Why Should I Use the Web-based Proposal Form?

Each semester, we see a steady increase in the percentage of proposals submitted over the Web. What are the advantages of the Web-based proposal form?

• A simple form! Entering information via the Web form is quick and easy. You can do the first draft with the Web form, and then e-mail yourself back a filled-out LaTeX template to polish the scientific justification.

• Availability of old proposals. Your old proposals prepared using the LaTeX template can be "imported" into the Web form. Proposals from previous semesters that have been submitted through the Web form are available to update and resubmit.

• No FTP files to worry about. If you use the Web form you are always guaranteed that you are using the up-to-date files and have the most recent information about telescopes, instruments, and policies without having to update things by FTP.

• No LaTeX installation required. By using the Web form you let NOAO worry about the LaTeX installation and any other supporting software. You can fill out your proposal from any local computer that supports a Web browser, including your laptop or home computer running Windows 95.

• More accurate submission. Your proposal is processed electronically and the information is stored in a database. The information in the database is tabulated in various forms, and lists are sent to the TACs. Although every effort is made to verify the information transferred from proposal form to database, sometimes typos or misconstrued information makes it past our filters. The biggest danger is not getting what you asked for. The Web form allows us to better control what gets written to the proposal form and what passes through to the database. Fewer mistakes are made, which is better for investigators. The Web form also checks the proposal to be sure all required information has been filled in and alerts the investigator to missing fields.

• Easy figure placement. The Web form will place your figures and even rotate them for you. No more fussing with plotfiddle! Some investigators have complex figures and use fancy placement methods, but for many, the Web form scheme will work just fine.

• Sharing with Co-Is. The Web form can be accessed by Co-Is so it is easy for them to read and edit what you have done, if you share the login and password with them.

In the past many users have complained about a slow network connection to NOAO. Many institutions have been added to the new NSF fast backbone (vBSN); we encourage you to try again and see if things have improved.

During the last proposal semester, 1998B, 26% of the proposals came in over the Web. Those who tried it, liked it. Give the Web form a try yourself!

The NOAO Proposal Team