========================= SSC News, December, 1993 ========================= Contents: VMS operating system upgrade Network work Sun machines now available for CDE users Problems with LIMDEP on Ultrix New SSC publications How-to series Consulting question of the month This is the SSC News. This monthly electronic newsletter will keep you informed about recent changes on the SSC computer networks. We hope this information will help improve communication between the SSC computing staff and all of you computer users out there. --------------------------------------------- Town Meeting on future of 9-track tape drives --------------------------------------------- ATTENTION: ALL PAST/CURRENT/FUTURE TAPE USERS NEED TO ATTEND TOWN MEETING TOPIC: NEW TAPE AND DATA STORAGE METHODS FOR SSC USERS WHEN: MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, NOON-1 WHERE: SEWELL ROOM, 8417 SOCIAL SCIENCE Any frequent 9-track tape user can attest to the fact that our 9-track tape drives are getting less and less reliable. We have reached the point where the drives need to be replaced. Unfortunately, replacing a 9-track tape drive is extremely expensive. 9-track tape technology has been replaced with superior technology like that of the 3480 tapes we already have in place. Tom Flory, SSC Director, will preside over a Town Meeting to discuss available alternative data storage media and the SSC's plan for moving to these media. This plan includes the elimination of the ability to WRITE to 9-track tapes in April, 1994 and the phasing out of the three most problematic of the five 9-track tape drives owned by the SSC Co-op the following June. The two remaining 9-track tape drives will be available READ-ONLY as long as we can keep them alive! ------------------------------------------------- ROBINONETAPE queue has replaced SSCBONETAPE queue ------------------------------------------------- The tape drive on SSCB has been moved to ROBIN and a new queue called ROBINONETAPE has been created to replace the old SSCBONETAPE queue. If you define symbols for SUBMIT commands in your LOGIN.COM, you should change any that refer to SSCBONETAPE. Note: SAS and SPSS are not available on ROBIN. To execute SAS or SPSS with 9-track tape input or output, you will now need to use the queues which run on SSCC (SHORTTAPE, ONETAPE, or TWOTAPE) For information on software available on ROBIN, type SOFT_LIST ROBIN -------------------------------- Intermittent mail problems fixed -------------------------------- We experienced intermittent problems last month in receiving bitnet mail on VMS. The problem was hard to diagnose but has now been fixed. The problem was caused by the Internet mailer on VMS. We now have a procedure in place to prevent the mailer from breaking again, but we need to know from users when problems like this are happening. If you experience problems either receiving mail or sending mail, notify the Consultant in Soc. Sci. 2470. ---------------------------------------------- VMS utility added for displaying project codes ---------------------------------------------- A new utility, SHOWPROJ, has been added to VMS which displays a user's project codes. To use SHOWPROJ, type: $ SHOWPROJ user_name substituting a valid VMS user name for user_name. ----------------------------------- Batch queue list moved to SSCGOPHER ----------------------------------- The list of SSC batch and tape queues and their cpu time limits is now located in SSCGOPHER. This list used to be located in HELP. The list shows all the SSC queue names, and their cpu time limits for day, night, and weekend jobs. To see the list, type SSCGOPHER, then choose the item: SSC VMS Batch Queue Names and Limits. ----------------------------------- Training Sessions for Next Semester ----------------------------------- We are in the process of planning SSC computer training sessions for next semester. If there is some topic you would like to suggest, please send mail to SSCCLASS. Also, if you would like to volunteer to teach a training session, please contact Nancy McDermott. TO UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THIS NEWSLETTER, just reply to this mail message indicating you want to unsubscribe. We will remove you from the distribution list for future electronic mailings. If you ever change your mind, just notify the SSC Consultant or send mail to SSCNEWS asking to get back on the list.