Computer Center
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Computing Policies
117 South Street
Farmington, ME 04938
Help Desk: (207) 778-7300
EXCEL Center: (207) 778-7490
FAX: (207) 778-7255
computer.center@umf.maine.edu
UMF Computing Standards
In an ideal world we would answer questions, provide training, research problems, and give full backing to all computer related activities on campus. The reality is that staff load has exceeded supply and complexities and quantities of software continues to rise. To maximize our effectiveness and sanity we have assembled a list of software, hardware, and the degree to which we will support them for our campus users.
In addition, the Computer Center reserves the right to restrict and prohibit all software, hardware and practices that may generate excessive or uncontrolled network traffic (for example, file, print, or web servers), or that may otherwise be dangerous or threaten the UMF network infrastructure. We will, of course, implement restrictions only for compelling technical or operational reasons, and will be happy to discuss all issues with you, and to work with you to find solutions that are equitable and safe for everybody on the network. Please see the "Prohibited" and "Restricted" sections for more details. Since we have the obligation of maintaining the UMF network, we have also have the responsibility to maintain its integrity as well.
We invite faculty experimentation and exploration in computing, and within the limits of our resources we will provide assistance. We are open to requests to modify this support list. We will also consider narrow exceptions of substantial value to the campus, but most such requests must be rejected if the system is to work.
This document applies to all machines that fall under the UMF support umbrella. The exception being faculty personal, home machines and non-EXCEL ResNet subscribers who are supported no further than network connectivity. ResNet subscribers must still adhere to the prohibited section of this document. These exceptions are also still bound by UMF and UMS network policy for network based activity, additionally see UMF Terms of Service.
This document will change periodically to reflect operational reality.
As of May 1, 1999, pursuant to President Kalikow's "Computer Purchases" memo of 9-Feb-99, the Computer Center will enforce computer-purchasing protocols:
All technology purchases must go through the Computer Center.
Please call the Help Desk at x7300 with all purchasing requests.
Exceptions, or changes in a designated support-level, may be negotiated, but approval in writing is required before the Computer Center will support such special cases. Written approval is much more easily negotiated before a purchase than after.
This policy was introduced to maintain technical coherence on campus as well as leverage savings through bulk purchasing.
For Academic and Administrative Users
Software not explicitly mentioned as being supported falls into the category of unsupported. While the existence of software not mentioned or explicitly prohibited or restricted is permitted, no service will be delivered relating to said software. In addition, if it is found to be interfering with the operation of the computer or network, it will be necessary to have it removed.
*: Use of Eudora is not recommended. We suggest you switch to Microsoft Outlook. The Computer Center will not support reinstallation or new installations of Eudora.
**: Shared, non-standalone, and web-accessible database applications are being migrated (as time permits) to the Oracle environment to improve cost-effective operation, to enhance data integrity, and to enhance eCampus capabilities.
***: Section 508 Compliance: Web sites developed for and hosted by the University are required to meet section 508 accessibility requirements. To test for compliance, please visit http://www.contentquality.com/. For more information, please contact the Help Desk.
Supported Software
For Academic Users Only Use of the software below is not supported on the Administrative network.
Note: Mac OS - The administrative computing userbase is virtually 100% PC. In addition to this, upcoming ERP and Data Warehouse projects will be accompanied by PC only software. In the absence of a compelling need, it does not make sense to support or allow expansion into the Mac operating system, so this will remain unsupported on the administrative side to reduce staff workload, although the President herself will, of course, be obeyed with alacrity.
For the most part, faculty and staff should find no need to run restricted software or hardware. If you are interested in using restricted hardware or software, please contact the Computer Center. We are always happy to discuss solutions to your computing needs.
Students may run ftware on their private machines with the following caveats in mind:
Faculty and Staff may not run restricted hardware or software on private or institutionally-owned machines on the campus network without approval from the Director or Assistant Director of the Computer Center, regardless of any comments below.
In addition to the illegal, dangerous, and other categories of hardware, software, and data mentioned in the definition of prohibited components, some specific items are prohibited:
Prohibited to All Patrons (Academic, Administrative, and Student)
Prohibited to Academic and Administrative Patrons
Prohibited to Administrative Patrons
Prohibited
Hardware which is illegal, in violation of University Policy, not owned by the University, injurious or overly taxing to the network or attached systems, electrically or otherwise unsafe, or employed with human subjects without proper authority are prohibited.
Software or data items which are illegal, improperly licensed, in violation of University policy, or injurious or unduly resource-taxing to the network, servers, or the system housing the item in question are prohibited. Software which, in the judgment of Computer Center staff, creates security holes in the campus network is also prohibited.
Center staff will explain the situation to the owner of the system and take professional steps to eliminate the problem. Support at designated levels will be undertaken once the problem is eliminated.
To most fully support mission-critical administrative functions, some systems will be configured with a minimum of applications to eliminate conflicts and will have communications paths "hardwired".
Restricted
Restricted software and hardware should be regarded as "Prohibited" in the absence of an explicit agreement with the Computing Director.
Software may be restricted because of potential security problems (such as web servers); or because it may cause high network traffic or other network problems (such as Apple or Novell file servers). In addition, the Computer Center would like to ensure that mission-critical functionality is kept on standard, supported platforms. Restricted components may be fully supported internally in the Computer Center, but are nevertheless prohibited to regular patrons under most circumstances.
For faculty and staff who are interested in functionality that restricted software might provide, the Computer Center would be happy to discuss your needs with you. We will try to determine exactly what you need to accomplish, and help figure out the best way to accomplish it.
Installation Support
We will make a "reasonable efforts" attempt to install the hardware or software in your system along with any required drivers, and to resolve conflicts with other software or hardware.
Limited Support
We will make a substantial effort to make the device or software function in your system in the manner it is designed by the manufacturer to be normally employed.
Full Support
We will engage in a sustained effort to make the device or software function in a manner that effectively addresses your instructional, research, or administrative needs.
Please note that even for full support, staff may not know the how-to's of every application, or the mechanical workings of every device, and all support provided is balanced against the priority of the problem. In addition, manuals are available from vendors, and how-to books from bookstores and libraries. Only under special circumstances will staff conduct one-on-one tutorials.
Commercial Support
We will assist users in making the most effective use of extended warranties, service contracts, and turnkey contracts by providing diagnostic services and technical interfacing with the vendors' technical staff, but reporting warranty problems and arranging on-site support times is the patrons' responsibility. To safeguard your machines, we strongly encourage purchasing warranties.
We will attempt to help with turn-key systems if the system is having a problem interfacing to campus networks or equipment, but we obviously cannot troubleshoot turnkey systems' internal problems, nor will we always be very familiar with the function or use of a turnkey system. Miscellaneous
| Purchasing | Supported Software | Restricted Hardware & Software | Prohibited Hardware & Software | Support Levels |
In an ideal world we would answer questions, provide training, research problems, and give full backing to all computer related activities on campus. The reality is that staff load has exceeded supply and complexities and quantities of software continues to rise. To maximize our effectiveness and sanity we have assembled a list of software, hardware, and the degree to which we will support them for our campus users.
In addition, the Computer Center reserves the right to restrict and prohibit all software, hardware and practices that may generate excessive or uncontrolled network traffic (for example, file, print, or web servers), or that may otherwise be dangerous or threaten the UMF network infrastructure. We will, of course, implement restrictions only for compelling technical or operational reasons, and will be happy to discuss all issues with you, and to work with you to find solutions that are equitable and safe for everybody on the network. Please see the "Prohibited" and "Restricted" sections for more details. Since we have the obligation of maintaining the UMF network, we have also have the responsibility to maintain its integrity as well.
We invite faculty experimentation and exploration in computing, and within the limits of our resources we will provide assistance. We are open to requests to modify this support list. We will also consider narrow exceptions of substantial value to the campus, but most such requests must be rejected if the system is to work.
This document applies to all machines that fall under the UMF support umbrella. The exception being faculty personal, home machines and non-EXCEL ResNet subscribers who are supported no further than network connectivity. ResNet subscribers must still adhere to the prohibited section of this document. These exceptions are also still bound by UMF and UMS network policy for network based activity, additionally see UMF Terms of Service.
This document will change periodically to reflect operational reality.
| Purchasing | top |
All technology purchases must go through the Computer Center.
Please call the Help Desk at x7300 with all purchasing requests.
Exceptions, or changes in a designated support-level, may be negotiated, but approval in writing is required before the Computer Center will support such special cases. Written approval is much more easily negotiated before a purchase than after.
This policy was introduced to maintain technical coherence on campus as well as leverage savings through bulk purchasing.
| Supported Software | top |
Software not explicitly mentioned as being supported falls into the category of unsupported. While the existence of software not mentioned or explicitly prohibited or restricted is permitted, no service will be delivered relating to said software. In addition, if it is found to be interfering with the operation of the computer or network, it will be necessary to have it removed.
| Category | Product | Support Level |
| Word Processing | Microsoft Word PC Versions: 2000, 2002/XP, 2003; Mac Versions: 98, 2001, X, 2004 |
Full |
| Corel WordPerfect PC Versions: 9, 10, 11 |
Not Supported | |
| Spreadsheets | Microsoft Excel PC Versions: 2000, 2002/XP, 2003; Mac Versions: 98, 2001, X, 2004 |
Full |
| Corel Quattro Pro PC Versions: 9, 10, 11 |
Not Supported | |
| Presentation Packages | Microsoft PowerPoint PC Versions: 2000, 2002/XP, 2003; Mac Versions: 98, 2001, X, 2004 |
Full |
| Corel Presentations PC Versions: 9, 10, 11 |
Not Supported | |
| HyperStudio Mac Version: 4.5 |
Limited | |
| e-Mail Clients | Microsoft Outlook / Entourage PC Versions: 2000, 2002/XP, 2003; Mac Versions: 98, 2001, X, 2004 |
Full |
| IMP / Horde Online at: http://mail.maine.edu/imp/ |
Limited | |
| Eudora PC & Mac Versions: 4, 5, 6 |
Limited* | |
| Instant Messenging | AOL Instant Messenger (PC & Mac) | Limited |
| Web Browsing | Microsoft Internet Explorer PC Versions: 4.5, 5, 6; Mac Versions: 4.5, 5 |
Full |
| Netscape Navigator / Communicator PC & Mac Versions: 6.0 and later |
Not Supported | |
| Databases** | Microsoft Access PC Versions: 2000, 2002/XP, 2003 |
By Negotiation Only |
| Oracle Server Version: 10g |
By Negotiation Only | |
| PostgreSQL, MySQL | Limited - By Negotiation Only | |
| Database Reporting | Oracle Discoverer (PC Only) | Full |
| Virus Protection | Symantec (Norton) Antivirus PC & Mac Version: 9.0 Corporate Edition |
Full |
| Statistics | SAS PC Versions: Current Version |
Limited |
| Systat PC Versions: 10, 11 |
Limited | |
| Web Design/Publishing*** | Macromedia Dreamweaver PC & Mac Versions: MX, MX2004 |
Full |
| Microsoft FrontPage PC Versions: 2000, 2002/XP, 2003 |
Full | |
| Netscape Composer PC & Mac Versions: 4.5 and greater |
Not Supported | |
| Graphic Arts | Adobe Photoshop PC & Mac Versions: 6, 7, CS |
Installation Support / User Support at the Media Center |
| Adobe Photoshop Elements PC & Mac Versions: 1, 2 |
Installation Support / User Support at the Media Center | |
| Adobe Illustrator PC & Mac Versions: 9, 10, CS |
Installation Support / User Support at the Media Center | |
| Page Layout and Design | Adobe PageMaker PC & Mac Versions: 6, 6.5, 7 |
Installation Support / User Support at the Media Center |
| FTP Clients | WS-FTP PC Only |
Limited |
| Fetch Mac Only |
Limited | |
| Telnet Clients | TCP-3270 PC Only |
Full |
| Ewan (vt100 Telnet) PC Only |
Limited | |
| Putty PC Only |
Full | |
| PDF Readers | Adobe Reader PC & Mac Versions: 5, 6, 7 |
Limited |
| Adobe Acrobat Standard and Professional PC & Mac Versions: 5, 6, 7 |
Limited | |
| Mac/PC Translation | MacLink Plus (PC to Mac) Mac Versions: 12, 13 |
Limited |
| Conversions Plus (Mac to PC) PC Version: 6 |
Limited | |
| PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) Software | Documents to Go Palm OS Versions |
Limited |
| Eudora Internet Suite Palm OS Versions |
Limited | |
| Operating Systems | Microsoft Windows PC Versions: 98, Millennium, XP Professional |
Full |
| Apple Mac OS Mac Versions: 8.5, 9.2, X v10.2 Jaguar, X v10.3 Panther, X v10.4 Tiger |
Full | |
| CMS | Limited - Full if functionality is required for high priority functions. | |
| Palm OS Palm Versions: 3.1 and newer |
Limited |
*: Use of Eudora is not recommended. We suggest you switch to Microsoft Outlook. The Computer Center will not support reinstallation or new installations of Eudora.
**: Shared, non-standalone, and web-accessible database applications are being migrated (as time permits) to the Oracle environment to improve cost-effective operation, to enhance data integrity, and to enhance eCampus capabilities.
***: Section 508 Compliance: Web sites developed for and hosted by the University are required to meet section 508 accessibility requirements. To test for compliance, please visit http://www.contentquality.com/. For more information, please contact the Help Desk.
Supported Software
For Academic Users Only Use of the software below is not supported on the Administrative network.
| Category | Product | Support Level |
| Chinese Text | TwinBridge Partner | Limited |
| Russian Text | Microsoft Windows Cyrillic Support Mac OS X v10.2 Jaguar, v10.3 Panther, v10.4 Tiger integrated Cyrillic Support |
Limited |
| Statistics | SPSS (textbook edition) | Limited |
| Course Management Software | Blackboard (http://www.courses.maine.edu) | Full (Contact Ashley Montgomery) |
| FirstClass | Installation Only | |
| Mathematics Instruction | Mathematica 4.0 and later | Installation Only |
| Music Composition | Cakewalk | Installation Only |
| Finale | Installation Only | |
| Sibelius | Installation Only | |
| Programming | JBuilder | Installation Only |
| Java Developer's Kit | Installation Only | |
| CBuilder | Installation Only | |
| GCC (Linux) | Installation Only | |
| Turbo Assembler | Installation Only | |
| DOS Forth | Not Supported (See CS Faculty) |
|
| DOS Prolog | Not Supported (See CS Faculty) |
|
| Special Purpose | Business Strategy Game | Installation Only |
| PCSpim | Installation Only | |
| Logic Works | Installation Only | |
| Ecological Analysis | Installation Only | |
| KyPlot | Installation Only | |
| Stella | Installation Only | |
| Quantitative Methods | Installation Only | |
| Alcohol Awareness | Installation Only | |
| QVT-NET (Telnet Client) | Not Supported (See CS Faculty) |
|
| LaTex for PC | Not Supported (See CS Faculty) |
|
| Health and Fitness CSI | Commercial | |
| Other Software | Any | Generally Not Supported |
Note: Mac OS - The administrative computing userbase is virtually 100% PC. In addition to this, upcoming ERP and Data Warehouse projects will be accompanied by PC only software. In the absence of a compelling need, it does not make sense to support or allow expansion into the Mac operating system, so this will remain unsupported on the administrative side to reduce staff workload, although the President herself will, of course, be obeyed with alacrity.
| Restricted Hardware & Software | top |
Students may run ftware on their private machines with the following caveats in mind:
- Most server software is restricted to on-campus access only to prevent security breaches of personal machines and to protect the integrity of the UMF Network. This means, for example, if you run a web server on your personal machine on campus, it will only be available to on-campus individuals located on the same network segment as you.
- Please be sure to understand the nature of the software service you're attempting to run. You may be opening your system and/or yourself to a great deal of trouble if you run such software without fully understanding the implications.
- At any time, the Computer Center may make changes to the network configuration. This activity can include, but is not limited to, altering firewall rules, altering the routing of protocols and services coming from and/or going to the internet, and/or altering the priority of services coming from/going to the internet.
Faculty and Staff may not run restricted hardware or software on private or institutionally-owned machines on the campus network without approval from the Director or Assistant Director of the Computer Center, regardless of any comments below.
| Category | Standard | Comments |
| Web Server | Apache on Red Hat Linux | We offer full support for official UMF and personal-page web servers. We strongly prefer that all faculty and staff use these supported forums for serving web pages. |
| PC: Microsoft Personal Web Server | Unsupported and Restricted. | |
| FTP File Server | WU-FTPD on Ret Hat Linux | Supported on several Computer Center servers. Personal FTP servers are restricted and usage should be discussed with the Computer Center. |
| PC: No standard. | Restricted. | |
| File and Print Services | Novell Netware | Netware is the Computer Center's standard file and print server package and is fully supported internally. Due to the amount of network traffic generated and the delicacy required to add additional servers to the Netware Tree, any additional Novell servers on campus must have the permission of the Director of Computing. |
| Other File and Print Services | Unsupported and Restricted for purposes of controlling network traffic and service broadcasting. | |
| Linux systems | Ret Hat Linux | Red Hat is fully supported on internal Computer Center Machines. An installation support level can be provided to academic users. Users must notify the Computer Center so that we may ensure a secure environment for your system and for the network. In general, we don't object to the usage of Linux as a desktop OS, but we prefer to ensure that rogue services, such as mail relays, are disabled. |
| Prohibited Hardware & Software | top |
Prohibited to All Patrons (Academic, Administrative, and Student)
- Networking hardware components including hubs, switches, routers, and wireless networking devices.
- Any network server software not listed elsewhere including DNS name servers, DHCP servers, and radius servers.
- 2.4Ghz and 5.6Ghz wireless telephones or other wireless equipment operating in these frequencies not related to UMF's wireless network.
Prohibited to Academic and Administrative Patrons
- Modems connected to office machines, except by negotiation (for computer security purposes).
- Windows NT/2000 machines.
- Alternative networking services including (but not limited to) Microsoft file and print sharing, Apple file and print sharing, peer-to-peer/ad-hoc wireless networking, and Jini.
Prohibited to Administrative Patrons
- Linux machines.
- Personally-owned software on University administrative systems.
- Personally-developed software that is not "work for hire" or licensed to the UM System is similarly prohibited. This is intended to protect valuable institutional data from destruction or corruption by programs of unknown functionality, to prevent the University from becoming dependent on a capability it does not control, and to insure that all software on administrative systems is duly licensed.
| Support Levels | top |
Hardware which is illegal, in violation of University Policy, not owned by the University, injurious or overly taxing to the network or attached systems, electrically or otherwise unsafe, or employed with human subjects without proper authority are prohibited.
Software or data items which are illegal, improperly licensed, in violation of University policy, or injurious or unduly resource-taxing to the network, servers, or the system housing the item in question are prohibited. Software which, in the judgment of Computer Center staff, creates security holes in the campus network is also prohibited.
Center staff will explain the situation to the owner of the system and take professional steps to eliminate the problem. Support at designated levels will be undertaken once the problem is eliminated.
To most fully support mission-critical administrative functions, some systems will be configured with a minimum of applications to eliminate conflicts and will have communications paths "hardwired".
Restricted
Restricted software and hardware should be regarded as "Prohibited" in the absence of an explicit agreement with the Computing Director.
Software may be restricted because of potential security problems (such as web servers); or because it may cause high network traffic or other network problems (such as Apple or Novell file servers). In addition, the Computer Center would like to ensure that mission-critical functionality is kept on standard, supported platforms. Restricted components may be fully supported internally in the Computer Center, but are nevertheless prohibited to regular patrons under most circumstances.
For faculty and staff who are interested in functionality that restricted software might provide, the Computer Center would be happy to discuss your needs with you. We will try to determine exactly what you need to accomplish, and help figure out the best way to accomplish it.
Installation Support
We will make a "reasonable efforts" attempt to install the hardware or software in your system along with any required drivers, and to resolve conflicts with other software or hardware.
Limited Support
We will make a substantial effort to make the device or software function in your system in the manner it is designed by the manufacturer to be normally employed.
Full Support
We will engage in a sustained effort to make the device or software function in a manner that effectively addresses your instructional, research, or administrative needs.
Please note that even for full support, staff may not know the how-to's of every application, or the mechanical workings of every device, and all support provided is balanced against the priority of the problem. In addition, manuals are available from vendors, and how-to books from bookstores and libraries. Only under special circumstances will staff conduct one-on-one tutorials.
Commercial Support
We will assist users in making the most effective use of extended warranties, service contracts, and turnkey contracts by providing diagnostic services and technical interfacing with the vendors' technical staff, but reporting warranty problems and arranging on-site support times is the patrons' responsibility. To safeguard your machines, we strongly encourage purchasing warranties.
We will attempt to help with turn-key systems if the system is having a problem interfacing to campus networks or equipment, but we obviously cannot troubleshoot turnkey systems' internal problems, nor will we always be very familiar with the function or use of a turnkey system. Miscellaneous
- The computers and the users of all labs must adhere to all other applicable policies, like the Acceptable Use Policy, UNET's authentication policy, and so on, to be enforced in the Computer Center's usual manner.
- All of these guidelines are arbitrary and capricious, and subject to change without notice. In cases of dispute, the decision of the Computer Center Director shall be final.