[AG-TECH] LSU (U.S.) AG node achieves QA Status

Thu Nov 6 12:07:21 CST 2008

Congrats John et al.

I couldn't agree more with your comments.

I hope everyone understands that QA is not like a driver's license exam
- where you'll be banned from AG'ing if you fail (although that is an
interesting idea ;-)) QA testing is all about increasing quality of
nodes and making sure everyone is aware of the tips/tricks and best
practices that ensure high quality and ease of administration.  As you
mentioned John, even for a veteran, it is amazing how useful just going
through the process is.  

Congrats again.

Todd

-- 
Collaboration & Visualization Specialist
UBC Okanagan - http://web.ubc.ca/okanagan
WestGrid - www.westgrid.ca
Ph. 250-807-9979
Todd Zimmerman - todd.zimmerman at ubc.ca

On Tue, 2008-11-04 at 13:49 -0600, John I. Quebedeaux, Jr wrote:
> Thanks Jason.
> 
> I'll comment that despite our LSU node being in use since it's installation in 2002 (has it been that long?) and i'm probably above average in knowing how to set things up, the process actually helped me improve the node even more, I thank Jason for his time (16 hours ahead of mine!).
> 
> I'll be working to get all the Louisiana nodes up to this status now, then will see if I can help anyone else. The process generates fantastic feedback (pardon the puns!), which I can’t imagine any site not wanting some objective comments and insight – often improving something on the spot if it isn’t already good. Sites can use this to probably get improvements made they've been needing, how often is the tool not a priority for improvement and yet it’s a critical system for communication.... In most cases it will reassure the site that they'll be meeting with a node that is... Good, if not Great. and the least of your worries will be the technology.
> 
> I heartily recommend everyone to do this, I regret not doing it sooner.
> 
> Like many, I’ve been intending to do this and hadn’t gotten it done. Despite that, I really do recommend sites take the time to get this done – I challenge anyone to do this before the next AG Retreat timeframe. I think it really means something to confirm this status on your nodes that meet the requirements easily already. For those who are “afraid” they’ll “fail” - it’s an excellent opportunity to improve your node. The “tester” has a great deal of experience and will be able to help you. I was nervous, but that just served for me to review all my procedures, functions, capabilities, and I think honestly that just makes it better. All nodes have “weak spots” - mine certainly does. So does Jason’s. It’s recognizing them and fixing them where they can be fixed and compensating for them where needed or dealing with it. Identifying these officially may help you get what you need to fix them, otherwise – why do you have an Access Grid node if you’re not going to have a good communication/collaboration tool? Too many of us have suffered by joining nodes who weren’t “up to par”  and the frustration involved.
> 
> In our state, it’s probably one of the most productive, long distance, collaborative, tool used over the span of time we’ve been using this technology and we will be continuing to use it – if our NIH grant can be renewed for 5 more years after 2010, we’ll be looking at ways of enhancing the quality and ease of use, of course, but quality assurance means a great deal to know our nodes are “good” ones. Louisiana now boasts over 20 room installations and we’re starting to bridge the gap with IOCOM nodes (although something needs to be done about compatibility on the h.264 video issue between AG and IOCOM.... As they don’t seem to be compatible – separate thread!) I’m not sure exactly where the desktop nodes will fit in in the future meetings, as I have many admins (not computer admins!) who want to simply join from their office now that they’re getting better network connections there.
> 
> I’m rambling now, so I’ll leave it at that for now!
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> -John Q.
> -- 
> John I. Quebedeaux, Jr.; Louisiana State University
> Computer Manager LBRN; 131 Life Sciences Bldg.
> e-mail: johnq at lsu.edu; web: http://lbrn.lsu.edu
> phone: 225-578-0062 / fax: 225-578-2597
> 
> 
> ______________________________________________________________________
> From: Jason Bell <j.bell at cqu.edu.au>
> Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2008 20:57:37 +1000
> To: <ag-tech at mcs.anl.gov>
> Subject: [AG-TECH] LSU (U.S.) AG node achieves QA Status
> 
> Dear Colleagues
> 
> I am delighted to inform you that today the "Louisiana State University, Biological Sciences Access Grid Node" achieveed Quality Assurance Status.  It should be node that this is the first Access Grid node in the United States to achieve the Global Quality Assurance status.
> 
> More importantly, John I Quebedeaux Jr has accepted the position for QA tester for the region of Louisiana State within the United States.
> 
> A current list of Regional testers can be found at http://www.accessgrid.org/qatesters <http://www.accessgrid.org/qatesters> . I would invite anyone else considering  becoming a Regional QA Tester for the Access Grid to consider the following prerequisites:
> 
> •       Your node must be “Quality Assured” (this is generally done by me);
> 
> •       You would need to undergo some basic training (about an hour’s worth); and
> 
> •       It would be preferable if you have been using Access Grids on a regular basis for some time.
> 
> If you are interested, please don’t hesitate to contact me!!!
> 
> For those who wish to obtain Quality Assured Status, it is recommended that you:
> 
> •       Read http://www.accessgrid.org/node/493 <http://www.accessgrid.org/node/493>  to find out the test requirements for the quality assurance process.
> 
> •       Read http://www.accessgrid.org/node/352 <http://www.accessgrid.org/node/352>  to obtain hints and tips on getting your Access Grid Node up to the required high standard.
> 
> •       The website http://www.accessgrid.org/node/705 <http://www.accessgrid.org/node/705>  highlights the marking sheets.  These are the same marking sheets that "we" as QA testers will use.
> 
> •       Contact your local regional QA AG tester, as a list of QA testers can be found at http://www.accessgrid.org/qatesters <http://www.accessgrid.org/qatesters> . 
> 
> Once again, congratulations to the work of " Louisiana State University, Biological Sciences Access Grid Node” in its effort for achieving such a high quality standard.
> 
> Thanks for your time,
> 
> Jason
> 
> --------------------------------------------
> 
> Jason Bell, B.I.T. (Honours)
> 
> Research Systems Support Officer
> 
> Information Technology Division 
> 
> CQ University Australia
> 
> Australian Research Collaboration Service
> 
> http://www.arcs.org.au/ <http://www.arcs.org.au/>  
> 
> E-mail : j.bell at cqu.edu.au <mailto:j.bell at cqu.edu.au>  
> 
>         jason.bell at arcs.org.au <mailto:jason.bell at arcs.org.au>  
> 
> Work   : +61 7 4930 9229
> 
> Mobile : 0409 630897
> 
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> 
>         Central Queensland University
> 
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> 
>         Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, 4702
> 
> --------------------------------------------
> 
> Patience is a virtue.
> 
> But if I wanted Patience,
> 
> I would have become a Doctor.
> 
> --------------------------------------------
> 