VO Desktop : Release 2008 : Top Level Design

• VODesktop-TopLevel-design-2008-02-04.pdf: Final Top Level Design 2008-02-04

See also the associated web page design wiki page

Intro Notes

These pages are intended for the finalisation of the design for the AstroGrid user interface release intended for April 2008 - VODesktop - and the supporting release documentation. VODesktop is the entry point for the astronomy user to the range of Virtual Observatory tools and applications offered by AstroGrid. This includes core AstroGrid tools such as VOExplorer, Astroscope, Task Runner, and File Explorer; the ability to run VO services in Python scripts; and interoperable tools, such as Topcat, Aladin, SPLAT-VO, and VOSpec. We will also probably release a version of Taverna with AG plugins (possibly called "VOFlowmaker").

The aim of this wiki page is to gather together an overall top-level design for the VODesktop look and feel, which everything else should fit into. This includes topics such as names, branding, new web pages, documentation, and basic logic of installation and startup, and consistency of menu choices.

As with VOExplorer design, the idea is that a small team is responsible for the design, but everybody can read and comment as we go along.

Design Team

Andy Lawrence, Nic Walton, Keith Noddle.

Note that only the Design Team will edit this page - rest of team should use the Comments Page

Basic Concepts

The basic concepts are already well agreed, and are described in this talk given to the Oversight Committee. Briefly, from the user's point of view we have :

• Standard looking desktop software ...
• ...but which calls remote services
• Toolset has an AstroGrid core and a suite of interoperable tools

But behind the scenes, we have

• Client side middleware (AR and PLASTIC)
• Core AG services (Registry, VOSpace, Community)
• Consortium data services run through DSA
• Rest of world's data services
• Remote applications with a CEA wrapper

Schedule

• The basic picture needs to be complete by the Consortium Meeting of Dec 13-14
• Beta testers will start using the system in January, but the new design will be implemented gradually
• A "Critical Service Review" is scheduled for March 3rd
• Public release is scheduled for March 31st

Links

• First thoughts from Keith
• First thoughts from Andy
• First thoughts from Nic
• Comments Page : Free form wiki page - edit comments in here
• Notes from documentation meeting in Cambridge

Related VO Explorer / Desktop pages

• VO Explorer Science design pages : see also DesktopAstroGridSnapshots

• Design Meeting Notes : Notes from meeting April 19-20

-- AndyLawrence - 16 Nov 2007