Three GeoDa Workshops Starting Today

The Applied Population Lab is offering three workshops on using GeoDa this month. GeoDa is software designed to provide a graphical interface to methods of descriptive spatial data analysis, such as spatial autocorrelation statistics, as well as basic spatial regression functionality.

The workshops meet on Fridays 9:30-11:30 beginning today. The first workshop is entitled "Spatial Weights and Spatial Autocorrelation in Geoda." The second workshop is entitled "Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis in Geoda." The third workshop is entitled "Spatial Regression Analysis in Geoda and R." Visit SSCC's training page for workshop descriptions and to register.

Brown Bags on Protecting YouR Data

DoIT is offering a series of noontime Brown Bags this month on protecting your data. The series opens with an overview, and continues with brown bags on data protection when you're on the road or working from home, and how to find sensitive data on your workstation. All brown bags will be held from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. at Union South (check "Today in the Union" for room) and are free. Visit DoIT's Event Calendar for more information.

SSCC's Training

And, last but not least, SSCC is offering 10 training sessions this month on a variety of topics including SAS, SPSS, and creating a web page with DreamWeaver. Visit SSCC's training web pages for more information. Remember that all SSCC training sessions (including Soc 365 sessions) require preregistration.

New Tool for Troubleshooting PCs Remotely

SSCC has partnered with the School of Education's help desk in the use of a device called Bomgar they purchased for troubleshooting PCs remotely. We have had very enthusiastic feedback from SSCC members we have used it with. The way it works is this: we direct you to a web site where you give us access to your computer (Windows or Mac). We can then see your desktop and what it is you are describing. If necessary, we can take control of your mouse to make any needed changes, transfer files, etc. No footprint remains at the end of the session.

Protect your Account with Strong Passwords and Security Questions

We'd like to remind everyone of the importance of making sure both your password and your security questions cannot be easily guessed. Poorly chosen security questions can become a major vulnerability if a hacker can find the answers using Google, Facebook, etc. Make sure you choose questions to which only you know the answers.

Hackers also attack passwords, so they need to be hard to guess. The SSCC's password requirements will ensure your password isn't trivially easy, but consider that a minimum. Avoid any kind of predictable pattern. Turning your password into a passphrase can make it much harder to guess, and it may be easier to type a long phrase than to type a short string of gibberish. But again, avoid anything that can be found simply by using Google. (Click here to check the strength of your current password.)

Changing your password on a regular basis also helps to protect your account. While the SSCC does not force you to change your password, we suggest doing so at least once every six months.