Open AccessSoftware and sociology in UK astronomy
Author(s) -
Pimbblet Kevin A
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
astronomy & geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.168
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 1468-4004
pISSN - 1366-8781
DOI - 10.1046/j.1468-4004.2002.43125.x
Subject(s) - software , reputation , sociology , astronomy , computer science , social science , physics , programming language
Why don’t people use Starlink software? Kevin A Pimbblet outlines the problem and some possible solutions. I discuss the remit of Starlink’s software strategy groups and an item on the agenda of one group’s meeting on 26 January 2001: “Why don’t people use Starlink software?” The answer was thought to be primarily a sociological effect: most people supervising UK astronomy PhD students learnt their trade when Starlink had a less than perfect reputation. I report on recommendations made to counter this effect.