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Overview of RSSS IT

Information Technology (IT), or computing as it used to be called, is a fundamental research tool, whether it is used for word processing, presentation, data organizing, data analysis, modeling, communication, information processing, financial management or any other of its growing uses.

RSSS IT facilities consist of:

Local desktop computers; Network; UNIX servers; Intranet/Internet facilities including a Web Server and access to the Internet; Printers; Small Dial-in Facility.

In general the IT environment at RSSS consists of a desktop computer networked to UNIX based servers which manage the network, support data crunching software for statistical analysis, especially for large data sets as well as other UNIX services.

From the desktop the rest of ANU (for example the library catalogues), and the rest of the world, can be reached by electronic mail and the Internet. It is a condition of access to the network that the IT guidelines and policies of the ANU and RSSS are respected. People with ANU accounts, either a campus account or a Coombs account, must be aware of the University's IT guidelines and policies of the ANU, in particular:

. IT resources are provided for teaching, research or administration of the University;

. Users must use University Information Technology Services in a manner which is efficient, ethical, legal, not to the detriment of rights and property of others and not in conflict with or in contravention of the Statutes, Rules and Orders of the University;

. It is a condition of the authorisation [to use] that the user must comply with the Orders and conditions, and have regard to the guidelines;

. A user must not interfere with the operation of the Information Technology Services or any part of the Information Technology Services;

. The Information Technology Services must not be used [...] in a manner that brings the University into disrepute;

. A user must not inject or otherwise introduce computer viruses into the network or any equipment connected to the network;

. A user must not engage in any activity which adversely affects the security of the services;

. any policies developed for the School to extend the University's Policies and Rules outlined above.

Modern computers, particularly in the networked environment commonplace around the ANU, are not the warm and fluffy creatures of yesteryear. Increasingly clever and active attacks on work and home computers put almost everyone at risk of having their time wasted, computers damaged, and confidential information stolen. It is not straightforward to defend against these malicious attacks, and IT support staff depend on awareness and cooperation from users to limit adverse effects.

Please study the University's "IT Policies and Rules" at http://its.anu.edu.au/policies/, and the School's extended policies, linked from "SPAM" and "VIRUSES/MALWARE" above. We are relying on your active involvement to best provide a stable, productive, and secure computing environment.

The majority of staff and students in RSSS have a desktop computer (either Macintosh or Windows platform) which is supported in general by the local program or group. Associated with each program or group in RSSS there is an IT staff member, part of whose responsibility is to help staff and students with IT for academic and research purposes.

The school has an IT Advisory Committee which provides advice on information technology matters and policy to the School. If you have suggestions for more effective use of IT in the school then please approach one of the committee members.

ANU also provides a statistical consulting service . This service is available, free of charge, to all ANU staff and graduate students.

At the desktop
Each program and/or group in the School is, in general, responsible for the IT requirements and support of staff and students and visitors for that program or group. This means that IT support, including hardware or software installation, problem resolution, printing and electronic mail (email) support, and help with data manipulation, differs between programs and you need to check with your local area for the range of support they can offer.

Where can I get Help?
Associated with each program or group there is a local IT support person (LITSS).
This person is responsible, amongst other duties, for -

• Configuring and maintaining computers in a given area
• Fixing printing problems
• Installing software
• Aiding and advising staff and postgraduate students in their use of
• IT for University work.
• Maintenance of user accounts

Most computers are networked to the rest of the building, the rest of ANU and the rest of the world.
To access some of these services you may need an account and again your local IT support person should be approached - they have authority to set up accounts on RSSS and ANU IT servers (ITS) which will give you access to UNIX services, and access to electronic mailing addresses.

What software does the School provide?
The school provides (via the local area and the local IT support person) the following software for desktop computers:

• Internet Browser
• Anti-virus software
• Electronic mail

Recommended software
Microsoft and Adobe software are supported but departments/programs pay for licensing.
If you wish to purchase a licence for any of the software on the price list send an email to Helen Walker with the name of software, platform and your budget code to be charged. Your local IT support will install the software.

Email helen.walker@anu.edu.au for a price list for Adobe (includes Macromedia) and Microsoft products.

Statistical Software
RSSS participates in the ANU wide licensing for for the following statistical software packages for desktop computers:

• SPSS
• SAS

Some local areas have more software packages available for research or University related work so you need to ask your local IT support person. The statistical Consulting service holds some special purpose packages for use by one person at a time. If you require other software, arrangements need to be made with your program or group.

The RSSS UNIX servers
RSSS operate several Sun servers. These servers support network functions such as Internet access, printing and file sharing, and data storage and statistical data analysis. Further information and support can be provided by your local IT support person.

Currently the fully supported data analysis software are:

• SPSS
• SAS
• STATA

Who can have access?

Any staff, student or visitor to RSSS can have an account on the RSSS servers for university or research purposes. Again your local IT support person can help.

Dial-in Access
The School provides a dial-in facility for its staff and students. The service is limited, but it enables dial-in to the University from outside, such as on a field trip, or from home. Ask your local area IT support person for further information and the level of support the program offers. Support can only be limited because resources are tight.

Electronic Mail (Email)
Electronic mail addresses are available from several areas within the University. Please check with your local IT support person that they are set up in a way suitable for you. For example if you have more than one address you might find it more convenient for them to be forwarded to the same address.

Electronic Directories

The ANU electronic directory is at the top of the Staff page:

ANU staff

University email addresses
A University Email address, based on your staff or student number, is issued automatically to each student at enrolment time and will expire on graduation or discontinuation of enrolment with the University, or may be suspended temporarily in accordance with University rules. This service will be the official method for electronic communication between the University and its students.

The format of University Email addresses is U1234567@anumail .anu.edu.au where 1234567 is your University ID number.

Postgraduate students also have a personal email address pointing to their student account. This format is firstname.lastname@anu.edu.au

If you are on an ANU scholarship or a member of staff then you will have a university id email account uxxxxxx@anu.edu.au This address must be "activated" to be functional and it is advised that this be done. Please speak with your local IT person because it is the official communication channel for the University.

RSSS email address
Staff and students of RSSS are also entitled to an email address on the RSSS servers.

The address here is ID@coombs.anu.edu.au , where ID can be chosen when your local IT person is setting up the account. It is policy in the school to use an alias (alternative email address) of the form firstname.lastname@coombs.anu.edu.au .

If you have an account on the RSSS servers then you will automatically obtain an email address at Coombs.

Training
The Information Literacy Program is a campus wide program to encourage the development of information literacy. It runs a number of training and presentation courses, in groups and individually.

ANU IT Overview
Division of Information
http://information.anu.edu.au/daisy/infoservices/g1/113.html

The Division of Information was established on 1 February 2001. It had its genesis in the Report of the Information Policy Working Party which recommended that a Division of Information be created to provide a unified management and coordination structure for the University's information services.

DOI Program areas - Structure

The Division is responsible for ensuring that the University benefits from an advanced information infrastructure, and for supporting research and education through highly responsive information and educational technology services.

Division Coordination
Responsibilities for services provided by the Division are carried by the Directors of the four component units. The services are coordinated through a Management Committee formed from the four Directors and Chaired by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development and Information Services). The Committee meets bi-weekly and is serviced by the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor. Division-wide issues can be addressed to Stephen Pope at stephen.pope@anu.edu.au or extension 54275.