The department operates a network of over 100 PCs and UNIX machines. Most of the department's machines are Pentium III class or better, are networked, and all networked machines share access to the department's servers and printers. The majority of the department's PCs run either Windows XP, Windows 98, or Novell Client. The central servers are a cluster of Sun Ultra/DEC machines (Ultar 60 , 2 Ultra 10s, Ultra 1, and Dec5000/200 ). This website is run from the primary server, web.econ.ohio-state.edu. This website is only one of the services that are provided to and by the department. Among the other services are the following:
FTP service -- provides the collection or distribution of files across the whole internet. Simply use an FTP program (available in the Lab) to "put" your files onto the FTP site in the incoming directory, inform your audience as to their location, and anyone on the internet will be able to retrieve them. This FTP site accepts anonymous logins, or you can use you assigned Economics username and password to log on to it.
File storage service -- accessible from any PC or Mac. This file space is especially beneficial for students who don't have access to a permanent computer.
Email service -- each student or employee of the deaprtment can apply for his/her only email account.
Graduate computing lab -- This lab, located in Rooms 318 of Arps Hall, contains more than 30 PCs and laserjet printers. Any graduate student have the access to this lab, and to the software available on the PCs and the department's servers.
Networked software -- We have access to special databases (the EconLit, CitiBase etc.), either directly or through the OSU Library. Our servers also contain mainframe analysis tools (SAS, Shazam, Limdep, etc.) and ample computing power. (If there is software which you think the department should posess, you can submit your request. )
Networked printing -- In addition to any local printers to which users may have access, we also have two powerful networked printers located in Arps Hall 458.
Rules and Regulations
1.All usage of the lab, its hardware and software must conform to OSU's acceptable use of computer systems policy. (See OSU OIT website for the university policy.)
2.Usage is strictly limited to faculty, staff and students of OSU's economics department. No friends, family or pets!
3.Absolutely no eating, drinking, smoking or electrical/electronic appliances.
4.Please follow the university guidelines in the use of the internet.
5.The hard drives on the machines are not for storing personal files. Hard disks on the machines will be cleaned regularly (user files will be deleted) without public notice.
6.Absolutely no software, hardware or other (permanent or temporary) configuration changes are to be made.
7.The department has a limited number of licenses for various econometric and mathematical software packages. No software may be added to or removed from the machines. If you need a program installed, send a written request to the secretary to the director of graduate studies committee. The department computer committee will determine if it should be added.
8.Copying of copyrighted software to or from a machine is software piracy and is illegal.
9.No offensive texts or images. This includes transmitting, printing and/or displaying of such images
10.When the office is closed (after 5:00pm and on weekends), you have to use your Buck ID to open the lab door, and You are responsible for your own conduct.
11.If there are any problems with machines, do not try to fix them yourself. Please contact the Webmaster to have the machines repaired.
12.GAUSS/SAS machines are not to be left unattended. In the event that you need to do a computation that would require a significant period of time, machines may be reserved by prior authorization of the Webmaster.
Technical Support
For information or questions not answered here, please send e-mail to the Webmaster, phone 247-4072, or come to Room 410 in Arps Hall. The followings are some popular questions asked by our users:
Netscape Navigator, Eudora, Acrobat Reader, and Anti-Virus Software Updates
You can download the latest version of Netscape Navigator, Eudora, Acrobat Reader, and Anti-Virus software by following the directions on OIT's home page.
Internet (HTML) Information
If you are relatively new to the World Wide Web and want to learn a little more about it, you may wish to read the NCSA HTML Support Site. There is also the Suggested Starting Points for Internet Exploration by many experts.
Software Available in the Economics Lab
MS Office
(MS Word: Word Processor, MS PowerPoint: Presentation Program, MS Excel: Spreadsheet, MS Access: Database Program)
WordPerfect
Winsock Client Programs (Telnet: Basic terminal program, for use in connecting to most internet hosts; FTP: File Transfer Protocol client. Can move files over the internet; QWS3270: terminal emulation program, to connect to the OSU IBM mainframe; Netscape: A World Wide Web (WWW) browser; Hgopher: an gopher program; TrumpetNewsReader: a program allows you to access the newsgroups; Eudora: our main email program, etc.)
Statistical Programs (SAS: A very popular statistical and data-analysis package. GAUSS: Another data analysis program, mostly used for time-series work. Mathematica: A powerful math program, mostly intended for theoretical analysis. STATA, LIMDEP, SPSS, MiniTab, Maple V, etc.)
Miscellaneous Programs (We have some single-licensed programs too in the lab, like AdobeExchange, PhotoShop, MS FrontPage, etc. Please contact the Webmaster for the details.)
