CONTENTS

The following Cornell IRIS GIS/IP laboratory use policy is designed to maximize the availability of this computing resource to all members of the Cornell community so as to advance environmental science and resource management programs while protecting the facility from damage, monopoly, or misuse.

1. The Cornell community is defined as that group of individuals who conduct research projects, educational programs, and academic teaching activities on behalf of Cornell University. Access to the facility by those outside the Cornell community will be addressed on an individual basis with the understanding that such access is of the lowest priority and that some software may be unavailable due to licensing restrictions.

2. All users are to have a completed user form on file and an abstract describing their project. This form must provide all billing information, including account numbers. Each user will be assigned a login name (based on their net id) and password. Individual users are charged at the rate of $10/hour of connect time. For this reason, be sure to logout when your session is completed. Maintenance of the systems and support for laboratory personnel is calculated into the $10/hour fee. Students doing research for projects/thesis can gain access for a semester charge of $325. This charge provides for reasonable access and a limited amount of disk space but no consulting time by laboratory personnel can be provided. Sponsored projects may negotiate a hourly rate depending upon the funding available, project time frame, and other support provided.

3. The system is accessible to everyone during normal working hours. If off-hours use is needed, arrangements need to be made with the the system administrator. Users needing to meet with sponsors or faculty at lab should notify the system administrator in advance. Under no circumstances should unauthorized individuals be provided access.

4. No computer equipment, software, or reference manuals are to leave the laboratory without prior approval.

5. All software permanently installed on the computer systems must be properly licensed. Users may be permitted to temporarily install their copies of software on the systems during a given work session. Approval for such installations must be obtained from the system administrator. Use of available IOMEGA removable cartridge drives for personal software and databases is encouraged.

6. All users are responsible for backing up their own data. The UNIX and NT systems are backed up routinely, but the use of personal backups is highly recommended.

7. While the laboratory has substantial hard disk space, it is finite and all users are encouraged to implement good database management techniques and delete unnecessary files. Also, be aware that some disks are "scratch" disks and are wiped clean periodically.

8. Reasonable use of the letter size printers is covered in the system use charges. Use of the large format plotter incurs an additional cost, billed at $3.00 per linear foot (bond paper) or $3.50 per linear foot (photographic quality paper or single matte mylar).

9. Users must reserve CPU's using the CPU Reservation Calendar provided in the main lab. Only one four (4) hour block can be reserved in any one day so that others will have a chance to access the equipment. If a user needs a larger block of time for intensive work then they must make arrangements with the system administrator. CPU's are designated as GIS/IP machines should not be used for word processing, email, web access, etc. Users should access one of the many public computer facilities available on campus for these activities.

10. Eating and drinking in the laboratory is not encouraged. You are working with expensive equipment and you may be liable for equipment damage that results from your negligence. Remember, negligent actions could cause damage to another's data and cost them time and money.

11. If any problems arise contact the System Adminstrator:

Magdeline Laba
Institute for Resource Information Sciences
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University
302 Rice Hall
Phone: (607) 255-0841
E-mail: ml49@cornell.edu