NEWS

SSCC's Training - SAS and Stata Classes begin Monday

SSCC's Spring training schedule is now available on SSCC's training web pages. We start off with SAS and Stata boot camps next week (1/12/2015). Topics for the rest of the semester include R, Mplus, Stata, SPSS, SAS, and Multiple Imputation. Two workshops that participants report have been valuable to their research include Using SQL When There's No Statistical Data Set and Using Patterns to Transform Your Data.

This semester we are offering two classes for the first time. R for Researchers - Regression will discuss OLS, GLM, and regression diagnostics in R. Mplus Fundamentals will introduce you to a powerful tool for structural equation models.

Remember that all SSCC training sessions require preregistration.

New and Easier Way to Connect to Winstat

Next week on Monday the SSCC will be rolling out Winstat updates that will include a new way to connect to Winstat. This new method will connect you directly from the Citrix Receiver software installed on your computer. Then you will be able to click an icon to get to Winstat -- no logging in to a web site necessary!

This new Citrix Receiver software will provide improved stability and functionality for your Winstat sessions, including managing your display options when logged in to a session, one click access to your local Desktop, and easy access to the Task Manager to end any unresponsive programs. Additionally, since you will now connect directly from a program on your computer you will no longer have to worry about web browser compatibility and pesky browser plugins. Instructions for installing the new Receiver software are in our knowledge base.

Users in the School of Education will continue to connect to Winstat through the web at https://ssc.education.wisc.edu/.  No changes or updates will be necessary.

WordPress Sites Need to be Updated for Better Security

Wordpress has proven to be very popular at SSCC and for good reason—it dramatically lowers the bar for creating great looking web sites. Wordpress' popularity has made it a large target for hackers and so it is important for members to keep their sites updated. Our Knowledge Base has instructions about both updating Wordpress and creating Wordpress sites using our automated tool.

In an effort to reduce our exposure to attacks, starting January 20th 2015, SSCC staff will begin updating any Wordpress sites which are running a vulnerable out-of-date version. It is advantageous however, for members to upgrade their sites themselves since they can more carefully determine if any plugins have broken as a result of the upgrade (though this is not common). If you have any questions about Wordpress or updating your site, please contact our help desk.

Time to Reserve Computer Classroom for Spring Semester Courses

It's time to reserve the 3218 classroom or mobile lab for your spring semester class. Use our web form to make your request(s). Reservations are filled on a first-come-first-served basis. Contact Caitlin Tefft (ctefft@ssc.wisc.edu) if you have questions. Caitlin's office is in the 4226 office suite and her phone number is 2-0862.  Visit our Instructional Support at the SSCC web page for more information about the 3218 classroom and the mobile lab.

Even if you do not need to reserve the classroom or lab, you can arrange for your students to have access to SSCC's drop in labs (3218 and 4218 Social Science) and Winstat (available from anywhere with an Internet connection) for doing their homework. Caitlin can help you with this as well.

Doug Hemken (dehemken@wisc.edu), statistical computing specialist for SSCC, is available to help students with homework and class projects. You can also arrange for Doug to come to your class and provide instruction on statistical software. Doug's office is in the 4226 office suite and his phone number is 2-4327.

We have a document camera to use in class rooms where the screen covers the blackboard. We also have special software in the classroom that allows you to control or interact with your students' computers. Contact Caitlin if you'd like to learn more about either of these.