We're pleased to introduce a whole new look for the SSCC web site. We hope you've already noticed its chief advantage: a much more aesthetically pleasing design. But we've also worked hard to try to make it as easy as possible to find the information you need. Be sure to check out the "Resources For" section of the home page--the Resources for Members page contains everything that was on the old "Tools" page.
As part of that effort we've also changed some obsolete terminology. The SSCC has been offering some services since before there were generally accepted names for them, and with the new web design we've adopted generally accepted names wherever we could. For example, the SSCC Consulting service has become the Help Desk, and the SSCC Publication Collection has been renamed the SSCC Knowledge Base. While the older terms were familiar to long-time SSCC members, they often meant little to new members and visitors or gave them the wrong impression. Of course old habits die hard (including for us) so we'll keep consult@ssc.wisc.edu working along with helpdesk@ssc.wisc.edu for the foreseeable future.
Stata 11 has been installed on the Linux servers (Kite, Hal, Falcon, Condor). It will be installed on Winstat and in the labs the next time these machines are updated. Some of the most exciting new features:
- Stata now has an official multiple imputation command (mi)
- In Windows Stata the Stata Do File Editor has been substantially improved, making it more powerful than TextPad
- The full Stata documentation is available as PDF files through the Help
- Handling of categorical variables and interactions is much improved; all the features of xi and more have been integrated into Stata itself
- A new Variables Manager window allows you to examine and change the types, formats, labels and more of all your variables in one place
- Due to licensing changes, Stata/MP will be available on Winstat and in the labs. Stata/MP uses multiple processors for significantly better performance. However, we have a fairly small number of Stata/MP licenses, so we ask you to only use it if you will be running a big job.
For a full list of new features, see Stata's web site. We'll also be holding a special training session in September called What's New in Stata 11.
If you have your own copy of Stata 10 and would like to upgrade, be aware that the cheapest way is to purchase a new copy through Stata's GradPlan. (The discount for using GradPlan is bigger than the discount for upgrading.) Just place your order using Stata's web site and they'll have you pick up your copy from the SSCC staff office in 4226 Sewell Social Sciences Building.
Invitation to SSCC Computer Orientation
SSCC staff will be offering a hands-on computer orientation on Wednesday, August 26, from 10:00-11:30 a.m. in SSCC's PC classroom in Sewell Social Science 3218 for new members arriving this Fall. We want to extend an invitation to any SSCC member who might also like to attend. Maybe you've been a member for a while, but haven't used your account much, or maybe you arrived mid-year and didn't get a one-on-one orientation. Whatever the reason, you are welcome to attend. Please e-mail Caitlin Tefft (ctefft@ssc.wisc.edu) if you plan to attend so we have enough materials for everyone.
SSCC will also be doing a session at the School of Education's Graduate Assistant Orientation (9:45 on August 27th in 346 Teacher Education Building) and will have a table at the associated Resource Fair (12:00 the same day in Educational Sciences).
New Sociology graduate students have already received their invitations, but if you know of other new arrivals -- post docs, faculty, staff, visitors -- please extend them an invitation.
Reserving Computer Classroom for Fall Semester Courses
Now is the time to get a jump on reserving the 3218 classroom or mobile lab for your fall semester class before your spot gets taken by someone else. Reservations are filling very quickly. Contact Caitlin Tefft (ctefft@ssc.wisc.edu) to reserve. Caitlin's office is in the 4226 office suite and her phone number is 2-0862. Visit www.ssc.wisc.edu/sscc/instruction/ for more information about the 3218 classroom and the mobile lab. Note that SAS for Windows is only available through Winstat now.
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) 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.
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