[daip] AIPS question

[Eric Greisen]

Dan Homan wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I recently downloaded and installed 31DEC11, and I have an interesting 
> issue that I have never encountered before with previous installs.   
> AIPS is pausing, first when loading up (after entering the userid), and 
> then when issuing some commands like "inp vlbaload" or "vlbaload", but 
> setting the parameters, i.e. "outdisk 1", seems to happen instantly.   
> These pauses are long... several minutes, but otherwise it seems to 
> behave normally.
> 
> Oh, I've installed it on a Mac OSX 10.6.8 12 core Xeon MacPro with 8 GB 
> of RAM.

After entering the userid, AIPS checks each data disk and makes CA files 
if needed.  After INP xxx, AIPS has to find xxx by reading the directory 
file where you have the help files and then doing a min match and then 
opening the selected file.  Is your aips installation disk (incl help 
files) or one or more of your data disks on some slow link?  Macs slow 
disks down to reduce heat output and only spin them back up if needed. 
That can be very slow also.  Does your machine slow the disks too 
readily and can it be given a longer interval before slowing them?

Eric Greisen