[Babase] babase plans through mid-May 05
Susan Alberts
babase@www.eco.princeton.edu
Tue, 1 Mar 2005 13:51:11 -0500
Dear all,
Karl called this morning and we had a good discussion the included a
discussion of when he would come to Duke.
here is a summary of what we talked about.
FIRST, We talked about what remains to be done to fulfill all our
hopes and dreams for babase. The list includes:
0. Priority one: finishing the conversion -- i.e., (1) getting all
the data converted and then (2) writing all the updater programs etc
that are required to update and maintain the program, and (3)
finishing the documentation update. This seems to be within reach.
Two to three weeks for part one and then two to three weeks for part
two. Part three seems to be underway and will likely be finished on
time with the other two.
After that there are other things:
1. integrating information that is not currently in babase (GPS data, etc)
2. producing a read-only version for CD (this would allow us to carry
the database to the field once or twice a year)
3. develop a system in which we can track and archive the changes on
data updates
4. develop a system in which we can track changes on documentation
(this is already underway, focused on by Anne, as she updates
documentation)
5. get the front end spiffy and in a form that is user-friendly and accessible.
6. Produce a version for public access
SECOND, We talked about karl's next trip to Duke. We agreed that he
will come around March 23 and will stay until the data conversion is
complete, approx 2 to 3 weeks. His goal before coming to Duke is to
start optimizing the "down time" during conversions by getting a set
of things that can be done during each conversion attempt -- ie
making enough fixes while still in Chicago that we can optimize time
spent during the conversion (if I understood this right). Another
major goal before coming to Duke is to change the design of the
cycles program as discussed in Princeton, and he will start that and
see how long it takes and how fast it goes.
THIRD we talked about the need to get the entire conversion (data,,
programs and documentation) done before Susan leaves for Kenya or
else she (and probably jeanne) will go crazy. The plan that we came
up with is for karl to return to Chicago after the data conversion is
finished, for a week or so to do life maintenance, and then to return
to Duke for another 3 weeks or so and PUSH TO THE END so that the
whole conversion is done.
FOURTH we talked about the fact that Karl should come up to Princeton
from Duke at least for Friday Apr 8 if not the whole weekend, so that
he can joion our babase meeting that day.
I think that's the summary. We can talk about all this briefly
tomorrow after the ranks meeeting to confirm we are all agreed on
these goals etc.
Susan
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Susan Alberts, Associate Professor
Department of Biology, Duke University, Box 90338, Durham NC 27708
phone 919-660-7272 fax 919-660-7293