Re: OIG
Phillip Clark (psclark@dircon.co.uk)
Thu, 11 Jun 1998 19:25:30 +0100 (BST)
On Thu, 11 Jun 1998 jeff@satellite.eu.org wrote:
> So I wonder to myself...
> What is the criteria be a "super user"?
No idea !
I started to get the paper versions of the two-lines in August 1980 and
continued with them until about July 1994 when I got Internet access for
the first time and began to download the thrice-weekly files from OIG.
The paper mailings were due to end in August 1994 anyway.
I assumed at the time that pretty well anyone could get the files, and it
was not until some time later that I discovered that I had this status. I
guess that it was on the basis that I was regularly using so much from the
two-line mailings, both in magazine and similar publications plus my
Worldwide Satellite Launches each month which started in 1993 to replace
the Table of Earth Satellites which the (former) Royal Aircraft
Establishment had just ceased publishing because of financial cut-backs
(end of plug for my publication !): the two-lines were *essential* for
WWSL, and with the electronic versions I am able to do much more in terms
of monitoring operating satellites and thus give more details in my own
publications.
> Do "super users" have a responsibility to make their files
> available to "non-super user"?
Er ...... none whatsoever ! Basically I believe that super users simply
have to justify the continued access to the data on the basis of their
full-time work.
> ...and how many "super users" are there?
No idea ! I have been told my Goddard that I am the only private
individual with this status (I know one other person who could have the
status if he wanted it) - the others with access are givenment and
similar ogranisations.
> I DO appreciate the fact that Phillip Clark does make the +8000
> elements available to the general public via JPL's and Dave Ransom's FTP
> server.
Glad to help !
> But what happens (God forgive) if Mr. Clark is not available sometime
> in the future.
The good news is that since I come across the words "vacation" and
"holiday" in my own life, there should never be any major disruption to
the service.
However, I know that Dave Ransom is going to be away for a few days, so
he will not be able to transfer the GD files immediately next week:
however, if there is an alternative FTP site to which I can transfer the
files next week (in addition to Dave's site) so SEESATers can access
them, then I will do so.
> My frustration is I don't know what the full impact will be following
> the closure of the OIG BBS. There are dozens of FTP and WEB elset
> providers on the NET. My gut tells me many, if not most, will be affected
> by the closure of the OIG BBS. If I'm mistaken, please let me know
> because OIG isn't telling me.
Essentially, all of the material available on OIG BBS will be available
on the web site. However, some minor changes will take place. It is
possible that the THIRTY.* and SATWK??.RPT files will disappear, but the
WWW site has an Action Report facility which can be configured as the
user wants and the equivalewnt information obtained - and that is updated
regularly: I get new ARs on a daily basis.
> And yes, I have downloaded the large elsets available at JPL's FTP site
> maintained by Dave and it works fine. Now I have to figure out what
> software is out there to let me group all the elments into elsets of my
> liking.
Along with Peter Hunter in Australia, I just wrote my own software.
Good clean fun !
Hope that these comments help rather than panic people.
Phillip Clark
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Phillip S Clark 25 Redfern Avenue
Molniya Space Consultancy Whitton
Compiler/Publisher, Worldwide Satellite Launches Middx TW4 5NA
U.K.
Specialist in "space archeology" - the older and more obscure the more
interesting it is !
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