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A Database system for EVN
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It appears that some form of central archive is required. It would possibly
contain technical notes, general help documentation, and map data. Some form
of conferencing/notes facility is also required for dissemination of info on
bugs/fixes and other relavant data. There are two options:
1) a information browser e.g. MOSAIC,
2) a database e.g. SYBASE - used by Owens valley and produced by an American
company. It is small, flexible, and the number users is growing quite
quickly. STARCAT from ESO uses a 4th generation language to interogate a
database system. This would be good for catalogues and raw data, but not much
good for document browsing, and would not support conferencing type facility.
Both MOSAIC and SYBASE can handle most common formats. FITS images cannot be
displayed by either system (although tools could be available to do this).
Arguments for MOSAIC:
1. It is free, while SYBASE is not (probably cost fl 1-10,000???).
2. The astronomcal community is more likely to be familiar with this type of
package.
3. It is to be used by the NEWSTAR/WSRT group (contact: Marco de Vos), so
there would be compatibilty, and possible sharing of software support. A
dedicated machine with large disk capacity could also possibly be shared.
4. It is supposed to have a conferencing type facility.
5. We could display gif images of maps, and the FITS data could then be made
available in some way.
Arguments for SYBASE:
1. It's commercial and hence the extra support. Cosequently it would be easier
to manage and organise.
Hardip Sanghera.
9/9/93