University of Waterloo
                    Electronic Data Service Task Group
                     Minutes of Meeting March 2, 1994


Present:  Albert Kemp
          Sue Moskal
          Doug Morton (Sec.) 
          Bill Oldfield (Chair)
          Richard Pinnell
          Shabiran Rahman
          Carol Vogt     
          Mike Ridley (part session)
CC:       Bruce MacNeil, Mike Ridley

1.   Minutes of Previous Meeting
     Date should have read Feb. 23, 1994.
     Accepted as amended

2.   Business Arising
     None

3.   Additional Agenda
     4.  Data Resource records in WATCAT
     5.  Census Data
     6.  GSS Data
     7.  Acquisition of data
     8.  Visit by M. Ridley
     9.  Handling existing DRC resources.

4.  Data Resource Records in WATCAT
     Albert Kemp brought a question from Chuck Woods about
     records in WATCAT for Data Resource Centre material.  Bill
     Oldfield will speak with Chuck and Betty Graf about
     retaining the records.

5.  Census Data
     The census material presents different problems from CANSIM. 
     The data are in a different format and the EPAS software
     will not handle it.  There are also questions about
     suppliers, the size of the files, and what, exactly, is
     there.  Sue Moskal will contact Laine Ruus.  Carol Vogt will
     check with Jan Willwerth to see what has come in.

6.  GSS Data
     Similar to item 5 above.

7.  Acquisition of Data
     There are problems with using the existing acquisition
     protocols for electronic materials.  A Library task force
     has been formed to look into this; Bill is on the task force
     and will provide liaison.  CMC is also looking into the
     problem; Sue Moskal will act as liaison.

     Bill suggested using the Census data as a test case in which
     Materials Acquisition staff would be involved with actually
     getting the data (it often has to be FTP'd here from a
     central source).

8.  Visit by M. Ridley
     Mike Ridley attended the meeting briefly to discuss the
     letter requesting funding and support for our proposal to
     mount CANSIM.  He will meet with the appropriate parties and
     negotiate future actions.

9.  Handling Existing DRC Resources.
     The code books currently housed in DCS are to be packed up
     in the next week.  This is the material matching the records
     mentioned in item 4 above.  Assuming approval from Margaret
     Hendley, the material will be located in LIB 222.

10.  Discussion
     The group discussed the shape that the EDS might take. 
     Points to consider will be:
     - should there be a specific place that people can go with
     questions or should the service be disseminated throughout
     the Library and the networks?
     - where will the code books reside?
     - how much of this can be handled electronically and with
     handouts?
     - Users will still be referred to DCS (in various
     locations), the Statistical Consulting Office, and their
     advisors.

11.  Forthcoming meetings
     Next week there will be a break because we couldn't get a
     room.  It has also been suggested that we meet at 1:30
     rather than 1:00.  If there are no objections this will be
     the future schedule. 

Wednesday March  9   Nothing available
Wednesday March 16   Room 428
Wednesday March 23   Room 428
Wednesday March 30   Room 428
Wednesday April  6   Room 428
Wednesday April 13   Room 407  (note different room)
Wednesday April 20   Room 428
Wednesday April 27   Room 428