March 1, 1999
Subject: PSUVM (VM/CMS) to be Discontinued
Dear Penn Stater:
As announced in the Fall of 1998, the Center for Academic Computing will be terminating the PSUVM (VM/CMS) system on June 30, 2000. Because of year 2000 compliance problems, we recommended that most people attempt to be off the system before December 31, 1999. This will ensure that they are not trying to use programs that may no longer function correctly due to date dependencies. If you must use the system after November 30, 1999, you must sign and return the PSUVM Access Continuation Form which will be sent to all PSUVM users or which may be obtained from the CAC Accounts Office in 230 Computer Building. More information on PSUVM (VM/CMS) can be found at http://cac.psu.edu/accounts/psuvm.html on the web.
Except for instructional accounts for courses, we will not accept applications for new accounts starting July 1, 1999. The CAC cannot accept responsibility for any files left in your reader (spooled files) on December 31, 1999. Any spooled files dated prior to January 1, 2000 might be deleted close to midnight, December 31, 1999. No more files will be archived with ARCCMS, which is not year 2000 compliant, after June 30, 1999. We recommend any archived files be restored and ported to another system before December 31, 1999. Any data on 3420 and 3480 tapes stored at the CAC cannot be retrieved on our PSUVM system after June 30, 2000.
The use of PSUVM has dropped dramatically because much of its functionality can now be handled by other means. The CAC has decided not to carry out the original plan to install a year 2000 compliant system. Making the system year 2000 compliant while keeping all of the local modifications and additional support software would require resources we do not have.
Researchers and others who must certify that they are using a year 2000 compliant system must not use PSUVM after December 31, 1999. The University cannot accept liability for its use after that date. The only purpose of this system after December 31, 1999, will be as an aide in transition to other systems.
If you need help finding resources to replace your PSUVM functionality or in transferring your materials to another location, please contact the CAC Help Desk by stopping by 215 Computer Building, e-mailing helpdesk@psu.edu, or calling (814) 863-2494. If they cannot help you, they will forward you to a CAC staff member who can assist you with your particular situation.
If you no longer need your PSUVM access, please let the CAC Accounts Office know by e-mailing them at accounts@psu.edu. This will help a great deal. We thank you for your understanding during this transition.
Sincerely,
Russell S. Vaught, Ph.D.
Senior Director,
Center for Academic Computing