===================== SSCC News, July, 1998 ===================== Inside this issue... Processors, RAM Added to GUY Passwords on Unix Recordable CD-ROM Drive Available in 7413 Public Terminal Room Windows98 vs. WindowsNT: Which operating system should I be using? Recommendations for Purchasing PC Hardware Stata Running on GUY 100 MB Disk Quota on UNIX Home Directories Effective August 1st WisLIR Support to be Dropped ---------------------------- Processors, RAM Added to GUY ---------------------------- Recently, two additional processors were added to GUY, which is now a three processor computer. Also, another 512 MB RAM was added to GUY, bringing it to a total of 1.25 GB RAM. According to benchmarks that we ran recently, GUY now has the power of ten computers the size of NORMAN, and so, it is by far the most powerful computer at SSCC. For those running large statistical processes, it is the preferred computer to use, unless it is under an extremely high load. Most commands run by users can only use one CPU at a time and so when the computer is not busy, real time savings will be marginal. However, under a heavy load, with two or more simultaneous statistical jobs running, the jobs will be farmed out to different processors. The jobs will share three processors, instead of sharing one processor, resulting in substantial real time savings. If you run the TOP command on Unix to monitor jobs, you will see that the percentage of CPU in use when the computer is busy now approaches 300%, instead of the previous 100%. This figure shows the percentage of a single processor that a job is using. ----------------- Passwords on Unix ----------------- SSCC periodically runs security programs to attempt to crack passwords. This is done to reduce the possibility that passwords used on SSCC systems can be broken by people with similar tools. When passwords are found that are easily breakable, SSCC locks the account, unlocking it at the request of the user. SSCC maintains this policy because we have been subject to a number of break-in attempts in recent months. The few successful break-ins have left traces of malicious intent but no damage has yet been done. There- fore, in order to better protect member data and member privacy, we must immediately lock any accounts that have insecure passwords. To create a secure password, follow these rules: - do not use a word from the dictionary (this is the single most common mistake people make) - do not use a proper name - do not use your name or other well known information - use random capitalization - use random numbers or punctuation - avoid simple transformations like o->0 or e->3. For example, sn0wcon3 would be breakable because it is close enough to the word "snowcone" - combine two or more ideas in a single password. Note that UNIX only reads the first 8 characters of the password you specify. To change your password, use the following command from and Unix computer: yppasswd This will ask for your current password and then it will ask you to enter you new password twice. -------------------------------------------------------------- Recordable CD-ROM Drive Available in 7413 Public Terminal Room -------------------------------------------------------------- The PC in the 7413 Public Terminal Room has been equipped with a recordable CD-ROM drive for the purpose of storing large data files. Instructions for using the drive are available at the PC. CDs are available for purchase from DoIT. You should purchase the cheaper non-rewritable/non-erasable CDs. CD-ROM is an excellent backup medium. CDs are long lasting (much longer lasting than tapes or floppies) and reliable. Users are encouraged to make permanent backups of their Unix and VMS home directories on this drive. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Windows98 vs. WindowsNT: Which operating system should I be using? ------------------------------------------------------------------ With the release of Microsoft Windows98 on June 25th, upgrading your computer may be on your mind. The SSCC recommends bypassing Windows98 and choosing WindowsNT Workstation for all future upgrades along with new PC purchases. Many problems with Windows98 are being reported. Check out http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/story/story_2287.html for a very interesting synopsis on the problems with Windows98. NT 4.0 (which utilizes the "Windows95 interface") provides the following benefits over Windows98: better memory management, more stability, advanced security features, improved network support, and increased reliability. These advantages benefit not only end users, but also SSCC staff supporting those NT clients. Below is a comparison of Microsoft's minimum hardware requirements between Windows98 and WindowsNT Workstation. Windows 98: NT 4.0 Workstation: ----------- ------------------- 486/DX66 or higher 486/25 or higher 16MB of RAM but 32MB recommended 16MB of RAM but 32MB recommended 195-295MB of free disk space 110MB of free disk space CD-ROM CD-ROM Keep in mind that these are minimum requirements. A faster CPU and more RAM will increase performance significantly. High hardware requirements was a disadvantage of NT, but this isn't a factor anymore with the major improvements and price drops made in PC hardware. If you have any questions or concerns about WindowsNT please contact the consultant. ------------------------------------------ Recommendations for Purchasing PC Hardware ------------------------------------------ SSCC staff have created a hardware recommendation web page to assist you in purchasing equipment. Please check out: https://www.ssc.wisc.edu/pcsup -------------------- Stata Running on GUY -------------------- Now that GUY has been upgraded, Stata has been made available on GUY. Try using Stata on this powerful Unix platform. Report any problems to consultant. --------------------------------------------------------------- 100 MB Disk Quota on UNIX Home Directories Effective August 1st --------------------------------------------------------------- Reminder: a 150 MB disk quota is now in effect on UNIX home directories and the quota will drop permanently to 100 MB on August 1st. For information on disk space alternatives, see the first article in: https://www.ssc.wisc.edu/Sscc/Sscnews/apr98 ---------------------------- WisLIR Support to be Dropped ---------------------------- The UW-Madison Library has announced that WisLIR, the graphic interface for MadCat will not be supported after this summer. The new web interface for MadCat is replacing WisLIR. The web interface is available at: http://www.library.wisc.edu