Exp382 Application Developer Technical Report
Contributors
Algie Morgan
Summary
This document highlights changes to the JOIDES Resolution laboratory data management environment during Expedition 382.
Selected issues are highlighted, but not reviewed in exhaustive detail. In general, see the ship activity log and product pages on the developer site for additional detail: {+}http://banff.iodp.tamu.edu/display/DEV/Developer+Home+Page+
The activity log specific to this expedition will be placed here: {+}http://banff.iodp.tamu.edu/display/DEV/Ship+Activity+Log+
General Duties Performed
During Expedition 382 the developers participated in:
- Routine expedition support.
- Maintenance of software applications (as detailed in the sections below).
- Assist with data management in cases where LIME and other software tools do not suffice.
- Perform database export and clean up operations at begin and end of expedition.
- Other duties as assigned.
Change Summary
Produce |
Current Version |
Release Notes |
MegaUploadaTron |
15.10 |
Modified Kappa analysis handler to upload new file format from APSSpin application; modified NGR analysis to format date properly for IMS files. |
SampleMaster |
12.5 |
Modified to allow drillers to enter up to 10 wireline runs instead of previous limit of 3. |
IMS |
10.2 |
I_PI_GOSCAN module modified to properly overlay sample information and scale bars on processed images; records X2IMG upload files in hold folder instead of /data/in folder |
AMSSpin |
1.1 |
Modified to output CSV file with all critical data components included in file; retracts sample holder into main unit when application closes; other minor bug fixes. |
LORE |
N/A |
KAPPA and KAPPA-extended report definitions modified to report new data by AMSSpin. |
X-Ray Image Processor |
1.3 |
Modified to overlay sample information and scale bars on processed images; displays sample and file information on screen when user selects raw image; several front-panel enhancements to improve usability. Currently this application is installed on workstation in forward Core lab (tag number RF53308) and PC in Co-chief office. NOTE: This application has a dependency on NI Vision Acquisition |
LIVE |
4.1 |
Modified Panel Builder to include image_asman_id to component list for SEM images. |
Correlator |
3.2 |
Worked with MCS's to install new version of Correlator on the Correlator Mac workstation near NGR. |
IMS - SHIL |
10.2 |
Error in sample-lookup module that caused it to always return TRUE when attempting to verify that the sample was not a standard; fixed so that it correctly identifies standard and normal sample. |
Velocity |
10.3 |
Fixed bug on front-panel so that user can save data after they do a manual pick; formerly Save button was not activated unless auto-pick successfully detected first-arrival. |
Outstanding Issues
Outstanding items are tracked by development in a system called Trello. www.trello.com
Special Projects / Issues
IMS Recovery Archives
At the end of Expedition 382 the developer committed changes to IMS on each track in the core lab to SVN. Since committing these changes necessitated updating IMS from SVN, prior to updating any track from SVN the IMS project folder on each track was archived, and the archive was stored on the Novell server at this location: TAS\AD\DEPLOY\ims{color}. Under the ims folder there are sub folders for each of the tracks which contain the archive for the corresponding track. Should it be necessary to rollback for any reason the developer can simple replace the existing C:\IMS\ folder on any track with the corresponding archive copy.
X-Ray Image Processor
Just before leaving the ship during port call the off-going LO extracted the x-ray image processing code into a stand-alone application. There were numerous issues with this application; the application developer worked with scientists and technicians to fix several of the biggest bugs and improve the user interface. At the time of this writing version 1.3 is installed on the PC on the co-chief office and on the forward port side workstation in the core lab (Tag number RF 53308).
SHMSL Laser Profiler
Early in the expedition we experienced quite a lot of difficulty with the AR700 laser profiler on the SHMSL. Periodically it would behave erratically and fail to measure the distance to the height of the section-half. The application developer, physical properties technician and ET's worked for approximately a week to resolve the issue. Eventually we replaced the AR700 laser unit with a spare and that failed to resolve the issue. Finally we moved the USB cable connector to a different port on the StarTech USB hub and the problem went away. Scientists report that there is still an occasional issue with the laser misreading the distance to the height of the section-half, but when they halt the measurement cycle and restart it works properly.
SRM
After coring started the paleomag scientists reported that there was a bug in the IMS program on the SRM. When measuring discrete samples and they tried to include an offline process the measurement sequence would immediately terminate after the tried to start measuring. The program pushes the boat a few centimeters down the track, then returns to home and IMS displays the Sample-Select screen. The programming for this sequence is quite complex and the SRM was in heavy use this expedition, so this bug has not been fixed. The paleomag scientist worked around it by including offline treatments in the comments when they were measuring discrete samples.
Velocity
Technician on this expedition demonstrated that user does not have a chance to review data, in particular the offset value, before the data is saved and uploaded. They would like a small change to Velocity to add a "pause and review" feature after they pick the first arrival (or it is auto-picked by the application) to allow them to review all of the information to make sure it correct before the data is saved and uploaded. This issue remains outstanding.
CahnBalance / Coulometer Applications
Home Screen Module
Chemistry technicians requested a small change to the login module. When a user clicks "Change Login" on home screen it immediately logs the current user out and so the user must login again before they can continue using the application. They would like this changed so they have an opportunity to cancel out of the login screen and keep the current user credentials so they can continue measuring samples.
History Module
Chemistry techs reported that the history display screen sorts all columns in character order. They would like the numeric fields (standard-deviation, mass, ,etc.) and date fields (timestamp, etc.) to sort in proper numeric and date order respectively. This represents a significant modification to the history module; including initializing it with data-type information when it is started by the main application.
Development Tooling and Infrastructure Changes
Tech Report
Rather than create tech report in MS Word and place on // VOL2/IODP_Official as in the past the tech report was moved to the new JR Confluence knowledge base system.
Hardware and Server
Computer Monitors
MCS's installed new monitor mounting stand at Developer station, and mounted two Dell monitors.
Music Amp
Music amp near developer work station in Logging office was dismounted. It is currently sitting under developer desk in case someone wants to remount it in a different location.