[LTER-im-rep] Vote to move forward with IM data management exercise

[Inigo San Gil]

Precisely the reason that I need more time and discussion.

Incidentally, Ghastil - The RFP process may not be a bad thing. Would it 
result in a "Different" Data Center? Yes, more than likely.  Does 
"Different" mean "Bad" ?  To me it does not - in fact, the more I see 
the same old stuff, im stuck in ground hog day, the more an open RFP 
becomes attractive. Whoever comes with ideas will not come with as much 
baggage as we do (except certain chap that allegedly expressed interest 
on the RFP

  I would rather see new ideas expressed from within the IMC and LTER.  
As I stated several times, I would be much bolder than continuity, and 
less apprehensive of change. When I thing about the Data Center, I use 
two steering principles:

1) An applied center that serves the advancement of science at LTER

2) An efficient group integrated with the IMC and other enthusiastic 
members of the LTER community and beyond. That has explicit commitments 
with the IMC and viceversa.

By "viceversa", I mean I would spell out what expectations come from the 
LTER sites towards the Data Center tasks.  During the Monday morning 
session of the ESIP meeting ( while internet could maintain an external 
connection from the Asilomar resort ), there were some good ideas 
towards that, but I find that without explicit commitments all that 
lacks teeth. I would spell out how this would work. Putting money on the 
table is not enough to get engagement: we know cause the LNO nicely 
tried that to the tune of beaucoup of $, with lackluster outcomes (I 
thought it was a great idea too)

I would like to see that aspect hardened - the committed distributed 
model - not the wishful thinking, let's leave it to Kumbaya. It does not 
matter how we feel about the feasibility of changing the way the IMC 
operates: Saying no on the basis that we don't think it can be done is 
the actual obstacle to progress.

But the other weakness that will jeopardize this is the Science service 
aspect.  Whatever happens to open the ears of the Data Center to the 
needs of the LTER network ?  I'd like to see a "We the People" model for 
the LTER data center.  Read this blog post 
(https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/07/28/how-we-are-changing-way-we-respond-petitions) 
and perhaps see it in action at https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/.  
Please somebody tell me we cannot do it.

Rubber-stamping a proposal before we even read a flushed out product, 
you are telling me that what we are voting is on : Are we (the IMC with 
the guidance of Mark) able to put together a competent proposal that has 
the buy-in of most people, and can excite the LTER community ?

In the absence of solid statistical data to answer that, Why don't we 
have a survey where we gather the early feedback of LTERlings, see how 
they react to what they see in those diagrams, etc ?

Do you have access to honest feedback from your PIs ?

I do not think is a good idea to force LTER (that is, all LTER folks) 
buy into the 'next data center' without the opportunity to contribute, 
to provide some feedback and even involvement.  See, that outcome may 
result on aggravated resentment, and finger pointing, and well, that 
would be exactly the opposite of trust and collaborative work we are 
trying to garner here.

In practice, Saying "Yes" is to express our desire to close the door to 
a competitive RFP, and charge ourselves with the definition of the next 
Data Center.  I do not think the ability to do it should be into 
question, the better question would be, "Is this the model we want to 
shoot for the next LTER Data Center"? Unfortunately, that Nimo is too 
green to be subjected to a Yes/No.  Hence the sought delay. I mean I am 
hoping that the reason Nimo looks like it reads is because is too green, 
otherwise instead of "Finding Nemo", the better guiding movie would be 
"Groundhog day", Im sure we can find an ad-hoc title to the GHD 
abbreviation.

Thanks for the discussion,
Inigo




On 7/30/15 12:41 PM, Philip Tarrant wrote:
>
> Dear colleagues,
>
> Let me do my best to address the comments resulting from my earlier 
> e-mail.
>
> I think the timing of the vote is appropriate given where we are in 
> this process. If you follow the link you will see that the text of the 
> vote is as follows:
>
> /‘As the Information Manager representing my LTER site I recommend 
> that we should proceed with developing a proposal to the National 
> Science Foundation to manage LTER information management needs using 
> the "NIMO” model’/
>
> We committed to Saran Twombly fairly early on that we would indicate 
> over the summer if we were willing and able to propose a solution 
> driven by the IM community. This vote meets that commitment. As a 
> community we have already put in significant effort and I don’t think 
> we should expend any more energy until we know people are in favor of 
> the idea. We need the vote in advance of our annual meeting because 
> the outcome of the vote will significantly affect how we spend our 
> time next month. We have a great opportunity with us all being 
> together to continue developing these ideas with full IMC input. I 
> think that opportunity will be wasted if we don’t prepare accordingly.
>
> The proposal development will follow if people vote for this work to 
> continue. While I think the core of any proposal has to include 
> continuity for existing services, it does not exclude us from also 
> proposing new ideas. We just aren’t there yet.
>
> A NO vote will result in me advising Saran that the IMC is not 
> interested in managing the LTER network data management services. By 
> us declining this opportunity I assume it will lead to an open RFP 
> inviting interested organizations to submit proposals.
>
> Hopefully, this answers your immediate concerns. If you feel unable to 
> commit one way or the other there is the option to abstain.
>
> On a general note, if anyone still has questions feel free to give me 
> a call to discuss. I am on 480-727-7860.
>
> Regards,
>
> --
>
> *Philip Tarrant*
> *Director, Informatics and Technology | Senior Sustainability Scientist*
> *Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability | Arizona State 
> University*
> /Sustainable data - use, preserve, re-use /
>
> *From:*im-rep [mailto:im-rep-bounces at lists.lternet.edu] *On Behalf Of 
> *Inigo San Gil
> *Sent:* Thursday, July 30, 2015 10:03 AM
> *To:* im-rep at lists.lternet.edu
> *Subject:* Re: [LTER-im-rep] Vote to move forward with IM data 
> management exercise
>
>
> Hi,
>
> I do not think I have enough time to revise the last additions to the 
> work to vote confidently.
>
> As I remember the work, the way is presented has a main focus on 
> continuity.  I would like to see a more exciting proposal that 
> includes the opinions of the community we work for.  This is just a 
> handful of us chiming some, and well, judging by what I hear, not so 
> fresh ideas.
>
> Therefore, I think asking for a vote is a bit premature.  We could get 
> a better proposal out there, at least, we can get something out I can 
> defend vehemently, as it is (or as I remember it), not so much.
>
> Can you push the vote down to the ASM or at least towards the 3rd week 
> of August ?
>
> Some more notes - please pay attention:
>
> Also, I missed the 'last week VTC' - the bad practice of not 
> announcing the date and time and links is really hurting my schedule.  
> I have many more things in my plate, like many of us. It is quite 
> simple, and I told the group several times to include a date and a 
> time and a link at least (it is simple metadata, EML not needed).
>
> There is no mention that a majority "Yes" vote would also mean that 
> you will tell Saran that we (IMs) are behind this proposed model, and 
> pave forward to what would be the LNO Data Center for the next few 
> years.  I think this should be noted in the list below.
>
> There is no mention what a "No" vote would imply.  Encourage Saran to 
> let a competitive process to ensue? Please elaborate.
>
> By reading the reactions of my PIs to the PPTx and PDF that was 
> circulated at EB, I can tell you my PIs feel this proposal would 
> benefit from serious changes in the general direction as well.  In 
> essence (there are more details to it), these PIs would love to see 
> this a science-oriented service.
>
> Thanks,
> Inigo
>
> I On 7/30/15 9:23 AM, Philip Tarrant wrote:
>
>     Dear colleagues,
>
>     The link below is now active for the vote on developing a proposal
>     for discussion with NSF.
>
>     https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MWDH555
>
>     Please consider the following when voting:
>
>     1)This vote is in support (or not) of the general NIMO model
>     presented during the VTCs last week.
>
>     2)The size and composition of the governance committee is still
>     subject to change and we will continue to collect feedback from
>     IMs and the EB on specifically what this should look like.
>
>     3)The election model is not set in stone, and again we should
>     continue to develop that to ensure we have sensible levels of IM
>     input and representation.
>
>     4)If we get a “Yes” vote, we will devote a large part of our
>     annual meeting on August 30 to developing this model further. So,
>     you still have an important opportunity to contribute to the piece
>     that you find most interesting. Further opportunities will follow,
>     I am sure! In particular, we should focus on the processes for
>     collecting input from both our community and the scientists we
>     serve, as well as planning and prioritization mechanisms.
>
>     The link will be active until midnight next Wednesday, August 5
>     (in reality 8am PDT Thursday, but midnight sounds more dramatic
>     :)), to give everyone time to vote. However, please do make sure
>     you vote as we want a full IMC response.
>
>     Thank you for your support and cooperation.
>
>     *Philip Tarrant*
>     *Director, Informatics and Technology | Senior Sustainability
>     Scientist*
>     http://sustainability.asu.edu/docs/gios/signature/images/logo.jpg*
>     *P.O. Box 875402 | Tempe, Arizona | 85287-5402
>     PH: 480-727-7860   |   Main: 480-965-2975 | sustainability.asu.edu
>     <http://sustainability.asu.edu/>
>
>
>
>
>     _______________________________________________
>
>     Long Term Ecological Research Network
>
>     im-rep mailing list
>
>     im-rep at lternet.edu  <mailto:im-rep at lternet.edu>
>
>
>
>
> -- 
>   
> Inigo San Gil
> +1 505 277 2625
> http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=foIppL4AAAAJ&hl=en


-- 

Inigo San Gil
+1 505 277 2625
http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=foIppL4AAAAJ&hl=en

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