[AAVSO-DIS] ChartID Lookup/Plotting Tool

[Aaron Price]

 As mentioned last week, I've been working on a tool that allows anyone to recreate a chart by 
just typing any ChartID in the new format. I have added this tool to the VSP interface ( 
http://www.aavso.org/observing/charts/vsp/ ) so you can now use it. At the bottom of the 
interface is a place for you to type in a ChartID. If that ChartID is found, it will plot a 
chart or a photometry table that exactly matches the parameters of the chart that was assigned 
that ChartID. 

 I have also modified the Quick Look file so that any ChartID submitted in the new format 
automatically becomes a hyperlink to the chart used to make that observation. In other words, 
all you need to do is click on the ChartID and you will be able to see the exact chart the 
observer used to make that observation. 

 Another nice benefit this tool affords is that you can now make a chart and share it with 
others by just sending them the ChartID. Ex: "Hey, John Doe. I've been using the 1001baz chart 
to observe SS Cyg." All that person has to do is type in the ChartID to get and use your 
chart.

 Note that this is in beta now. If you notice any problems PLEASE E-MAIL ME and do not post 
them to the discussion group. It is challenging to thoroughly test this new tool since we have 
not made any changes to sequences since we rolled out the new ChartID system last week. We 
can, of course, test the tool on a test database with fake changes - and we have done that. 
But nothing beats the real thing. The big test will come when we roll out the final batch 
update later this month. Feel free to use this as-is until then.


-- 

Aaron Price
Technical Assistant, Technology
American Association of Variable Star Observers
www.aavso.org