The Linux BoF will attempt to introduce Linux to new users and cover more technical topics for those already familiar with the system. Discussions will range over hardware and Linux vendor issues, where to find software or what you need to write your own, and the current rapid development of Linux (and other free Unix systems) and it's effect on the software development community. There will be plenty of time for open discussion and attendees are encouraged to participate.
RATIONALE
The astronomical community has often profited from reuse of software. Whether related to astronomy or not, many libraries, modules or software fragments have proved to be useful by either being embeddable into other people's code or by simply serving as templates for new solutions.
We have written a framework proposal aimed at sharing java components in astronomy that we would like to discuss at a BOF on ADASS'99 (see http://archive.eso.org/JSky). Practically speaking, we would agree on a set of definitions of what makes a JSky Component and the interfaces that they use to communicate e.g. XML DTD's (Document Type Definitions). The components "basket" would be replicated web sites with a common repository structure.
An example of JSky components will be presented. They address the need for accessing data and catalog servers and understanding and handling tabular and image data types. See also the presentation by Ochsenbein et al. on "Using XML for accessing resources in astronomy".
AGENDA
The proposed RT-Linux BoF will be chaired by Phil Daly and will consist of a summary of RT-Linux and it's adoption by several groups at NOAO. The main features of both variants of RT-Linux will be presented along with their pros and cons.
The BoF will conclude with an open Q&A regarding this interesting systems development. Input from others regarding competitive systems (VxWorks, RTAP) etc will be welcomed.
This BoF will be chaired by Paul Barrett, and will begin with an introduction to Python in astronomy, be followed by reports of current Python projects, and conclude with a discussion about the current state of Python in astronomy. The introduction will give a brief overview of the language, highlighting modules, resources, and aspects of the language that are important to scientific programming and astronomical data analysis. The closing discussion will provide an opportunity for questions and comments.
The IRAF BoF provides an opportunity for IRAF users, as well as development groups, to hear about the status and plans for IRAF. Presentations will describe recent developments in the core IRAF system, current development and exploratory activities at NOAO and STScI, and future plans. Short project reports from other development sites are welcome. Time will be available for questions, comments, and suggestions from the audience.
At this ADASS, the AIPS++ Project will issue and demonstrate the first public release of AIPS++. We will describe and ask for comments on both the functionality present in the first version, and the planned developments over the next years.
Although this will be the first public release, the system has been in active use at a number of telescopes since 1995 in the support of actual observations. This type of use represents a new role for large packages like AIPS++. We will describe and invite discussion on the use of AIPS++ in such real-time observing.