Water Resources Discipline ITAC Activities

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Hi,

With regard to 8:

If a reformatting fixes the problem, then it is not AD or SP2 related. I would think it is the configuration (drive space availability, temp area location, SWAP partition, or disk fragmentation).

AD does not require any additional memory, however SP2 will. In addition, XP will as well. If the office is using AD to apply policy, that may be the issue also if not configured properly in the AD structure.

In a quick poll, 5 BWTST members responded with no issues in their offices with SP2, AD or XP.

Can you get the POC to send email to GS Help Windows, and we will work with them.......

Thanks, Paul

Paul E. Exter
Lead IT Specialist
Office of Information Technology
U.S. Geological Survey
(410) 238 - 4234 Work
(410) 375 - 0120 Cell

See Keith Kirk's, WR-Reports Specialist, attached email. This goes along with an email I believe Scott already sent, but he has outlined the issues very nicely in the attached email.

Paul, I'm copying you as well since there is also a mention of AD, #8.

Terri "TJ" Moore
Western Region Computer Specialist
U.S. Geological Survey, Water Discipline
3020 State University Drive, East, Suite 3005
Sacramento CA 95819
Ph: 916-278-9553, Fax: 916-278-9556
Mobile: 916-869-0100
email: tejmoore@usgs.gov

----- Forwarded by Terri J Moore/WRD/USGS/DOI on 02/03/2005 08:53 PM -----

Terry,

Some issues for ITAC which I have noticed are still pertinent in many water science center pub units, these follow. If you have the opportunity please talk these issues up so they get into the discussion stream.

1. Security issues related to Publications production bottlenecks, these include, inability to perform disk defragmentation , inability to perform screen calibration,
2. Need for more RAM (1 Gig minimum 2 Gig preferable) on Pubs computers in general, there is little need at this time for dual processors for pubs computers unless pubs personnel also do GIS using ERSI software which is optimized for dual processors, Adobe Creative Suite currently is not,
3. The new manuscript templates will be available very soon (within the next 30 days) these will be mandatory for all authors in Water. Procedures must be established and implemented to facilitate efficient deployment of these templates.
4. Need for monthly defragmentation of Pubs computers
5. Need for adequate hard disk space on all disks to allow adequate defragmentation—if the disk is too full it can not be defragmented.
6. Need for regular software updates for Adobe products
7. Need to begin replacing CRT monitors as the reach obsolescence with high quality large DVI flat screen monitors to better support the myriad of menus now required for efficient report work flow. This will also facilitate monitor calibration which is more complex and must occur more often when using CRTs.
8. Active directory and service pack 2 slowing up computers significantly; it appears that a complete reformatting (they probably needed defraged anyway) prior to service pack 2 install may be required to fix speed problems. This involves significant time and effort.

Regards,
Keith G. Kirk
Regional Reports Specialist
email: kkirk@usgs.gov
Office Phone: 650-329-4410
Cell Phone: 831-247-0526
Home Phone: 831-335-7765
ORH-WR-WRD-USGS
345 Middlefield Rd. M/S-470,
Menlo Park CA 94025
Office FAX: 650-329-4463
Home FAX: 831-335-4276
Western Region Reports Info. at
http://wwwrcamnl.wr.usgs.gov/uo/rpts/rpts.html