Fourth IVS TOW (TOW2007)
Summary of participants' evaluation
Compiled by D. Behrend

Multiple "x"s indicate the number of people making the same comment.


1. Classes
==========

Best:  xxxxx Correlator Theory
       xxxx New OS for Mark 5 System
       xx Correlator Operations
       xx Experiment Pre-checks and Operations
       xx Mark 5B Operations
       xx How VLBI Works
       xx Science Overview
       xx all attended classes
       x all hands-on classes
       x Mark 5 Modules
       x Rack Maintenance
       x Maser
       x Cryogenics
       x Linux Administration       
       x Mark 5 Software
       x Timing systems
       x Antenna Gain Calibration
       x General Station Troubleshooting
       x classes on future plans (Mark 5B+, e-VLBI)

Least: xxx Mark 5 Software
       x General Station Troubleshooting (station lacks Mk4 decoder)
       x Mark IV Decoder
       x Hardware maintenance
  
      
2. Arrangements
===============

Good:
+ logistics, food, transportation, class assignments
+ lectures and seminars very informative
+ everything was fine
+ very well organized
+ all arrangements perfect
+ TOW home page very useful
+ lunch and dinner were very good

Needs improvement:
- notebook with up-to-date lecture notes
- class scheduling: day-by-day grid for sign-up
- heavy and bulky notebook, difficult to transport
- install Chinese and Japanese symbols on e-mail PCs
- more morning bagles (plus toaster)
- food: more fruit, less cookies


3. Overall
==========

Liked best:  xxxxx meeting people
             xx exchange experience
             xx putting faces to names
             xx learning more about various subjects
             x learning right practices for station
             x friendliness of people
             x quality of teachers
             x dedication and accessibility of teachers
             x dinners
             x food

Liked least: xx air-conditioning too strong (too cold)
             x class sign-up not very clear
             x level of some classes too low (for experts)
             x many PhD instructed classes too technical and not practical
             x ate too much food

Wanted but was not offered in a class:
- station operations overview for non-station people
- more OS related topics
- maintenance of stable OS on FS and Mark 5
- maser service training
- class on VLBI2010
- class on DBE
- extend e-VLBI coverage

Improvements for TOW2009:
- improve class selection phase: clearly indicate prerequisites and
  level of each class (beginner, advanced)
- maybe more basic classes for beginners
- course content: some classes should be more skewed toward operations,
  or have classes noted "For Operators" or "For Engineers"
- perhaps divide workshop into experts' days and newbies's days
- maser service training a day before or after the TOW
- maybe have correlator class as lecture for all

Extend TOW by adding a social event (e.g., touring Hancock VLBA):
  xxxxxxx yes
  xxx not sure
  x no


4. Other comments
=================
- some classes not long enough, maybe extend class time
- some classes require knowledge of other classes for good understanding,
  ensure right order of classes
- excellent workshop all-in-all
- Thank you very much!