Technical Support and Development reaches out to users
Providing software expertise for the atmospheric and ocean sciences community . . .
 TSD staff
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by Brian Bevirt SCD's Technical Support and Development (TSD) Section provides software expertise to help atmospheric and oceanic researchers do high-performance computing. TSD's four groups serve users with unique specializations. "Our section is diverse," explains section manager Sally Haerer, "and this allows each group to focus on specific user needs. Although the groups have distinct purposes, what they have in common is that they all provide direct benefits to users. "The Technical Consulting Group is the users' first point of contact for answers to their technical questions. "The Graphics and Data Analysis Group develops software applications that provide immediate visualization and data analysis capabilities for scientific programmers. "The Digital Information Group creates and maintains interactive user documentation for all the computing, data storage, and Internet resources managed by SCD. "The Visualization Group works one-on-one with researchers to help them produce leading-edge visualizations of their science."
For more of the story on TCG, see the sidebar "Mission-critical software support" and the TCG home page.
GDAG software provides for data input in diverse formats, data exploration, scalar and array data processing, and scientific visualizations with high-quality graphics for publication. The software offers support and development for different user skill levels through multiple user interfaces. For more of the story on GDAG, see the sidebar "Scientific collaborations, powerful new software." In-depth information on projects and NCAR Graphics is available on the GDAG home page.
The Digital Information Group (DIG) develops and supports digital media resources for users of SCD's computing environment. Among other services, DIG provides web-based user documentation and website maintenance for SCD and NCAR. DIG produces and manages user documents for the computing, storage, and Internet services operated by SCD. As SCD acquires new compute servers and offers new architectures to the user community, DIG staff publishes user guides for each new system and releases the documentation as the equipment goes into production. For more of the story on DIG, see the sidebar "Check out our websites!" To become acquainted with the members of the group, see the DIG home page.
SCD's Visualization Group (VG) works to advance atmospheric and related science through state-of-the-art visualization. VG staff explore and develop new technologies that improve understanding of complex phenomena by making key processes visible. The intent of visual science is to use computers to supply the human brain with the kind of information that it uses best for exploration and understanding: visual input. Visualization Lab capabilities available to local users have enhanced research capabilities and results across the breadth of NCAR science. VG publishes samples of recent research results in their Research Gallery. "Viz Group staff demonstrate more NCAR science to the outside world than most people realize," says Haerer. "Using direct collaboration with scientists and by utilizing SCD's high-performance computing -- including the lab's specialized hardware, software, and staff expertise -- the visual science orchestrated by the Viz Group continues to increase national and international awareness of NCAR and SCD." For more of the story on the Visualization Group, see the sidebar "Vis5D, volsh, and Viz Theater" and the group's space-age home page. |
