| DAPS |
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| Q - | What is DAPS? | |
| A - | DAPS is the DCS Automated Processing System, the data processing and delivery, and user and platform information management part of the DCS ground system. DAPS may be used to update your Platform Description Table (PDT) or other database records, or to download collected data. | |
| Q - | How do I access DAPS? | |
| A - | DAPS may be accessed directly through a telephone dial-up modem (number 757-824-0105), or using a TELNET session on the Internet from the http://wcda.noaa.gov/ web site. | |
| INTERNET ACCESS TO DAPS | ||
| Q - | How do I access DAPS from the Internet? | |
| A - | DAPS may be accessed from the Internet using a TELNET session. In order to gain access, you must email the goes.dcs@noaa.gov staff, and either have your name and ip address added to a host table, or request a userid/password for our firewall. In your request, please include your email address IN THE BODY OF YOUR MESSAGE, your DAPS userid, your ip address if available, and/or a request for a userid/password for the firewall if you have a dynamic ip address (one randomly assigned by your internet service provider) or if you wish to have access from multiple workstations. | |
| Q - | May I have both a userid/password for the firewall, and my ip address added to the host table? Are there advantages to having both? | |
| A - | Yes. If you access DAPS from a workstation that has been identified in the host table, then you will be allowed through without entering a userid/password. If your ip address is not recognized (for instance, if you are entering from a different workstation), then you will be asked for the userid/password for the firewall before gaining access. This is useful if you normally use a specific workstation, but want the flexibility to occasionally use a different workstation, or to have a different user enter the system. | |
| Q - | Will my DAPS password work for getting past the firewall? | |
| A - | No. In most cases your firewall userid and your DAPS userid will be different, and your firewall password and DAPS password will be different. | |
| SHEF CODES | ||
| Q - | What are SHEF CODES, in relation to DAPS? | |
| A - | SHEF CODES are codes for the parameters transmitted through the GOES DCS. | |
| Q - | Are DAPS SHEF CODES the same as the SHEF CODES (Standard Hydrologic Exchange Format) recognized by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)? | |
| A - | Not necessarily. While the DAPS SHEF CODES originated from the WMO SHEF CODES list, the two lists have not been kept synchronized. | |
| Q - | Where do I find a list of valid SHEF CODES for DAPS? | |
| A - | Click here to find a list of valid SHEF CODES for DAPS. (page 71) | |
| Q - | What if my parameter is not included in the list of valid SHEF CODES? | |
| A - | Send mail to goes.dcs@noaa.gov. Describe the parameter that you are measuring, and if there is no SHEF CODE that is valid, then we will add to the list. If a pertinent code exists in the WMO list of SHEF CODES, we will use that, otherwise, we will create one. | |
| Q - | Why should I include a SHEF CODE entry in my PDT? | |
| A - | A SHEF CODE entry in your PDT tells the DCS management staff, and other users what is being measured. This facilitates the sharing of data, which conserves system resources by preventing duplicate measurements from coming from the same locality. | |
| TWG | ||
| Q - | What is the TWG? | |
| A - | The GOES DCS Technical Working Group (TWG) is a meeting of all interested DCS users with the GOES DCS management and technical staff, for the purpose of sharing information and solving common problems. | |
| Q - | Who may become a member of the TWG? | |
| A - | There is no formal membership for the TWG. Any interested user may participate in the meetings. | |
| Q - | May vendors attend the TWG? | |
| A - | It is best for vendors to check before attending the TWG. Some meetings are open to all who are interested. Some meetings are closed to vendors (at the request of the users) to facilitate open communication when it is felt that it is not appropriate for vendors to be present. Some meetings have agendas that are specifically designed to allow vendors to make presentations, display products, or participate in the discussions. | |
| Q - | How often does the TWG meet? | |
| A - | Typically the TWG meets three times per year. The dates and locations are confirmed at each meeting for the next meeting. We attempt to preplan meetings for the entire year (or more), but keep the schedule flexible in order to respond to changing agendas. | |
| Q - | How is the site for the TWG chosen? | |
| A - | We typically have two meetings in the East and one meeting in the West per year, in order to allow as many people as possible to attend at least one meeting. The meetings are held at a user’s site, usually by invitation. Occasionally a host is solicited, when it is time to go to a specific area, and no invitation has been made. In addition, we try to have at least one meeting every two years at the Wallops CDA station, or in the Washington, D.C. metro area. | |
| Q - | How do I find the dates and locations for the TWG? | |
| A - | The dates and locations for the TWG are posted on this web site as soon as they are confirmed. In addition, the DCS staff send emails to a distribution list to notify users who have requested to be added to the mailing list. | |
| STIWG | ||
| Q - | What is the STIWG? | |
| A - | The Satellite Telemetry Interagency Working Group (STIWG) is an advisory body to the GOES DCS management staff. | |
| Q - | Who may become a member of the STIWG? | |
| A - | The STIWG terms of reference, or charter, is undergoing revision. That is one of the issues under discussion. Currently, the group is comprised of U.S. government agencies who are major users of the GOES DCS system. We will post more information as this topic evolves. | |
| DCS Email List | ||
| Q - | How do I get added to the DCS email distribution list? | |
| A - | Email to goes.dcs@noaa.gov to request to be added to the DCS mailing list. | |
| Q - | How do I get removed from the DCS Email list? | |
| A - | Email to goes.dcs@noaa.gov to request to be removed from the DCS mailing list. | |
| Q - | What kind of information is disseminated to the mailing list? | |
| A - | The mailing list is used to distribute information about upcoming meetings, disseminate alerts when problems occur or are expected with the DCS system (spacecraft or ground) or with the DAPS system, including known data outages. Occasionally the list is used to solicit information from users for general problems, products, user capabilities, requirements, etc. | |