Minutes of the meeting held 24th January 2006 Present: James Chong, Paul Waites, Julie Lord, Richard Firn (Chair), Sandra Baldauf, Lorna Evans, Ian Jennings, Dawn Cartwright (welcomed as a new member). Cake: CarrotMinutes of the meeting held 24th January 2006 Present: James Chong, Paul Waites, Julie Lord, Richard Firn (Chair), Sandra Baldauf, Lorna Evans, Ian Jennings, Dawn Cartwright (welcomed as a new member). Cake: Carrot
ICDB 06/1 Minutes of the previous meeting.
These were accepted as tolerably accurate.
ICDB 06/2 Matters arising from previous minutes
Software Audit (ICDB 06/20, 03/22 and 02/21). IJ had tested the remote auditing
methodology on a few machines and it produced a wealth of information (e.g.
7.5 pages of the Chair's PC). It was agreed that to collect and analyze such
information from several hundred machines at this stage would be unjustified
hence a pilot sample would be collected by IJ before the next meeting when a
decision would be made on how best to achieve the objectives of any more comprehensive
software audit.
Data projector for B103 (ICDB 06/20). No further developments.
Redesign of departmental web pages. (ICDB 06/21). There had been praise for
the new design and the gradual refreshing of the lower level pages would proceed.
Thanks to JC, PW and others for their efforts.
New IT staff member (ICDB 06/24) The current financial position raised an uncertainty
but this would be resolved shortly.
Agresso and e-procurement. (ICDB 06/25) IJ noted that the trial of three systems
had been conducted and feedback received. DC reported that it had been accepted
by the University that replacing the Agresso ordering module with something
much more useable, like Science Warehouse, would produce considerable savings
in staff time and negotiations were expected to progress. Mac compatibility
was an issue that is still not fully resolved but is being addressed.
ICDB 06/3 What is happening at University Committees re IT
IJ gave a positive view of the way in which departmental IT matters were being
considered in the revised University IT committees. The tone of discussions
at the new Infrastructure Committee indicated that departmental computing services
were now recognised and being a valuable part of the overall University IT provision.
ICDB 05/5 Web - the present
Lorna noted that most of the administrative pages had been updated by those
responsible for their management. Owen explained that there had been a delay
in updating the research pages consequent on Research Committee deciding a structure
for the research foci.
The policy of delivering documentation to undergraduates via the web (see ICDB
04/15) was discussed and the existing policy was confirmed. In particular it
was noted that the implementation of the departmental policy to serve MRes students
had been met with no criticism hence a much better case was needed to repeat
the 2004 decision to give hard copies to undergraduates.
ICDB 05/6 Web - the future
James outlined his plans for the updating process, which would be done in collaboration
with Lorna. It was agreed that:
the process should start with the Research pages so that the revision could
tie in with the planned Annual Report that he and LE are producing for the Department
(see below)
ICDB 05/7 Annual Report
Lorna reported that she and James had been tasked by the HoD to produce a new
attractive annual report, concentrating on the research profile of the department.
James would seek sponsorship. The committee agreed that the preparation of the
report should be planned such that a pdf version would immediately be available
for mounting on the departmental web site.
ICDB 05/8 Next meeting
21st February 2005 at 15.30.