ELECTRONIC DATA SERVICE
MINUTES OF THE MEETING, SEPTEMBER 13, 2000
Present: Judy McTaggart (Recorder); Susan Moskal (Facilitator); Richard Pinnell; Shabiran Rahman
Absent: Jack Cooper
1. Minutes of Previous Meeting: July 5, 3000
Approved with minor spelling corrections.
2. Business Arising:
Item 3, CD-ROM Inventory - Shabiran inquired about the progress of the updating. Action: Richard will contact Astra Goodhue to find out if she is encountering any difficulties.
Item 4b, TDR raw data - Richard discussed the problem of not being able to retrieve all datasets with Bo and the oversight will be fixed. Richard also suggested it might be useful for the EDS members to have a tour of TDR. Action: Richard will make arrangements for a tour at the next TDR OMG meeting.
3. Additional Agenda:
The following were added to the agenda:
10. Survey of Faculty Needs
11. Printing of Code Books
4. Trellis Location for EDS Office (Susan)
Susan reported the current location statement on Trellis for EDS materials is incorrect and misdirects users. It was suggested the statement be reworded to read "UW Porter. Library Electronic Data Service. 5th Floor" Action: Susan will speak with Betty Graf to see if this wording fits the conventions used for Trellis locations and ask to have a global change made.
5. Update From the AD Hoc Committee for Acquiring Datasets Not Available From UW Data Resources (Shabiran)
Shabiran reported most of the datasets that are not available from UW Data Resources can be found at other locations. Many are at York. She also reported problems trying to FTP the data for several datasets John Wilson requested to have downloaded. She will ask Bo to download the data. Richard suggested it would be useful to have a list on the TDR site of those datasets available elsewhere and list contact names, links, etc. This will be put on the agenda for the next EDS meeting under "Content of Pages on TDR Site"
6. Data Links (Shabiran)
Shabiran reported the draft of the Data Links newsletter is complete and ready to be reviewed by TDR OMG. She will send the draft to Richard. The following 2 items on the draft need OMG approval:
1. elimination of http://www from the url
2. statement indicating this issue will be the last hardcopy produced - future issues will be in electronic format only
7. TDR OMG Report (Richard)
Richard reported the July 11 joint meeting of TDR and Trellis OMG provided a good exchange of information and sharing of knowledge. Mark Haslett suggested it would be beneficial for other management groups to hold similar meetings on a regular basis.
The TDR Steering Committee met last week. The Ernst & Young report commissioned to look at TUG from a financial perspective was reviewed. The report recommends operational costs for funding projects be allocated as follows: first 30% shared equally; the remaining 70% allocated according to a defined formula to be determined by measures of activity. OMG will need to discuss what measures of activity could be used.
8. Participation of Marina Wan in EDS Work (Susan)
Susan reported Marina has volunteered to continue her involvement with EDS. Appropriate activities for Marina were discussed. Suggestions included:
1. cataloguing TDR material
2. forms and survey instrument creation (eg. Survey of Data Needs)
3. creation of a directory of datasets held elsewhere
4. redesign of EDS webpage
Action: Susan will discuss these possibilities with Marina. She will also speak with Larry Helfand about EDS cataloguing.
9. SSHRC/CFI Research Data Centre UW/WLU/UG Involvement (Susan)
There was discussion about how the service provided by the new Research Data Centre fits into the current EDS services. Susan suggested it would be useful to obtain statistical information on what datasets are being used at the Centre, who is using the data, etc. Shabiran represents the EDS Group on the steering committee (which meets tomorrow) She will make the suggestion of sharing this kind of information. Minutes from all steering committee meetings will be circulated and Shabiran will continue to report back to the EDS Group on a regular basis.
10. Survey of Faculty Data Needs
This item will be carried forward to the agenda of the next EDS meeting (Sept.27)
11. Printing of Code Books (Shabiran)
Shabiran asked what account should be used when a patron requests a printed copy of a code book that is available only in electronic format. Points of discussion included:
1. a policy needs to be established on whether, in fact, we should do this and who should pay
2. there is a need for a separate EDS operational budget to cover photocopying and other expenses not currently provided for in the EDS account
Action: Susan will speak with Debbie Tytko to arrange for an interim account to cover the photocopying.
Next Meeting: September 27, 2000; Porter 224A; 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.