Note:  5 People Attended

Release Ball Project Update:  Patrick McNeal

  • Looking at the pain points in the software release process and the entire service release process
  • Team has representatives from all directorates
  • CSS is Oliver and Chris
  • Team drafted proposal for different process steps and presented to directors this week
  • Patrick did not have the directors feedback yet

Some findings so far:

  • Previous model was heavy and did not fit all versions (sizes)
  • Would like a model with different sizes: small (update links), medium, large (operating system)
  • Will pilot the process if directors approve

Problems identified: Ownership, Funding, Support

  • Funding
  • Ownership - owners are not identified such as Microsoft office, current state of Linux
  • Some current owners do not want to remain as owners
  • Documentation and relying on vendors
  • Need to re-visit support model - what does support mean
  • Need to look at portfolio of software
  • Nice to have metrics to make decisions
  • Should we customize less and is it better to go with vendor installs

Virtual Project:  Jonathan Hunt

Please see project wiki: https://wikis.mit.edu/confluence/display/fsx/The+Virtual+Project

This project will bring together 3 separate related projects across IS&T involving the deployment of virtual machines (VMs) to the community into one shared framework and base that can be leveraged for each need and supported and maintained effectively by IS&T.

  • Looking at VM as a service effort in CSS
  • Collaborative effort that involves ISDA & OIS
  • Admin VM will include Outlook 2007
  • Working on color coded backgrounds based on Admin or Student VM images with versions - will help with support
  • Goal is to create an industry standard technique
  • Jonathan did a demo for the group
  • Will start limited trials this summer
  • Fall available to students and maybe earlier for Admin Staff
  • Will have a Welcome Page, baseline requirements, instructions, warnings

General Meeting Feedback:

  • Liked the project presentations, would like to continue with that type of sharing
  • The group felt that we need the managers in the room for input and discussion
  • If the managers have a conflict, we should reschedule
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