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<title>RSS Feed</title><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/index.html</link><description>Hot News&#x21;</description><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><dc:rights>Copyright 2006 Mark Laufersweiler</dc:rights><dc:date>2009-12-26T21:49:29-06:00</dc:date><admin:generatorAgent rdf:resource="http://www.realmacsoftware.com/" />
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<lastBuildDate>Tue, 08 Jan 2008 01:06:03 -0600</lastBuildDate><item><title>Happy Holidays</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>general</category><dc:date>2009-12-26T21:49:29-06:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/6c5b36e95c13381307e9b2f7fe2756e4-34.html#unique-entry-id-34</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/6c5b36e95c13381307e9b2f7fe2756e4-34.html#unique-entry-id-34</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[May you and yours have the warmest of holidays and a Happy New year!


-mjl]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>System Admin Day</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>general</category><dc:date>2009-07-31T14:03:11-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/4cc83044d8ad11ec7f33223df0641ca1-33.html#unique-entry-id-33</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/4cc83044d8ad11ec7f33223df0641ca1-33.html#unique-entry-id-33</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[How funny is this, I did not know but today is System AdministratorDay.   Check it out at SysAdmDay.com.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Matlab seminar; Some early thoughts</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>general</category><dc:date>2009-02-26T14:30:17-06:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/706e3dbaa8f8c2724f1bf3c5992bdb12-32.html#unique-entry-id-32</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/706e3dbaa8f8c2724f1bf3c5992bdb12-32.html#unique-entry-id-32</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I am currently sitting in NWC 1313 listening to the MathWorks speaker talk about Matlab.   I can see why many folks like the software.   I am still a bit skeptical about the black box functionality of the program.   I know of the small group of students who program in Python and see why they prefer to program their own applications.   I think it is the ability to control both the functionality and the output that is satisfying to the user that one does not have with a commercial product.  


It is also fun to watch as folks bail from the seminar when the topic moved into developing the GUI.   Matlab will allow for users to create a GUI for others to use based on the purpose and function of the code.   But one can do the same with Python. ...  It comes down to the user and where they are most comfortable working.   Myself, being an &ldquo;old dog&rdquo;, I like the command line and simple programing workflow of Python and the modules one can import to Python which has most of the tools that are an extra cost under Matlab. 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>And so it begins again...</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>general</category><dc:date>2009-01-22T01:47:08-06:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/40432b46731359fa2ea4b83a589d07a0-31.html#unique-entry-id-31</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/40432b46731359fa2ea4b83a589d07a0-31.html#unique-entry-id-31</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[While on one hand, things are moving smoothly (only the second day of classes), I am finding that my days are very busy.   I am behind on my &ldquo;to do&rdquo; lists.   It seems that my biggest problem is that the tasks on the list are taking longer to complete than I anticipated.   I am also running out of time trying to stay ahead with my scouting duties.   What I really need is a 30 hour day but I know that is not going to happen. 


So I will being working on staying on task and not getting distracted on other items.   I still am trying to figure out why the data ingest machine is not seeing the external raid device.   Both the computer and the raid appear to be working, just not talking to one another.   (Funny, that last line sounds like a bad marriage.)   Getting the data ingest machine is just one of the priority tasks that are on the list of &ldquo;to dos&rdquo; 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Still not timely</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>general</category><dc:date>2008-11-03T09:13:39-06:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/19532b100b76b6193f539870a7158c6d-30.html#unique-entry-id-30</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/19532b100b76b6193f539870a7158c6d-30.html#unique-entry-id-30</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Not sure what it is, but keeping up with a blog right now seems like a daunting task.   I am keeping up fairly well with the departmental computing blog.   So in some respects, that blog has replaced some of the blogging that I would be doing here.   So I am shifting a bit the focus of this blog to be a bit more personal about what I am doing at work.   So more opinions of softwares, computers and stuff meteorological.   We will see if I can keep this up instead. 


Maybe if I spend less time on ......      Nah. 


mjl]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Not so timely eh?</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>general</category><category>computing</category><category>lab</category><dc:date>2008-07-24T13:57:48-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/ab52e3b399f7aa5e275cd420b7a90a98-29.html#unique-entry-id-29</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/ab52e3b399f7aa5e275cd420b7a90a98-29.html#unique-entry-id-29</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I have just returned from a week of camping near Colorado Springs and am now getting back into the swing of things as we begin the push to the start of a new term.   It will be different this time, as I will not have the help of Brian who was always a big help with the computing here in the department.


...It will also include a sign up proceedure for requesting Bastion Host accounts here at the NWC.   I have a couple of machines in the Linux lab that are not working as they should and they will be in the queue for repairs next week.   I also have a couple of new servers for both faculty and the department that I need to get installed and running. ...  Seems that the RAID controler drivers are not part of the usual ones and the new kernel will not boot.   So now I will be needing to track down that problem.


I now have a bit more control over the intro labs and will assist with the upper division synoptic lab this coming academic year.   So I will be spending some time with the labs of previous years/sections and compiling a hopefullly more orginized set of labs.   I am wanting to create a good set of labs that will introduce many of the the meteorological concepts as well as computing skills to make it easier on students as they move through the program.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Need to be more timely</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>general</category><dc:date>2008-05-30T01:06:22-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/f728d58a13d301efa527aa03b71207e4-28.html#unique-entry-id-28</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/f728d58a13d301efa527aa03b71207e4-28.html#unique-entry-id-28</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Well, it has been too long since I have posted to this blog.   I really need to try and post more often.   I do use Rapid Weaver as my html sofware of choice and so the upgrade toe 4.0 give me a reason to at least post one upate.    So here it is. 


So far I have liked the changes RW4 has made.   The interface is more in tune with Leopard and it looks like it has come a fair number of new themes.   Who knows, I may update the theme of this site yet again. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>iPhone</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>apple</category><dc:date>2008-01-07T16:08:41-06:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/8d6f8382545eb99608df5bba59e4f4f5-27.html#unique-entry-id-27</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/8d6f8382545eb99608df5bba59e4f4f5-27.html#unique-entry-id-27</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Well, I now have an iPhone.   I am impressed and disappointed all at the same time.   For the first time, I have the connivence of not carrying both a PDA and a cell phone.   I love the ability to sync with either my laptop or my desktop.   I miss that I cannot sync my notes and that I cannot copy and paste.   The latter makes it hard to add incoming calls to the contacts list (I think since I have not really received too many calls yet).


All in all, I am impressed with the device and am looking forward to what will come out during MacWorld and see what I have missed (like 3G).


mjl]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Leopard installed</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>apple</category><dc:date>2007-11-20T01:30:14-06:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/1eebc56d67d2209210a64f9e9fbbd7c2-26.html#unique-entry-id-26</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/1eebc56d67d2209210a64f9e9fbbd7c2-26.html#unique-entry-id-26</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Well, I am finally done with upgrading both my MacBook Pro and my Mac Pro to Leopard.   While the MBP upgrade went fairly well, I did have some problems with the Mac Pro. ...  This is not good, but then again, it is not surprising since I have been upgrading and transferring my account since Mac OS X 10.1.   So, I bit the bullet and went ahead with a fresh install and just moved over my files a bit at a time.   I met with success and now am running 10.5 on all of my personal machines. 


...It is still not working as well as it should and because of that fact, I will not be updating the student labs for a while.   X11 is an important part of how the Apple machines are used by the students when connecting to the various linux machines in the department.   I will be following the development of X11 and sending my feedback back to Apple.


...Like many others, I am at a loss as to why Apple got rid of some features from previous releases of OS X. 

...What I would love to see next is that each desktop be allowed to have a different background and possibly a different screen resolution. 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Unidata Regional Workshop</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>SoM</category><dc:date>2007-09-08T13:08:01-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/4fc56c0d99f0223de1198b12cdf00200-25.html#unique-entry-id-25</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/4fc56c0d99f0223de1198b12cdf00200-25.html#unique-entry-id-25</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Well, it has been a busy time as the SoM gets ready to host a Unidata Regional workshop to be held September 10-12.   The primary focus is to be the Unidata software package called the Integrated Data Viewer (IDV).   The IDV is a viewer for visualizing geoscience data.   The purpose of the workshop to introduce introduce the IDV and allow for participants to actually work with the software during their instruction.   I am hoping that faculty and researchers can learn more so that they can incorporate the IDV into their teaching and research. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>What a week&#x21;</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>ade</category><category>apple</category><dc:date>2007-07-31T21:44:54-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/d1e7de4af44b2a5a600e56ffd46560e5-24.html#unique-entry-id-24</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/d1e7de4af44b2a5a600e56ffd46560e5-24.html#unique-entry-id-24</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[What a week it was at the Apple Distinguished Educators Institute.   I was part of a language project that forced me to learn the Google KML markup language in just a couple of hours. ...  A lot of hard work by the group and I think we turned out a great project.   The project Welcome to My Backyard, has a student collect world language samples (notice not foreign) of phrases that can reflect on the cultural heiratige of the speaker.   The student then can place the phrases, a link to the audio sample in a Google Earth placemark.   What you have then, is world tour of languages and cultures and hopfully a better appreciation of those friends, neighbors and family that can speak more than one language. 


The project will soon be published on Apple's hosting site, Apple Learning Interchange. ...  It is a social networking site for educators that allows for teachers to present material that for class lessons and more.   It is also a way for higher ed to showcase research, campus projects and more.   Take the time and give it a look.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Apple Disginguished Educators Institute 2007</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>ade</category><category>apple</category><dc:date>2007-07-25T01:35:08-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/9b386fc5e902e735a8faf36056c3010d-23.html#unique-entry-id-23</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/9b386fc5e902e735a8faf36056c3010d-23.html#unique-entry-id-23</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Well, after spending the weekend in Los Angeles helping my dad set up his new iMac,  I am now in Monterey, CA for the Apple Distinguished Educators Institute.   It was great being able to see old friends from the 2005 ADE Institute, which was my freshman year.   I am now an alumnus and it has been great seeing folks from my previous institute and also meeting this years new ADE's. 


I am signed up for three sessions of workshops: 1) Final Cut Pro introduction, 2) Advance Podcasting/Server and 3) Publishing on ADI (an ADE reporting session that is required).   It will be a busy day for sure.   I will be up at t6:30 AM  PDT, which for those of you who know me, is not my cup of tea. 

...The one team building activity that we did today was to decorate our suite doors.   I am in a suite with 5 other ADE;s, all neat folk.   Our door, we decorated as a RAM chip, with a nice play on words using the RAM acronym. ...  It is going to be a busy time for sure, with our off site visits on Thursday, following the workshop sessions tomorrow, oops today. 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Wow&#x2c; not a post this past term...</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>news</category><dc:date>2007-06-05T00:57:17-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/6948d30480f20f81db3bfaca947d4c7d-22.html#unique-entry-id-22</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/6948d30480f20f81db3bfaca947d4c7d-22.html#unique-entry-id-22</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I am hoping that I can post more often now that RapidWeaver is now got a functioning sftp upload.   One of the issues I had with the previous version was that I could not get sftp to work. 

...We have now finished our first full academic term in the National Weather Center (NWC) and are one month away from our first year anniversary.   There are still many issues to work out with the new building, but all in all I would classify the year as a success.   Major summer projects include installation and making operational the ceiliometer, an instrument for measuring cloud base heights.   Also on the docket are preparations for a regional Unidata workshop featuring the Integrated Data Viewer (IDV). 

...I am excited for the opportunity to again take part in the Apple Distinguished Educator Workshop to be held in during the last week of July in Monterey, CA.   I am part of the Class of 2005 and am returning as an alumni participant.   I was so charged up when I retuned from my last workshop and am very much looking forward to recharging the batteries again this year.    I will be sure to talk more about the workshop when the time comes. 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Holiday Break</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>general</category><dc:date>2006-12-24T00:24:29-06:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/58817e55df1c5e56b4e503100e4bdbbe-21.html#unique-entry-id-21</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/58817e55df1c5e56b4e503100e4bdbbe-21.html#unique-entry-id-21</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Well, I am currently off for the next week and will not be back to work until after the new year. ...  I need to head over to the NWC Sunday afternoon and set up printers for the director's backup machine.   His laptop failed why he was away and it is off for repairs. ...  I forgot that it had not been set up for the new building.   So no printers are set for the new networking and in I go.


I can at least say that all my holiday shopping is now complete. ...  But my guess is that like the printers, I am forgetting something.   I am sure it will come to me late in the day.   For at least the past couple of years, I have been out for a quick run to the store to get one item or another that I have forgot.


...I will try and post a bit of what is on the docket for spring term. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Long Overdue</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>general</category><dc:date>2006-12-01T12:29:55-06:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/f6e373c101e8194153efa5f8bd309a04-19.html#unique-entry-id-19</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/f6e373c101e8194153efa5f8bd309a04-19.html#unique-entry-id-19</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Been busy with both general semester chores as well as working out the kinks in the NWC.   Now that I have had a couple of days off owing to the "bad weather" I figured I would work on an update. 


...The ability to monitor systems at work is hampered by the fact that I cannot get onto the internal network of the NWC. ...  This means that if any system has troubles, I am forced to drive to the NWC to take care of the problem. 

...It appears that the problems with some machines not connecting to the network in the NWC 5720 (the Linux lab) have been resolved.   It WAS a hardware issue with the wires (hmmmmm) and so the kludge fix that we were using has been removed.   I will keep an eye on those machines over the course of next week and see where we stand. 


Also, we are looking into options for setting up a new electronic map wall.   We are looking at a few solutions, one of which will require that we build GEMPAK on an Intel Apple. ...  Unidata has done it for the Power PC but  has not compiled a binary for the newer Intel's. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Updates</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>NWC</category><dc:date>2006-09-07T20:07:06-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/a1c91240104e84cff59f8ac05cfab606-18.html#unique-entry-id-18</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/a1c91240104e84cff59f8ac05cfab606-18.html#unique-entry-id-18</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Just have not been thinking about the blog and busy getting all the loose ends taken care of now that classes have started. 


...We moved a process machine (hardly ever used by users) down from the SEC to the NWC today. ...  I am pretty sure that most of the lab will be available by the end of the day Friday.  

...They had a legit complaint about the slowness of the new iMacs, but that slowdown was a problem with the connections of the file server back at the SEC with machines housed in the NWC.   Not much I could do there other than put on-line the local file server.   This is a slight problem in that I cannot share back out to the few remaining machines still at the SEC. ...  We sync the two systems every couple of days, but still not the ideal place to be. 


Other than that, I will try and schedule a few workshops in the Mac lab for users to help let them know of all the features that are available on the iMacs.   I am pretty sure that once they learn all that the machines can do, they will be happy. ...  Some folks will never be happy working on an Apple, just as some Apple users will never be happy on a MS Windows machine.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Computer Lab Almost Ready</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>computing</category><dc:date>2006-08-02T21:11:46-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/965e192906f5c7d0a58f5facdb2c3bae-17.html#unique-entry-id-17</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/965e192906f5c7d0a58f5facdb2c3bae-17.html#unique-entry-id-17</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Well, Brian and I imaged the new computer lab today.   Even with all the interruptions, the lab is ready to be hooked up to the network.   I still have the three iMacs in the Student Weather Center and three more in the Student Leaders office.   But it has been truly amazing how quickly we were able to get machines up and running.   The the Apple Desktop Remote software, I will be able to easily keep the machines upgraded and running well.  


The next task for these machines is to get Matlab loaded and talk to the Geography sysadmin and see about how to get the ESRI products loaded into the Parallels MS Windows VM and talking to the license server. ...  Oh and as always, I forgot to add the printers, so it will give me a chance to test writing an install script to add the printers.


...It has been a bit busy and I have not had the time to do my walk through.   But most folks are letting me know if there are still problems. ...  On the other hand, I am still needing to get the master machine for the linux lab built (Matlab, Splus and Undiata still to go) and the hard drive shipped back to be imaged to the remaining 25 machines. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>NWC Week 3</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>NWC</category><dc:date>2006-07-27T23:36:41-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/803498e7b777290a0145ececd41b99d7-16.html#unique-entry-id-16</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/803498e7b777290a0145ececd41b99d7-16.html#unique-entry-id-16</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As more of the graduate students begin to return from summer activities, I am sure a few more problems will be discovered but at  least the number of problems with networking are at least stabilizing. 


...So, time for me to learn the finer details to <a href="http://www.bombich.com/software/netrestore.html"> Mike Bombich's NetRestore</a> software. ...  [And for all those that are going through MS XP withdraw, I have loaded <a href="http://www.parallels.com/en/products/workstation/mac/">Parallels</a> as well. 

...The new printers have arrived, One for the main office, 2 for the labs (Computer Classroom and Computer Lab) and one color for the main office.   The color that it replaced will be set up in the small computer room that will play host to the Apple G5's from the old map room.   These computers are the higher end machins which have the added abilities to scan documents, a large cinema screen, AV editing software and now easier access to color printing.   These resources will be under a bit more control as I do not want folks going wild over color printing. 


...After giving a tour of the classrooms for the folks from OU Classroom Scheduling, I found a card on my desk.   It was from the group of grad students who have been here over the summer and have taken part in the move to the NWC. ...  I was a bit choked up reading the card, knowing that in part, the help that I have received from my students, Sam and Brian, the Dean's office staff and the grad students themselves is what has made my role easier. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>NWC Week 2</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>NWC</category><dc:date>2006-07-18T21:41:44-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/eed191a7c71ab774c69e85683d107c29-15.html#unique-entry-id-15</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/eed191a7c71ab774c69e85683d107c29-15.html#unique-entry-id-15</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[After a week of me sending up the line problem tickets concerning room connections, I finally got some news back as well as some connections activated. ...  I am hoping that in the next few days, all the offices will be connected. 


For one thing, trying to stay on top of the wire story is keeping me from working on the student computer labs.   No too much of a problem since I still can set up the new servers in the server room.   However, for both the Apple lab and the Linux lab, I will be able to image a master machine and clone it out to the others.   It will make life much easier, and will also allow for a more uniform experience for users. ...  The Mac lab (and now possibly the Linux lab) will be able to run Windows in a virtual machine. 

...I am still running around a lot and trying to help get folks up and running (and still bone tired at the end of a day).   Again, Sam and Brian have been a big help with keeping up with the more normal business of computing in the department while I have been more the administrator.   All this paper chasing and pushing makes me wish for the more quiet days when I could muck around on a machine, playing with a Linux install, or working with Gempak. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>NWC DAYS 3-5</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>NWC</category><dc:date>2006-07-15T09:55:38-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/ed3278f0c8948552062fc3931a199d98-14.html#unique-entry-id-14</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/ed3278f0c8948552062fc3931a199d98-14.html#unique-entry-id-14</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The last few evenings have been spent putting together a list of  problem tickets as I struggle to get connectivity to the desks of students and faculty. ...  Then it is a follow-up to see if the ports have been made active, then a follow-up to see that the active connection has been put on the correct network. ...  Owing to the length of time it is taking to resolve some of these issues, those offices that I have not addressed owing to faculty/students not here over the summer, I will begin adding to the problem ticket list. 

...Just a small problem since we were going to use those tables for setting up some of the instrument labs and power is needed in order to run the equipment. ...  I am hoping that faculty will start to become more involved in the process and not expect me to always be the front contact person.   I personally still have two computer labs and a server room to set up for the fall and I cannot be spending all my time dealing with individual spaces and finer details.   Own your space folks, use the problem web site and be understanding and patient when issues are not resolved as quickly as you want. 


One benefit of the new network is that we have discovered a computer that has been infected with a trojan virus. ...  It cannot be easy to be going through a move, have work disrupted owing to the move and then find out that you are going to loose use of your machine because of a virus. 

...I hope that as we continue to find minor problems, that folks remember of what we have gained with this building as opposed to what is missing or not quite right.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>NWC DAY 2</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>NWC</category><dc:date>2006-07-11T22:03:20-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/e41798f28c2de861f73131f7cd9af717-13.html#unique-entry-id-13</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/e41798f28c2de861f73131f7cd9af717-13.html#unique-entry-id-13</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Not quite as exciting as the first day as many folks spent more time unpacking boxes and settling into their space. ...  While it great to get the pulls (many rooms need them for more connections to match the number occupants), there was some frustration with the fact the drops were not activated. 

...This means that our plan of using the file server in the SEC is available and so users when logging onto the Apple lab will have access to their files that only before were available on the linux lab machines.   The plan is to have much of the computational tasks performed by users on the linux machines and post processing (graphics, text etc) be available on the Macs.   Another nice thing of the Macs is the fact that they are unix machines as well.   So code development and weather visualization are as much a part of the Apple computer lab as it is the Linux computer lab.   


...I did not pester much the NOC today regarding networking other than touching base regarding cable pulls and connection problems that were already identified the day before.   I felt it was prudent to let them proceed and only bother them if it truly was a  critical situation. ...  It frustrates the grads in a room when they see the connections go in and they then have to wait and not see their computer connect up. ...  I may be off base and I am not aware of something that needs to be done, but the users sure would like it. 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>NWC Day 1</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>NWC</category><dc:date>2006-07-10T23:02:31-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/8e0af477c9e92178498c5b9a0bd945c1-12.html#unique-entry-id-12</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/8e0af477c9e92178498c5b9a0bd945c1-12.html#unique-entry-id-12</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It was very fitting that a nice line of thunderstorms moved through Norman mid afternoon complete with lighting, winds and a good soaking rain (around an inch at the OCS Norman site). 

...I arrived at 7:30 AM, coffee in hand (will be happy to see a coffee cart or bar opening soon) ready for the onslaught of faculty/staff/students. ...  Some of the  faculty who I expected to show and who I thought were at the top of my list to help, did not show but have opted to come in tomorrow.   Oh well, while settling them into their new digs is still a priority, Brian, Sam and I will stick to our game plan and concentrate on our Tuesday tasks of getting the majority of network printers up and running so that users can print.  ...  While I estimate that 85-90% of the computers are on-line, there are still some that are not for various reasons (cannot get to ports behind furniture, connection not activated, etc). ...  While I did not go around to check towards the end of the day (ran out of time), I know that many of those offices (with folks occupying the space) without phone service were getting dial tones by the end of the day. 


It was nice to hear the people be impressed by the building and tell me that all seems well with their space.   A few surprises as there were a couple of last minute room changes that I was not informed about, so those folks will be without connectivity for a  day (or two at most) until the high priority problems are addressed. ...  Those who are unhappy I am sympathetic up to a point regarding the furniture and all, but really all I care about is that their machine was up and running and they had a network with which to check e-mail and start back to work. 


...I have at least set up my Penn State and Kentucky road signs much to the chagrin of the OU fans and students, but hey, I only <i>work</i> at OU :) (or at least I did until the signs went up). 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>NWC Day 0</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>NWC</category><dc:date>2006-07-09T20:44:05-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/8475a71562d9c7c4e7530f60abb0c906-10.html#unique-entry-id-10</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/8475a71562d9c7c4e7530f60abb0c906-10.html#unique-entry-id-10</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It is the first day after the move but before everyone is slated to return to their spaces at the NWC. ...  I plan on being at the NWC around 7:30-45 in order to be available to help folks and to start the process of getting everyone setup and connected. 

...His group has a work deadline and so their office as well as that of their advisor are at the top of the list on getting up and running. 

...However, he will also be busy since he is helping program all the door locks and I am am sure there will be problems in that arena.  ...  OCS grads have moved their own machines and so I cannot comment on how well they will be until they are in their space. ...  Strange that one can look at the room assignments, see that 5 people are to occupy the space and yet only have one DAP and 3 cables ready. ...  Now this problem has occurred primarily in the smaller rooms that with 4 or 5 people are tight on space.   The larger rooms have more of an issue that a computer is too far from the DAP and the cable is a bit tight (easy fix, longer cable but the longest that we have been given is 25 feet). 


...I have a feeling that I may wish for the weekend again, when it was just busy, but I did not need to deal with all the faculty, graduates students and staff. 


...The old SEC network was extended to their area for now in order that we can keep the site up and running. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>We are MOVED&#x21;</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>NWC</category><dc:date>2006-07-08T21:07:22-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/86a050c6b3b6c1f840a03159e13455f0-9.html#unique-entry-id-9</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/86a050c6b3b6c1f840a03159e13455f0-9.html#unique-entry-id-9</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[At a little past 6 pm this evening, the last truck was unloaded and boxes delivered and so ends the physical move of the SoM to the NWC. ...  There is still all the unpacking and getting settled into the new digs to get through.   Some folks have showed up and started to unpack, Officially, they are not to be here but then again, I am not going to chase them out. ...  Brian (my grad asst) and I will be at  the NWC tomorrow to work with networking folks and get as much as we possibly can operational.    We will identify the priorities: rooms needing connectivity ASAP and those that can wait (ie. those out of town for a few weeks or more).   Also start to track down more of the boxes that may have not made it to their correct rooms (mainly those rooms at the SEC whose occupants were moving to different rooms at the NWC). 


...The Apple iMacs are in and so getting them unpacked and setup will take a slight back seat as we get all the other folks up and running (including the computing groups machines).   I would also like to get the OWL hoot computer up and running since many out there in cyberspace are hitting the site for their weather data. 


...I personally spent too much time running back and forth between the SEC and the NWC, but I had again great support from Sam, Brian and Kevin while the undergrad students, Terra, Chris and Gabe helped guide the movers to the various rooms.   While I am very tired after spending nearly 12 hours at the SEC and the NWC, it really is amazing that come Monday, the SoM will begin business at and in the NWC. 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>One tired puppy....</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>NWC</category><dc:date>2006-07-07T23:29:55-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/399afa1de59c4c00d3f007f8d6628c0f-7.html#unique-entry-id-7</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/399afa1de59c4c00d3f007f8d6628c0f-7.html#unique-entry-id-7</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Thanks and thanks and thanks to all the students (grad and undergrad) who have pitched in on this move, they have my deepest appreciation.   To my group of student assistants (all 2 of them), Brian and Sam have stepped up beyond the call of duty. ...  For them to put up with me during this time and for all that they do to help me look good, I thank them! ...  I will make sure that I will be there for them and their move as they have been there for SoM's. ...  I know that I have left some folks out but they know that as tired as I am at this point, I just wanted to get something up for those that have been following this saga.


...Many keyboards and mice are without their CPUs and monitors, but we should track most of them down this weekend.   The guy running the moves, Ron, has been so patient with the goofs and has been accommodating.   He is on track to get all our stuff over by the end of tomorrow. ...  Nothing to the desktops yet, but cables are appearing in the rooms and we will be setting up computers and testing for when the network is fired up. 


...I will try and update tomorrow and let you know how the physical move ends and the unpacking begins.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Changes changes changes</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>NWC</category><dc:date>2006-06-29T12:10:13-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/c28294765a3ddd130cb2cc6776ac57ea-6.html#unique-entry-id-6</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/c28294765a3ddd130cb2cc6776ac57ea-6.html#unique-entry-id-6</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Well, the move for SoM has been moved up to take place over the weekend, starting July 7th.    This means we are back on a weekend move. 


THe temporary network plan for the SoM folks is about 90% complete and ready to turn in Friday so that SoM users will l have most of their basic working environments set.   First I just want to get the users in place and up and working.   I can then go back in a  more systematic manner and finish the conversion. 


The machines for the computer classroom and the new servers have been ordered and those orders are in the pipeline getting worked on to go out the door in time for the start of the new fiscal calendar.    While it will be tight, we should be set in time for a basic lab setup when the students return.


mjl]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Not a perfect world but we will make do</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>NWC</category><dc:date>2006-06-29T01:02:27-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/2f0315c1352493619d617c93eea7a4b8-5.html#unique-entry-id-5</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/2f0315c1352493619d617c93eea7a4b8-5.html#unique-entry-id-5</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[While the network in the new building is not completely set up to accommodate our move, it is well enough that we can proceed in getting all folks up and running.   I know that you are now waiting for the but or however and so here it is.   There is still many issues related to the fact that the building is still not at "substantial build". ...  The folks of the SoM will just need to let the dust settle.   I think overall, folks will be happy just to get the move over and done. 


I myself am not sure how I feel as we near the move and final completion of the NWC.   I have spent much time, sweat and angst worrying that the building and if the SoM space will work.   Part of me is loving the fact that we are almost done and looking forward to working on weather related projects again.   No, now that I think about it, I will be very glad when it is all over. 


Anyway, the 10th of July is still zero hour and so the final preparations are taking place. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>It is official&#x2c; we are moving&#x21;</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>NWC</category><dc:date>2006-06-21T00:02:18-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/fccdc4a0fe8f8aa7a1efaeebe01d3c51-4.html#unique-entry-id-4</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/fccdc4a0fe8f8aa7a1efaeebe01d3c51-4.html#unique-entry-id-4</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[SoM is to start it's move on July 10th. ...  I will need to finish packing my boxes and work on seeing what type of network will be in place for the department.   I am hoping that the current subnet will be continued down to the NWC and at have it available at the desktop.   Then once we have moved in and can figure out how we want our vlan to work, go about configuring the machines.   But I am not holding my breath and figure that we will be in the midst of a major work tryst trying to reconfigure machines and setting up the firewall to allow NFS traffic through. 


I am just now going to order the new hardware.   I have delayed the orders owing to not having access to either the machine room or the classrooms.   And I did not have the room at the SEC to store the machines even if I did go ahead with the orders.   So now that race with time begins and the clock is ticking. 


...Oh, and if you see me wandering the halls looking dazed and confused, offer to buy me a beer. 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Furniture is in</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>NWC</category><dc:date>2006-06-18T19:36:08-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/be069eab874508f353fff679a3379cb3-3.html#unique-entry-id-3</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/be069eab874508f353fff679a3379cb3-3.html#unique-entry-id-3</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Well, it seems that the furniture is in the NWC for the 5th floor which is the main floor for SoM.   It should not be too much longer and we should begin our move into the new building.   I will be ordering the computers and servers for the new building this week.   However, I am not sure that I will be able to get all the new machines up and running in time for the new term.   I will be working in a priority list as to what servers will be worked on first.   The new file server and mail server are at the top of the list and the new OWL Hoot Project process server and the LDM servers will be at the bottom.  


I would show some pictures of the new furniture, but I am not allowed just yet.   Suffice it to say, I am not totally happy with some items and surprised by others. ...  It is a new building and workspace.   The classrooms are nice should be ready in time for classes (Holding breath that computer tables show up soon). 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>NWC Update</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>NWC</category><dc:date>2006-05-31T23:34:36-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/3b34bfc18e50af2af7ba4af78ca3725d-2.html#unique-entry-id-2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/3b34bfc18e50af2af7ba4af78ca3725d-2.html#unique-entry-id-2</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I have been made co-chair of the National Weather Center Information Technologies Council (NITC).   I am not all that comfortable with the formality of it all, but I will do my best.   This is a committee made up of mainly techno-geeks trying to follow some form of Robert's Rules. 

...I got to tour the NWC classrooms today to check out the AV equipment. ...  The real challenge will be to get all the faculty trained on the equipment.   I am sure the first semester will be a busy one for me in that regards. 


...While not quite the setup I imagined, it is a definite improvement over my old digs in the SEC. ...  I wish that I could post some pictures, but I am not allowed until after the official opening of the NWC.   So you all will just have to wait or stop by once we are moved in to the NWC.


...So June 7th is out and I have yet to receive official word as to when our new move in date will be.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Current Status</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>news</category><dc:date>2006-05-02T12:32:53-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/0cf01739e011df8f61d214d5ae7146df-1.html#unique-entry-id-1</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/0cf01739e011df8f61d214d5ae7146df-1.html#unique-entry-id-1</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[As you can see, the number of meetings is growing the closer we get to the move in date of the NWC.   In the meantime, I am piecing together a plan for the move of the SoM and all of its computing. 


...I will not work on those until all the faculty, staff and students have completed their moves.   Most of the main servers are being upgraded to new hardware, so most of the work will be in setting up the new machines, then transferring the data and starting up the new machine. 


Another issue is that there will not be any SoM machines in public access labs which will be running MS Windows. ...  I know that this is not too popular with some of the students. ...  This of course does not mean that there are no machines running MS Windows.   Faculty, staff, and graduate students for their own desktop workstations can run whatever OS makes them the most productive. 


I am  trying to get electronic versions of the floor plans for the NWC.   I am also testing the idea of a SoM NWC Computing blog to track status and post updates as to where the computing group stands relative to the work still needing to be performed as the SoM transitions into their new digs. 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>New Design</title><dc:creator>laufers@ou.edu</dc:creator><category>news</category><dc:date>2006-04-22T15:24:58-05:00</dc:date><link>http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/ab91c16da8ee5736e5ae17361213b047-0.html#unique-entry-id-0</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://weather.ou.edu/~laufers/files/ab91c16da8ee5736e5ae17361213b047-0.html#unique-entry-id-0</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Well, it is about time that I updated this website.   Please be patient as I try out a few things and see about making this a better site.   I will be doing this while trying to move to our new digs at the National Weather Center. 


mjl]]></content:encoded></item></channel>
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