==================== SSCC News, May, 1998 ==================== Inside this issue... Plans for Accelerated Retirement of SSCC VAX Architecture Computers New Version of F-Prot Anti-Virus Software with Auto-Update SSCC Summer Training Schedule SSCC Summer Consulting Schedule 300 MB Disk Quota on UNIX Home Directories Now in Effect Printer Support ------------------------------------------------------------------- Plans for Accelerated Retirement of SSCC VAX Architecture Computers ------------------------------------------------------------------- The SSCC and CDE have cooperatively agreed on a plan to accelerate the retirement of the older VAX architecture computers without, we feel, creating any additional inconvenience for VMS users. This plan was approved by the April meeting of the SSCC Steering Committee. The details of the plan: 1. The three remaining VAXes -- ROBIN, SSCB, SOC3 -- will be taken out of service on October 31, 1998. We announced about five months ago that all application software except SPSS would be removed from those machines on June 30 and that SPSS would be removed October 31. The machines were going to remain in service to host peripherals, but with CDE's help it will now be possible to acquire new peripherals to replace those hosted by the VAXes. EAGLE and CONDOR, our two Alpha VMS computers, will host the new devices. 2. On October 31 our two ancient 9-track tape drives will be replaced by a single new 9-track drive to be hosted by EAGLE. Our plan announced last fall called for the retirement of one of the old 9-track drives, leaving one in the I/O room for hands-on access. Now we will be able to replace both old drives with a reliable new one. It will be located in the I/O room. October 31 remains the deadline for the removal of all 9-track tapes now stored in the Computer Room. 3. The WORM drives now hosted by ROBIN will be among the peripherals retired on October 31. SSCC and CDE personnel will soon begin copying all existing WORM platters to CDs. We will acquire a fast CD writer, which will at first be hosted by one of the Alpha VMS computers. Since all WORM platters are native VMS media, the process of copying them to CDs should be highly efficient. The CD writer will then be made available to users for data archiving. We are not aware of any WORM platters being stored outside the Computer Room, but if you have a WORM platter in your office please submit it to the CDE data library for copying. The effect of all these newly announced changes is to increase the reliability of VMS-hosted peripheral devices, while simplifying VMS administration and standardizing on the newer Alpha architecture. If you have comments or questions about the current plan for simplification of VMS services please address them either to SSCC staff via CONSULTANT or FLORY or to your representative on the SSCC Steering Committee (SWEET (Chair)for CDE; MICHENER for Sociology; VOSS for Rural Sociology; PHAILE for SSRI; COURTNEY for IRP; MARKS for Aging). ---------------------------------------------------------- New Version of F-Prot Anti-Virus Software with Auto-Update ---------------------------------------------------------- Command Software Anti-Virus v4.0 (formerly F-Prot Anti-Virus) is available! This particular version has a special auto-update feature to keep your software current and optimized to detect the ever increasing number of PC viruses. So, once installed, this software keeps itself up-to-date. You no longer have to worry about whether or not you have the latest version. To install this latest version (Windows95 or Windows NT clients only) simply: 1) Close all open applications. 2) Click on the START button and then choose "Run..." 3) In the dialog box that appears type \\print\fprot\setup.bat and then click on OK. 4) Wait for the installation process to finish. Then close the "Finished - setup" window by clicking on the Close button in the upper-right corner of the window. This batch file will determine your Operating System and install the proper files. Please note that a prior F-Prot installation (if any) will be upgraded during this procedure. As virus updates become available, SSCC will post them and the auto-update feature of Command Software Anti-Virus v4.0 will relay these changes to your PC. If you have any questions, please contact the Consultant. ------------------------------------------ SSCC Training Schedule for Spring Semester ------------------------------------------ Descriptions for each of the training sessions listed above may be found at SSCC's web page ( https://www.ssc.wisc.edu/Sscc/Training/trains98.htm ). All SSCC training sessions require preregistration. To preregister for a class, either send mail to SSCCLASS indicating which class(es) you plan to attend or register through SSCC's web page. Date Time Topic Room Instructor ---- ---- ----- ---- ---------- 6/9 1:00-3:00 Creating a Web Page for a Course 7413 McDermott 6/16 1:30-3:00 Preparing Presentations with PowerPoint 3218 McDermott 6/25 1:30-3:00 Moving Data on 9-track Tape to Other Media 4411 Flory 6/30 9:30-11:00 Getting Started with SAS on UNIX 4452 Hayes 7/9 9:30-11:00 Point/Click Extracts/Merges of Census Data 7413 Fassnacht 7/16 1:00-2:30 Getting Started with STATA on UNIX 7413 McDermott 7/22 1:00-3:00 Creating a Web Page for a Course 7413 McDermott Note: Any session scheduled in 7413 or 3218 (SSML) is a "hands-on" session. ------------------------------- SSCC Summer Consulting Schedule ------------------------------- SSCC's summer consulting schedule goes into effect May 18. The consulting schedule is as follows: Day Time Office Consultant Questions --- ---- ------ ---------- --------- Mon - Fri 10-12 4403 Sandra Wald General Mon - Wed 1-3 4405 Scott Risberg General Thurs - Fri 1-3 4405 Jeff Hayes Statistical Packages Users needing to speak to a consultant regarding statistical computing issues that can't wait until Thursday or Friday afternoon are encouraged to make an appointment with Nancy McDermott (e-mail: mcdermot). Nancy will be on a part time leave of absence this summer but will be available for appointments most Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoons. Continue to send statistical computing e-mail questions to Consultant. They will be forwarded to either Jeff or Nancy. The SSCC Consulting phone (2-9917) now has voice mail for leaving messages when no consultant is on duty. -------------------------------------------------------- 300 MB Disk Quota on UNIX Home Directories Now in Effect -------------------------------------------------------- Last month in SSCC News we announced that disk quotas of 100 MB will be established on Unix home directories. Users with additional disk space needs will be granted an additional 200-500 MB disk quota on the /aux file system. Additional temporary space is available on a new file system called /temp/fivedays. Quotas on /home are being phased in to minimize work disruption for users, starting May 1st. Each month, quotas will be decreased until the quota reaches 100 MB. Below is the schedule: May 1st 300 MB (THAT'S TODAY, FOLKS!) June 1st 200 MB July 1st 150 MB August 1st 100 MB Users using more than 200 MB of disk space should reduce their disk usage to below 200 MB (and, preferably, below 100 MB) before June 1st. All users must be using less than 100 MB of home directory disk space by August 1st. --------------- Printer Support --------------- Along with the tremendous growth of our PC network over the last three years, users are also purchasing an increasing number of printers for their PCs. If you have a printer for your PC (this includes offices where a group of users share a printer) or are considering purchasing one, please keep in mind that printers require a lot of routine maintenance which SSCC staff do not have the resources to provide. We are happy to set up your printer and ensure that the printer is properly connected but all routine maintenance of private printers including unjamming, cleaning, and changing toner cartridges are your responsibility. The printers which SSCC staff do provide routine maintenance for include the printers in the computer room, the I/O room, and the two Public Terminal Rooms. SSCC's PC support policy can be found at: http://www.wisc.edu/Policies/pcsupp.htm