NIAC2009

2009 NeXus Code Camp

Purpose

Develop NeXus software components through intense effort by small groups working on specific projects and tasks. It is expected that those attending the 2009 NeXus Code Camp will already have strong foundation and understanding in aspects of the NeXus software and come ready with knowledge, tools, and ideas to make significant progress during the event. The specific projects and tasks, as well as the list of participants, are described on this wiki and will be revised as the event draws near.

(For more info on code camps, try searching Google for “code camp” or “codeathon”. Events such as the EPICS Codeathon would be reasonable templates for this first NeXus code camp.)

Dates

• October 16-18, 2009 (Friday - Sunday)

Agenda

Business Matters

Since this is not to be a meeting of the full NIAC, no business matters can be resolved.

Projects and Tasks

These items are sorted in order of priority that they be finished. Only items that currently exist in the project plan are being worked on.

1. NXDL - NeXus Definition Language
2. NXplot - a generalized NeXus file plotting tool
3. NXvalidate - a NeXus file validator
4. NXfiletool - an anything to NeXus and NeXus to anything converter. Look at recently added NXextract tool and combining with NXtranslate
5. NXaperture - right design? too complicated? alternatives: NXsquareaperture, NXroundaperture, …
6. NeXus manual
7. review NeXus “definitions” tickets in TRAC
8. NXbrowse

Schedule

• arrive Thursday evening
• conference check-in Friday morning
• meet all day Friday
• meet all day Saturday
• meet all day Sunday
• checkout Monday morning

Here is the daily schedule:

time	description	comments
9:00 - 10:15 AM	meeting	work on projects and tasks
10:15 - 10:45 AM	morning break	(included)
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM	meeting	work on projects and tasks
12:00 - 1:15 PM	lunch	offsite, traveler’s expense
1:15 - 3:15 PM	meeting	work on projects and tasks
3:15 - 3:30 PM	afternoon break	(included)
3:30 - 5:00 PM	meeting	work on projects and tasks
5:00 - 6:00 PM	meeting	daily summary (plenary)

Notes:

1. late-afternoon wrap-up (plenary) each day
2. morning and afternoon breaks will be included in amenities charge
3. breakfast, lunch, dinner will be in a local restaurant at traveler’s expense

Practical Matters

Venue

Best Western University Plaza, Evanston, IL
1501 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, Illinois, 60201-4416
Toll Free Reservations: 800-381-2830
Fax: 847-328-3090
http://www.bwuniversityplaza.com/

Please reserve your own rooms directly with the hotel (website, phone, …)

Directions and Maps

• map to hotel: http://www.google.com/search?q=Best+Western+University+Plaza%2C+Evanston%2C+IL
• airport:
  • Chicago O’Hare (ORD): international
  • Chicago Midway (MDW): domestic
  • Milwaukee, WI Mitchell Field (MKE): distant alternative
• intercity train:
  • Chicago Union Station served by Amtrak
• taxi:
  • Call for a taxi pickup only after you have all your bags
  • Must be a taxi that goes to Chicago suburbs
  • suburban taxi will pickup in second lane of arrivals at Chicago O’Hare airport
  • http://www.americantaxi.com, 1-800-244-1177 (automated system)
  • http://www.norshorecab.com, 1-847-673-8294
  • http://www.303taxi.com, 1-847-303-0303
• airport bus: http://www.airportexpress.com/shuttles/ohare.html
• commuter train:
  • 2 Chicago Elevated “L” train stations within four blocks
  • Chicago Metra station within four blocks

Host

• Pete Jemian
  • Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory
  • email: jemian _at* anl.gov
  • office phone: 1-630-252-3189 (forwards to mobile)
  • Google voice: +1-847-859-9775 (forwards to mobile)

Costs

• Expect hotel rate to be US$119/night (approximate, subject to change)
  • Please reserve your own rooms directly with the hotel (website, phone, …)
• Conference fee: US$150/person
  • conference room
  • food at morning and afternoon breaks
  • perhaps a small meeting souvenir
• regular meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) will be traveler’s expense

Equipment

item	quantity	who provides?
projector & screen	1 each	host
USB keyboards & mice	?	?
LCD displays (19” or so)	?	?
120 VAC, 60 Hz, US-style 3-prong extension cords	sufficient	host
foreign electrical power adapter	as needed	traveler
Wi-Fi connections	sufficient	hotel

Participants

participant	affiliation	arriving	departing	fees paid?
Pete Jemian	APS	Thursday	Monday
Freddie Akeroyd	ISIS	Thursday	Monday
Stuart Campbell	SNS	Thursday	Monday
Nick Hauser	ANSTO	canceled
Nick Maliszewskyj	NIST	telepresence only
Mark Könnecke	PSI	Thursday	Monday
Peter Peterson	SNS	Thursday	Monday
Tobias Richter	DLS	Thursday	Monday