ML20245L100

ITS News,Summer 1989.Vol 5,Number 3

ML20245L100
Person / Time
Issue date:	08/01/1989
From:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
To:
References
NUREG-BR-0056, NUREG-BR-0056-V05-N3, NUREG-BR-56, NUREG-BR-56-V5-N3, NUDOCS 8908210273
Download: ML20245L100 (20)

Text

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== - SUMMER 1989 mmm - Vol. 5, N0. 3 mL -

mm M NUREG/BR-0056 5 manN W

Information Technology O Dhrision of infonnation suppon seen Services Support Center I ' % U.S. Nuclear Regulatory end Training Laboratory \. "- Commission omce of Personnel from elsewhere (PC or other word b

[ Il fM processing system), converu the input coding to KEEPS coding, g' _HO7 " formats and typesets it according to

.. = r.r:r- , = . pre-determined format specifica-k ;_- - - - --

tions, and merges the typeset text with graphics imported either from m e .. . - a graphics workstation or an s-

[ g_7JA 7 3 electronic scanner. The final output, run on a laser printer,is a

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uimera-ready manuscript ready for printing.

... - ig , um ,-

.,,r a-S M. r_ ..~.".~.'. KEEPS will afford NRC the "q l "~*..---

benefits that all electronic put)lish.

-"~ ing systems bring to an organiza-n!!!PE . 7 o .. F y. tien's publications: improved

y c7 j n c1 .

c1 i VO readability and cost savings. Publi-tra:n.

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..?raia. .tra:: r w.L cations processed on the system will have ihe look of professionally M _ _ . produced books and magazines.

Gone will be the " typewriter" hxik f m nyagencypublic tions.In A diagram of Kodak Ektaprint Electronic Publishing System showing n to im m c cad the various components. The system is located in the Phillips Building. fIl9;c mi least 35 percent more text on an 8 x Corporate Electronic " * "'" r"8 "" * 'd r = "'-

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Publishing Comes To NRC 1 By' Il'ah Ohu, ADM THE ISSUE AT HAND NRC entered the world of corpo- ters, booklets, forms, resumes, and sectronic nata Transfer... .. 3 rate electronic publishingin short reports. (This newsletter is December 1988 with the acquisition produced on a desktop publishing Im Helpune. .. 4 of a Kodak Ektaprint Electronic system with PageMaker 3.0 soff- g, cal Area Networks... ....$

Publishing System (KEEPS) for the ware.) Carporate electronic NUDOCS News... 7 Electronic Composition Services publishing uses more powerful Section, Regulatory Publications workstations and software typically g pags ,, ,

Branch, Division of FOI and to produce large-scale, high-volume Publications Services, ADM. How publications--technical manuals, wordperfect Renew.. .._..9 does corporate electronic publish- lengthy reports, handbooks, and Is SuperPnject Plus For You?_10 ing differ from desktop publishing? Others that support the in-house Niisc c nference.. ... n The two types of systems overlap in publishing requirements of govern-function but differ in scope and ca- ment agencies and corporations. Sign On with SINET.. .13 pacity. (Sce the KEEPS diagram for the n h News-. _14 system's salient hardware and its Desktop publishing refers to PC- processing capacity.) User oroups... ..ts u, based systems that use composition "I" I C"'P"'"*""*"

softwar'e to drive laser printers. KEEPS is a UNIX-based multi-These systems usually produce tasking system that imports the data TEcli NOTI:.s .. .17 small-scale publications- newslet ,, , for a publication in electronic form ,

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sors do. This " data compaction" 300 dots-per-inch resolution; and, headings and their page numbers.

feature makes for shorter reports . (5) keyboarding on system worksta- It willalso create a subject index that result in significant savings in tions.- from words, phrases,and concepts printing, distribution, and inventorv identified in text.

costs. Composition and Pagination As on-screen revisions are made to How does the system work and what After text is in the system, the text, tables, or graphics, the wmpo-are its components? The parts that operator modifies it on a "what- sition sollware automatically comprise the system--located on the you-scc-is-what-you-get" " ripples" pagination changes 9th floor of the Phillips Building-- (WYSIWYG) page layout worksia. throughout the publication, are shown in the system diagram. tion to conform with pre-deter- updating page numbers in the table The system processes publications mined type and format specifica- of contents and subject index in the in three distinct stages: input, com- tions. These specifications, called a process. Revisions made to a position and pagination, and

" template," are being created for all publication's numbered elements output. NRC publications that have (tables, figures, equations, head-standard, recurrent fermats, such as ings, lists) result in ihe automatic System input staff NUREG reports, Regulatory renumbering of all subsequent Guides, the telephone directory, elements from that point to the end Publications are brought into the and the annual report. The tem- of the publication. These changes system through (1) a media con- plates ensure that agency publica- are also automatically made to the verter (U.S. Lynx) that accepts data tions are unifm m and consittent in table of contents and subject index.

from 815-1/4", and 3-1/2" disks; (2) design. Once the text and graphics a 9-track tape drive;(3) telecommu- data are in the KEEPS system, they System Output nications in ASCll format;(4)a can be manipulated in numerous sc:mner for hard-copy graphics at and varied ways for optimal page The KEEPS system outputs layouL System operators make manuscripts on two laser printers modifications on the page layout at 8 pages per minute (ppm) or 23 screens using a mouse to select ppm, respectively. Two printers ITS NEWS Credits options from icons, windows, and offer redundancy should one break pop-up ment.s. down in the middle of an important The US NEWS is a quarterly puNica-tion providmg mformation of interest to )'ob. The7 also Ecrmit briorit7 and usen c, computer technology at the The system gives operators access to routine manuscripts to DC printed NRC. 4 is produced by the staff of the eight typeface families ranging in simultaneously.

NRC Information 't whnology Services sizc from 6 to 36 points that can be Support Center and Traming laboratory printed in italic, boldface, and Both printers output at 300 dots in conjunction with the NRC's Omcc of Roman (i.e., regular) typeface. The per inch (dpi) resolution, a stan-  !

P#"""d families also include Greck, symbol, dard that is quite acceptable for the )

We wc!come questions and comments.

and mathematical characters in a majority of NRC publications. For Picase contaci the rrS stan by: variety of sizes. Text can be format- comparison, the typical dot matrix ted in one to six columns on a page, printer has a resolution of approxi-Phone. 492-8309 with proportional spacing between mately 70 dpi,while typesetters Mail or in Person: P-808 letters and words and varia* le used b) magazine and book pub-spacing between lines. Tables and lishers ~aave resolutions or 1200 dpi Lar.a Cobb. IRM!nsit Executive Ednor figtues can be displayed m vertical and aluve. (This newsletter is (portrait) or horizontal (landscape) printed at 300 dpi.)

Leslie Wassel, OS/USDA orientation. The system "Iumbles" Managing Editor multi-pagc tabics automatically on implementation Plans Electronic Format and 1.ayout to suceceding pages.

At present, the Electronic Compo-Janet ht-Thompson. IRM 're n Design consunation Graphics are brought into the sition Services section (i.ormerly system by " sneaker nel '--hard copy CRESS) is using templates created Illustrations by NRC Graphics Section produced elsewhere is hand carried by NRC's Automated Graphics and to KEEPS and scanned in. Once in Visual Communications Section on Photographs by Dan Dehn the system, graphics can be en- a system similar to the KEEPS.

larged, red uced, cropped, d upli- System operators are now routinely

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Contributor:, to regular iicms arel cated," cut and pasted" selectiveh~ producing Regulatory Guides, covers for NUREG reports,and 1 . lI y r i. t sInP from one figure to another, and Smnh,J Sulhvan and K.%nDuser. manipulated in do/ ens of other several large-scale NUREGs ways. because large documents yield the Pernussion to reproduce the steker en biggest printing and distribution page 16 granted by Advanced informa. The system will create a table of savings. During the next year, the tion Management. Inc. conte'nts automatically from text Section will increase the number of US NEWS Page 2

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. NUREGs produced as operators, . The tools exist to allow us to ing internally transmitted docu- {

~ become more experienced. They . proceed with this technology and ments. The desired and encouraged {

also. plan to produce NRC's annual - potentially discover, too late, the mode of electronic document 'j report, the telephone directory. consequences of proceeding too fast transmittal to date has been the selectcd periodicals,and a variety of ; in a vulnerable arena. As we quite ' IBM 5520 network. The capability '

in. house administrative and training efforticssly transmit documents via . to transmit, receive and access

. documents. - the IBM 5520, IBM 9370, and other . documems within the IBM 5520 '

'q microcomputer and mainframe data network exists throughout the The potential for savings will not . transfer capabilities, questions arise NRC, at all nuclear power sites and end when documents produced on regardingwhether or not the - at some nationallaboratories and the system are printed. After correct version of the document has utilitics. However, the same printing,each publication will bc . been transmitted. This is not an principles and techniques may be archived on tepe and stored for sub- atypical situation for any user of a applied to any system or desired sequent reprinting as needed. This - ' computer storage facility where mechanism used for electronic data capability will permit NRC to there are potentially multiple transmittal.

reduce--End in many cases climi . . versions of the same document or -

nate-the costs associated with hard file. - Receiving electronic data from copy inventories. cxternalsources has not been as While the problem of transmitting successful as the internal transmit.

For additional information, contact the wrongversion of documents tais have been. There are some Joanne Johansen,492 7962. between individuals is serious, the concerns regarding data format, situation is magnified when those . integrity,sccurity, and speed, rmd

- Editor's Note: documents or data become part of . there continue to be serious officialrecords. Additionally,when obstacles to a smooth operating The NRC has a sister-system, a document and file dissemination is cmironment. However, as more professionalgraphics workstation attempted or proceeds in an organizations, agencies and indus-by Inter!caf,Inc.,in the Graphics uncontrolled, unregulated environ- triesengagein electronic data 'j Section. Watch the Fallissue ofITS ment, the advantages of electronic transfer, the experience and lessons NEWS for an article on this system. data transfer begin to deteriorate. learned create a feeling of confi-To observe extraordinary technol- These issues in particular are of dence within the environment, ogy at work, stop by P-912 to be major concern to organizations introduced to KEEPS and tasked with the responsibility of When fullv implemented and P-100 to be introduced to Interleaf. maintaining official record copics. working smoothly, electronie data transfer provides the participating The Document ControlBranch organizationswithimproved (DCB),in cooperation with other efficiency and cost-effectiveness. In NRC organizations, has been NUDOCS, for example, cach page gggy of text electronically transmitted addressing the potentially vulner-U y able areas of electronic data reprsents a S2.50/page savings, Electronic Data transrer. The branch has developed intennaland externalstandards for which otherwise would have been spent on rekeyingor scanning / data Transfer documennunsmhtai and incorpo- conversion seniccs. Cost and time By Phyllis A. Smith,IRM ration into NUDOCS. Standards srvings are also realized because the development organizations within necessity for document editing Alogicalcontinuum to the variety the nuclear community (e.g., the senices is minimized and the f of electronic mail (E-mail) articles Nuclear Information and Records turnarocnd time for document addressed in the Spring 1989 issue Management Association) have also distribution and incorporation into

- of the ITS NEWS is a discussion of contributed to the Agency and the NUDOCS system is significantly

' clectronic data and/or file tracsfer. broadened our knowledge of this reduced.

This method of rapidly exchanging expedient data transfer capability, irlformation (e.g., draft documents, liccause of the diversity of com- NRC's commitment for support of reports, and regularly occurring text puterr hardware, software,and the Licensing Support System and/or data submittals)has been telecommunications capabilities, (LSS) also has generated increased enhanced via hardware, software, the development of standards cases awareness of and interest in elec-and telecommunications advance- the complications that crise as we tronic data transfer. The LSS, a ment, making possible the rapid begin to' electronically communicate computer data base containing delivery of almost any type of data with one another. material relating to the proposed information. The accomplishment high-level waste repository,will of electronic data transfer has Through the development of incorporate documents from State j surpassed our present ability to standards and the excellent coep- and Federal agencies, private contain this capability and feel cration of several NRC Offices, the institutions,and citizens. NRC's comfortable within the environment. DCB has been successful in manag- predecessor to this system, the

Transitional Licensing Support System (TLSS), has already pro- q ,

vided someinsight into the prob!cm I j

of sending and receiving documents in a variety of computer formats.

As a result, an aggressive move

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toward standardization of document l l

i i j and data submittals has siready j 1

./ j j begun. I \

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' I Many believe a paperless work envi-rontnent i desirable. This environ- 7 YdTJr/

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ment can be a structured approach q -

that integrates the appropriate y '

guidance and standards with data  ; jyg fk security and i'itegrity However, l 1___

this effort cannot be one-sided. ROMd". -- -

Cooperation and adherence to the . .

ggggggg~-

guidehnes will be required. Those who proceed in an uncontrolled, Qi _

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- ~ ~ ~

g unregulated manner will cxperience 1 frustrated attempts at office -

pe___ m J automation and run the risk of w .-

transmitting, receiving, and dissemi- IRM's Helpline - Just as close as your phone!

nating documents that do not represent the official office / agency

= d-Help Is On The Way! Just Call IRM A recent EDI Research,Inc., survey B#rn Blanton and Lana Cobb,IRM (reference Washington Post article, dated December 1210,88, by Tobey, You have encountered a problem! alternate person in that branch to titled " Paper Still leads Electronics Docs your problem have to do with respond to the your needs. Actions in Corporate Communications") of IRM senices? If the answer is begin immediately with your cal:1 Fonune 1000 con; anics with 500 "n ,"seeyour supervisor. If the or more employees indicated that answer is "yes," first check a copy of All calls are logged in and tracked only 2% of the companies they the NUREG/BR-0140," User's by IRM management from the surveyed were heavily involved in GuideTo Information Management initial call through resolution of l clectronic data exchange. However, Senices," to help you determine the your concern. You will receive a l the interest and trend toward this proper person to call for assistance, written description ofyour environment is likely to increase If you are still perplexed or just problem and the names of the rapidly in the near future becau+.: want to talk to someone who will persons who were notified to take 17.5% of those surveyed es this understand, help is as near as your appropriate action in response to technology and 14.4$ plan to do so. phone. Just dial 492 HELP. Your your call. Follow-up calls will be call will be answered by an experi- made back to you from the The NRC's accomplishments in the enced person who is ready to offer HELPI.INE support person to f area of electronic data / file transfer assistance. check on the status of your concern, have been significant, but there are to advise you of the action still problems ahead. As with The IRM HELPLINE is staffed by a HELPLINE has taken, and to private industry, we are proceeding contractor (under the supenision of confirm that you are satisfied with cautiously, but the trend is toward the IRM Staff) every work day the resolution. No item will be progress with this new technology. between 7:30 am to 4:15 pm. The closed out untilyou are completely HELPLINE person willanswer satisfied. Only you, the caller, can your call, take down as much close the action.

information about the problem as you can offer, and inform the This IRM service does not replace New IRM opp,:opriate person or persons the support ofrered by the ITS Helpline within IRM of your problem. IRM Support Center, or the SINET or has assigned the task of taking NUDOCS Hotlines. These senices ppropriate action at the branch are being continued and should t'e 492-HELP level. If the branch chiefis unavail- used appropriately. IRM's objec-able, then a message is left and the tive is to provide assistance, senice,

, IRM contractor will also call an and support to the NRC staff.

TIS NEWS Page 4

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" If you are unsure whether to call the : If you .' ave ever experienced a ' devices to enhance information IRM HELPLINE, the ITS Support > . problem with the computer equip- - resource sharing. The connected l HOTLINE, the NUDOCS HOT- ment or systems that you use,you devices are local to each other, such -

. LINE,oryour ADP Coordinator, can relate to my dilemma. WHO as within one branch. The devices feel free to call.We can help direct DO YOU CALL FOR HELP? are usually stand alone personal you to the appropriate group. ,

computers (PC)with appropriate Ican answer that! The IRM networking hardware and software The following paragraphs describe a HELPLINE (492 HELP). to permit communications between problem that an employee encoun- the shared devices and the PCs.

tered and called the IRM L That's right the IRM HELPLINE.

HELPLINE for assistance. Established in March of this year by Envision a stand alone PC arrange-the Office ofInformation Resources ment on your desk that consists of a

'I Called IRMI Management to assist the NRC staff central processing unit (CPU),

with any problems relating to issues monitor, keyboard, disk drive, and Have you ever been in a situation under IRM's responsibilities. That ' printer. Thisis anindependent

- where you had a problem but didn't includes everything: hardware computingdevice. Armed with support, software support, telecom- these basics, NRC- provided know who to ask for help, or even munications, database access, software, and a little training, you what to ask? -

everything! Well -almost every- can build and maintain spreadsheets

Well,I know the feeling. Last week thing. There are some things such in Lotus, develop your own applica- ,j' as computer and software acquisi- tions in dBASE 111, create and lwent to check out a reported problem with the NUDOCS station tion or upgrades that still must be modify documents with Display-channeled through your individual Write 4, and so on. You are so )

on the eighth floor of the White .;

Flint Building. When I arrived, the Office ADP Coordinator. productive that the Office orders in station was "at the ready"(every. more similar PC configurations for -  !

thing was turned off). Quickly 1 So,in closingjust remember when others to use. Then a few more are j surneised this could be part of the all seems lost and you don't think requested. l problem and turned on the PC and you have anywhere to turn, call 492-  !

HELP and help will be on the way. Ain't life grand? With all these PCs j monito.r. After the PC had gone available,what else could you  !

through its diagnostics, the menu appeared just as it should. How. Jim Blanton and Lana Cobb are the possibly need or want? Plenty!

ever,instead of being its familiar IRMstaffmembers assignedto Like faster, better quality (read green, it was--kind of--lavender. monitor theperformance oftheIRM ex$ pen $ive) printers for all those Helpline. PCs. Or, how about a large, fixed-Not being a fashion consultant,I disk drive (read ex$ pen $ive again) l said to myself, so what-and contin-to hold all the data being created ued. I selected NUDOCS from the menu, as I have done thousands of and printed. Oh,yes -let's add new l I

software packages x, y and z to each l

times before. As the PC worked its way through the SmarTerm se-PC. And a communications device to talk with other computers.

quence,I chose the appropriate '

selection. Then to my surprise, instead of getting the omnipresent MovinO Ahead At some point a log. ical person

" channel 15 ready " all that ap- With Local Area should ask if all these costly items are really needed on each PC - or -

peared was a blinking cursor that continually faded from green to Networks shouid one unit be provided for aii ,

white to purple--even to pink at one By Chuck Fitrgcrald. IRM to share. Thus the original reason for developing LANs: sharing ex-point.

Take two LANs and call me in the pensive peripheral devices and soft-Having been around the agency, and mornirg! That appears to be the ware. By linking PCs to shared NUDOCS, for quite some time I message today's trade journals devices and to each other (called would have us believe. Local Area networking) one resource can be was.able (with a little help from my Networks (LANs) may not be the used by many people. The compo-friends) to determine that Iwas nents necessary to accomplish encountering several problems with cure to allills encountered in this station. First of all, there was information processing but the networking include some software direction seems to be clearly set. and hardware to manage network definitely a problem with the monitor. There was also a problem LANs are where it is at, so to speak, business, cables tying PCs together in contemporary computer solution for communications, and a network with the" channel cont.ect" to the interface card installed in each PC, White Flint Auto-dialing Network designs.

System (ANS)(although at first I along with network management thought it might be a problem with What is a LAN? A LAN is a sof tware. Now the PC can operate method of connecting together a as either a stand. alone device or as the SmarTerm software) group ofindependent computer a member of the network commu-rlS NiiwS Page 5

pathway to the cable. That is all WORKSTA ON j /_ Ihcre is to the physical components

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F 1 of a ba9c LAN.

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p q Without software, however, nothing pff9-m is going to happen The operation and management of the network is provided by network operating it( p- ';E g pq 4 I "1 system software. The operating system resides on the file server. A connecting program called an

%"T"'"'"

LOCAL AREA N-hM-

'NEEMEEur operating system shell. ,si also WORKSTATION NETWORK FILE SERVER installed on cach workstation. In (LAN) / addition to providing file and device sharing, the operating system controls the traffic on the network, records use statistics, and performs generalhousekeepingof the

}{ l t- FT ]15 i environment.

Two or more LANs can be inter-WORKSTATION WORKSTATION connected to permit a larger universe of users to share data and These basic components of a LAN allow data and software sharing, information. When LANs that are and improve communications. spread out over a larger distance, such as between two buildings, are connected, the term " wide-area nity, your choice (see above figure). create a LAN. First, a more network"(WAN)is used. Connect-PCs on a network are commonly powerful PC, called a file server,is ing LAN A to LAN B sometimes referred to as workstations. added to the environment to requires adding another PC to the coordinate the sharing ofinforma- two LANs which are designated as With connectivity also comes the tion on the network. It will house the communications server. Neces-opportunity for data and file shared files, shared software sary cables and communications sharing, which is the second reason packages, and network control and components are also added to for LANs. In many cases, the need management software. Shared comp!cte the link.

for file sharing in an organizational software could be a single copy of unit can be reason enough to adopt Wordperfect, which each worksta- Presently, NRC has nine opera-a network solution design. The tion can use versus a copy on each tional LANs. These LANs are j benefits of file sharing are numer- workstation. Shared files are any located in the Commission offices, ous. An immediate benefit is no files stored in the file server unit NRR, RES, AEOD,IRM,and more " sneaker-net." You know that LAN users may read and/or Region 1. The number of worksta.

" sneaker-net," that is when I copy a update. A branch vacation schedule tions in each LAN varies. For file from Iny PC to a diskette, put application in Lotus might be an example, the AEOD/OP Center on my sneakers, and run down to example. Each workstation user LAN has 3 workstation while the your office so you can have a copy. can access the dats Etc and update IRM LAN (a prototype) has 37.

No more. Now we both can access schedules as needed,giQ:g {he Plans call for replacing the present the same data when we need to. branch manager access to timely IBM 5520 wordprocessing stations Messages, mail, or notes can be sent information w henever he/she looks with PCs on LANs beginning in the among the users on the LAN,which for it. spring of 1990. These LANs will be can improve inter nal communica- configured into WANs to allow tions. Common calendars could be in a LAN, all PCs and peripheral agency-wide information transfer.

accessed for scheduling meetings. devices must be connected to a Existing stand.alone PCs will be All data stored on the shared device transmission, cable, referred to as reviewed for possible networking, as will be, hopefully, better cared for the media. The physicallayout or will all new requests for PCs.

via back-up and recovery proce- arrangement of the hardware and dures executed with more discipline cables is called the topology. Many Coming issues of ITS News will for the group need than any of us different media and topology have more articles discussing LANs would ever do for ourselves. combinations are available in the in the NRC. In the meantime,you LAN world. may contact Chuck Fitzgerald at Let me describe in more detail how 4924322 for more information.

PCs become workstations and the Lastly,each PC CPU must have a physicas mporaents necessary to network interface card to provide a FIS NEWS Pe 6 f

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numa um um um m WE E AE EE m.1 NUCLEAR DOCUMENTS EWWWWW SYSTEM NEWSLETTER NUDOCS Usage increases programs have been init.J a by (WAMS). This program will Throughout NRC NUDOCS to assist the NRC eliminate duplication of keying data l program offices: into the WAMS system.

A recent compilation of NUDOCS user statistics shows dramatic 1. In December 1986, a new data increases in NUDOCS usage element was added to the NUDOCS Full Text Update I throughout the Agency, data base. This element is a unique  ;

1 identifier called Technical Assign- Since the last issue of ITS News, NRR, the largest NUDOCS user ment C(mtrol(TAC), which allows considerable progress has been group, averaged 522 sessions per the user to unite records within the made in migrating the Congres-month on NUDOCS during 1987. system. As of this writing,126 boxes sional Correspondence System In 1988, NRR averaged 901 sessions of TAC documents from 26 project (CCS)into the NUDOCS full text ocr month, an increase of 72.6%. managers have been reviewed, data base. The data base now The average time spent on indexed,and filmed on microfiche. includes the text of the answers to NUDOCS cach month also in. This TAC cffort has reduced the the Bevill Subcommittee on Energy a creased. In 1987, NRR averaged paper file that each project manager and Water Development 1988 1 5,350 minutes per month while in has to keep and has made retrieval questions and 1989 questions to j 1988 it averaged 11,193 minutes, an of the information quick and date. The data base also includes efficient. more than 400 other CCS docu- j increase of109%

ments. In addition, full text is i Other NRC program offices showed 2. An effort undertaken for the available lon Title 10 of the Code similar increases. AEOD increased Radiation Protection Branch of of Federal Regulations; LERs back its average number of sessions per NRR entailed retrieving and to and including 1984; transcripts of )

month by 45% in 1988; the average processing annual and semiannual ASLBP hearings on Scabrook; l number of minutes per month environrnental monitoring reports Information Notices from January I increased 121.8%. that had not previously been 1987 to the present; Generic processed through NUDOCS. Letters, bulletins, and Regulatory NMSS monthly sessions increased Guides issued since mid-November 161%,and the average time per 3. In the summer of 1987, NUDOCS 1988.

month increased by 228.6% RES began indexing public comments experienced a 113.7% increase in individually at the request of SECY In a related area,another signifi-the number of sessions and 178.8% (PDR). Also,in August 1988, cant milestone has been achieved.

in time. The average number of NUDOCS began providing SECY The migration of full text from the sessions per month for SECY with a monthly listing of all pro- INQUIRE based Transitional increased by 161% in 1988, and the posed rules and public comments. Licensing Support System (TLSS) number of minutes per month was successfully completed in early increased 443% 4. NUDOCS now provides on-line June. This database which contains alpha tables of all AEOD enginect- documentation relevant to the in total, ti.e usage by the five ing evaluation reports for quick licensing of the high-level waste program offices, increased 86%, and retrieval through the Office Track- repository was initiated by NMSS' the average number of minutes per ing System. A current effort, almost Division of High Level Waste in month increased 144% completed, entails the abstracting preparation for the Department of and indexing of all old AEOD Energy's application for authoriza-System enhancements (Subject / reports. tion to construct and operate a Boolean Scarch, the scarch by full geological waste repository in text or abstracts for certain docu. 5. AEOD is also starting an effort accordance with the Nuclear Waste ment types, and the data download involving the downloading of Policy Act of1982. 'lle high-level capability) have resulted in in. NUDOCS License Event Report waste repository documentation ,

creased NUDOCS usage. In (LER) data for subsequent import- includes the January 1988 consulta-addition, several other customized ing to a dBase 111 Plus data base for tion draft and the December 1988 services have contributed to the uploading directly to the Work version of the Yucca Mountain Site increased usage. The following Assigment Management System Characterization Plan.

ITS NEWS Page 7

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failure report is submitted when-crer a system fails in service.

The Relationship of the Types of NPRDS Data On a quarterly basis,INPO enters each unit's operating hours for the quarter,using the NRC's Monthly un.i e.c.o ton. p., un.n Operating Report. The hours can be used in conjunction with the engineering and failure reports to '

I i i I generate failtire statistics for both -

s, m eno,n nno oyo.c.n, ao operating systems and components.

A. cord p.r vrwtj Although the data base was origi- (

i i g nally developed to meet the needs

[

of various industry groups for compon.ni eno.n nna A.cora Z."dae com .ni ,n statistical data to measure and

'"* 'v'**) improve plant reliability and maintainability, the data base is now I I I I

,on. ,o, cn used by utilitics, NSSS vendors, C"""[,';l'** g*,,ol, *, architcct-enginecting (AE) firms, io p. norm INPO, and the NRC for a variety of L'n'",*,'y*" purposes. The utilitics use it to reduce causes oflost generation, improve plant safety, manage mate-rials, and identify corrective actions INPO System provides NRC with data for program evaluation. for plant-specific maintenance programs. NSSS and AE firms use The Nuclear Plant Reliability Data Ehc'" 8"d"cls"""rUrs"I"n"'iT"""

operating piants. ms iermati=

System Provides Needed Information c n then be used in descrmining By Eugenia Boyle, AEOD improvements to the designs of E

The Nuclear Plant Reliability Data NPRDS data are provided voluntar- 'P 1 S n upp rt s i nificant System (NPRDS)is an industry ily (i.e., reporting is not required by Event Evaluation and information system, managed by the Institute of NRC regulations). For each Network (SEE-IN) Program to I Nuclear Power Operations (INPO), component within the NPRDS

, determine generic aspects of the ,

that collects data on component scope, utilities are to submit tw component failures, to enable early failurcs in specified cafety and types of records:(1) engineering / identification of significant failure balance-of. plant systems m com- test reports and (2) failure reports.

, trends or unusual modes of compo-mercial nuclear power plants. The The former provide desenptive nent failures, and to identify systems and components reportable material on the component manu. manufacturers and component to NPRDS are those that meet the facturer, model number, system ap- model numbers determined to have following critena: plication, and design specifications statistically higher than average (e.g., electrical or fluid flow ratings, numbers of failures. The NRC uses

1) systems and components that temperature, pressure, etc.). This the data base for event analysis, provide functions necessary for mformation is submitted when the

, nuclear plant aging research accident mitigation; and component is placed in service and (NPAR), component performance is stored in the data base. Then' studies, and maintenance evalu.

2) systems and components for whenever the component fails to a on' which loss of fur.ction can initiate a perform as intended, a component significant unit transient. failure report is submitted that By the end of 1988, the NPRDS contains a description of the failure data base contained about 505,(XX) mode, cause, the failure's effect on The specific guidance on which engineering records and about systems and components are plant operation, corrective actions 84,(XX) failure records, with the data taken, and other information neces-reportable to NPRDS is contamed beginning in 1974. The present rate in the NPRDS Reportable System sary to assess the failure. Failure of reporting is about 160 reports and Component Scope Manual. reports also provide information on per plant per year; however,in There are four versions of the the date and time of the failure and 1988, the plant specific reporting manual,one for each nuclear steam the length of time needed to restore rate ranged from less than 20 to supply system (NSSS). the component function. Text and rnore than 450 failure reports per coded information are supplied. A year. This variability in the number US NEWS Page 8

. of reports per plant exists for a number of reasons, such as differ-friendly, in March 1989,INPO provided a second training class to Wordnrocessino r- o encesin the type of plant reporting; new access holders and others who With Wordperfect

- actual failure rates; resources had missed the previous training. ByKaren VanDurcr,IRM.

devoted to NPRDS;and different interpretations of the reporting AEOD currently coordinates the ne latest wordprocessing package guidaace.-INPO has on going interface between INPO and the to be added to the list of available programs to improve the reporting NRC for access authorization and software at the NRCis Wordperfect leveland quality of the NPRDS system use. Eugenia Boyle,492- 5.0. This package includes many data They conduct on-site reviews 4498, as the NRC NPRDS Coordi- standard wordprocessing features, of NPRDS reporting at selected nator,is responsible for this f

~

such as margin / tab sets, headers,-

utilities. INPO also routinely function. Steve Scott,IRM,is the footers, footnotes, word searches, monitors NPRDS engineering' Project Manager for the NRC/ spell checking, centering, bolding, n records for out-of-service reports, INPO contract- etc. Wordperfect also offers style .

data deletions, and changes in sheci functions, macro program- ;1 system and component assignments. The NRC has only a limited - ming, graphics importing, and Additionally, INPO also monitors number of access codes available; desktop publishing capabilities.

NPRDS failure reporting for thus staff members with NPRDS While a:1 these features sound completeness, accuracy, and access will provide NPRDS data to wonderful, to be useful they must 3 timeliness, others within their office upon work properly. Unfortunately, there '

request. Below is a list of NRC have been problems with the To obtain feedback and advice from NPRDS access holders by office. package and, depending on the date the users and to support task group Questions and requests for data of a particular package,'.he prob-studies on selected issues, INPO should be directed to them. lems may or may not have been created the NPRDS Users Group corrected. 1 (NUG),which consists of rotating  !

assignees from utilities, as well as NPRDS Access Holders There are currently at least four l representatives from Department of different dated versions of AEO& c Energy NRC, Electric Power Re- nia Wordperfect 5.0 among the copics search Institute, NSSS vendors, and winiam nurton (200) distributed within the Agency.

AE firms. As one of the NUG PCEgy CrnwPrather The date appears in the upper right me ibers, the NRC provides input Marwillarper hand corner of the Wordperfect j to INPO regarding the NRC's data Patrick o Reiny i Help (F3) screen. A user can also needs and INPO considers these Ncin nomamn D"" * * 'I determine the date of release of his requests in the same wayas those package by typing the DOS DIR from other NUG members. Patrick Eno: James clittord command for files with .EXE O'Reilly of AEOD represents the extensions in the \WP subdirectory l NRC on NUG. NRR: Jaime GuiHen on a hard disk or Haidcard. EX-I Kenneth llart AMPLE: C> DIR \WP\'.EXE.

All unit-specific NPRDS data are Waher llaas' I essel The dates most frequently seen in considcred proprietary and, there- the NRC are 01-03-89,10-07-88,09-fore, must be handled in a proprie-fha 1 James Raicigh 23-88, and 07-01-88. Wordperfect

- tary manner. This includes com: Mary Lynn neardon Corp. has taken the approach of puter security (e.g., use of proprie- John nompson correcting problems as copies of the tary disk sleeves), handling (e.g., , Ilarvey Wescott software are shipped. The corpora-l- stamping output as propnetary, dis- tion has not, however, issued update 4 REs: I sm .s L carding output in appropriate, ris n lices, nor has it indicated on the l containers), and publication (i.e., Edward nrom outside of the package that anything  ;

the use of unit- specific data in a has changed. All packages have the  !

, letter or report makes that portion REG 1: Norman mumberg familiar blue and white WordPer-  ;

of the letter or report proprietary). Robert Brady fcct 5.0 markings. (if you call the '

ITS Support Center with a question In early 1988, under an INPO/NRC REa 11: christine cath,way on Wordperfect, please bear with contract, direct access to the K""Y I '"#'

the support consultant as they try to NPRDS data base was provided to REO m: Richard Itague determine which version of the 29 NRC employees and four Einda sucharski package you have.)

nationallaboratory employees who are NRC contractors. At that time, REG IV: Jean Perry Some of the problems with INPO provided training on NPRDS Jayanan Rc"is Wordperfect functions that are Plus!, a menu-driven system g7 specific to ve:sion date are outlined

.roth developed to enhance data process- Joan 7oniaitter in the following paragraphs.

ing and make the system user-rl5 NEWS Page 9

When centering text using any version but the 07-01-88 version, Other problems experienced with Wordperfect relate to difficulties IS SunerProiect r- J the program does not recognize the users are experiencing in learning Plus For You?

margins. This means that when a how to use the package. In most By Chris Ryder, RES-user is centering a long string of software packages used on PCs,a text,words are not wrapped to the user can halt an activity by pressing Forseveralmonths,Ihave used -

' left when the right margin is the CTRL + BREAK keys. In SuperProject Plus (SPP), Version reached. Instead,words are Wordperfect,when these two keys 200. In thisarticle,Idescribemy wrapped when the right edge of the are pressed to halt printing, the . experience in using theprogram. d paper has been reached,after software will freeze and the PCwill Although my crperience is limited, is adjusting the text against the left have to be turned off and back on to may be afsome help to otherpeople edge of the paper. recover operation; however, this whoareconsideringuringSPP. The <

may destroy the document bemg program itselfis discussedin the The 09-23-88 version allows the worked on. Another problem is user's manual.

use of a file name that includes a that Wordperfect does not auto-space embedded to be saved. On matically reset the numeric keypad SPP s a management tool for the 5520, a document name could to aliow the cursor control function ' assisting a project managerin be " NOTE 1" but on the PC the (i.e. the numeric keypad has NUM developing and monitoring the name should be " NOTE 1". How- LOCK on). Users trying to use the status of a project. SPP is a pro-ever,because Wordperfect allows keypad for cursor movement should gram that uses a Program Evalu-the name to be " NOTE 1" when a look for hints from Wordperfect ation and Review Technique user tries to retrieve the file for regarding the status of NUM (PERT) chart technique also known future caiits, DOS will not allow the LOCK. Forinstance,if the PCis as the Critical Path Method. Here, file to be reopened. The DOS not equipped with a light to show a project is broken down into tasks RENAME command must be used that NUM LOCK is on, the user that must be completed to finish the to correct the name to NOTE 1, should look to see if the Pos project. The tasks may be in arid then Wordperfect can open the indicator on the status ime is parallel,in scrics,or both. Each file, blinking (blinking indicates that task requires the use of some NUM LOCK is oc). However, this resource, an amount of time, and Older versions (07-01-88) can not technique is only reliable if the user incurs a cost. The PERTchart read the setup file (. SET) to locate is on the proper line of the docu- allows the project manager to the dictionary. Later versions of ment. determine the cost and the amount this package have corrected this of time the entire project will problem.There are problems with Even with these learning curve require given the resources, time, the tutorial's ability to conduct the problems, the benefits of the and costs assigned to cach task. The dictionary exercises. This has not package in terms of functionality far impact that a change in any these ,

, been corrected in anyversion of the outweight the frustrations. The ITS items for a given task will have on j software. ITS has a list of other will continue toinvestigate and the entire project can be casily known " bugs" with early versions of document Wordperfect problems determined. Also, the critical path, Wordperfect 5.0. and solutions. Whenever you which is the shortest path through experience a prob!cm or have a the project,can be determined.

Other problems using Wordperfect question, please call the ITS. The a; NRC are not probic ms with Support Centers at both White A PERTchart can take various Wordperfect, but problems adapt- Flint and Phillips (492-0353 and forms. The nodes of the network j ing Wordperfect to the NRC 492-4160) are cager to assist you. may represent milestones or environment. Some of these relate completions of a task, and the lines ,

to compatibility problems with the . linking the nodes represent the i IBM 5520. For example: WordPer- IS there a topic yOu tasks themselves. Other forms have feet does not have a word-under. WOuld like 10 See the nodes as tasks, and the lines score (CODE + 1) feature; there- linking the nodes merely specify the fore, underscoring will to have be DISCUSSED in relationships of the nodes to one redone at the 5520 for documents ITS NEWS? onoinc,, spp is in inis i3 ier form.

shipped from Wordperfect.

Wordperfect footnotes also are not plGaSe Send ideas My first experience with SPP was in transferable to the 5520. Revisable a class offered by the ITS Training Form Text documents created from ang SUggeS9 IONS 9O Lab. This is Ihe best place to begin.

Wordperfect footnoted documents A two-day course is sufficient to must be ccmverted to DisplayWrite ITS NEWS Editor introduce the project manager to 4 and reconverted to Revisable the various features of SPP. The Form Text to be transferred to the MailStOp P-808 5 "'"'h "' d "*d ' "'" ' """' "

5520. 49bO309 SPP require somewhat detailed inputs and working through the fl3 NEWS l' age 10 4

4

'4 included a feature that allows for Research Project: TEST several reductions of the chart. He reduction is another view of the chart, not merely a more distant view of the full chart. The reduc-Task-2 ask-3 tions lose the details of the individ-ask-1 Jones.J 5 Boiean.M 2 -

Harmon. L 3 ual tasks, leaving only the numbers 06-29-89 07-05-89 07-06-89 07-07-89 07-0T-89 07-11-89 of the tasks by which to identify

,,"" them. One task at a time is high-

%'g #,e# lighted, and its details are displayed in the lower left-hand corner of the N #

A / scieen. This feature is useful, but i,,u $3g details of the PERT chart are lost.

stone. M. 8 - Lew.K. 12 Also, the scaling in the three 07-12-89 07-19-89 0)-iD-89 08-04-89 yjewing levels is different, which can present a problem for spacing the

• tasks when laying out the chart.

An example of a simple PERT chart made with SuperProject Plus.

SPP has several features for print-intricacies of the pogram can be aware that there was much work to ing large PERT charts. It does difficult. Hence, the course is very be done,I purposely made alarge some automatic scaling to fit a chart desirable. The understanding detailed chart to emphasize this, onto a page. If the chart will not fit gained from the course allows the The multiple-page chart was hung onto a page, then SPP will print it project manager to explore the on a wall, and several people on as many pages as are needed and remaining features of the menu- worked together with pencils and designate cach page with a row and driven program at a later time. The erasers to add dates. The chart column number so that they can be quality of the user's manualis about served to provide a common pasted together. Also, there is average; some sections are clear understanding of the tasks and a manual scaling that allows the user while others are not. I've explored - way ofidentifying disagreements. to select from a variety of sizes. I the SPP on my own as needs arose, We were able to back out starting found this useful because SPP will with the ITS support staff being and ending dates,r.dd tasks, remove indicate the number of pages across very helpfulwhen I reached an tasks, and see which tasks were in and down ti,at will be needed to  ;

impasse. parallel and which were in series. print a chart given the size that is We were able to identify bottle- selected. This is useful for sizing a In general,I found SPP to be very necks and conflicts in using various PERT chart.

useful, not so much in monitoring resources. To use the PERTchart the status of a project (even though from SPP in this way,I first had to A hard copy of a PERT chart can be that is its primary use), but in erase the task times and dates. obtained with a printer or a plotter.

working out the details of a project. The drawback of using a printer is SPP treats a project as a very well- SPP is useful for small PERTcharts that the quality is poor; lines are defined entity, sort oflike con- as well. Though one may have represented with dots; diagonal structing a building. For the precise information, approximate lines are represented with horizon-I projects for which I have responsi- information could be used to tal approximations. The appear-bility,I do not have access to such estimate various bounds of a ance leaves much to be desired. A information because that informa- project. Here, too, the PERT chart pen plotter gives much better tion is a contractor's responsibility. provides a common understanding quality; the lines are solid and di-Pecause I did not have information of a project for discussion between agonallines are drawn diagonal.

on task durations or didn't want the a project manager and contractors. However, for large charts, only the start and end dates of tasks on a entire chart can be printed; portions chart,I found the values the Myimpression of SPP is that there of a chart cannot be printed. If a program printed as defaults annoy- is an imbalance in the capabilities of portion of a chart is changed (e.g., a

?

ing. the program and the capabilities of task deleted or added, dates the output devices of a PC. The changed,etc),if the pen on a plotter Recently, I worked with other NRC imbalance becomes apparent for quits, or if a power transient occurs, staff members on a large project large projects where large PERT it is not possible to get SPP to print where PERT charts were used in a charts are needed. A computer specific pages. I understand that semi-quantitative way to assess w hat screen allows one to view only a the manufacturer is considering a needed to be dot.c to complete a small portion of a large PERT chart change in future versions of SPP report about the project. I dis- at any one time - somewhat like that would allow printing only played tables, figures, text, reviews, trying to read a billboard at a portions of a chart. Of course,the and editing as scparate tasks. d. stance of one foot. The manufac- chart in the program can be modi-Although the staff was very much turer of SPP realized this and fied easily for calculations, but a FIS NEWS Page 11

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _____________________________________________-_____n

hard copyof the output is difficult tions to determine project status New Handout Available to modify. and the impact of changes can be tedious when a project is complex.

For Relational Database To make a large chart more man- But there are trade-offs in using an Users ageable, SPP has a feature for avtomated system versus working a grouping several tasks under one PERTchart by hand. Also, a useful Many of you have heard the term task and displaying them as one PERT chart may not be one with a " relational database' used many task. I have not had much experi- lot of details. Should a PERTchart times at NRC. Some of you may be ence with or need for this feature. - be done on SPP? Only the project using DBASE 111 PLUS and/or Another way to make a PERTchart manager knows for sure. DB2. Data integrity of tables (files) more manageable is to make several built using these software products smaller charts of portions of a However, please note, SPP is more require that data fields are mini-project. Of course this prevents than a PERTchart. It has other mally repeated and that unique key overall calculations because the types of management charts, such as ficids exits. This means that sections will be decoupled (there a Gantt chart, which shows how theories regarding normalization of may be a way of coupling them, but resources have been allocated. For the data and analysis of data de-I haven't spent much time looking further information on Gantt charts pendencies should be employed. A and other features, please refer to handout, written by Dave Hen-for it). nessey,ITS Training Lab,is now the software documentation that is A computer is not necessary for a provided with the package, available to help you understand PERT chart. However, the calcula. and utilize these theories. The handout entitled " Enforcing Integrity in Relational Databases, NESC Technology Transfer Conference Part 1, Normalization and Depend-ency Theory",is now available at b th the White Flint and Phillips in May, the National Energy questions and comment on all ITS Support Centers. This handout Software Center (NESC)Installa- aspects of the program. Most attendees took a tour of the facility is available by calling 492-4160 or tion Representatives

• Meeting was 492-0353. You may also stop by held at Argonne National Labora- conducted by NESC staff.

and pick up a copy at either of these -

tory near Chicago, Illinois. Emily Robinson,IRM, attended the two- Copics of the presentations are two centers. Learn to build better databases by following the easy to day program as the NRC represen- available at the Information understand NRC example used in tative. Technology Support Branch at the White Flint building from Emily this handout to illustrate apphca-Robinson (492-3490; mail stop tion of these theories.

About 40 persons atten'. led from government agencies. DOE Labs, 3Cl4) or Pat Bell (492-3491; mail military engineering centers, stop 3C16).

commercial corporations, and universities. Two foreign attendees ,

o were from the NEA Data Bank i  ;  ;

(France) and the Institute of Atomic Energy (China).

}y e 4y g) g}.Kp" y Q Q} qd@ g&, { g r Twelve papers were presented i, '. (y covering three subject areas: Expert .;

y [

Systems, Software Development, t 2 ip t 3 and TechnologyTransfer. Emily np W

+

Robinson presented a paper written A  :

by Patricia Bell, NRC's Installation .

II *p -

Representative, entitled -NESC f y{

f Support by NRC- An Alternative .h4 -:

e '

• h, ]4 m ;,.

Method of Computer Code Distri- p 97 bution." Phuto by A gonne hahonallab Some of the most popular papers were "Real Solutions from Artifi- Fourth NESC Installation Representatives' Meeting cial lnielligence," " Capabilities of May 16-17,1989 NEFTRAN"(a Network Flow Argonne National Laboratory Transport Code), and "The New Argonne, Illinois DOE Copyright Policy." Open discussion allowed attendees to Esk ITS NEWS Page 12

=

S I G N O N __ =_. =__. _ _. . _ ..

WITH G. ' h .

format of the display or report.

[n<i' p

Among the more common changes that a user may want to make are

( ,p rearranging columns, modifying

[' y ,

their titles or headers, and suppress-

{

e .a &- ing repeatmg information.

ll I

g j, _ .s Reports can be saved and printed I

t e c through a batch process (i.c, ser'. to g

l 9, one of NRC's remote printers fm I, I' JgJ ci

~ "

pnnting).

m -' 40't .

' - After a user has constructed and a, ,

,7 completed a scarch, he can save the

?

Y .

set of OLQ instructions for subse.

quent use. This feature,which is (y 4 i j "'

i called " creating a yfile," should j prove to be very useful.

= The qfile " routine" can be reex-

] \ ecuted to create reports that reflect new values of the data or new data l

Richard Royer, ITS Lab Instructor, teaches students how to use SINET that were added to the database after the user initially compiled the  !

OnLine Query (CLO) during the first OLO class presented in the Lab.

report Ofiles can also be modified j to use in preparing reports that are l SINET using a menu to gain access slightly different from the initial i Name Change report. Beth the original and the i

to fixed-format screens. OLQ also has a menu facility. Ilowever, users modified qfile can then be saved to The acronym, SINET, now stands of OLQ can tailor their searches hv become part of the user's " report for Shared Information Nctwork selecting specific entities (records)' writing library."

instead of Safety Information Network. The new name of the and data elements (fields) to search, network reflects the fact that it will To further narrow the topic of a incorporate all agency-wide, shared search, users can use " selection _

data, including that previously criteria" - such as dates,date labeled as "non-safety-related." ranges, or docket numbers - - to ensure that the specific data they NOw Available at the New SINET Searching / want will be retrieved. For ex- ITS Lab:

Reporting Capability ample, a user could specify that the i search obtain all licensee event reports (LERs) occurring at all SINET Query System OnLine Query (OLO).w hich can be used for searching, and reporting commercial power plants for and from SINET,is being offered to the December 1987. Or a search could SINET OnUne Query be constructed to obtain all outages NRC staff through the ITS Training for Arkansas I and 2 during 1986.

courses.

Lab. Classes for this new course began June 21,1989. OLO can be OLQ also allows the user to used to conduct Ad Hoe scarches of perform computations on the data SINET data.

that ha\ e been retrieved, Check the ITS Training Oace the OLO search has been Annouricement Many users are familiar with using fOr class dates.

the SINET Query applicuion completed and the data retiiesed system to search for data. Users of and displayed on the user's PC l Query can retrieve data from monitor, the user tan change the  !

!15 Nit.WS Parc 13

0

=-

c- TRAIN NG

. %7 LAB NEWS _

We've Moved! the cotaputer in a bus connection WordPerfe:t training clas!.es at the slot inside the system unit Mt which Lab.

The ITS Lab moved to the third is not visible to the user.

floor of the Woodmont Building Lab Welcomes Two New this summer. The facility move This c!assroom was previously a Instructors allows the ITS Lab to share the dual floppy system environment.

third floor with several other Office That equipment was upgraded to a Two new microcomputer instruc-of Personnel training facilities. fixed drive environment to reflect tors, Ms. Gwendolyn Edwards and the agency's current 70% to 30% Ms. Teresa Flynn, have recently Our phone numbers remain the (fixed drive to dual drive) equip- joined the ITS Lab teaching staff.

same: ment ratio. The purpose of the Their addition ictercases the 492-4744 (reception desk). Hardcards is to provide storage like number of instructors available for 492-4903 (24 hour2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> message). a hard drive found in many of the Headquarters and regional on-site PC XTs and PS/2s. microcomputer ts aining from four Our new mailstop is: W-306. to six.

Hardcards climinate the need for A floor plan of the l'I5 Lab's new disk swapping because application Both new instructors specialize in home is shown below. software is installed on the Hard- Wordperfect trainir.g. Ms. Edwards card. They are especially usefulin has provided handss m training to Please stop by to see us at our new disk-intensive applications such as senior U.S. governm :nt officials as location. Or, better yet, sign up for Wordperfect. well as to representatives of foreign Adding Hardcards to Classrcom Spotlight on Hardcards 380 more than doubles the Lab's Ms. Flynn

~

has extensive experience capacity for Wordperfect training, training government an1 corporate Classroom 380 is now equipped from six workstations to fourteen. clients in personal computer with 20 Megab3te Hardcards Plus. This new capability will appreciably software applications.

A Hardcard is a card installed inside shorten the waiting period for 3

l l ELEVATORS STUDENT LOUNGE Student Entran 3RD FLOOR STA F LOBBY INSTRUCTOR AREA CLASSROOM 370 CLASSROOM 380 CLASSROOM 390 The floor plan of the new ITS Training Laboratory facility located on the third floor of the Woodmont Bailding.

rt3 NEWS l' age 14

4 4

gQ8S Quest iO mumdy twing huuvay twu @ Fonnn hn md-usa pn>blem weeks in the White Flint Building. identification and discussion Develop an Expert Those interested should contact Bill (7) Forum for interaction with Kennedy on 492-1723 or mail stop system managers and operators System OwFN 17Gi9. (s) Forum for discussion of NUDOCS usage outside of the The ArtificialIntelligence User NRC

. Group (AIUG)is continuing on (9) Document Control Branch with with its project to build an expert user community feedback to be system as a mechanism to learn i

Uv tr,0CS Users factorediniosystcmimprovcmcni about artificial intelligence (AI) and GTOup Kick-Off iniuadas =d eva'uauon amd.

cxpert systems and to consider how user support services Al could be utilized at the NRC. A (10) Additional end. user support The kick-off meeting of the ,

group of approximately ten people NUDOCS Users Group was held Nyond ITS Traimng Watory has been meeting about every two D mune.

on May 2,1989. Although the initial weeks on this effort. The group is meeting was hosted by John attempting to develop a system for Skoczlas, Chief, Document Control e Ent madng was aumded by use byothers which will be of broad Branch, Jim Conran, AEOD, has appnnimately 50 NRC employees ,

mterest and which can be developed mmpnsing a wide cm+sanon of ]

volunteered to preside ovci future ,

m evolutionary steps. The project the agency. Strong mterest was SCSSI""S-was begun initially as a simple cxpressed in the formation of the system to process local travel. Usus Gmup and participation by The expectations of tbc NUDOCS Further effort is planned to incre- gmup mem n in futue presmta-Users Group are to provide: tions was offered. A suncy con-mentally dewlop a complete system supporting local, domestic, and ducted at the meeting suggested foreign travelincluding multiple (1) Seminars on selected NUDOCS that many membus wuc intnested features, (e.g., data download) in data download, access to iull-text per diem rates, rental cars, and other travel considerations. (2) Seminars for selected audi- domments and Boolean search ences, (e.g., High level Waste ,

capabilities. The sunry also Management, LERs)

The group has surveyed several s licited dislikes of the system and (3) Status and discussion of system possible development environments upgrades and/or improvements prompted the main topic of the next and methods including some NUDOCS Users Group meeting, programminglanguages and public (4) Forum for discussion of new End-User Problems. "

domain and comtnercially available types of documents being added to expert system development tools. We enwurage your parppation To evaluate the various approaches, (5) Forum for user information and look forward to seemg you at exchange,(e.g.' query techniques cach member of thegroup has used g the September NUDOCS Users a different approach to attempt to build a simple expert system to process local travel. The group has N discussed many of the successes and

.. difficulties which have been discov- g  ; )

f cred in developing the rules from p the refercaces,in finding necessary  %/yb computational capabilities and in the use of the various development -i hM systems. As a result of these discussions and since many mem-g M . . f. J "Ml 3D e?

bers are relatively new to Al, the K -

f group has decided to broaden its scope to include further discussion h;M@d-hjf[1' *Q:$A$k] j of the basics of Al to assist in development of the project expert -

,g-]Q"g' QM

]

]

system, using magazine articles, ,

- "; I books and tapes. Once developed,  ;

the working prototypes will be g y compared to select more complex pg ;9 systems. .wy ~

n The AIUG continues to welcome y(Qh h k. #--- -md ;

new members and invites others to join in this quest. Meetings are Phyllis Smith, IRM, and Jim Conran, AEOD, chairing the first NUDOCS User Group moeting.

Pare H

Group meeting. Persons interested systems became unavailable. Today, in jouung or who may have ques- there are but few situations in which tions, contact Jim Conran, AEOD. , it is even possible to revert to 492-9855 or Phyllis Smith,IRM, T "Q manual processes. Therefore,you need to be preparcd to minimize 492-4098. (

f ,

g -*j the damage caused by unexpected c y and undesirable occurrences

( ,

(contingencies)rel tiv t y ur PC i ~ !:ii TCChU'ICOI 8 environment.

Pronrammina G o

%sde One of the most neglected areas of Users Group if/A N T E D rectivaris ih t ef esc'uP na recovery. When you do not back up The Technical Programming Users YOUR HELP IN PROTECTING your data, there is a lot of potential Group (TPUG) met on Tuesday, VALUABLE DATA for a small-scale data disaster. A May 23,1989. Dr. Vernon Hodge, small fire, a power surge or loss of NRR, the new President, intro. BACK-UP power, system malfunction, the duced les Lancaster, RES, to speak disgruntled employee, or the on the FORTRAN program editor LOG OFF accidentally dropped disk pack are BRIEF. This software is a PC just a few of the soun'es of potmial LOCK-UP problems. By backing up data and program editor designed to facili. C tale creation and revision of MA/\ files on a routine basis, storing the program lines. It has many features Aav.nc.o in,orm tion u.n.g.m.nt, inc. backup disks in a secure and safe that would be useful to NRC staff 58 4't, swi v.,a. wooeunog.. vA 22ist location away from your work area, A "'** and adequately marking the disks, members who use or write such programs. One of the most useful you can easily recover and continue features discussed was its ability to operation even if you suffer a loss remember up to 30 commands and or destruction of data. It is incum-their effects, so that if necessary it bent upon each person to do his or could undo each of these com- Be Prepared For A her part to prepare for continuity of mands,one at a time. Other Perad ns shouht events occur that features discussed include full Data Disaste prevent normal operations of the screen editing. searching, use of  % Louis H. Gr sman,IRM PC system.

macros, and the available tutorial helps.

The continued growth in depend-ence on the Personal Computer A copy of this editor is available for (PC) at the NRC and on the data loan fror t ITS. 'Be copy may be processed by and stored on PC obtained for use and review by systems has increised the responsi- Easing Eye Stra,in interested members of staff (contact bility of the system user for the security of the system and its data. A recent article in "Online Today" Emily Robirson,492-3490). Simi-The data stored on the system hard indicates that 94% of PC users are lar editors are available for other disk (s) and floppy disk (s) have suffering eye strain or related visual basic software (e.g., dBRIEF, and become as important an organiza- discomfort. Dr. Ernest Loewen-l add-in to RRIEF,is io be used for l dBASE 111 programs).

tional asset as money, equipment, stein,an optometrist and professor and personnel. As such, the data at the New England College of Op-needs to be protected and safe- tometry, says that the primary cause The group plans to meet every of cyc strain is improper blinking.

~

other month on the third Tucsday. guarded, commensurate with the The next meeting will be in Septe'm- true value to the organization. Many users, including those w ho wear contact lenses, blink less often ber. Severalideas for activities were promoted. One idea is to resiew hn you turn off a PC system in than they should when working at a sections of a new boak on the the evening and walk out the door, PC; therefore they may experience market on power programming tips there is no guarantee that when you dryingof the eyes. This problem and to make written reviews by come in the next day everything wi!! resulis because a fixed focus is be there, will be the same, and will needed w hen a user is looking at a group members available to the staff through the ITS Library. For work the same. It happens 94.9% of PC monitor. Users should take additionalinformation. contact the time, but there is absolutaly no time to close the eyes completely Vernon Hodge,4921169. guarantee that it will happe:. as a for several seconds every so often certainty. Only a few years ago it and then blink purposely in a was reasonable to consider recourse relaxed manner to increase eye to manual operations uhen PC moisture.

TIS NEWS Page 16

'b G NOTES

'Diis section of the news 1ctler vertical bar which is the shift of the session. The reason is DisplayWrite provides lips and technical informa- backslash key ('). 4 reads the contents of a data disk tion of interest to NRC cx>mputer directory into memory, when the users. Ifyou have any questions The form of the second exampic can create, revise,and get options are regarding

• Tech Notes

• or if you be used with any DOS command invoked. This means that whenyou wish to contribute an item, contact that produces output to the screen. save a file, the directory list that has the ITS Support Centers: for PC Some examples are as foliows: been read into memory must be and NIH items, call 492-4160 or updated with the filename,date,and 492-0353; for INEL items, call 492- TREE l MORE Lists the root and size. At th- time the modified or 3490; and for DG items call 492- subdirectories on a disk or diskette, newly created dacument is written to 3491. You may also drop by and stopping with each screen. disk, this updated dircciory list in visit in P-808 or WF 3Cl2. memory is also written to disk.

DIR l MORE Lists the contents Therefore if you substitute data of the default directory, stopping dir.Ls during use, the directory of the with each screen. first disk will be written to the second disk. (Remember the At the end of each screen DOS will directory is read to memory when Personal Computers pria .-MORE- ", press any key io the command is invoted ) DOS go onto the next screcu. overwrites all :he existmg file names in the directory and the file alloca.

Using the MORE tion table on the second disk with Using the F5 key and the file names and rela ed iniorma-Command in DOS """ '""" ' h ' 6 '" d * """"'

F10 keys in Wordperfect has occurred you cannot retrieve the When data scrolls by on your computer monitor too fast foryou at a Mm@n k mnd Wordperfect provides the capability to read it, the DOS command of listing iiles and directories using

^

MORE can help. Using redirection the F5 key. Once you choose the pipes, the MORE command allows directorv you want to sce, WordPer-the output of other commands to be fect provides options to display and

~

Printing Landscape and viewed one screen at a time, the edit the files listed. If you want to Portrait in Wordperfect most useful form allows you to retrieve a file for editing, highlight display the contents of a file one the desired file with the cursor and In order to compose a document screen at a time. You can do this by select ontion 1 RETRIEVE to edit utilizing this function you must ha,c typing the following commands the file.'Ifyou only want to preview the LaserJct Print Driver installed followed by pressing the ENTER the contents of a file, highligh' the on your compulcr.

key. file and press the ENTER key.

Remember if you press the ENTER Wordperfect 5.0 can tell if you want MORE < filename.cxt key you willonly be able to preview to use portrait or landscape fonts by the file not edit it. Another way to determining w hether the paper you where "<"is the less than symbol retricic a file for editir.g is SHIFT are ptinting to is defined as standard which is the shift of the comma. F10. This option always leads to portrait (8.5" x 11") or standard

\ the ability to edit a file. This option landscape (11" x 8.5", most com-You can also uc, this with the will not allow you to simply preview monly used for briefing charts).

l command: the files. Therefore,in order to inform WP ;o use a landscape font.you must first TYPE filename l MORE change the paper size / type to reDect Do Not Switch Diskettes " '"" d *" P# '"""'

This line takes the output from the first command, the TYPE filename within DisplayWrite 4 When Wordperfect 5.0 is staried, the and passes it to the second com- default form is portrait. To chanpc mand, the MORE cotr. mand which While working in Displa> Write 4 be to landscape, do the following:

will present the information one advised not to switch data disks in screen at a time. The "l" is the your 00ppy drives during a edit iIS Nl WS Page 17

e

= r=7 NOTES Press Shift F-8 (Format) ASCil file and then press the Select 2 (Page) ENTER key. Data General

. Select 8 (Paper Size)

Select 2 (Standard Land- 6. Type the file name you want FORTRAN Comp.ler i scape - 11" x 8.5") assigned for this ASCil file.

Select 1 (Paper Type - Standard) Version 4,01 If you want the ASCil file saved to a

.. To change to Legal Portrait (8.5" x diskette drive, type the following Due to some recent software 14'), select 3 at the Paper Size (depending on the diskette drive updates, users may get some new or Menu, and to choose Legal Land- used) and press the ENTER key. unusual FORTRAN compiler or scape (14' x 8.5*), select 4 at the 1 nker error messages. Users should Paper Size Menu. [lf prmting on A: FILENAME alwayschec~ the FORTRAN bond paper, follow these by select-OR c mpiler 1 ting (.FCL M and ing 1 for Standard Paper Type). If FORTRAN link listing (.FLL) files you choose either legal size, the for errors. If assistance is needed,

'LascrJet will blink "PF FEED B: FILENAME LEGAL" to let you know that you please cal! user support, give the need to insert legal paper into the if you want the ASCll file saved to a name of the .FCL or .FLL file and manual feed tray and it will print hard disk drive, type the following the problem will be resolved as correctly. and press ENTER key. quickly as p issible.

NOTE: Though composition may C:\DW4\DW4 DOCS \ FILENAME take place on any machinc as long as the LascrJet print dnver is Note If you typejust the filename DG/PC Communication installed, printing can only be done with no filename extension, Dis-at a machine which has the print playWrite 4 will place the filename The TURBOTR AN software works driver and a L escrJet Printer. cxtension .ASC on the end of the with SmarTerm 4'X) and the DG filename. MV/S(XX) to send end receive files from the PC. To scad a file to the Saving A DisplayWrite 4 If you do not type the entire path PC, enter the command: XSEND

""'ne of COW 4DW4D CS when (DG filename)(PCfiicname). To Document To ASCll choosing to save to the C: drive, receive a file from the PC, enter the DisplayWrite 4 will save the ASCll command: XRECEIVE(DG After you haveyour existing file to the C:\DW4 directory. i document displayed on the Create filename)(PC filename). Both {

Document or Revisc Document filenames may contain a path or screen, do the following:

Handout Available on 7" **' "" # """'i""

di'."lable to DG users, logged on is avai

1. Move the cursor to the place on Moving Data from the system, by typing the following:

the screen where you want II.c the dBASE to Lotus 1-2-3 NEWS TURBOTRAN. The l

beginning of the ASCil file text to extended features of TUR- (

start.

A number of users have requested BOTRAN are available by calling '

help in moving data from dBASE the system support programming

2. Press F5 (Functions) key. 111 PLUS to Imtus. Because of the staff at 492 9687.

mierest in this topic, the ITS has

3. From the Functions Menu. select developed a handout which pro-1 (Option 1 Notepad.) vides step-by-step instructions on how to accomplish this type of data Term,inal Emulator With

4. From the Notepad Menu, select 4 move. The handout is entitled, XMODEM Support Option 4 (ASCil Copy to File.) " Moving Data from dBASE 111 PLUS to Lotus 1-2 3 " To obtain a Revision 2*21

5. Move the cursor to the end of the copy simply call or drop by either of document text you want saved to an the ITS Support Centers. Data General MV/8(XXI users who do not have SmarTerm 400 should fl3 NEWS l' age 18

=l::::

umunammummuumunamur m uuun M M h ""'

W M M M ums N Qy g W vs v consider an alternative to TUR- will be output to a local file called BOTRAN called Terminal Emula- IBM 9370 LISTALL This is not the correct filename....the local file is called tor with XMODEM support (TEX).

ZRECL

'IbeTEX software works with the '

XMODEM protocol to send and Password Procedures receive messages to and from the .

DG MV/8000 and other terminal Password maintenance procedures Code COnVerslOn devices which support the for the IBM 9370, Models 60 and 90 have been revised. Tl'c password A code conversion document has XMODEM protocol. There are been written by EG&G personnel, procedures for the IBM 9370 arc as numerous options associated with f U"*S * # "' '" #""*I the TEX software. These maY be ing programs from CDC to CRAT .

viewed, by DG users logged on the  !

When a new user logs on the for the hardware. For a copy or more l system,by typing the following: f rst time, the Password Mainte. information, call Emily Robinson, NEWSTEX. Additionalassistance 492-3490. I nance Screen appears and the new may be received by calling the user is required to change the origi- f system support programming staff at nally-assigned password. Changing 492-9687. the password is simply a matter of CRAY Performance i lollowing the directions on the screen. If a user has an ID on both EG&G reports that a backlog of the Model 60 and the Model 90- batch jobs can adversely impact I Dial Up Access both passwoids are changed at the interactive CRAY users, causing l same time. slow response time. User More high-speed data lines to the consensus, however, favors the Data General MV/8000 are now ,rhe new password must not be less present resources allocation and j as,atlable. S.ix additional 2400 baud than 5 and not more than 8 alpha- priority schedules.

dial-up ports were added to the MV/ 6.umeric characters and should not 8000in mid April. To use this data be similar to the Urtr ID or the old password. I rate, set the telephone number in Temporai < 3 Storage the communications profile to 492-4918 with a correslxmding change to The IBM 9370 requires that EG&G advises useri to avoid the data rate parameter. NRC staff passwords be changed cwry 90 days; storing CRAY files o". /usr/tmp it willinform users when it is time for m h m & W em

! can continue to access the MV/8000 t change the password. time limit for files in 'this ten:oorary computer system at 300 or 1200 baud using the 492-4917 or 492 sp ce is 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br />. This may be Users may change passwords I wered if space problems persist 7950, respectively. whenever they choose by typing PASSWORD at the command line.

Users requiring assistance in Telephone Book On-Line changing their passwords may call New IMSL Version Sharon Root on 492-0256.

On DG MV/8000

> International Mathematics and Statistical routmes (IMSL), version l A copy of the NRC telephone 11 has been installed on the CRAY to take advantage of supercomputer i airectory,is now available on line to DG MVS000 users. The macro INEL vectorization. It can be accessed by i PHONE is used to invoke the the pathname: /usr/ local /imst/vil. ]

application,which will thca prompt the user for input. Type HELP OMPLOD Files ws horary meiudes om a FORTRAN subprograms available

• PHONE for more information. "

The NRC telephone directory is also if you use the DMPLOD utility to 1(t re available on the IBM 9370. LIST names of files on a dump tape, the routine tells you that your list FIS Ni:WS Page 19

l l I

8 l

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION l -

l l l ITS SUPPORT CENTER FACIUTIES TRAINING LABORATORY FACILIT( l l l Imnons: location: 3rd floor Wix(Imont Iluilding g

[ 8120 Woodmont Avenue,

! Philli;m lluilding Room P40R One White Mmt North,3C-12 Bethesda, MD 20814 l l 7920 Norfolk Avenue, 11$55 Rockville Pike, l Ilethesda,MD 20814 Rockville,MD 20h52 Phone: (l'I5)or (301)4924744 Madstop: W-306 g l

l PMne: Iaboratory Ikusrr 7:W m. -4.30 p.m M-F l l (ITS) or (301)4924160 (I'IS) or (301)492 0353 Clam I hiurs: 8:30 a.m. - 3.30 p m.

l g

Center Iheurr l Servica: l l 7:30 a.m. - 4.15 p m. M-F Threc classrooms for formal ADP training mcludmg one equipped l

l Servu u- *dh e'ght IBM XTs and one with cight IBM PCs with f lardcards.  !

l "lland>+n" instruction in the use of microcomputer and l User Asustance(Iclephone & Walk-in). I'.quipme'd and Soilwarc ti eshanng systems. g

[ for 'I nal Unc. Demonstrations. Technical Library, Toun plus e l Compulcr/%dco4%ed Tutonals. Support Center Project Note: 'Ihc Training laturatory is operated by ll<c Graduate Schcol, E USDA under contract nnd manoged ty the Office of Penonnel, to [

l Manager, Karen VanDuscr; AMCI Prcyca Managet, Derrick Schteiner. prtwide trammg m end-user compulmg for the NRC staff. Technical g

[ guidance is pnwided by IRM. NRC Project Manager, Carolyn l Ilassm; GS!USDA Traming Manager, Kathy Beckman. l l l l l NRC END-USER COMPUTING SERVICES DIRECTORY l l _

l l l liardwarr Acquisition /UpgruddRekx:ation and Std:uare NUDOCS llothnc: 32 &iO3 l

l Acquisitkm/ Upgrade Dawn O' aver, P422,492 4219 l Data General Systra,s Problems: [

[ llardwarc Installation and Maintenance: Judy Secherman, P4,22,492%87 g t Microcomputers: Karen McDyca.P-62nB,49249% =

l Word pnressors: Beth dew (nsly, P422,492 4832 HIM PROI5/lLMail Support: Sharon Root, P412,492-4093 l =

01her ADP b]mpment: Chnles Johnson, P422,492431 I g

[

5 Computer Rcunn: Phiihps 492-7713 l White flint 4924MR$ Graphics Sup;urt: Janet '! hot Thom;*<m,2G-40,4924215 l l Computer Secunty- tomr, Grm. man, P412,492-5019 Commercial Database Supmrt: Lilecn Chen,160,492 8501 l

l l Data Communications - Wiems and Data lines: Scientific Cale Distnbution NESC Pat Bell,3C ib,492-3491 l

[

Stan Wood, MNBB 7602,492-7723 or 4924040 g g

Shared Information Network (SINI:T) Development:

l Timesharing Acass/ ids: Mike King. P422.492-4974 i ran Goldberg, MNiill 7117,492-4978 l 1 l PC A N!ll User Support: Systems Development and Modification: g g BJI Usihon, P 7to. 4924322 II5 Supoort Center, Philli;5 Illdg., P40R 492-4160 l One White Hm! North,3C-12. 492-0353 l Data General a nf INEL User Suggnrt: ,

Pat Bell,3C-16,442-3491 Scheduhng for 115 Trainmg I atoratory B l 1.mity Robmson,3C 14,492 3490 Kathy Beckman WD.492-4~'44 l l SINET110 time: 492-4222 l

l l l l 6_____s._____,___________________________.

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