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Unix-SPIRES Collaboration
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Information Services, M.S. 82
2575 Sand Hill Road
Menlo Park, California
U.S.A. 94025-7090
redfield@slac.stanford.edu
650.926.4396
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Unix-SPIRES Participation
The purpose of this non-profit project to use and develop
Unix-SPIRES is to continue some of
the most valuable features of the former Stanford-based
(mainframe) SPIRES Consortium such as the latest version
of the underlying SPIRES database management system,
mutual assistance, and further development.
More information about the nature of Unix-SPIRES
as well as further technical details and a history
of mainframe SPIRES is available from the
Unix-SPIRES home page.
Unix-SPIRES is maintained by the Stanford Linear
Accelerator Center Library and is available to
institutions who are active in the SPIRES-HEP
database community, to other members of the
Department of Energy complex, and to other non-profit
institutions who would find the application useful
and would join with SLAC in funding co-development
efforts.
Institutions wishing to join with SLAC should read the remainder
of this document for an explanation of the benefits and costs, and then
contact:
Ann M. Redfield, Unix-SPIRES Coordinator
Information Services
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
2575 Sand Hill Road, MS 82
Menlo Park, California 94025-7090
USA
The collaboration has been in operation since 1995 and
has successfully implemented Unix-SPIRES at a wide variety of
institutions. We are evolving future plans and needs. New
participants will have an opportunity to shape these future plans.
We have developed a first-year cost for participation
that provides also some expert
assistance for installation and migration of data, sub-routines, etc.,
from mainframe to Unix-SPIRES. First time site
installation cost recovery is $10,000
(US) and provides the participating institution the
following:
- a copy of the compiled Unix-SPIRES DBMS to run on one host machine;
- the latest version of the underlying SPIRES DBMS;
- the Unix-SPIRES full screen display module;
- the Web interface module;
- access to the Unix-SPIRES Listserv;
- documentation, including the basic SPIRES
documentation and the Unix-SPIRES-specific
documentation (plus online EXPLAIN files);
- cooperative support, including help getting the
system running and advice on data migration;
- all development and improvements, including
upgrades and fixes, made for twelve calendar
months from the signing of the Memorandum of
Understanding agreeing to participate in the
Unix-SPIRES collaboration.
Institutions wishing to continue using the Unix-SPIRES
compiled code must retain their active participant status in the
Unix-SPIRES project on an annual basis. There are two levels of annual
participation depending upon the database(s) size and the number of
applications that will be using Unix-SPIRES. Because SLAC is non-profit,
and desires to simply recover the ongoing costs for development,
maintenance, and support, the costs of participation have been kept as low
as possible. Determination of the appropriate cost to be paid SLAC will
be on the honor system.
- Continued Participation at a Standard Level:
A standard participation cost recovery assessment after the first year
will be $6,500 (US) annually and will permit the continued use of
Unix-SPIRES with upgrades and fixes for twelve more calendar months.
Standard participation is defined as an installation running either a
large database requiring unlimited searching updating and development or
one which is running more than one database (Unix-SPIRES files).
Institutions which become standard-level participants in the first year
will receive, at no additional cost, a production version of the Web
interface.
Institutions which are SPIRES-H(igh)E(nergy)P(hysics) Databases Mirror
Sites must elect to continue participation at the Standard Level.
- Continued Participation at a Restricted Level:
Restricted participation at a reduced amount is available to
institutions needing a Unix-SPIRES database management system for a
single, small SPIRES database. An example of restricted participation
might be a single bibliographic file which is not under heavy growth and
development and which has a modest user base and a single developer. The
annual cost of continuing Unix-SPIRES participation at a restricted
participant level is $3,500 (US).
This level of participation would entitle the institution to
the continued use of the current Unix-SPIRES installation with no upgrades
but with any essential fixes for twelve more calendar months. While
intended for a single database with limited size, maintenance,
development, and use, the restricted-level participation permits unlimited
search access to the database by a modest user base. Significantly
increased database development, growth, or use, or the need to develop
additional databases (Unix-SPIRES files), would require notification of
SLAC in writing and the payment of an additional $3,500 (US) for that
year. At the restricted-participant level, consulting help is limited.
Institutions can participate in the Unix-SPIRES project by signing a Memorandum of Understanding and Appendix A
with the Stanford Linear Accelerator
Center. For further information, please contact Pat
Kreitz at pkreitz@slac.stanford.edu
or call her at (650) 926-4385.
- Participants may run one installation of the
compiled code for the site-use(s) agreed to in the
MOU.
- Restricted level participants must ensure their use does not
violate the spirit of the restricted-level definition. If
their use expands beyond that originally anticipated,
they must notify SLAC in writing and pay the full fee for standard
level participation.
- Participants agree not to redistribute Unix-SPIRES and
associated material or programs within their
institution or to third parties without the written
consent of SLAC. Stanford University has
intellectual property rights in Unix-SPIRES as well as
in SPIRES. SLAC, as part of Stanford University, is
the sole distributor of Unix-SPIRES.
- Members agree to share their expertise and any
locally-developed Unix-SPIRES enhancements and
tools with participating members.
Unix-SPIRES and its components were developed
under the sponsorship of the U.S. Government and
Stanford University. Neither the U.S. Government,
nor the U.S. Department of Energy, nor Stanford
University, nor their employees, makes any
warranty, express or implied, or assumes any
liability or responsibility for accuracy,
completeness or usefulness of any software,
information, product or process disclosed, or
represents that its use will not infringe privately-
owned rights. Mention of any product, its
manufacturer, or suppliers shall not, nor is it
intended to, imply approval, disapproval, or fitness
for any particular use. The U.S. Government and
Stanford University at all times retain the right to
use and disseminate the furnished items for any
purpose whatsoever.
- Unix-SPIRES Home Page
- Unix-SPIRES Technical Information
- Unix-SPIRES Discussion List
- Future needs and plans
Back to Table of
Contents
Last updated: 8 March 2005
Unix-SPIRES Staff
Travis Brooks
and
Michael Sullivan