i        Cookbook for Processing Drift HI Mapping Data Taken at Arecibo
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I. OVERVIEW

1. A general description of the data: record, strip, polarization, calibration
   records.
   With ALFA: feed characteristics, board/wapp identification and options
   Single pixel: backend characteristics and options

2. Data taking scheme. Sampling rate, calibration mode, data taking organization
   (sky tiling, processing data blocks)

3. Data format as delivered at the telescope; single dish FITS description,
   header parameters and their description

4. Reading the SDFITS into IDL

5. IDL structures; how they apply to HI mapping data => "m" format

6. Overview of data processing steps

7. Final products:         (a) reduced, calibrated, gridded data cubes
                        (b) extracted continuum source tabulations
                        (c) extracted spectral line signal tabulations
                        
8. Data base access tools


II. IDL Processing Tools

1. IDL procedures: which, where, how

2. IDL login, initialization and linkage of various packages

3. Index of procedures in various packages, with description one-liners

4. About "other" packages ofo general/astronomical interest

5. Storage unit usage: advice and tips

6. New procedures: how to incorporate to existing packages

7. How to distribute: rights, dos and don'ts



III. BOOKKEEPING AND ARCHIVING

1. Survey Organization

2. Data Stages and Product Storage: where, who, how often

3. Temporary and Permanent Archives

4. Data seets, logs


IV. DATA PROCESSING

1. Reading SDFITS

2. Producing map lists

3. Filling "m" structures

3a. Detailed description of the "m" contents

4. Data Calibration procedures

5. Bandpass Calibration

6. Continuum maps

7. Quick inspection of spectral line maps

8. Gridding

9. Cleaning

10. Signal Extraction: manual

11. Signal Extraction: automatic

12. Baselining, Gauss fitting, signal characterization

13. Dealing with RFI

13a. Cross-referencing spectral maps among ALFA feeds/polarizations

14. Map combination - multiple passes

15. Extended source characterization

16. Cross-referencing continuum maps with flux catalogs


V. DATA DISTRIBUTION

1. Distributed Data Products and Formats

2. Distribution tools

3. Distribution criteria

4. Web-based distribution and the NVO