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Network Working Group                                         J. PickensRequest for Comments: 519            Computer Systems Laboratory -- UCSBNIC: 16818                                                     June 1973Resource EvaluationAbstract   In the spirit of RFC # 369, Evaluation of ARPANET resources, a new   test group was organized at UCSB to take a detailed look at specific   network resources and develop initial site dependent and function   dependent MINIMAN's (Concise User Manuals).  As the group was again   composed of novices, initial effort revolved about basic procedural   indoctrination.  In the period between January and March 1973 a   number of resources were investigated with varying degrees of   success, as to availability, proper usage, sample problem solutions,   and access to help and documentation.  Included in this paper are a   summary of the projects undertaken, initial suggestions at MINIMAN   composition, and suggestions for future test groups.  As these groups   are attempting to perform a useful function for the ARPANET   community, comments and suggestions are requested.  Copies of the   reports described herein are available on request from the Computer   Systems Laboratory at UCSB.Resources Investigated by the Group   I.  APL      APL was investigated primarily at MULTICS.  UCSD was also      scheduled for evaluation but not carried out.  APL at MULTICS was      used to solve a few trivial problems.  Most effort revolved about      the difficult task of obtaining any available documentation.  The      octal codes for APL characters were obtained and mapped into the      OLS keyboard.  A side goal of the project, the comparison of APL      with OLS, was begun but progressed very little.   II.  Basic      Basic was investigated at a number of TENEX sites.  Differences      between sites were pointed out and necessary file manipulation      commands were documented.  An integration problem was written at      one site, sent via FTP to another site, and then run again to show      comparative execution times and compatability.  Non-PDP/10 sites      were investigated but no report was submitted.Pickens                                                         [Page 1]

RFC 519                   Resource Evaluation                  June 1973   III.  TSO      IBM's Time Sharing option was exercised at UCLA-CCN.  Interesting      results were obtained regarding cost and execution time.      Available commands were documented and a PL/1 program was written      and executed.   IV.  MIT-MATHLAB      This, the most successful of the projects, involved documentation      of help, file manipulation, and MACSYMA access and an original      research project in resource sharing.  A recursive problem in      pattern recognition and a triple integration were solved to      demonstrate MACSYMA generated expressions into user programs on      the OLS.  More information on this project is forthcoming.   V.  Local User Guide      A first pass network users manual was completed for UCSB users.      In it are described console access and settings, character      mappings, current servers, users and TIPs, and error conditions.      Following minor revisions this guide will be distributed to local      users.   VI.  Local IMLAC Access to Network      Access to network graphics programs was attempted with a local      IMLAC.  Due to the non-uniformity of network IMLACs very little      success was obtained.  However, a program to access SRI-ARC's NLS      was compiled and loaded from NIC and attempts were made to iron      out the bugs.  In addition a project was begun to maintain an      IMLAC library and compiler locally for network usage.  As in the      other projects, basic operating procedures were documented.   VII.  Harvard Graphics      Several attempts were made to learn of availability of graphics      access to organic molecule synthesis programs but no response      could be generated.  This project was eventually abandoned.MINIMAN Composition   As mentioned in a previous report, concise manuals are needed for   network resources so that uniniated users may gain basic familiarity   with foreign systems.  In addition, manuals which describe specific   network wide functions, such as Fortran compilors, are needed if   resource sharing is to become a real trait of the ARPANET.  For the   resources evaluated, each group member submitted two reportsPickens                                                         [Page 2]

RFC 519                   Resource Evaluation                  June 1973   analagous to the two types of MINIMANS needed in the network.  The   headings and format of the reports will be included here to stimulate   future discussion on MINIMAN composition.   REPORT # 1: Online Help for [a specific host computer]         I.  Connection, Login, and Optimal TELNET Settings        II.  Help Files       III.  Job Status        IV.  Time of Day         V.  Time/Money  Used/Left        VI.  Interpersonal Communications             A. Console Linking             B. Location of Users             C. Mail Facilities             D. Access to Operator and/or Consultants       VII.  Warnings or Unfriendly User Behavior      VIII.  Useful References and Documentation   REPORT #2: How to Use [a specific resource]         I.  Table of Contents        II.  Access and Usage (or How to Start and Stop)       III.  Editing Commands and File Structures        IV.  Documentation, Location, and Cost         V.  Sample Solutions and Significant Problems        VI.  Appendices             A. Special Characters and Terminal Settings             B. Similarities and Differences from Site to SitePickens                                                         [Page 3]

RFC 519                   Resource Evaluation                  June 1973Future Test Groups   A number of projects are envisioned for future resource evaluators   and include:   1. Complete evaluation of APL at MULTICS and UCSD with comparison to      the On-Line System (OLS).   2. Investigate BASIC in depth, network wide.   3. Evaluate other symbolic manipulation programs such as REDUCE.   4. Summarize all games available in the network.   5. Find and evaluate specific application programs such as ZOG or the      weather data base at CCA.   The projects undertaken will be determined in part by local   interests.  But a serious effort is being made for reports to   accompany each evaluation.Conclusion   Good results have been obtained from the two test groups thus far.   Although composed of novices, as far as network familiarity is   concerned, the groups have been able to produce data and reports   which benefit the network community.  The reports run the gambit from   poor to excellent, but even the poorer ones have generated results by   motivating more knowledgeable system personnel to find time to write   the report in the "right" way.  All data and reports compiled by   these groups are available to interested network users.  In addition,   any information or documentation or manuals which might fit into the   framework of the MINIMAN is requested from the network community.  As   this information begins to be collected, the network may truly start   to become a resource sharing network.         [ This RFC was put into machine readable form for entry ]         [ into the online RFC archives by Nasser M. Akhtar 2/98 ]Pickens                                                         [Page 4]