DIS Information Updates, February, 1996

To: "E  - All WRD Employees"<distribution@usgs.gov>
Subject: DIS Information Updates, February, 1996
Date: Thu, 22 Feb 1996 17:22:16 -0500
From: "Gloria J Stiltner, Chief, DIS Suprv Hyd, Reston, VA" <stiltner@usgs.gov>




	        DIS INFORMATION UPDATES, FEBRUARY 1996

This document contains approximately 410 lines.
The following is included in this update.


1.  REMINDER: USAGE OF EDOC ENDS MARCH 1

2.  STATUS OF Z-MAIL ELECTRONIC MAIL SOFTWARE

3.  STATUS OF SYNCHRONIZE CALENDAR/SCHEDULING SOFTWARE

4.  AVAILABILITY OF WORLD-WIDE-WEB GUIDELINES

5.  SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP ON MS-WINDOWS SOLUTIONS

6.  NCTM '96 REGISTRATION

7.  SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS TOWN MEETING TO BE HELD AT NCTM '96

8.  RELEASE OF DIS APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE TAPE 8

9.  NEW FRAMEMAKER 4 TEMPLATES FOR TRAINING FORMS AND PERFORMANCE
    PLANS

10  SIMPLE SEARCH COMMAND FOR USERIDS AND PHONE NUMBERS

11. DIS-II CONTRACT MODIFICATION 22

12. PRIME MAINTENANCE CONTRACT MODIFICATION



1.  REMINDER: USAGE OF EDOC ENDS MARCH 1
----------------------------------------

This is a reminder that usage of EDOC by WRD users will end on March
1, 1996, as stated in WRD Memorandum 96.10.  Users who have not
switched to the Geomail electronic mail system should contact their
system administrator as soon as possible.  Prior to March 1, the DIS
Office will provide guidance to WRD system administrators on how
remaining automated processes using EDOC will be affected.  


2.  STATUS OF Z-MAIL ELECTRONIC MAIL SOFTWARE
---------------------------------------------

A contract for Geomail-related software was awarded on September 19,
1995, to Spectrum Office Systems for Z-Mail and Synchronize
software.  Z-Mail, a mail-reader program, is available for purchase by
all USGS email users for use on multiple platforms. These platforms
include: PC MS Windows, PC MS DOS, Apple Macintosh, Sun Sparc OS, Sun
Sparc Solaris, Novell Univel, DEC Ultrix, Windows NT, IBM OS/2, HP
UNIX, and the Data General AViiON. The Z-Mail software is fully
compliant with SMTP and, therefore, communicates well with the Water
Resources Division's (WRD) existing MH email reader programs, exmh and
plum. Z-Mail is similar to exmh in functionality and ease of use, but
is a more polished commercial product.

The Distributed Information System (DIS) Program Office purchased a
limited number of Z-Mail licenses. The Z-Mail software licenses are
currently being tested, evaluated, and configured for the DG, PC and
Macintosh.  During the evaluation and testing, Z-Mail software
problems have been identified, and the DIS Program Office and others
in the bureau are in the process of resolving these problems with the
vendor.

The Z-Mail software licenses can be obtained by contacting 
Angela Hall (aehall) by Geomail or phone (703) 648-5625. The cost of 
a single-user Z-Mail license is $37.74.  There is no charge for
maintenance during the first year of the contract, however, in 
subsequent years, the cost of the Z-Mail software licenses will be 
$41.77, and the maintenance cost will be $7 per license.


3.  STATUS OF SYNCHRONIZE CALENDAR/SCHEDULING SOFTWARE
------------------------------------------------------

As part of the Geomail-related contract with Spectrum Office Systems,
an optional calendar/scheduling software package named Synchronize is
available for purchase.

Synchronize is an easy-to-use, cross-platform, multi-user time and
task management program that operates on a variety of computing
platforms, including PC-Windows, Data General (DG), and other versions
of UNIX.  A Macintosh client version is expected in April 1996.  You
can use Synchronize to keep an online calendar and address book, make
appointments and meetings with other users, and write messages and
assign tasks to yourself and other users.

The DIS Program Office has purchased a limited number of licenses for
Synchronize Version 1.3/Motif and is evaluating the functionality and
possible configurations.  We are currently working with the vendor to
resolve problems that have been identified during the evaluation.
Additional information, including a Synchronize demonstration and
Quick Start Guide, is available on the World Wide Web at the following
URL:

	<URL:http://www.crosswind.com/>

On the USGS contract, the cost of a single-user Synchronize license is
$54.24, and the maintenance is free during the first year of the
contract.  In subsequent years, the maintenance will be $13.50 per
license.

More information concerning the contract for Z-Mail and Synchronize
may be obtained by contacting Angela Hall by Geomail (aehall) or by
phone (703) 648-5625.


4.  AVAILABILITY OF WORLD-WIDE-WEB GUIDELINES
---------------------------------------------

The rapid growth and success of WWW activities has caused some
understandable confusion. Not all Districts, for example, are aware
that we already have in place guidelines for WWW sites. These
guidelines say, in effect, that WWW pages should identify USGS, link
to other USGS pages, and present appropriate materials, and that
approval is delegated to District or equivalent office chiefs. Sound
too good to be true? Look up the guidelines at
          <http://h2o.usgs.gov/usgs/dist999.html> 
for details. The guidelines are the product of our Strategic Planning
for Internet Dissemination, Evaluation, and Retrieval (SPIDER) Team,
whose minutes can be found at
          <http://h2o.usgs.gov/usgs/spider/spider.html>.

We also are beginning to realize how helpful the WWW can be for our
own internal communications. Please take a look at the newly-revised
WRD Internal Home Page
          <http://h2o.usgs.gov/usgs/> 
to see some of the services that are available on-line to USGS users.
This page is now the default "home page" for Headquarters browsers,
and it's recommended that other locations adopt this or a similar
page.


5.  SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP ON MS-WINDOWS SOLUTIONS
--------------------------------------------------

The DIS Program Office continues to investigate new technology for
providing an interoperability solution for using UNIX Windows and
Microsoft Windows applications on a single desktop. A Special Interest
Group (SIG) has been formed to include USGS technical staff with
expressed interest or expertise.  The group, named WINSIG, met on
February 20, 1996, to discuss solutions for integrating Microsoft
Windows applications into the DIS-II computing environment.  The group
is actively testing different Windows Server solutions that can
support the use of "popular" PC application software determined from
Division-wide interest: ARC/View2, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop,
Framemaker, Lahey Fortran 90, Microsoft (MS) Visual Basic and Visual
C/C++, MS Office Pro, MS Project, Netscape, SAS and SAS/Graph, Travel
Manager, MS Bookshelf CD-ROM, and Z-Mail.  Information on the
investigations and activities of the WINSIG is updated regularly and
can be obtained via the URL:

 <URL:http://wwwqvarsa.er.usgs.gov/~clbarnes/NT/ntpage.html>


6.  NCTM '96 REGISTRATION
-------------------------

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Computer Technology Meeting
1996 (NCTM '96) is to be held May 20-23, 1996.  The theme of NCTM '96
is "USGS, Plugged into the Planet."

The NCTM '96 Registration Memorandum, agenda, training schedule, and
registration form were sent via Geomail on February 15, 1996.  If you
are interested in attending the meeting and you have not received the
registration packet, please contact Pat McAlwee (pmcalwee,
703-648-5609).

If you plan to attend NCTM '96, please complete and return the meeting
registration form to Joyce Solomon (jsolomon), or by Fax to
703-648-5295).  You may also register on the World Wide Web:

 <URL:http://wwwqvarsa.er.usgs.gov/NCTM96>

All NCTM '96 information can be found at the URL above.

Please remember that all forms of registration must be received NO
LATER THAN MONDAY, APRIL 8, 1996.


7.  SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS TOWN MEETING TO BE HELD AT NCTM '96
-------------------------------------------------------------

All system administrators are invited to a town meeting scheduled for
Tuesday, May 21, 1996 at NCTM '96.  Topics to be discussed include
DIS-II, NWIS-II, and AIS status, DIS-related procurement strategies,
and the integration of MS Windows servers into the DIS environment.
There will be ample time for questions and answers.


8.  RELEASE OF DIS APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE TAPE 8
-----------------------------------------------

The DIS Applications Support Unit (ASU) released the general version
of Application Software Tape 8 to all WRD sites during the week of
January 29, 1996.  Tape 8 includes a new revision of USGS-G2, among
many other software updates and new programs.  The list of contents of
Tape 8 can be found at:

 <URL:http://wwwqvarsa.er.usgs.gov/tapes/tape08/contents.html>


9.  NEW FRAMEMAKER 4 TEMPLATES FOR TRAINING FORMS AND PERFORMANCE
    PLANS
-----------------------------------------------------------------

TRAINING FORM (SF-182) 
Thanks to Magello Gonzales (Indiana District Office), a FrameMaker 4
template has been created for the Request, Authorization, Agreement,
and Certification of Training form (SF-182).  This template and the
macro file may be retrieved via anonymous ftp from qvarsx.er.usgs.gov
(130.11.51.82).  The gzipped files are in the pub/TEMPLATES directory
and are called Training-Request.SF-182.gz and SF182.macro.gz.  The sum
information for the files is:

	22708 548 Training-Request.SF-182.gz
	49279   1 SF182.macro.gz

Before opening the files in FrameMaker 4, issue the following command
to unzip the files:
 
         gunzip Training-Request.SF-182.gz SF182.macro.gz

Please read the help information on page 1 and 2 of the
Training-Request.SF-182 before using the template.

EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE PLAN & RESULTS REPORT (DI-2002) 
A FrameMaker 4 template has been created for the Employee Performance
Plan and Results Report (Form DI-2002, September 1995).  This template
was included on Application Software Tape-8 that was mailed to all WRD
offices the week of January 29, 1996.  Once this tape is installed at
your site, the template will be available by clicking on NEW in the
main FrameMaker window.  The new DI-2002 form replaces the following
forms:

	9-2011 Employee Work Plan (April 1987)
	9-2011-A Employee Work Plan Cont. Sheet A (April 1987)
	9-2011-B Employee Work Plan Cont. Sheet A (April 1987)
	9-2015 Annual Employee Performance Appraisal (April 1987)
	9-2099 Interim Employee Performance Appraisal (April 1987)

AWARDS FORM 
Also, a new DI-451 form is in the works for awards.  This will replace
many forms currently in use.  As soon as the hard copy form is
finalized, the FrameMaker 4 template will be revised, made available
for retrieval via anonymous ftp, and announced on usgs.frame in
NetNews.


10. SIMPLE SEARCH COMMAND FOR USERIDS AND PHONE NUMBERS
-------------------------------------------------------

In the early electronic mail days in the WRD, many users would
enter "sid" as a command to find out a person's userid or phone
number.  However, in this case, "sid" was an alias that really 
executed the "search_id" command.  When EDOC was updated and
replaced by "exmh" and "plum", "sid" still existed.  Once again
it was an alias for either "search_id" or "srch_id".  What many
users do not realize is that there is a REAL command named "sid".
The real "sid" is simpler and faster than the other types of search
commands.  It also provides more powerful searches than the "ph" or
"xph" commands and it does NOT rely on the Wide Area Network which
needs to be accessible for either of these commands to work.

The real "sid" command is a simple tool for searching the
electronic mail database.  The most common way to use this command
is to issue "sid" followed by a pattern.  For example,

           sid  fulton

will return the following:

jfulton  James L Fulton, (703) 648-5622, Hydrologist, Reston, VA

Since many WRD offices now have one main telephone number with
different extensions for each employee, "sid" will also list the
extension and location (as long as it was entered in the database).
For example,

            sid  lgeiger

will return:

lgeiger  Linda H Geiger, (904) 942-9500 x3028, Computer Specialist,
Tallahassee, FL

A user doesn't have to know the complete name to do a search.
By entering:

            sid  loft

the two entries with "loft" as part of a record are displayed.  No
matter what pattern is requested, the same fields in the database
are always searched.  These fields are:  userid, name, phone number,
title, and location.  

To get a listing of all the hydrologists, enter:

            sid  Hydrologist

Sometimes a listing of an entire office is needed.  If a listing
of the Pennsylvania District Office in Lemoyne is needed, a search
on lemoyne can be done using "sid".  Please notice that "sid" is NOT
case sensitive.

There is a windows version of "sid" called "xsid".  The "xsid" command
provides a user-friendly interface that allows a user to search for a
specific userid but also gives the user access to all the WRD
distribution groups and the system aliases.  Once the search is
completed, the user just has to point and click on the search result
and then on either the "to:" or "cc:" button and the userid,
distribution code, or system alias will automagically be placed on the
appropriate line in the compose window of exmh.  However, there is a
small caveat.  For this automagic cut and paste feature to work,
user-based access must be in place.

There is a minor idiosyncrasy with the "sid" command.  Often
the user's prompt will not return when "sid" is issued.  Simply
depress the Enter key and the prompt will reappear.

To find out if the real "sid" is being used, at the Unix prompt
enter the following:

            alias

This lists all of the aliases available to that user.  If "sid"
appears in the list, remove it.  If "sid" does not appear, then enter
the following:

            where  sid

If the response is /usr/opt/bin/sid, then the user can be assured that
the proper "sid" command is being used.

More information on "sid" and "xsid" can be found by entering "man
sid" and "man xsid".


11. DIS-II CONTRACT MODIFICATION 22
-----------------------------------

The modification to the Data General contract, contract modification
number 22, was signed on January 23, 1996.  The following are changes
to the contract:
  
  o  Price reduction of the 128MB memory daughter card for the
     AV8500/AV9500 server systems effective October 1, 1995.  
     CLIN 1418 reduced from $11,400 to $8,400.
   
  o  Price reduction of all disk drives including the Clariion disks
       
        2GB SCSI reduced from $1800 to $1600
        4GB SCSI reduced from $2800 to $2600
   
       Clariion disks:
        1GB disk reduced from $1488 to $1200   
        2GB disk reduced from $2150 to $1600     
        4GB disk reduced from $3250 to $2600
   
  o  Replacement of Ethernet Printer Server (Contract Line Item
     Number (CLIN) 150l) and price reduction from $625 to $380.  The
     new Print Server meets the specifications in the contract.
   
  o  Substitution of CLIN 1435 (12ppm) and CLIN 1500 (16ppm) Lexmark
     printers with newer Lexmark printers.  The new printers have
     1200 x 1200 dpi, 8MB memory, 500 sheet page tray, and options
     that include duplexing, 40MB hard drive, and 10BASET option on
     the 12ppm printer.  The 10BASET is included with the price of
     the new 16ppm printer.  
   
      CLIN  1587 (12ppm) $1,608 (price remains the same)
      CLIN  1588 (16ppm) $2,596 (price increase $599)
      CLINS 1589, 1590, 1591, 1592, 1593, 1594, 1595, 1596 are options
   
     *Data General has already submitted a new proposal to replace
      the above mentioned printers.  The proposed substitute printers
      (also Lexmark 16ppm) are expected to be less expensive.

An updated CLIN list can be found on qvarsx.er.usgs.gov
(130.11.51.82).
     
     /var/ftp/pub/disii    filename is clin.list.tar.gz
                             the checksum = 60560 71   

For your planning purposes, Data General has submitted the following
proposals that are pending review and approval for future modification
to the DIS-II contract.
   
  o  7200 RPM disk drives that function on 88100 servers (AV52xx or 
     AV62xx) and the AV530 workstations
  o  New Lexmark printer (16ppm) 
  o  Faster CD/ROM
  o  Upgrade 45MHz dual CPU board (AV8500 and AV9500 servers) to
     Quad 50MHz CPU board
  o  New Data Terminal and Keyboard (System Console)


12. PRIME MAINTENANCE CONTRACT MODIFICATION
-------------------------------------------

ComputerVision recently informed the USGS that preventive
maintenance (PM) on PRIME systems should now be performed every other
month, or bi-monthly. Previously the contract specified that PMs
should be performed monthly.  It is the responsibility of the system
administrators to open a service ticket with the 800 service to have
the bi-monthly PM performed at their site.  If there are any
additional questions, please email sshite or smtrapan.