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Overall, we are happy with the current management of the AIPS++ project under Tim Cornwell. Tim has the right combination of scientific and software expertise, combined with a pragmatic approach to software development, to get the job done. However, more attention needs to be paid to project definition. In particular, (1) a comprehensive development plan should be formulated, (2) the target audiences and contents of the releases through 1998 need to be specified in more detail, and (3) a date should be set (e.g. the mid-1997 release) for completing the first stable version of the programming interfaces.
We are concerned that the various application areas are currently somewhat lacking in global focus. We can appreciate the difficulty of beggining with a very extensive list of user requirements and then translating these into a concrete development path which results in full functionality in a finite time. Even so, this is exactly what is necessary. A ``blueprint'' must be made for each application area which sets out how to proceed, in an organized way, from zero functionality to full functionality. Some of the expertise to draw up a realistic development path already exists within the AIPS++ group, particularly in the areas of synthesis imaging and soon (we hope) in the area of VLBI. We suggest that more use might be made of external ``contact groups'' for the various application areas. Enlisting the assistance of highly motivated and knowledgeable end-users might be quite effective at focusing the development path. The lack of global development focus is especially evident in the area of Single Dish applications. It seems necessary to us that a high level person carry out a global system design in this area at the earliest possible date.
The lack of manpower available in all application areas is a major concern. This needs to be addressed in the near future.