A knowledge base article about Requesting Software provided by the UC Berkeley IT Service Hub - Knowledge Portal
General Software Offerings
The Computer Facilities provides commonly used software including the latest Microsoft Office and networking/internet connectivity tools. This software has high priority in cases of troubleshooting and allocation of staff resources.
Instructors who use this general software for their classroom curriculum are responsible for testing the software in advance to see if the software meets their instructional needs. Please refer to the timelines below for the required testing schedule.
If the general software does not meet instructional computing needs, instructors may provide specialized or other software three weeks in advance of the reservation date. All instructional software must work within the confines of the current facility software and hardware environment and does not receive technical support from facility staff.
Computer Facilities is not responsible for any loss of data, time, or resources caused directly or indirectly by use of such software. Existing instructional software may become de-supported if it becomes incompatible, as hardware or system upgrades occur. Instructors will be notified in these instances.
Requests for shareware or publicly available software are treated like requests for all other types of commercial software. Licenses must be provided for all such software used. Proof of registration and payment of fees are required before it can be considered for installation on the server. Evaluation copies of software will not be placed on the file server to be used on an evaluation or trial basis. Shareware will be granted instructional supported software status in rare cases at the discretion of Computer Facilities staff. Beta or development releases of software will not be allowed on the file servers and will not be supported by Computer Facilities staff; exceptions are made at the discretion of facilities staff. Any software found on the file server without explicit written permission from Computer Facilities will be removed and access privileges will be revoked.
Freeware and public domain software can be installed (with permission) without licensing. Computer Facilities must be presented with documentation that states freeware or public domain status before installation occurs.
In cases of self-developed or non-commercial software, facility staff will not be responsible for software functionality. Instructors are responsible for contacting the developers directly for technical support. Exceptions to these guidelines are at the discretion of Computer Facilities staff.
In some cases, software cannot be installed onto the server because of networking or other technical environment issues. In these cases, an instructor can request permission to install the software directly onto each client machine as long as the software does not require the user to have administrative rights. Each case is reviewed and granted permission at the discretion of Computer Facilities staff. The software will be unsupported and functionality is solely the responsibility of the instructor. Computer Facility staff will neither assist in installation nor support. Instructors may request additional scheduled time before the class period to install such software.
All changes which have been made for local installs will be removed at log-out. Multi-session classes will need to reinstall software after logging in at the beginning of each class period. The Computer Facilities is not responsible for any loss of data, time, or resources caused directly or indirectly by use of such software.
Minimum 3 weeks prior to the first class meeting
Software evaluation begins. All software media and licensing must be received.
Minimum 2 weeks prior to the first class meeting
Software support status will be determined. Instructors must begin testing of all associated instructional software on-site in the classroom facility.
Minimum 1 weeks prior to the first class meeting
Specialized software will be finalized (installation and configuration are standardized).
The instructor is responsible for testing all requested software on-site at the at least 5 working days prior to the first scheduled class; this includes testing of all general supported software. The test must simulate the actual classroom environment, testing all aspects of the requested software. Any problems found during this testing period will be addressed by the facilities technical staff to find solutions, although a resolution is not guaranteed. You will have priority during this time.
If software is received less than 3 weeks prior to the first class meeting, software will automatically be given non-supported status. Thus, all software functionality will be the responsibility of the instructor. Computer Facilities cannot guarantee the installation of the software on to the file server. Assistance with local installation and troubleshooting will not be provided. Support status will not be granted until 3 weeks from receipt of the software.
Problems that occur during a class for untested software will be addressed within 10 working days.
If you need assistance or have questions about this policy, please contact Willa Chan, reserve@berkeley.edu or 510-643-6248.