SSCC Support

General Desktop Computer Support

For general hardware and software troubleshooting contact the NUIT Support Center at 847-49 1-HELP (4357) or consultant@northwestern.edu.

Statistical Software

The SSCC provides access to a wide variety of statistical and mathematical software packages. Many are site-licensed and available to all Linux systems in the SSCC. Because each package is licensed differently, access restrictions vary greatly. NOTE: Programs available exclusively for Microsoft Windows systems do not work on the SSCC. Contact Bruce Foster for assistance with system planning and configuration, statistical software requests, Linux system management, or site-licensing questions.

Restoring Lost Data

Snapshots are saved on a nightly, weekly and monthly basis. To restore lost files to your HOME directory from nightly snapshots, follow the instructions in Restoring Files Lost From Your Home Directory.

Media and Data Conversion

From time to time, data are received on unconventional media, such as magnetic tape, punched cards, old floppy disk formats and paper forms. Media conversion services can transfer your data to more conventional media and even provide your data to you via the network.

Two service bureaus conveniently located in the Chicago area are listed below. Many more may be found with a web search using the terms media conversion and data conversion .

Tab Service Company 310 S. Racine Avenue , 6th floor, Chicago IL 60607, (312) 527-4306. Ask for Bob Lambert.

Pivar Computing Services 1500 Abbott Ct. , Buffalo Grove IL 60089, (847) 478-8000.

Training

Training in the use of Linux and the Social Sciences Research Cluster is available to individuals, small groups and classes.

Although short courses in statistical and mathematical software are no longer offered on a recurring basis, training for small groups and individuals can be arranged. Contact Bruce Foster for statistical programming assistance and advice regarding access to social science data.

Other Resources

The NU Library's Social Science Data Services group acquires and manages an extensive library of computer data files used for secondary analysis. Technical consulting, access, and documentation are provided in NUL's Department of Government Publications.

A list of recommended books on UNIX is also available.

SSCC Administration

Problems requiring the attention of a Linux system administrator are usually machine-specific. Send e-mail to SSCC-INFO to notify the system administrators of the problem.

System administrators may be consulted after more general troubleshooting procedures have been exhausted.

• Bruce Foster - Manager and SSCC Administrator
• Jim Lindsay - SSCC Administrator
• SSCC-INFO - SSCC Administration Mailing List