CPAC

 

** Database Development in the Gov’t – Why is it such a problem?

 

** Accurate & reliable real-time data for streamflow on the web

 

Scott McEwen addressed the steps CPAC is taking to make this more reliable.

Automating statistical procedures

NWIS Web group & user groups are addressing ways to qualify data

 ** Opportunity for Development of real-time web data. Streamline our workforce

 ** Survey –wide plans to server GIS data via the Web. Are there any plans to distribute spatial data?

  

Review of Agenda

 

Gloria asked if we can add some of these items:

Find some time on Agenda for:

 Gloria handed out:

Bob Davis requested to have an alternate attend CPAC Meetings in his place.

 Carl asked for time to discuss his CPAC Chair status.

  

Discussion of Town Meeting

 Howard thought it seemed as though the District did not know why they were here.

There was a really heavy turnout. The Demo may have been a draw

 Perhaps refine the note provide more of a “Purpose” for their attendance. More clarity to note.

 Action Item 1:  Improve CPAC note to host district, better explaining the role of District attendees a the Town Meeting. (Barnes, Goodwin)

 Perhaps ask for questions to be thought of before the meeting. Have a box of questions to address at the Town meeting.  Also, provide the issues to the group before the presentation.

 Possibility of having small break-out groups.

 Organize notes from the presenters at the town meeting. Have those notes available for the District staff before the town meeting.

Action Item 2: Explore possible improvements for the “NEXT” town Meeting. Questions in a box. Questions before NWIS/AIS/DIS presentations. Possibly break into small groups. (Barnes, Goodwin)

 Action Item 3: CPAC Members who will present at town meeting, will supply Presentation Notes to the District one week before meeting. (Lumb, Stiltner, Halley)

 Action Item 4: Have Macintosh notes & Tips made available on the PUBS web page. Link to DIS Web page. July 16th. (Allord)

  

Review of Overview on Policy & Guidelines to SA’s

 Add some more examples of SA support in the memo to possibly make the District Chiefs get a better understanding of the issues. 

 Bill Carswell offered the suggestion to add an attachment with the examples rather than modifying the memo.

 Scott McEwen felt it was more important to modify the agenda. But, he recommended siting previous documents that address these SA issues such as Futcom Report.

 Lew proposed to have Carl touch base with Steve Blanchard and then have CPAC comment on the revised Memo.

Action Item 5: Carl & Steve Blanchard will work to finalize the SA memo and then provide CPAC with an opportunity to comment before sending it out. (Goodwin)

  

NWISWeb

 The actions from the Albuquerque meeting were completed and the committees were formed and now communicating. 

 Alan Discussed Visions & Goals for NWISWeb based on the feedback from the various committees 

 Alan Discussed what was being served Real Time. 

 Alan discussed who is providing info on how the web Navigation will be organized.

 Alan discussed the automation of data uploads and that he water quality would become less automated that the Districts would initiate

 No change has been bade to the reliability at this point, but there is work currently going toward the process.

Alan mentioned that the Sun Tac and the Web server team is working together on a Web Server configuration on the SUN servers. Much progress has been made here, but the process still continues.

 Alan Review the NWISWeb Milestones:

 Following this CPAC meeting, NWIS will formulate a status on the NWISWeb for the Division

 Action Item 6: An NWISWeb Status memo will be sent to WRD by 6/11. (Lumb)

 Jon Scott expressed concern about rushing an NWISWeb product delivered without suitable review and comments.  The Phoenix group has been requesting information from NWISWeb, but has not receive anything.

 Alan agreed that there was a communication disconnect and felt it was on the NWIS side. He proposed moving forward, but not deliver until everyone was satisfied that requirements are met.

 Action Item 7: NWIS Leadership will meet with the Phoenix group, OWQ, and NAWQA in July ’99 to review and approve “Water Quality aspect” of the August release of NWISWeb. (Lumb, Scott)

 Action Item 8:  More quality communication by NWIS (Lumb)

  

Goal 2 – Develop Policy & plans on serving real-time data in a reliable manner

 Scott McEwen wanted to provide an update on where Goal 2 stands.

 Original recommendation  & handouts: 

Action Item Status
http://wwwrcolka.cr.usgs.gov/uo/rtdds/rtrpt.html#nextsteps

The CPAC Real-Time Work Group
http://wwwrcolka.cr.usgs.gov/uo/rtdds/rtwg0499.html

The National Web Server Design Team
http://wwwrcolka.cr.usgs.gov/uo/rtdds/webdesign.html

 

Hope was to reconvene in July having gathered the data asked by CPAC.

 Where are the most frequent problems and then prioritize what problems would be addressed.

 Real time Data Delivery System (RTDDS) Work group currently in the process of collecting the data and will reconvene in July. Scott felt that this date would slip.

 Review of past incomplete action items and re distribute the actions as follows:

 Action Item 9: Have the Real Time Data Delivery System group review “Lorna’s Memo” By June 30th. (McEwen)

 Action Item 10: Draft guidelines on “Use of Alert Channel” and submit as a memo to OSW. By August 3rd. (McEwen, Kolva)

 Action Item 11: Complete document “Compliance with Site Reliability Checklist” to SUN_TAC and then to DIS for release.  By July 31st. (McEwen)

 Action Item 12: Follow up, through Kathy Hill, to determine status of bureau “Action” on the Human Resources issue. Related to the Deployment of Redundant Telecom options.  By June 11th. (Carswell)

 Action Item 13: Communicate to ICOM on ICOM’s plan to deal with gage house failures. By June 30th. (Goodwin)

 

MS Office 2000 Publisher

 

Action item 14: Edit the Seybold/Publisher2000 findings Memo. Lew Wade will issue the memo by 6/10. (Allord, Wade)

 

Travel Manager Issues 

Action Item 15: Report to CPAC on the status of the OPS’s issues with Travel Manager. (Halley)

Isabelle provided CPAC with an update on the future of travel manager. I will let her provide the details but I seem to remember that future revs will no longer contain the TMI interface with FFS.

CPAC Membership

 

Action Item 16: Communicate with Mike Slifer his role as a District Chief alternate for Bob Davis. (Davis)

 

  DAY 2

 

Discussion of Round 4 Recommendation & Memo

 

 

Lew wanted to explain a small issue: Bureau decided to move forward on 2 fronts: 

There were costs that exceeded what WRD had allocated. The costs were mainly in the area of training. OI had do cost recover roughly 100k from the districts.

 

2003 Technology Refreshment

 

Lew led a discussion on how we can plan for future. How can we be more proactive and not rely on windfalls.

 Lew had an overhead presentation outlining some of his ideas:

 Purpose:  Explore ideas that move us closer to an effective “Technology Refreshment” plan 

 An Information Infrastructure plan has been developed by USGS

 The plan calls for 7 “NEAR-TERM” Actions

 

  1. Fill a Position for a “CIO” for the USGS.
  1. Identify systems & process critical to the bureau
  1. Incorporate enterprise information infrastructure into daily decisions of Division Managers.
  1. Define sources of funds. Define funding process and commit required funds for enterprise solutions.
  1. Deploy collaborative communications, office automation and remote access.
  1. Establish search methods that link data geospatially & thematically.
  1. Develop data   interoperability standards using open GIS

 Enterprise wide activities

 Now: 

 Being Discussed: 

 Division Wide Activities: 

 Tightness of control

Funding

 

Possible Next Steps 

 

Comments & Discussion: 

What actions can CPAC take? 

Bureau-Wide

Division-Wide

 Action Item 17: CPAC Members will keep eack other informed about ongoing bureauwide/Dept wide activities in the I.I. area. CPAC members will react to information as appropriate. (CPAC)

 Action Item 18: CPAC will provide feedback to Lew about list of WRD-Wide Activities. (CPAC)

 Action Item 19: Lew will update the list of WRD-Wide activities based on comments and provide udate list back to CPAC By mid July. (Wade)

 Action Item 20: Janice & Lew will develop a “Technology Refreshment” proposal, including costs for scientific models and provide to CPAC for review by Mid-July. (Wade, Fulford)

 Action Item 21:  Technology Refreshment Proposal  for scientific model will be presented to senior staff. (Carswell, Wade)

 

Apache on Solaris vs. IIS on Intel

 

Action Item 22:  Ask both NT TAC & SPIDER for Input for making a decision on support for IIS. Ask for a deadline further down the road.  A January 2000 due date. (Barnes, Perlman) 

 

SPLUS Implementation

 Implementation plan for SPLUS has been approved by CPAC.

 Customization

Many plots and graphs need to be moved/ported from previous software packages to the new SPLUS product.  There are 17 plots that can be ported. Cost would be roughly $75,000. This needs to be done.

Action Item 23: CPAC has concluded that expenditures of $75K are required to expand graphical output format, associated support documentation and graph types for SPLUS. By the end of June, Greg Allord will provide justification for a high priority request. This will be run by CPAC prior to Bill & Lew presenting to  Bob Hirsch. (Allord, Wade & Carswell)

 DISSPLA will need support & licensing next year, which will require $100,000 to be cost recovered from the field.

 Alan described the problems with migrating SPLUS to work with NWIS. At the moment, NWIS does not have the resources to do this in the short term. They have not had time look at and evaluate.  There for they require licensing of DISSPLA available next year.

 Gloria feels we need to identify a replacement for DISSPLA. She would like to see it be SPLUS.

 A small group will be formed during the meeting and put together a proposal dealing with the DISSPLA issues.

 SPLUS & Training – SPLUS is willing to provide classes at the National training Center. The first class has 19 people already signed up.

 SPLUS will charge $950.00 per student at the training center. If this class is given elsewhere (Georgia District), it would be $675.00 per student based on 20 students. This is because of the Training Center charges overhead costs.

        http://www.mathsoft.com/splus/spress/train.htm#99schedule

 

CHASIS

 Gloria Stiltner described the need and scope for the project for maintaining an inventory of hardware & software. 

 Chuck O'hara and Susan rapanese joined the meeting via a tele-conference.

Chuck described the components of the CHASIS system. 

Alan asked about a testing program and Field sites that will participate and provide comments.

 Chuck mention that the following sites will be testing the CHASIS ALPHA version:

 

 

Action Item 24: CPAC to provide CHASIS feedback to Chuck O’Hara &/or Susan Trapanese.  (CPAC)

 Richard asked if things are still on track for a Sept.delivery? Chuck feels that it should stay on schedule

 Jim B. asked if there are plans to extend this to peripheral items such as Printers, scanners, etc…  Chuck spoke about linking this with other asset management software packages such as LanDesk. But it would eventually have it.

 The URL for the CHASIS product is:

     http://nttac.usgs.gov/chasis

 

NWIS

 Alan provided an update on status & issues  

 Lessons learned for NWIS 

 

Action Item 25: NWIS wil seek an elegant solution that allows for the November release of NWIS 4_1 and still deals with NAWQA concerns that all “ITS” districts are running one version of NWIS. NWIS will present solution to CPAC in 3 weeks. (Lumb)

 

Goal 1 – Corporate Hardware & Software

Gloria presented the document for selecting Corporate Hardware & Software.

Gloria reworked the Tabled for calculating what weighting factors will determine the supported HW & SW.

What problems does CPAC have with this process?

Action Item 26: CPAC should provide comments on current Goal 1 process – Corporate hardware & software to Gloria (CPAC)

Action Item 27: Expand the list of software for Corporate HW & SW selections to include NT & Sun lists. (Stiltner)

Action Item 28: Discuss “Models” in a Model subgroup (Janice, Gloria & Gary) to make a proposal to CPAC on how to factor scientific models into “Matrix” Completed by Mid July. (Fulford)

Action Item 29: A small group will meet face-to-face and rate the 00 list using the modified model. Report on the numbers and a critique of the process. (Stiltner, Halley)

 

NCTM/ITEM 2000

 

The meeting has been arranged and signed off on. It will be in Chicago at the Chicago Renaissance Hotel. The dates are July 25-30, 2000.

The USGS Divisions will all be responsible for coordinating &   organizing each part of the meeting.

There will not be more that 350 attendees.

 

Goal 6 – Computer Oriented Strategic Directions

 Bill Carswell presented the results of the survey for the Strategic Directions questionnaire.

 Action Item 30: Form a small group to discuss the “short list” of Issues that were not being addressed adequately in the Computer oriented strategic directions. CPAC will consider setting its priorities for next year. By Mid July.  (Carswell)

 Action Item 31: HASS to brief CPAC at the next meeting and focus HASS page user statistics (Wade)

 

Archival Policy

 

 Action Item 32:

 

DAY 3

 

Future Meetings

Next CPAC Meeting will be on August 3-5 and will either be Maryland District or the Indiana meeting. Bill Carswell will finalize this and get back with the group next week.

 

Action Item 33:  Bill will finalize the location of the August meeting and communicate back to the committee by June 11th. (Carswell)

 

The next meeting will be November 3-5 and Carl will recommend a location to the group.

 

Action Item 34: Recommend a location for the November CPAC meeting in the Southeast region. (Goodwin)

 

 

Review of Small group looking at DISPLAA Issue

 

Jon Scott moderated the Small group discussion to resolve the problems with DISSPLA. Jon reported to CPAC on the results of the small group. 

Issues related to the compiler we need and the compiler that Computer Associates (CA) will support.

 Issues: 

Merritt to update the “Annual Data Reports”

NWIS issues were brought to the table based on user requirements. Call routines are needed and not included with SPLUS.

Other users have DISSPLAY routines incorporated in their software

3 major issues re-framed

  1. ???
  2. How to find a DISSPLA Replacement
  3. What to do with the Run-time proposal

 

·         Expected to have all NWIS Machines on SUN by the end of the year.

·         UGL program is a solution for the run-time routines.

·         Could patch-release w/UGL and incorporate in 4_1.

·         Must notify CA if license renewal by 11-1-99 ($100,000)

·         UGL contract terms and evaluation is needed

 

Alternatives: 

Use Splus

Staying with CA-DISSPLA has high price & risks

 Conclusion on the Run-Time Licenses:

Do not have to immediately go buy run-time licenses for the SUN

 Merritt will look at a product called “PLOTWAT” to use as an alternative to have his hydrographs functions.

 Action Item 35: Report back to CPAC results of tests of “PLOTWAT”. By June 18. (Blalock)

 Issues for the ST contract of additions ($75K)

 Action Item 36: Explore & decide upon the use of UGL as a DISSPLA replacement. Gloria & Tom will begin contract negotiations with UGL and if it works, dismiss updating DISSPLA with CA. If not, proceed with the update with CA. By August 1. (Stiltner, Wood)

Action Items 37:  IF UGL is decided a viable replacement, NWIS releases a Version 3 patch to include UGL by November 1.  If UGL is decided not to be a viable replacement, proceed with DISSPLA. (Babcock, Stiltner, Lumb)

 

Proposal on RDBMS plan of action

 Gloria discussed the issues surrounding the plan for a new RDBMS.

 The Proposal is located at the following URL:

     http://wwwqvarsa.er.usgs.gov/db.evaluation.proposal.htm

 

Gloria summarized some next steps for the Division to think about: 

Questions: 

  1. If USGS selects a bureau database we can stay with Ingres but new WRD database development would be with the new bureau database.
  1. What would AIS and NWIS do if by some mechanism we got Oracle offered to us for no charge for the software?
  1. Need to know by June 2000
  2. Need to start the procurement by Sept. 2000
  3. We should build in the procurement the transfer our data and reports from Ingres to Oracle.

 4 options will come after the July meeting of the group. 

  1. No to Ingres in the future
  2. Yes to Ingres, but still explore
  3. Yes to Ingres and drop near-term future investigations
  4. Not enough information to make decisions. Future meetings.

 July Meeting will include: 

 Action Item 38:  AIS, DIS & NWIS will look at their needs and set milestones based on the RDBMS proposal. Plan the manager-meeting let CPAC know when the meeting will take place. (Stiltner, Lumb, Halley)

 

Cost Analysis on Sun Servers

 Gloria presented her latest update of the cost analysis to move to the Suns.

 Questions:

 

This analysis can be used in the future and help with future analysis. 

The tables show Scenarios.

 Motion to close this action Item was approved by the committee. *APPROVED*

 

Seed Money Discussion

 Carl has reported that this has not gone anywhere. He had only received 1 comments back. 

Find out what is being spent for computer related development activities. And use that as a justification to ask for more finding from the Division for OI related tasks.

 Carl will compile a list of priority items to be presented to Bob Hirsch.  Some possible items for the short list will be: 

Action Item 39: Compile information & costs on the 3 items and provide Carl Goodwin to bring before Bob Hirsch. This will be completed before the next Senior Staff meeting (July 12).  The items are S+, National Web server, and DB consultant for the RDBMS group. Complete by early July. (Goodwin, Babcock, Lumb) 

 

Presentation on the status of Office of Information

 Lew Wade provided a brief overvoiew of what is happening in the office on Information.

 One problem that is recognized is that OI is more in touch with our internal customers more that our external customers.

 Katherine Lins has been added to OI to address the needs of our external customers and capture customer needs.

 Comments & Questions

 Will COOP review be useful for OI?

 No, it is really only part but does not address the more systematic approach.

 How does the group react to the notion of opening up NWIS user groups to external users? Having an external view and voice on how NWIS should .

 Perhaps this would be useful for the Web interface, but there a plenty of internal comments for the NWIS development right now.

Action Items

 

Discussion of Town Meeting

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.1: Improve CPAC note to host district, better explaining the role of District attendees a the Town Meeting. (Barnes, Goodwin)

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.2: Explore possible improvements for the “NEXT” town Meeting. Questions in a box. Questions before NWIS/AIS/DIS presentations. Possibly break into
small groups. (Barnes, Goodwin)

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.3: CPAC Members who will present at town meeting, will supply Presentation Notes to the District one week before meeting. (Lumb, Stiltner, Halley)

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.4: Have Macintosh notes & Tips made available on the PUBS web page. Link to DIS Web page. July 16th. (Allord)

Review of Overview on Policy & Guidelines to SA’s


Action Item JUN1999.AZ.5: Carl & Steve Blanchard will work to finalize the SA memo and then provide CPAC with an opportunity to comment before sending it out. (Goodwin)

NWISWeb


Action Item JUN1999.AZ.6: An NWISWeb Status memo will be sent to WRD by 6/11. (Lumb)

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.7: NWIS Leadership will meet with the Phoenix group, OWQ, and NAWQA in July ’99 to review and approve “Water Quality aspect” of the August release of NWISWeb. (Lumb, Scott)

Action ItemJUN1999.AZ. 8: More quality communication by NWIS (Lumb)

 

Goal 2 – Develop Policy & plans on serving real-time data in a reliable manner


Action Item JUN1999.AZ.9: Have the Real Time Data Delivery System group review “Lorna’s Memo” By June 30th. (McEwen)

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.10: Draft guidelines on “Use of Alert Channel” and submit as a memo to OSW. By August 3rd. (McEwen, Kolva)

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.11: Complete document “Compliance with Site Reliability Checklist” to SUN_TAC and then to DIS for release. By July 31st. (McEwen)

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.12: Follow up, through Kathy Hill, to determine status of bureau “Action” on the Human Resources issue. Related to the Deployment of Redundant Telecom options. By June 11th. (Carswell)

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.13: Communicate to ICOM on ICOM’s plan to deal with gage house failures. By June 30th. (Goodwin)

MS Office 2000 Publisher


Action Item JUN1999.AZ.14: Edit the Seybold/Publisher2000 findings Memo. Lew Wade will issue the memo by 6/10. (Allord, Wade)

Travel Manager Issues

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.15: Report to CPAC on the status of the OPS’s issues with Travel Manager. (Halley)

CPAC Membership

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.16: Communicate with Mike Slifer his role as a District Chief alternate for Bob Davis. (Davis)

2003 Technology Refreshment

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.17: CPAC Members will keep eack other informed about ongoing bureauwide/Dept wide activities in the I.I. area. CPAC members will react to information as appropriate. (CPAC)

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.18: CPAC will provide feedback to Lew about list of WRD-Wide Activities. (CPAC)

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.19: Lew will update the list of WRD-Wide activities based on comments and provide udate list back to CPAC By mid July. (Wade)

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.20: Janice 7 Lew will develop a “Technology refreshment” proposa, including costs for scientific models abd provide to CPAC for review by Mid-July. (Wade, Fulford)

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.21: Technology Refreshment Proposal for scientific model will be presented to senior staff. (Carswell, Wade)

 

Apache on Solaris vs. IIS on Intel

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.22: Ask both NT TAC & SPIDER for Input for making a decision on support for IIS. Ask for a deadline further down the road. A January 2000 due date. (Barnes, Perlman)

SPLUS Implementation

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.23: CPAC has concluded that expenditures of $75K are required to expand graphical output format, associated support documentation and graph types for SPLUS. By the end of June, Greg Allord will provide justification for a high priority request. This will be run by CPAC prior to Bill & Lew presenting to Bob Hirsch.(Allord, Wade & Carswell)

CHASIS

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.24: CPAC to provide CHASIS feedback to Chuck O’Hara &/or Susan Trapanese. (CPAC)

 

NWIS

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.25: NWIS wil seek an elegant solution that allows for the November release of NWIS 4_1 and still deals with NAWQA concerns that all “ITS” districts are running one version of NWIS. NWIS will present solution to CPAC in 3 weeks. (Lumb)

Goal 1 – Corporate Hardware & Software


Action Item JUN1999.AZ.26: CPAC should provide comments on current Goal 1 process – Corporate hardware & software to Gloria (CPAC)

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.27: Expand the list of software for Corporate HW & SW selections to include NT & Sun lists. (Stiltner)

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.28: Discuss “Models” in a Model subgroup (Janice, Gloria & Gary) to make a proposal to CPAC on how to factor scientific models into “Matrix” Completed by Mid July. (Fulford)

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.29: A small group will meet face-to-face and rate the 00 list using the modified model. Report on the numbers and a critique of the process. (Stiltner, Halley)

 

Goal 6 – Computer Oriented Strategic Directions

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.30: Form a small group to discuss the “short list” of Issues that were not being addressed adequately in the Computer oriented strategic directions. CPAC will consider setting its priorities for next year. By Mid July. (Carswell)

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.31: HASS to brief CPAC at the next meeting and focus HASS page user statistics (Wade)

Archival Policy

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.32: Form archiving committee & meet. Review current record policies and scope the issue prior to the next cpac meeting.

 

Future Meetings

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.33: Bill will finalize the location of the August meeting and communicate back to the committee by June 11th. (Carswell)


Action Item JUN1999.AZ.34: Recommend a location for the November CPAC meeting in the Southeast region. (Goodwin)

DISPLAA Issue

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.35: Report back to CPAC results of tests of “PLOTWAT”. By June 18. (Blalock)

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.36: Explore & decide upon the use of UGL as a DISSPLA replacement. Gloria & Tom will begin contract negotiations with UGL and if it works, dismiss updating DISSPLA with CA. If not, proceed with the update with CA. By August 1. (Stiltner, Wood)

Action Items JUN1999.AZ.37: IF UGL is decided a viable replacement, NWIS releases a Version 3 patch to include UGL by November 1. If UGL is decided not to be a viable replacement, proceed with DISSPLA. (Babcock, Stiltner, Lumb)


Proposal on RDBMS plan of action

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.38: AIS, DIS & NWIS will look at their needs and set milestones based on the RDBMS proposal. Plan the manager-meeting let CPAC know when the meeting will take place. (Stiltner, Lumb, Halley)

Seed Money Discussion

Action Item JUN1999.AZ.39: Compile information & costs on the 3 items and provide Carl Goodwin to bring before Bob Hirsch. This will be completed before the next Senior Staff meeting (July 12). The items are S+, National Web server, and DB consultant for the RDBMS group. Complete by early July. (Goodwin, Babcock, Lumb)

Agenda

Wednesday, June 2

8:00 - 9:45        District Introduction & Presentations

9:45 - 10:00      Break

10:00 - 10:15    District Announcements to All Staff - AZ District Chief

10:00 - 10:30    Brief Presentations by the chiefs of NWIS, AIS, & DIS

10:30 - 11:30    Town Meeting with CPAC

11:30 - 12:00    Lotus Notes Demonstration

12:00 - 1:00      Lunch

1:00 - 1:30        Review Agenda & Goals for the Meeting

1:30 - 2:00        Town Meeting Discussion

2:00 - 2:15        Review of Overview on Policy & Guidance to SA’s (Wade, McEwen, Stiltner)

2:15 - 3:00        NWISWeb
                                  Expected Outcome: Confirmation of Schedule

  • WEB Team /CPAC Discussion (Hollway & Lumb)
  • Project Status (Lumb)

3:00 - 3:15        Break  

3:15 - 4:30        Goal 2 - Develop policy and plans on serving real-time data in a reliable manner. (McEwen)
                                   Expected Outcome: Status Update & Discussion

4:30 - 5:00        MS Office 2000 Publisher (Allord)
                                  Expected Outcome: Develop statement for the appropriate role and usage in WRD.

Thursday, June 3

8:00 - 9:00        Discussion of Round 4 Recommendation & Memo (Stiltner)
                                  Expected Outcome:  Post-mortem Discussion of Process

  • Status of Round 4 memo

9:00 - 10:00        2003 Technology Refreshment Discussion (Wade)
                                 Expected Outcome: Develop Proposal for Handling Future Decisions

  • Funding & Spending
  • Build Strawman

10:00 - 10:15     Break

10:15 - 11:15      Goal 3 - SPLUS  Implementation (Stiltner, Lumb, McEwen)
                                  Expected Outcome: Closure of the 3 issues

  • SPLUS Customization
  • SPLUS & NWIS  (DISSPLA vs SPLUS)
  • SPLUS & G2
  • SPLUS & Training

11:15 - 12:00     Computer Hardware and Software Inventory System (CHASIS)  (Stiltner, O'Hara)
                                  Expected Outcome:  Feedback &/or Direction from CPAC

  • Overview
  • Demonstration

12:00 - 1:00      Lunch

1:00 - 1:30        New Issue: Standardizing District Web Servers (McEwen)

  • Apache on Solaris vs. IIS on Intel

1:30 - 2:00        NWIS
                                   Expected Outcome: Comments/Discussion of plans

  • Installation status and plans for NWIS 3_2 DG, 3_2 Sun, 4_1, 5_1

2:00 - 3:00        Goal 1 - Corporate HW & SW (Stiltner)
                                   Expected Outcome: Revise and Approve the Proposed Process

  • Weighting factors and application of those factors to "Candidate List"

3:00 - 3:15        Break

3:15 - 3:30        NCTM/ITEM 2000 (Stiltner)

3:30 - 4:30        Goal 6 – Computer-Oriented Strategic View  (Carswell)
                                  Expected Outcome:  Status & Discussion

  • Priority Item Discussion

4:30 - 5:00        Goal 7  - Archival Policy (Fulford & Wade)
                                   Expected Outcome: 

Friday, June 4

8:00 - 8:30        Proposal on RBDMS plan of action (Stiltner)
                                  Expected Outcome: Approve RDBMS Evaluation Team and Proposal

  • Information on Bureau-level project (Wade)
  • Proposal & Outline

8:30 - 8:45        Cost Analysis on Sun Servers (Stiltner)

8:45 - 9:30        Projects Critical for Seed Money   (Goodwin)

9:30 - 9:45        Break

9:45 - 10:45      Office of Information Presentation (Wade)
                                  Expected Outcome:  Comments & Discussion from CPAC

  • Philosophies
  • Role in WRD
  • Responsibilities & Procedures

10:45 - 12:00      Wrap-Up

  • Review of each Goal progress (CPAC Members)
  • Action Item Review
  • Plan for next CPAC Meetings

Hotel

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Windmill Inn for the CPAC meeting.

Windmill Inn at St. Philip's Plaza in Tucson, Arizona

4250 North Campbell Avenue
Tucson, Arizona 85718
Toll Free Reservations: 1-800-547-4747
Local: (520) 577-0007 FAX: (520) 577-0045

A block of 20 rooms has been reserved at the Windmill for June 1-3 under USGS. People should call 800-547-4747 or email KathyS@jeld-wen.com with credit card by May 21 to confirm their reservations.

From Airport:

For more information on the Windmill Inn, see the following Windmill Inn web page:

http://www.windmillinns.com/tucson/

Directions

We will provide parking passes for UofA Zone 1 lots to the car pool drivers

The Arizona District Office of the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division is now located in the brand new Environment and
Natural Resources Building on the University of Arizona campus (see map below).

U.S. Geological Survey
Water Resources Division
520 N. Park Ave.
Suite 221
Tucson, AZ 85719

Phone: 520 670-6671

Environment and Natural Resources Building

The new Environment and Natural Resources Building is located on the southern edge of the University of Arizona Campus at the corner
of 6th Street and Park Avenue (see map below). This new addition to the campus houses the National Weather Service, U.S. Geological
Survey, Geologic Division, and U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division.

enrb5.gif (4911 bytes)

Past Action Items & Reading List

Completed Actions marked with *

Continued Actions

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

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

Cost Analysis on Sun Servers

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)

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

Implementation of NWIS to the SUN

*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

*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)

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

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)

Windows Based Terminals Report

*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)

Windows Terminal Test & Report

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

Housekeepiung Items

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

Archival Policy

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

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

Archiving Committee Proposal

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

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

Computer Support Issues

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

System Administrator Memo (DRAFT)

*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

*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)

*Action Item 32: Develop a Charge & Charter for the National Web Server Design Team (McEwen,Lumb,Stiltner, Lanfear)
           http://wwwrcolka.cr.usgs.gov/uo/rtdds/webdesign.html

Seed Money Discussion

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

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

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

Minutes of the first meeting will be added to the URL. The next meeting is scheduled for Reston, July 12-20.

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

 

Architectural Vision of NWIS

 *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

*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)

 Discussion of Town Meeting

*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)

Computer Oriented Strategic View

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)

Future CPAC Meetings

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)

 

Town Meeting Note

An All-Hands Meeting has been scheduled for June 2, 1999, at 8:00a, in the large conference room 252 to discuss current district activities and to meet with visiting members of the Computer Policy Advisory Committee (CPAC)*. The entire session from 8:00a to 12:00n is open to all but we encourage all staff to attend the 10:00a to 12:00n session with CPAC. The purpose of the meeting is an opportunity for the district office staff to meet with members of the CPAC and for CPAC to hear from members of the local office.

The following are some of the items on CPAC's agenda this week.

o NWISWeb

o SPLUS Implementation

o Policy and plans on serving real-time data reliably

o RDBMS analysis proposal

o Corporate Technology Refreshment

The format will be as follows:

8:00 - 9:45 District Introductions & Presentations

10:00 - 10:15 District Announcements to All Staff - AZ District Chief

10:15 - 10:30 Brief Presentations by the chiefs of NWIS, AIS, and DIS

10:30 - 11:30 Town Meeting

11:30 - 12:00 Lotus Notes Demonstration

* The Computer Policy Advisory Committee (CPAC) will assist WRD in preparing strategic plans, coordinate computer systems configuration and implementation, represent and communicate with different parts of the organization, make decisions related to computer hardware and software systems used by WRD, and make recommendations to the Senior Staff on plans or policies that involve a significant expenditure of resources.

Last Modified: Thursday, July 01, 1999 04:45:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time