Logging on GIS/Data Center Lab Computers
Logging in using the gistrain profile (Recommended)
If you are working in the GDC lab, it is recommended that you log in using the gistrain profile. If you are unsure of the password, please ask a staff member for assistance. This profile ensures that the ArcGIS software functions in a stable and consistent manner and automatically connects to the GDCStorage (M:) and GISdata (O:) and gisdata (R:) network locations.
Caution
The gistrain profile resets itself upon logging out, meaning everything saved on the Desktop and Downloads folders will be erased. One advantage is that you don't have to clean up those areas before logging off and no files will remain in the trash for others to find.
Logging in using your NetID profile
If you store all of your GIS files on your U: drive.
Software preferences will be saved to your profile, which is good if you customize the software, but can be bad if you are trying to follow standardized instructions.
Establishing a Workspace
You will need to decide where you would like to save your work
Working on the GDCStorage network share (Recommended)
Advantages
- Staff can access files to continue investigating issues without you being present.
- Your data can be accessed simultaneously from any computer, so you can easily switch computers or work on a project from multiple computers.
- Your work will be saved even if something happens to the computer.
Disadvantages
- Data will not be deleted until the last day of the current semester, but back up is not guaranteed, so your data may not be recoverable in the event of hardware failure. You should therefore save a copy of your work at the end of your work session using online file storage or an external drive.
- It is not secure, so anyone may access your data at any time without your knowledge.
- On the Desktop, double-click the Computer icon.
Working on an external USB hard drive
Mapping the "Home Directory" Storage Drive (U:)
- Click the Start button in the lower left corner of the screen.
- In the right pane of the Start menu, right-click Computer and select Map network drive....
- In the Map Network Drive window, for ‘Drive:’, select U:.
- For ‘Folder:’, type “\\storage\[a-z]-home\ NetID", where [a-z] is the first letter of your NetID name, and the NetID is your full NetID name. For example, if your netID is klm2, you would type “\\storage.rice.edu\k-home\klm2”.
- Uncheck Reconnect at logon.
- Check Connect using different credentials.
- Log in with adrice\netID and your password.
- Click OK.
- Click Finish.
Desktop
- This option is strongly discouraged because once the desktop is turned off, your work will be lost.
- A much better option would be to create a new project folder in the GDCStorage drive.