David Berry wrote:
> One other minor point which came out of ADASS was that Bill Joye (Mr. DS9)
> asked me if I wanted him to write a letter to PPARC encouraging them to
> continue funding for Starlink on the basis of the value of its software
> for the international community, and particularly regarding his use of AST
> within DS9.
>
> In the light of PPARC response to the IAU's moans about cutting of
> starlink support for Pat's international activities, I back-pedalled a bit
> on his suggestion, but I'm sure Bill would be willing to send such a
> letter if we asked him to.
The chances of anything good coming out of this would be enhanced if
(i) Bill could get someone really high up in his organization to do it
and (ii) it went semi-informally to Martin Ward, top astronomer on Science
Committee. It would be necessary for him to make it clear that Starlink
had not put him up to it. It would also be necessary to point out that
the UK relies on other people's software, e.g. DS9 and IRAF, and that the
international community hopes that the UK will continue to pay its dues
by supporting Starlink.
In the final analysis, you have to find someone to write to who has power
or influence but who also can be embarrassed in some way. Halliday has
the former but, unless anyone happens to know something damaging about his
past, is hard to hurt. Martin on the other hand may not be so comfortable
about the prospect of UK astronomers being seen as freeloaders, which is
what they're fast becoming.
Patrick Wallace
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Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Tel: +44-1235-445372
Chilton, Didcot, Fax: +44-1235-446362
Oxon OX11 0QX, UK
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