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Computer Lab Conditions of Use

The following is the CSCS policy for granting users access to the computers and software in the CSCS computing lab. This policy is subject to modification, pending further experience with demand, including the number of users as well as the disk space and cpu usage.

In general, accounts for use of the CSCS computers are given only for the use of CSCS supported software, for pedagogical, training and instructional purposes.

Open-ended accounts will be given on request to:

  • Executive committee members
  • people administratively connected to CSCS

    Long-term accounts (for the duration of the association with CSCS) will be given to:

  • Instructors of CSCS courses
  • students in the CSCS Graduate Certificate program
  • Researchers on projects connected to CSCS

    Short term request accounts will be given to users who wish to learn about or try programs supported by CSCS. If the user can justify ongoing need, these accounts may be extended. In case of oversubsciption, it may not be possible to immediately fulfill all requests for accounts. To encourage efficient use of the computer lab facilities in such a situation, preference will be given to users who have attended CSCS computer lab workshops, or who have otherwise consulted with CSCS personnel about supported software.

  • 1 year accounts: faculty and research staff
  • 4 month accounts: students

    ******* IMPORTANT --- NOTE WELL --- File Backups and unsupported applications and dotfiles *******

    We are currently saving files once a week (friday night). So if you have things you want to save more often than that, you will have to tar/gzip them and transfer them to some other site. Currently we are saving backup tapes approximately every 4 months 'forever' (i.e., for more than a year). We are saving the weekly saves for about 6-8 weeks.

    Each user account comes with dotfiles ( for example .bashrc and .bash_profile ) that we have setup for general use and tested. Any modification of any dot file is unsupported. Because of the numerous applications supported and the endless possbile dotfile modifications, we will not attempt to troubleshoot any login or application problems if your dot files have been modified.

    Another support issue deals with applications installed in home directories. We will not support any application installed in a home directory. We will take request for new applications so they can be made available to everyone. If you have a request, please email: cscs.admins@fiore.physics.lsa.umich.edu .

    Additionally, the only supported shell is bash ( GNU Bourne-Again SHell ): /bin/bash .

    Each user can create a web-page using his CSCS account. These web-pages are to be used in the same manner as the CSCS accounts (for pedagogical, training and instructional purposes as well as strictly personal). Violation of these conditions can result in suspension of your account and/or possibly more serious consequences.

    To see how to create a web-page on the CSCS machines, go to the lab FAQ.

    If you have questions about whether or not some use of CSCS resources is appropriate, please send email to cscs.admins@fiore.physics.lsa.umich.edu.


    Updated September 1, 2005