These guidelines are supplemental to the "University of Maryland Policy on the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources".
- Responsibility
Computing decisions are made with the advice of the faculty.
- Oversight
These guidelines apply to department-purchased computing facilities in open access areas (Department Public Computers). These areas include the department computer room/ modeling lab. In addition, decisions with regard to department support for software or hardware for department-purchased computers not in open access areas (e.g., in faculty or department offices or research labs -- Department Private Computers) are considered a department computing decision.
- Separation of Support Responsibilities
Department computing facilities are considered to belong to one of two classes. These classes are determined primarily by the use of these computers. Department Private Computers in administrative use, and Department Public Computers, except UNIX (e.g., Sun) systems, are supported by department funds. Such funding will support input and output functions of these systems, as well as system and software upgrades, and maintenance. UNIX (e.g., Sun) systems, whether Department Public Computers or Department Private Computers, will be supported by research funds. These funds will support input and output functions of these systems, system and software upgrades, and the costs of service accounts.
- Access to Department Public Computers
In general, these systems will be open to all faculty, staff, and graduate students in the department. Access hours are controlled, and access to some platforms and peripherals may be limited. Access to the laboratory by graduate students, faculty, and staff is by ID on a 24 hour basis. Access to this laboratory by undergraduate majors in the Geology Department is at times specified on the room door, or with permission (initial request should be directed to Dr. P.M. Piccoli, piccoli AT geol.umd.edu).
- Personal Files on Department Public Computers
Because of the need to optimize system operation, disks must be periodically purged of unneeded (or no-longer-needed) files. Such disk maintenance will be undertaken on an as-needed basis. Appropriate warning will be provided to users of Department Public Computers of such upcoming hard disk maintenance, to allow backup or transfer of personal files, or, in exceptional cases, appeals for a maintenance delay.
- Personal Software on Department Public Computers
The installation of personal software on Department Public Computers will be with Department approval only. It is anticipated that such approval will be granted only if it can be demonstrated that no other installed copies of the software exist elsewhere in the Department, and that the installation of the software would benefit the teaching or research functions of the Department.Miscellaneous Notes About Computing in Geology
Access to Computers
The Department of Geology maintains one departmental computer room (modeling laboratories) in the Geology Building. Full-time graduate students will have their ID registered to activate the door. Upper level undergraduate students can be granted permission on a need to access basis (possibly requiring faculty sponsorship) for use in geology-related research. People who do not have their ID activated for the door, should not be in the room. Please do not let them in. Providing access to computers in the Department to unauthorized persons may lead to withdrawal of your computing privileges.When using departmental computers, keep the following in mind:
- Software illegally installed on the computers will be removed.
- Personal files should not be stored on departmental computers - they will be removed periodically from machines.
- Virus checkers are loaded onto all PCs - if your disk has a virus, the computer will shut down so that the virus is not transmitted (if this occurs, send
e-mail to geology-computers AT umd.edu stating such to have the virus removed from your disks).- Printing is a privilege. At present, Geology is the only department on Campus that allows students to print at no cost to them. Printers are not xerox machines, devices to print relatives resumes, etc. Abuse of this sort will ensure that a cost for use scheme will be implemented. Please use caution when filling paper trays, and please send a note to geology-computers AT umd.edu when a low toner message appears.
Electronic Mail Accounts
All members of the Department of Geology community receive an e-mail account. Mail can be accessed at any PC/Mac/Workstation connected to the network.
Problems and Comments Pertaining to Computers
An electronic mail account has been set up in the department to report computer hardware and software problems in computer rooms, requests for information, etc., at geology-computers AT umd.edu
Responses to requests will be made through electronic mail whenever possible.
Departmental Home Page
The department maintains a home page that can be accessed through the internet. The address for the page is: http://www.geol.umd.edu
Several graduate students have their own pages. If you would like to set up your own, send an e-mail message to geology-computers AT umd.edu stating such. If you have any comments, questions, etc., about the home page, you can send those to the same address.