Difference between revisions of "FAQs for Jimenez Group"

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''Contents of this page moved to the Jimenez [http://cires1.colorado.edu/jimenez-group/wiki/index.php/Practical_Ref#Group_FAQ.27s Practical_Ref] wiki page.''
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''See also the Wiki page for [http://cires.colorado.edu/jimenez-group/wiki/index.php/Policies_Procedures Policies and Procedures of the Jimenez Group]''
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<!---  Information below moved to Practical Ref page (see link above).  Leaving old informaiton here just in case
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==For Grad Students: Which Courses Should I Take?==
 
==For Grad Students: Which Courses Should I Take?==
  
 
* Independent of Department you are in
 
* Independent of Department you are in
** [http://www.colorado.edu/chemistry/chem5181/ CHEM-5181: Mass Spectrometry and Chromatography]; [http://www.colorado.edu/catalog/current/search.pl?abbr=CHEM&num=5181 Catalog Link] (Jimenez)
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** [http://www.colorado.edu/chemistry/chem5181/ CHEM-5181: Mass Spectrometry and Chromatography] (Jimenez)
** [http://cires.colorado.edu/jimenez/AtmChem/ CHEM-5151/ATOC-5151: Atmospheric Chemistry]; [http://www.colorado.edu/catalog/current/search.pl?abbr=CHEM&num=5151 Catalog Link] (typically Tolbert, Volkamer, Avallone, or Jimenez)
+
** [http://cires.colorado.edu/jimenez/AtmChem/ CHEM-5151/ATOC-5151: Atmospheric Chemistry] (typically Tolbert, Volkamer, Avallone, or Jimenez)
** CSCI-1300: Computer Science: Introduction to Programming; [http://www.colorado.edu/catalog/current/search.pl?abbr=CSCI&num=1300 Catalog Link] (Freshman Undergrad Course)
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** CSCI-1300: Computer Science: Introduction to Programming (Freshman Undergrad Course, unless you already have a serious background in programming)
  
 
* For other possible courses, see the [http://cires.colorado.edu/jimenez-group/wiki/index.php/FAQ_ANYL_1styr#What_Other_Courses_Can_I_Take.3F list for 1st year Analytical Chemistry students] (students in ATOC will have some different requirements)
 
* For other possible courses, see the [http://cires.colorado.edu/jimenez-group/wiki/index.php/FAQ_ANYL_1styr#What_Other_Courses_Can_I_Take.3F list for 1st year Analytical Chemistry students] (students in ATOC will have some different requirements)
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== Research FAQs ==
 
== Research FAQs ==
 
(The questions are hosted on a different page)
 
 
=== Do you have tips for writing papers, proposals, and giving presentations? ===
 
 
* [http://cires.colorado.edu/jimenez-group/wiki/index.php/FAQ_Misc#Writing_and_Presenting_FAQs See this FAQ group]
 
 
=== What are the guidelines for dealing with peer review of papers? ===
 
 
* [http://cires.colorado.edu/jimenez-group/wiki/index.php/FAQ_Misc#Peer-Reviewing_FAQs See this FAQ group]
 
 
=== Why do we publish so much in ACP and AMT ? ===
 
 
* [http://cires.colorado.edu/jimenez-group/wiki/index.php/FAQ_Misc#Why_does_your_group_publish_so_much_on_ACP.3F See this FAQ]
 
 
=== What is a highly cited paper? ===
 
 
* [http://cires.colorado.edu/jimenez-group/wiki/index.php/FAQ_Misc#How_do_you_determine_whether_a_paper_is_.22Highly_Cited.22_according_to_Thomson_ISI See this FAQ]
 
  
 
== Computing FAQs==
 
== Computing FAQs==
 
=== Can I use a Mac or Linux computer? ===
 
 
Some of the software we use is Windows-specific, so a Mac or Linux-PC would NOT work. There are also many subtle incompatibilities when trying to share files betwen a Mac and a PC, and finally Macs do not work with some hardware I have encountered in the field (e.g. we found that Macs could not connect to certain network hubs or printers, and those were the only units available at the field site). This choice does not imply that we have positive opinion of the role of Bill Gates or Microsoft in the computer (or the wider) world, it is just a practical necessity. We use exclusively Windows PC computers (mostly Windows 7 as of Oct. 2011).
 
 
=== Am I expected to do regular backups? ===
 
 
* YES!! As of Jan 2012, everyone in the group is required to use two systems:
 
** An automated backup via the internet using [http://www.carbonite.com Carbonite]. This is a paid service, and you should check with Michael for setting it up in your computer.
 
** A local copy in a portable hard drive. You have to be disciplined about making a copy of your data and documents at least every week (better if every day), updating what you have changed during the week. We have seen a surprisingly large number of people loose work, sometimes months or even years of work, for not having an up-to-date backup. This is lessened if you have Carbonite, but Carbonite does fail sometimes and it is slow for getting all your data back. For this you should use the Viceversa Pro software for which we have a group license, and you should have your own portable hard drive from Apricorn.
 
 
=== Which software do we use? ===
 
 
In the group we use a pretty standardized set of software packages to do the different things we do. This is not to say that these packages are the best, I am sure we could do the same work with a completely different set of programs. However standardizing is very useful to be able to help each other learn and use the software and work effectively. These packages are:
 
 
* [http://www.colorado.edu/CNS/security/antivirus/ CU antivirus]
 
* Igor Pro (data analysis and graphing)
 
* Skype (fast communication) -- you are required to be logged into Skype during working hours
 
* Powerpoint (presentations)
 
* Excel (simple data analysis)
 
* Word (papers)
 
** Microsoft Office is downloadable from [http://www.colorado.edu/its/licenses/microsoft/ here] (CU campus license)
 
* Adobe Acrobat (PDF making)
 
* Viceversa Pro (local HD backups)
 
* [http://www.carbonite.com Carbonite] (online backups)
 
* This Wiki (web pages)
 
* [http://vpn.colorado.edu CU VPN] (accessing CU resources remotely)
 
* [http://winscp.net/eng/index.php WinSCP] (secure FTP program)
 
* Google Docs (shared documents on web, some papers)
 
* Google Spreadsheets (shared spreadsheets, field study organization)
 
* Google Desktop (searching your own computer)
 
* Google Reader (keeping track of the literature with RSS feeds)
 
 
* There are other programs which can do the same function (e.g. Latex instead of Word, OpenOffice, Matlab...), however there is a great benefit on using the same set of programs as we can learn from each other and share files easily. Therefore for group work you are expected to use the standard programs above.
 
 
* There is no standard email or web browser for the group, you can use whichever you prefer.
 
  
 
=== Where can I print? ===
 
=== Where can I print? ===
  
* We have a group printer in the lab (Ekeley E150), which can print double sided and color. If you need to print to it from a new computer, you can find the CD in the software repository, or download the drivers from the [http://www.hp.com HP web site].  
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* We have a group printers in Cristol 334 and Cristol 441A, which can print double sided and color. If you need to print to it from a new computer you can use these instructions to access the printer in Cristol [http://tinyurl.com/jwr85wf 334] or [http://tinyurl.com/nxhym29 441A], or download the drivers from the [http://www.hp.com HP web site].  
 
* If the printer is low on paper, you can get more from the CIRES copier room on the third floor (it is covered through the CIRES office supplies policy).  
 
* If the printer is low on paper, you can get more from the CIRES copier room on the third floor (it is covered through the CIRES office supplies policy).  
* If the printer complains about low toner, get the toner out and shake it as this often elongates the life of the supplies (try not to get the ink all over yourself as I often do).  
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* If the printer complains about low toner, get the toner out and shake it as this often prolongs the life of the supplies (try not to get the ink all over yourself as I often do).  
* If shaking the cartridge doesn't work, change the toner, and MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ANOTHER NEW TONER CARTRIDGE OF THAT COLOR. If not, please let Michael know so that he can order a replacement. The printer will not print if one of the toners is empty. In particular, it will not even print in B&W if one of the color toners is empty. For this reason we need to always keep one spare of each toner, otherwise we can be stuck without a printer for several days.
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* If shaking the cartridge doesn't work, change the toner, and MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ANOTHER NEW TONER CARTRIDGE OF THAT COLOR. If not, please let Philip know so that he can order a replacement. The printer will not print if any of the toner cartridges are empty. In particular, it will not even print in B&W if one of the color cartridges are empty. For this reason we need to always keep one spare of each toner, otherwise we may be stuck without a printer for several days.
 
* Toner cartridges are very expensive (hundreds of $$) and we change them often, so they are a significant cost for the group. There are restrictions on how to pay for them, so please conserve them by not printing unneeded stuff (e.g. don't print a 100-page report if you really only need to read two pages), and print in B&W if you don't need color.  
 
* Toner cartridges are very expensive (hundreds of $$) and we change them often, so they are a significant cost for the group. There are restrictions on how to pay for them, so please conserve them by not printing unneeded stuff (e.g. don't print a 100-page report if you really only need to read two pages), and print in B&W if you don't need color.  
 
* It is ok to print small numbers of pages for personal use, but not very large documents.
 
* It is ok to print small numbers of pages for personal use, but not very large documents.
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** CIRES 4: 128.138.136.18
 
** CIRES 4: 128.138.136.18
  
*adding a printer with vista (coming soon)
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*adding a printer with Windows 7
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**Start ->
 +
**Devices and Printers ->
 +
**Add a Printer ->
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**Add a local printer ->
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**(bottom of window) create new port ->
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**HP Standard TCP/IP Port ->
 +
**Next ->
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**Enter the ip address for the printer in the top box (128.138.136.xx where xx is either 13 or 18)
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**Allow the "Port Name" box to autofill -> Next ->
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**Review the information and if correct -> Finish ->
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**Select "HP" in the left box, and find the Model "4520 Series" in the right box for CIRES 2 (or select HP Universal Printing PCL6 for CIRES 4 HP4700DN) ->
 +
** Select "Use the driver that is currently installed (recommended)" if available, otherwise let the driver install -> Next ->
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**name it something appropriate (e.g. CCF-CIRES2 or CCF-CIRES4) ->
 +
**Do not share this printer -> Next ->
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**Uncheck "Set as defualt" and you may wish to "Print a test page" ->
 +
**Finish
 +
 
 +
=== How do I print to the CIRES Copy Room Printer/Copier/FAX/Scanner on the 3rd floor? ===
 +
 
 +
The Printer/Copier/FAX/Scanner in the CIRES Copy room is a Konica/Minolta bizhub C454e.  You will need to download and install the [http://cires.colorado.edu/jimenez-group/software/Drivers/KM_UniversalDriver_pcl_v2.50.0.0_x64.zip Konica/Minolta biz C454e  drivers].  After installing the drivers you will need to "Add a printer" in Windows.  Once configured per the instructions below, printing to this printer will cause a dialog box to appear asking you to enter information.  Leave the "Department" box blank, and enter the appropriate printer code (see [http://tinyurl.com/nsdlwc9 Grants+Email] sheet in JG_Organization) into the password box and click OK.  Your document should then print.
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 +
IP Address: 128.138.136.77
  
*adding a printer with Windows XP
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*Adding this as a printer in Windows 7
**start ->  
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**Start ->  
**printers and faxes ->  
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**Devices and Printers ->  
**add a printer ->  
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**Add a Printer ->  
**local printer attached to this computer ->  
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**Add a local printer ->  
 
**(bottom of window) create new port ->  
 
**(bottom of window) create new port ->  
**standard tcp/ip port ->  
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**Standard TCP/IP Port ->
**printer IP 128.138.136.xx
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**Next ->
**hp 4600 (you should have the driver already because its the same as the driver of our existing printer). ->  
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**Enter the ip address for the printer in the top box (128.138.136.77)
**keep existing driver ->  
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**Allow the "Port Name" box to autofill -> Next ->
**name it something appropriate ->  
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**Review the information and if correct -> Finish ->
**you don't need to share it
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**Select "HP" in the left box, and find the Model "4520 Series" in the right box for CIRES 2 (or select HP Universal Printing PCL6 for CIRES 4 HP4700DN) ->
 +
** Select "Use the driver that is currently installed (recommended)" if available, otherwise let the driver install -> Next ->
 +
**name it something appropriate (e.g. CIRES-CoprRoom) ->
 +
**Do not share this printer -> Next ->
 +
**Uncheck "Set as defualt".  Do not Print a test page at this time ->
 +
**Finish.  Now you need to make some configuratoin changes to allow entry of the copier code ->
 +
**Start ->
 +
**Devices and Printers ->
 +
**Right click on the printer you created above (e.g. CIRES-CopyRoom) and select "Printer Properties" ->
 +
**Click on the "Setting" tab ->
 +
**Check "Verify Authengication settings before printing" and "Popup Authendication Dialog when printing"  Leave the other options with their default settings.
 +
**Click "Apply" ->
 +
**Click the "General" tab and press "Print Test Page." 
 +
**An authentication dialog box should pop-up. Leave "Department Name" blank, and enter the appropriate "Copier code" in the "Password" box. 
 +
***You may press the "Verify" button.  If you do, and if you have entered a proper copier code you should see a box that says "Verificaton has succeeded."  Click "OK" ->
 +
**Click "OK"
 +
**You can now go check if your test page printed and pick it up from the copier room, or you can use the next set of instructions to check the Printer's web page to see if the document printed
 +
 
 +
*Checking the Copier/Printers "Job History" to see if your job printed. ->
 +
**Open a web browser and type 128.138.136.77 in the address bar ->
 +
**Enter an appropriate "Copier code" in the password box and press enter (or press the "Login" button) ->
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**Click the green "Job" tab ->
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**Select "Job History" on the left menu bar ->
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**You should see something similar to this image [http://cires.colorado.edu/jimenez-group/pics/CIRESprintjob.PNG list of jobs]. Note in this picutre, the job with no "type" and "Deleted due to error" in the "Result" column is an example of what happens if you try to print a test page before selecting the options for "Popup Authentication Dialog when printing," or if you enter an improper printer code for a print job.  You should see "Jose Jimenez" in the "Type" box, and "Job Complete" in the "Result" box for a successful print job.
  
 
===How do I transfer large files securely via CU's file transfer system?===
 
===How do I transfer large files securely via CU's file transfer system?===
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* [http://cires.colorado.edu/jimenez-group/wiki/index.php/FAQ_Misc#How_do_I_edit_a_page_in_this_Wiki.3F See this FAQ]
 
* [http://cires.colorado.edu/jimenez-group/wiki/index.php/FAQ_Misc#How_do_I_edit_a_page_in_this_Wiki.3F See this FAQ]
  
== Hardware & Instruments FAQs ==
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=== Recommendations for configuring a Windows computer for data acquisition with LabVIEW ===
  
=== What are the rules for instrument use? ===
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* [http://www.originalcode.com/Data_Acq_Computer_Recommendations.html See this web page]
* J-Group instruments will have a notebook (either on the computer in the case of MAB-AMS, or hardcopy for the Lab-AMS) to keep track of changes, maintenance, use, etc. This is separate from individual experiment or campaign notebooks.
 
** 1. You use the AMS, then it's 100% your responsibility to make sure that it's working BEFORE you use it and 100% your responsibility to make sure it's in mint condition AFTER you used it. Any problems you create, you are responsible for fixing.
 
**2. Anytime you CHANGE something on the AMS (swap cables, up the MCP setting, add light scattering, upgrade software, etc.), please write it in the notebook.
 
**3. Anytime you decide to REMOVE something from the AMS, and not leave it in perfect working order, it gets cleared by the instrument 'owner' first by an email, a text, a phone call, whatever. (eg., Delphine for Lab-AMS, Carly for MAB-AMS, Mike for HIAPER, etc.)
 
**4. If anyone breaks the rules and thinks that they can get away with just taking a cable and not writing it down, then they can lose instrument privileges at the discretion of the instrument 'owner'.
 
  
=== Can I borrow a _____ from the group for personal use? ===
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== Hardware & Instruments FAQs ==
 
 
In general the answer is YES, but pls write it on the board which is attached to the door of the lab BEFORE the item leaves the lab. For more expensive or critical items (e.g. GPS) please ask the group first via email, and/or ask Jose.
 
  
 
=== How do I buy supplies for research? ===
 
=== How do I buy supplies for research? ===
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*Note that you can't be reimbursed for office supplies that are not purchased in this way! So do not buy anything at Office Depot etc. or you will have to pay for it out-of-pocket (except for field studies).
 
*Note that you can't be reimbursed for office supplies that are not purchased in this way! So do not buy anything at Office Depot etc. or you will have to pay for it out-of-pocket (except for field studies).
 
== Work Schedule FAQs ==
 
 
* Everyone in the group should work in his/her office and/or in the lab every day.
 
* Working at home is possible but it is discouraged as it often leads to reduced focus and productivity. If you want to work at home some of the time, you need to discuss it with Jose first. If this is approved, you need to enter the times in which you are working at home in the group calendar to facilitate organization of meetings etc.
 
* Everyone in the group will work for a minimum of 8 hrs which overlap the period 10 am to 4 pm, so that interactions with other group members are possible.
 
* Longer hours are typical of research, and are critical during field studies and other intensive periods.
 
* For positions which are shared between our group and other groups or companies, a clear accounting of the hours worked for each group is essential for good long-term functioning of the collaborative relationship. This is done via a Google Spreadsheet shared with all parties, which allows for continuous updating and sharing of the information.
 
  
 
== Travel FAQs ==
 
== Travel FAQs ==
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=== What do I need to do to travel on CU funds? ===
 
=== What do I need to do to travel on CU funds? ===
  
* First, you need to get a travel authorization (TA) from Jennie Bell
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* First, familiarize yourself with the CIRES [https://insidecires.colorado.edu/finance/travel/Travel%20policy_2013.pdf Travel policy].
* Second, after receiving the travel authorization email, you can get a plane ticket from Christopherson Business Travel or reserve online in the Concur System
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* Second, you need to get a travel authorization using the CIRES [https://insidecires.colorado.edu/finance/travel/travel.php Travel Authorization Web page].
 +
* Third, after receiving the travel authorization email, you can get a plane ticket from Christopherson Business Travel or reserve online in the Concur System (goto your [http://mycuinfo.colorado.edu mycuinfo.colorado.edu] page, clicking on the CU Resources tab, and selecting Concur Travel & Expense).
 
* You can reserve hotels directly and pay with them with your personal credit card or the travel card
 
* You can reserve hotels directly and pay with them with your personal credit card or the travel card
 
* For rental cars, they HAVE TO be purchased with the travel card, declining insurance, and from an authorized vendor (AVIS works)
 
* For rental cars, they HAVE TO be purchased with the travel card, declining insurance, and from an authorized vendor (AVIS works)
 
* For more detailed in formation, check out [http://insidecires.colorado.edu/finance/travel/ CIRES Intranet Travel page] (have to log in)
 
* For more detailed in formation, check out [http://insidecires.colorado.edu/finance/travel/ CIRES Intranet Travel page] (have to log in)
  
=== What are the rules for per diem (meals) reimbursement for the group? ===
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== Professional Association FAQs ==
 
 
* The total reimbursement is limited by the US government per diem rate for that location. If you spend more, it is on you.
 
* The group policy is that you should request reimbursement of the actual meal expenses, not the full per diem. This is done because the per diem rates are often very high, and cannot be supported with the travel funds provided by the funding agencies, especially for long field studies. By claiming the actual expenses, we save travel funds for group members to attend conferences. Receipts are not needed.
 
 
 
== Conference and Professional Association FAQs ==
 
 
 
A shortcut to this item is [http://tinyurl.com/JG-Conf http://tinyurl.com/JG-Conf]
 
 
 
=== What are the group rules for attending conferences? ===
 
 
 
* '''Attending conferences with all expenses paid by research funds is a privilege, not an automatic right, just for being in the group.'''
 
* A typical attendance level is 1-2 conferences per person per year. It assumes submitting and publishing AT LEAST ONE first-author paper in the year prior to the abstract deadline
 
* By submitting an abstract to a conference, you are committing to have a full draft of your presentation or poster ready by 2 weeks before the presentation. This allows sufficient time for the group to review the presentation and provide feedback. Violation of this rule can have consequences in reduced conference attendance in the future.
 
* Most of the group tends to go to (one or several of): the AAAR Annual Conference, the AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco, the AMS Users Meeting.
 
* Other conferences such as the Annual Conference of the ASMS, ACS National Meetings, the Gordon Conference on Atmospheric Chemistry, the Annual Meeting of the EGU in the Spring (Vienna typically), etc., are possible if there are suitable sessions.
 
* Higher levels of productivity (>1 paper per year) or special needs (e.g. special sessions where the group needs to be represented) may lead to people attending more 1-2 conferences per year
 
* Lower productivity (e.g. not paper submission over the last year) may lead to not attending any conference that year. The fact that this rule is often not applied doesn't preclude that it may be in the future.
 
* In general the results to be presented need to be fully cooked by the abstract deadline. Exceptions to this rule are on a case-by-case basis
 
* External funds (conference grants, certain fellowships) may allow additional conference attendance. Note however that funding agencies (e.g. NSF, NASA, EPA) often explicitly consider fellowships as an extension of the funding that they provide to the group, and they reduce our grants accordingly.
 
* Local conferences (in Boulder or Denver) generally don't count in this regard as the expenses are much smaller (transportation is free with RTD, and the group only covers registration).
 
* Conferences abroad (especially in Europe) tend to be much more expensive and many grants cannot be used for foreign travel. Therefore attendance of conferences abroad is less frequent, although possible.
 
* Final decisions combine all of these factors and will be made by Jose
 
 
 
=== What behavior is expected at conferences? ===
 
 
 
* When you attend a conference, it is a professional trip where you are representing our group, and professional behavior is expected. Many other attendees will eventually judge the publication of our research (as referees and editors) and especially future funding for our group (as proposal reviewers or program managers). If they see you skip the conference to go sightseeing etc., or party late at night so that you don't get up in time for the morning sessions, it could have a serious negative impact in our future funding and publications. Such behavior will impact your attendance to future conferences.
 
  
 
=== Which professional associations should I join? ===
 
=== Which professional associations should I join? ===
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* We very highly recommend [http://www.agu.org AGU] and [http://www.aaar.org AAAR]. The next most interesting possibilities are [http://www.asms.org ASMS], [http://www.acs.org ACS] (especially if you are in chemistry), [http://www.awma.org AWMA], and [http://www.aaas.org AAAS] (you get the journal Science with the latter). Other possibilities include [http://www.ametsoc.org/AMS/ AMS], [http://www.asme.org ASME], [http://www.aiche.org AIChE], etc., but they are less relevant unless you are in those Depts.
 
* We very highly recommend [http://www.agu.org AGU] and [http://www.aaar.org AAAR]. The next most interesting possibilities are [http://www.asms.org ASMS], [http://www.acs.org ACS] (especially if you are in chemistry), [http://www.awma.org AWMA], and [http://www.aaas.org AAAS] (you get the journal Science with the latter). Other possibilities include [http://www.ametsoc.org/AMS/ AMS], [http://www.asme.org ASME], [http://www.aiche.org AIChE], etc., but they are less relevant unless you are in those Depts.
  
== Group Service FAQs ==
 
 
=== If I join the group, am I supposed to do anything else than research? ===
 
 
* YES. You may work as a teaching assistant during some semesters. Also you will be expected to do some service to the group every year, rotating in various roles. This help us all by making the group run smoothly and ensuring that our infrastructure (e.g. instruments) is working. Most of the time this will be very low intensity (few hrs / week), although there will be some periods in which more work will be required. Examples include instrument maintenance, organization of the AMS Clinic, and literature alerts.
 
 
=== What are the Standards for Lab Safety, Cleanliness, and Organization? ===
 
 
* By joining the group, you are accepting to maintain high standards of safety, cleanliness, and organization in the lab. We don't care if some other's group lab is less clean or organized, that's their problem. We need to all work on this on a day-to-day basis. E.g. we should not have scattered items on the various counters. Please put things (tools, pens, tapes, cables..) away IMMEDIATELY after you use them. Everything should have a place in the drawers / cabinets. If it does not, choose an empty drawer or cabinet, put the stuff in, and label it appropriately (the labeling materials are in the "office supplies" drawers towards the front of the lab).
 
 
* Be especially careful NOT to lay any cables or tubes on the ground or at a low height, as these are accidents waiting to happen. Route all cables and tubing high off the ground.
 
 
* If you are working on a given location and want to keep some tools nearby, get a transparent plastic bin, label it as yours, and keep everything there.
 
 
* If we let someone else use our lab (don't do this unless you check with Jose first), make sure that they understand the rules for safety and organization in our lab. Please make sure that they take their stuff (and leave ours) after they are done.
 
 
* For cardboard packing boxes, there are only two possible fates:
 
** If we decide to keep it (which we should do for expensive stuff that we may return for repair, such as instrumentation), write on them what they are for (e.g. "DMA Column") in big letters, and store them safely on the shelves or on top of the cabinets. If they are very large, check with Michael to bring them to storage in East Campus.
 
** If we are not keeping the box, recycle it that same day, when you leave for the evening. The corner near the entrance of the lab is NOT a storage location for boxes.
 
 
* Recyclables (paper at least) in the lab are not picked up very often. If you see the recycling person, please ask him/her to come to the lab that same day, and to continue coming on a regular basis.
 
 
* If anyone (from our group or other groups) borrows a tool or something else from us, please ask them to sign it out on one of the sign-out sheets near either lab door. This is extremely important. Of course do the same if you borrow something from e.g. Maggie's lab. If they don't have a sign-out sheet, put a post-it on their door.
 
 
* Please remember that we have lots of rechargeable batteries. The chargers (one universal, the other Ni-Cd only) are by one of the windows to the atrium. Please be careful not to throw away rechargeable batteries as these are expensive. Also if in the field, or if loaning stuff to people in other labs, please let them know about the rechargeable batteries. You'd be surprised how many of these get thrown away by people who do not pay attention.
 
 
* Food may be stored in the student office refrigerator or inside a closed plastic tub in your desk. We had mice a few years ago, and we need to avoid that in the future. Please no food of any kind anywhere else. Also don't leave food wrappers etc. in the trash in the lab, as they can also attract mice. The microwave in the lab is for drying silica gel and other lab uses, not for food.
 
 
== Vacation FAQs ==
 
 
=== How much vacation do we have in the group? ===
 
 
* The current policy is two weeks a year of vacation for graduate students. See below for extra vacation after intense field studies.
 
* Postdocs and research scientists have a separate system in which they accrue vacation days with time. The CIRES human resources people can explain the details of this system.
 
* Please put the days you'll be away in the [http://www.google.com/calendar Group Google Calendar].
 
** For students only (since CIRES does this for everyone else), pls add your vacation days to the "Vacation_St" tab of the [http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Arne3B66AUZCcHBXY01sX1k2eGZLY1pBcVhrV1oyYWc&hl=en j-Group Schedules spreadsheet], so that we can organize around it.
 
* Please let Jose know of your intent to take vacation if the vacation is longer than 3 days, or if it happens less than 6 weeks before a field study or conference that you are attending.
 
 
=== Can I take off for Spring Break or Fall Break? ===
 
 
* No, unless you choose to take some of your regular vacation during that time. Note that the Spring or Fall Breaks are only a breaks from classes, and it is NOT a vacation period from research. In fact we often work on research more intensely during those periods as people have more time since classes are not held that week.
 
 
=== Can I take vacation BEFORE field studies and conferences? ===
 
 
* Please do not schedule vacations within a month of an important deadline (two months if possible). Breaking this rule without discussing with Jose first will be penalized. Examples include an upcoming field study, a conference you may be presenting at (AAAR in October and AGU in December are the main ones), a paper deadline, etc. Experience shows that these periods are very intense and your continuous presence is needed.
 
 
=== Can I take vacation AFTER field studies or conferences? ===
 
  
* Field studies can be very draining, with continuous 12-hr workdays for several weeks and no weekends. Obviously one needs to recover after these, and the periods right after field studies are good to take time off.
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* For the same reason, scheduling your vacations AFTER a deadline (conference, etc.) is generally a very good idea.
 
* In recognition of the intensity of some of our field studies, group members which participate in a field study may be able to take extra vacation, corresponding to the number of weekend days that they worked during the study. E.g. if the study was 4 weeks long, including 4 weekends, and there were only 2 off days, then the group member can take an extra 8 - 2 = 6 vacation days. These days should preferably be taken soon after the field study. Some less intense field studies do not qualify for the full policy, and in all cases this should be discussed with Jose first, and the final arrangement must be recorded via email to Jose.
 

Latest revision as of 10:53, 2 July 2015

Contents of this page moved to the Jimenez Practical_Ref wiki page.
See also the Wiki page for Policies and Procedures of the Jimenez Group