October/November 2004 ALMA Offline software test 

NAME: 

Questionnaire on testing experience

1. Please list briefly your background in the following areas:

   A. Radio Interferometry ((sub)millimeter or centimeter)
   B. Experience with VLA and/or PdBI data 
   C. Astronomical Data Reduction packages:
      - AIPS
      - MIRIAD
      - MMA
      - Gildas/Clic
      - AIPS++
   D. How much experience have you had with the AIPS++ software
      package before this test? 

2. Please identify which dataset you processed during this test:

   A. VLA SiO(1-0) observations of NGC 1333
   B. BIMA CO(1-0) observations of NGC 4928

3. Were you able to complete the fill, editing, and calibration of the
   data?  If not, why?   Please comment on specific steps if desired
   (comments can be positive or negative): 

   A. Filling the data into AIPS++ format
   B. Editing and visualizing your data
   C. Atmospheric phase corrections (PdBI data only)
   D. Gain (phase and amplitude) calibration
   E. Absolute flux calibration 
   F. Bandpass calibration

4. Were you able to subtract continuum in the uv-plane (if
   applicable)?  If not, why? 

5. Were you able to split out the calibrated data (if desired)?  If
   not, why? 

6. Were you able to image the data?  If not, why?  Please identify any
   problems you had during imaging.  

7. Were you able to analyze the images adequately to determine if the
   results you obtained were scientifically reasonable (e.g. display
   the image, calculate RMS and peak, make a moment map or take a
   spectrum)?  If not, why? 

8. Please summarize the final results of your image(s): 
   - RMS: 
   - Peak Flux Density: 

9. Did you have adequate support during your test?  If you contacted
   the AIPS++ groups for questions or to fix a bug, please comment on
   the interaction and whether it was helpful.  

10.Was AIPS++ easy to install?  If not, why?  

11.The Synthesis Reduction Cookbook you used for this test is the
   first version of a comprehensive cookbook for ALMA users.  Please
   evaluate the organization, content, and presentation of the
   cookbook.  It is meant to be the first documentation users will see
   when they want to reduce ALMA data, it provides background on the
   code capabilities, and extensive examples.  The on-line
   documentation provides more details and code descriptions.  With
   this in mind, please answer the questions below.  If you have
   detailed comments, please attach them to the end of this
   questionnaire. 

   - Was the documentation adequate for you to complete your test?
   - Was the cookbook good?
   - Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the cookbook?
   - Was the on-line documentation good:
      * User Reference Manual?
      * Supporting documentation?

12.Roughly how much time did you take to perform the following steps:

   - Installing aips++: 
   - Fill, editing, & calibration: 
   - Continuum imaging:	    
   - Spectral line imaging: 
   - Analysis:	    
   - Filling out this questionnaire: 
   - Evaluating and grading the scientific requirements: 
   - Total time: 

13.Please rate your overall testing experience: 

   - excellent
   - good
   - fair
   - poor
   - horrid

14.Was the test well designed and executed by those in the ALMA
   offline subsystem (e.g. the subsystem scientist and the Offline
   subsystem group).  If not, can you provide any suggestions for
   improving the next test?  

15.Do you have any additional comments that may help improve test of
   the offline software in the future?