Eighth IVS TOW (TOW2015) Summary of participants' evaluation Compiled by D. Behrend Multiple "x"s indicate the number of people making the same comment. 1. Classes ========== Best: xxxxx xxxx Operational Use of Mark 6 for Early Adopters xxxxx xx VLBI Session Pre-checks and IVS Operations xxxxx Operational Recovery from System Failures xxxx DBBC Setup and Operations xxx VLBI: the next 20 years xxx Mark 5 Advanced Topics xxx Differences between Mark 5 and Mark 6 xx jive5ab and FlexBuff: VLBI data recording and transport utilities xx Mark 5 and RDBE OS Software Development xx e-VLBI Overview xx DBBC Developments xx Antenna Gain Calibration xx Cryogenic System and Receiver Maintenance xx FS Remote Operations xx Phase Cal Basics and RF System Testing xx Automated Pointing Models x Understanding Correlator Feedback x Advanced Pre-checks and Operations x RFI Sources, Identification, Mitigation x Pointing and Amplitude Calibration in Theory and Practice x Topics in FS Station Software Coding x MCI Monitoring and Control x VLBI Basics Least: xx Mark 5 Advanced Topics xx General Feedback x Pointing and Amplitude Calibration in Theory and Practice x Topics in FS Station Software Coding x DBBC Developments x Understanding Correlator Feedback x Mark 5 Disk Module Testing & Shipment 2. Arrangements =============== ++ + 0 - Web registration 15 8 2 . Hotel 6 10 7 . Food 14 8 3 . Transportation 6 12 2 . Class content 8 15 1 . Notebooks 8 8 4 . Class assignment 10 13 2 . Other 1 2 1 . hospitality/people 3. Overall ========== Liked best: xxxxx xxx Meeting colleagues and exchange information/ideas xxxx Great friendly community and people xxx Meeting face-to-face xx Professionalism and helpfulness of teachers xx Learning about new technology xx Wide range of subjects xx Organization xx Red Sox game x Pre-checks and Operations very helpful x Getting introduced to procedures/info not available otherwise x Viewing future plans and trends Liked least: xxxx Nothing, everything was good. xx Food x Cold class rooms x Some lectures x Many classes focus on legacy system (not on VGOS). x Tight schedule (but that's good and efficient). x Too many classes, could not attend them all. x More in-depth coverage of practical issues of daily operations x The crowded flights on the way over! Wanted but was not offered in a class: - maser class - VGOS equipment details - VGOS as a whole system, set up hardware and experiment - class on the design of a VGOS receiver - real usage of DBBC and RDBE - more DBBC related items - setting up (installing) Mark 5/6 and FS systems - more FS usage - Topics in FS Station Software Coding - class on MoniCA (e.g., David Brodrick from ATCA/ATNF) Improvements for TOW2017: - more hands-on classes - maybe some on-the-spot correlation of data with problems - more classes on the VGOS system - more hardware & live software demonstrations (like Mk6 recording in Pre-checks) - class on FlexBuff - have less classes, but with more in-depth coverage - schedule Mark 5/6 differences after Pre-checks and Ops - provide the PPT of the classes well before the meeting - organize bus transport from/to hotel - more activities like Red Sox game - get rid of little flying bugs (they really sting) - nice location, good contacts, pretty great as it is Other comments: - Thanks for all the good care and keeping up high standards. - Please be appreciative of folks like me with lesser English skills. - Dirk and Heidi did a great job, as always! - Really a very helpful meeting. - A great TOW thanks to all. - Very good organization. - Nice Red Sox game! - Keep having TOWs!