SSDS Computer Usage Policy
About SSDS
The mission of the Social Science Data Service (SSDS) is to provide quantitative computer research support and supplementary computer resources for the Departments of Economics, Political Science, and Sociology. While the SSDS resources are separate from those of the member Departments, the purpose of the SSDS is to provide a research-oriented computing environment that takes advantage of economies of scale and shared computing resources.
The SSDS Usage Policy provides the guidelines under which SSDS resources may be used and it is the responsibility of all users to read and understand the policy. The SSDS Usage Policy is an addition to the general information technology policies established by the University of California system as well as those policies specific to the University of California, Davis (iet.ucdavis.edu/policies).
SSDS Computing Policy
Any faculty member or graduate student in the Departments of Economics, Political Science, or Sociology, may request an account on the SSDS systems by completing the appropriate online registration form for either Unix systems or Lab PCs.
Anyone requesting an SSDS account must obtain a University of California, Davis, login name and mail ID prior to requesting their SSDS account (https://computingaccounts.ucdavis.edu).
Account Usage
SSDS accounts are granted to individual users and as such only that individual is authorized to use SSDS resources. Allowing unauthorized users to make use of your SSDS accounts are grounds for the immediate suspension of all SSDS services.
Dormant accounts represent a considerable security risk to the integrity of computer systems. As such, SSDS staff will monitor account usage, and any account that is inactive for 30 days will be disabled to prevent possible unauthorized use. Users may request reactivation of the account in person, or via e-mail. Deactivated accounts will be removed and all files deleted on November 1 of each calendar year unless a request for reactivation has been received.
Users are responsible for copying files from the SSDS system prior to account deletion. SSDS staff will provide all reasonable assistance to users who need to copy their files to removable media. However, under no circumstances shouldMarch 12, 2009ual accounts have been deleted.
Acceptable Use of Disk Space
Files stored on SSDS systems should be related to research or instruction only. SSDS systems may not be used to backup files from other systems (e.g. departmental personal computers). All users are allocated a set amount of disk space for file storage on the SSDS systems. Faculty receive an initial quota of 500 MB; graduates students receive 250 MB.
Because SSDS systems are a shared environment, the purpose of these quotas is to insure that all individuals have fair and equal access to resources and to facilitate maintenance. Users may be granted an increase in disk quota but requests beyond 1 gigabyte for faculty or 500 megabytes for graduate students will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the SSDS staff and may require charges in some cases.
Faculty and staff members may request disk space allocated for specific groups or projects in addition to their individual quotas when large files must be shared among many users. The SSDS may at times provide files for general use as demand warrants.
The SSDS staff conducts regular backups of user data files. The primary purpose of the backups is to insure that all data can be recovered in the event of a catastrophe, such as a hardware failure. Users are encouraged to make additional copies of important data files to removable media.
Security and Confidentiality
The SSDS staff endeavors to provide a secure computing environment by implementing appropriate security measures. However, due to the nature of the SSDS shared computer environment, data that requires a guarantee of confidentiality should not be stored on the SSDS systems.
Termination of the Accounts
SSDS account holders agree to inform SSDS staff when leaving the University or an SSDS constituent department. The account of those users no longer affiliated with an SSDS constituent department will be removed and all files deleted from the system 30 days after change of status unless arrangements are made with SSDS staff.
On request, SSDS staff will assist users in archiving their files to removable media or otherwise transferring them to another system. An extension of account privileges may be made for an additional 6 months.
SSDS Services
The following sections outline the computing related services provided by SSDS. If account holders need a service that is not listed here, they are encouraged to contact SSDS staff.
Software
SSDS will attempt to provide the most current, stable version of all software that it supports. In some cases, the most recent version may be deemed unstable, in which case it may be provided as a test version.
In addition to supported software, SSDS will endeavor to provide other software that is generally useful to members of its constituent departments. SSDS staff will install and configure the software and ensure that it is functional, but the users should not expect to receive assistance in using it.
General purpose software, such as programming languages, and software that is considered a system utility will also be maintained and supported.
SSDS Consulting and Support Policy
SSDS staff provides consultation and support to users on all aspects of general SSDS system usage including questions dealing with system or account administration and statistical and mathematical applications. SSDS staff may be able to help users with other information technology and general research questions as resources permit.
In general, support for non-SSDS desktop computers, general computing questions, and questions on services provided by other on-campus units should be directed to departmental computing-support personnel, or to the Information and Education Technology (IET) support personnel.
University of California, Davis-affiliates not associated with the SSDS member departments may request access to SSDS services on a provisional basis but only as resources permit.
Copyright (c) 2001 SSDS
Revised May 18, 2001
ssds-help@ucdavis.edu
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