QuickStart Instructions for the Auto QA Browser - Run 4

• Go to the STAR Computing QA home page (from the STAR Home Page select "Computing" in the left panel, then select "QA" or go directly to the QA home page) and open the Auto QA browser by clicking on the "Offline Automated QA Browser" button at the top of the page.
• If the browser fails to open contact the QA Experts ASAP. If you cannot get to the Auto QA browser then you are S.O.L.
• Enter your RCF login name.
• Generally you should follow the menu on page 2. Button 1 provides a list of production jobs on disk and the QA review status so that you can get an overview of the jobs which require QA examination while you are on shift. It is useful to print this page or write down the jobs to be reviewed.
• Buttons 2 and 3 allow you to select the following specific production runs: (1) those based on QA status, run number or date, and software production version for real data production, or (2) those based on geometry, event type, date, and/or QA status for Monte Carlo Nightly Tests.
• For Real Data Production you will typically want to filter out reviewed jobs and select all other run numbers for production within the past 24 hours. Other queries are available. At a minimum please examine the low, medium and high multiplicity QA plots for one file sequence per run number. Do more if you have time. Examination of Real Data Production is your highest priority while on Offline QA shift.
• For the Nightly Monte Carlo Tests you will typically want to select "any" geometry and event type done in the past 24 hours which have not been QA examined. Try to examine all Nightly Monte Carlo QA jobs since each is unique. Examination of the Nightly MC QA is a secondary priority.
• Once you select a job to examine the QA shift or full set of QA histograms may be selected. The postscript files are generated on the fly and displayed on your terminal. Generally it is best to have the QA shift report web form open in a different window so that you can fill it out as you check each set of histograms, job-by-job. Please follow the instructions on the QA shift web forms and supply all requested information about yourself and the jobs you have examined.
• Sample QA shift histograms for Au+Au from simulations are in the Description of Offline QA Shift Histograms for Run 4). This is the main work to do while on shift. You should become familiar with the QA Shift plots and have some idea of what to expect before taking your shift.
• Be sure to check the "QA Examined" box on the page for each job.
• You should periodically check the offline production status (button 6).
• You may review the QA examination status of previous jobs via button 7.
• After completing all the listed jobs add whatever comments you think are useful and appropriate to the QA Shift Report for the "Real Data Production" jobs.
• MOST IMPORTANT!!! If you suspect any problem with the detector(s), calibrations, reconstruction or production you must contact the appropriate expert(s). This is the basic reason for having the Auto QA system and these dedicated shifts. The experts may be contacted via either the QA Experts or Other Experts web pages.
• Complete your QA Shift Report and submit it. The ASCII text version will be emailed to 'starqa-hn'.
• Bug reports (for the QA browser and QA system itself, not the production software, data or runs) may be filled out via button 99.
• Links to QA documentation, contacts, the Rcas/LSF monitor, Online Run Log, and the QA shift report web form are available from Page 2.
• Finally, you are done for the day; go get some rest!