VO Desktop Beta Release Meeting

Observatory Meeting Room, IoA, Cambridge, Weds 12 Sep 2007, 10-16

Attendance

• KevinBenson
• SilviaDalla
• AndyLawrence
• JeffLusted
• KeithNoddle
• AnitaRichards
• GuyRixon
• MarkTaylor
• JonathanTedds (by jabber)
• NicholasWalton
• NoelWinstanley
• EduardoGonzalez
• TonyLinde

Agenda

• VODesktop - update
• Individual components
  • VoExplorer
  • QueryRunner
  • TaskRunner
  • FileExplorer
  • AstroScope / Helioscope
  • VO Lookout
• Workflows
  • Python
  • VOFlowMaker (Taverna)
• Documentation
• Help and tutorials
• preparing for 'beta' release
  • timeline and events around that timeline
• backend issues

Notes

VODesktop updates

• design - finalise VODesktop design (AL/NW/KN)
• make sure that users aren't offered options (e.g. on file save) which won't work
• visibility of solar services - should there be solar 'hot lists' in voexplorer
• interface - accessibility issues
• give operations specs for running the client UI - e.g. minimum system requirements and then java memory etc
• system availability
• mailing list - plus direct news feed to the vodesktop - inform users of outages etc.

Individual Components

VOExplorer

• new version - issue of pre-canned lists
• the vodesktop button - there will be changes to this - voexplorer/filemanager etc will appear in your start menu.
• registry - our DSA will get registered as one entry - rather than multiple entries at present (KA)
• in vo-scope - if you select more than say 10 'things' get a warning - 'are you sure?' - before displaying the actual data files.
• how do you know that services are really working? e.g. CTIP service is up but the application doesn't work (incorrectly configured).
  • need sample test data - run a test

Query Builder

• current version a good basis to start exposing to 'beta' users * screen space * comments * re-execution of 'error' queries
• implementation of non-standard features? can we get more than 4 of the top 20 sdss queries working sooner - or do we wait for the ivoa stds process? Will it be possible to send 'native' sql to databases through our query builder? (in discussion - this would be a good idea - we'd have a DSA service which would accept native sql)

Task Runner

• the error messages should get back to the UI
• system availability
• mailing list - plus direct news feed to the vodesktop - inform users of outages etc.

VOFlowMaker

• usable now - but go for a fuller release (say beta) in Apr 2007

Scripting

• python scripting is in good shape - the 'astrogrid' package should be in the release.

Documentation

• feature audit
• annotation feeds - wiki to voexplorer - circumvents the registry - possibility to 'add value' - tag column should always be open.
• describing the sorts of errors that we get from the system
  • service errors
  • system errors
  • lack of data

Server side components

• Myspace --> Vospace - 1.1 is required.
  • we will have the 1.1 software available. Noel needs to know when this will be up for him to provide connects to.
  • 1.0 std is going to be agreed at the Sept interop.
• Registry component
• Community with IAA
  • need to be able to access UKIDSS through VODesktop (use case - a belfast user registered with the manchester community would want to be able to query ukidss - without having to logon to any other community)
• A roadmap of which AG server side components are going to be ready/ deployed is required in advance of beta release.

Timeline

• pre-beta - current alpha jar files - can we get the release of that such that those that download it have to leave their contact details.
  • helioscope?
  • monitoring?
  • bundled release with taverna
  • package - vodesktop, taverna, topcat
  • need for another image viewer
  • adql - native pass through
• Beta release - mid Jan - release the vodesktop with a range of user documentation.
  • after beta release - no new functionality - only bug fixes
  • deployment plan - how to get the AG initial set up defined.
• aim for a full operational release at the NAM2008 - Apr 2008 in Belfast.

Points for discussion

Please add to this list before the meeting. See also the recent voexplorer specific notes from VoExplorerComments and VoExplorerDesignMeetingSeptember2007.

• re-implementation of VO Lookout (so some sort of job monitoring)
  • issue of logging - need to define specifications (SD)- See initial comments at VoExplorerComments
• what should pop up first once you run AR - e.g. voexplorer, voscope, nothing?
  • AL - in the future - you don't launch the AR - but it gets launched when the file manager or whatever is launched.
  • NW - if the VODesktop gets launched - also open up a file explorer window (could give option as to wht you want on startup).
• issue of voscope or astroscope and helioscope
  • use of lists in voexplorer - maybe a helioscope button for solar/stap services only
• how to link in taverna and python scripting
• how to expand the screen real estate for query building
• help and documentation
  • tool tips
  • tips of the day
  • help splash screen on first install of AR
• time line for release
  • beta and full
• Beta and full announcement webpages
• ability to change your own user name (for myspace/ vospace)
• recovery of lost password
• ability to change password
  • GTR - this can be implemented in the next few weeks.

Next Steps

• Update at next mgt team telecon:
  • Documentation - NW
  • Server components - KN
  • Release plan - AL