MSI Users Bulletin - December 2023

The Users Bulletin provides a summary of new policies, procedures, and events of interest to MSI users. It is published quarterly.

1. Mesabi Decommissioning: As announced in the email from MSI Director Ben Lynch on December 6, MSI will decommission Mesabi on June 5, 2024. This will make room for the expansion of the Agate cluster. Mesabi has in service for nearly ten years and is becoming increasingly expensive to maintain. 

There will be no disruption to home directory storage, and MSI will provide support to users during the transition. We will be rolling out detailed transition guides, hosting informational webinars, and providing one-on-one consultations to ensure a seamless migration of your projects. Please watch for emails in January that will outline technical details of the transition. See the announcement on our website for information.

2. Save the Date – 2024 Research Computing Exhibition: The 2024 Research Computing Exhibition will be held Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The Research Computing Exhibition will include a poster competition, a panel discussion with industry representatives about careers in HPC, presentations about projects supported by Research Computing, and tours.

The Call for Posters will be sent out in early February. The event webpage will be updated as information becomes available.

3. Research Computing Collaboration and Coffee: Research Computing Collaboration and Coffee events will be held on January 17 and February 21, at 2:30 – 3:30 p.m., in 401 Walter Library. RC users are welcome to join staff members for informal discussions. You should bring your own beverage and/or snack. If you’re so moved, you’re welcome to bring a treat to share (many thanks to the people who have done this at recent events!).

4. Data Science Initiative Data Voyages: The DSI Data Voyages: Exploring Data Science in Unexpected Places series will present the following lectures:

  • The Science of Apple Cultivation with Professor Jim Luby, Horticultural Science; January 25, 2024, 3-4 p.m., 402 Walter Library
  • The Science of Card Games with Fantasy Flight; February 15, 2024, 3-4 p.m., 402 Walter Library

All are welcome! See more on the DSI website.

5. University of Minnesota Day of Data: The Day of Data is a series of virtual events that foster data enthusiasm, data literacy, and critical thinking around the role of data across our University and in society as a whole. The Day of Data will be held on January 10-11, 2024 and will have a special emphasis on community engagement and sustainability topics. This event is open to all students, faculty, staff, and alumni from all University of Minnesota campuses and is free of charge. Information can be found on the Day of Data website.

6. Spring Tutorials and Workshops: Spring schedules for several tutorial and workshop series related to research computing are being developed. Information and registration links can be found on the links shown below. A consolidated list of courses that will help you hone your research computing skills can also be found at the Research Tools and Computing Workshops portal site.

a. MSI Tutorials: MSI’s tutorials are intended to help users achieve the best results using MSI systems. Spring 2024 tutorials will be hybrid, with both in-person and online (Zoom) participation. All tutorials are held in room 575 Walter Library. Descriptions and registration links will be posted on the MSI Events page and the Tutorial Calendar.

Past tutorials can be viewed on the MSI YouTube channel.

b. U-Spatial Workshops: U-Spatial offers a variety of instructor-led workshops focusing on different geospatial tools and technologies. These workshops are offered at a minimal cost to U of M students, faculty, and staff. The schedule for Spring 2024 will be posted on the U-Spatial website.

c. GEMS Learning: GEMS Learning provides modular, non-credit digital and data-science training for working professionals and students interested in hands-on food, agriculture, and natural resource applications. These courses give students practical knowledge to tackle data-science challenges across the agri-food sciences. Current U of M staff, faculty, and students can enroll for free. See the GEMS Learning webpage for course details and registration information.

d. Software Carpentry: Software Carpentry workshops are hands-on events that cover core computational research skills to be productive as an individual scientist or in small research teams. These workshops offer graduate students, staff, and faculty practical exercises on basic computational research skills. No previous experience is needed and each workshop is taught by experienced researchers who use these tools in their own work. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about tools that will help your research process become more efficient, rigorous, and reproducible. Descriptions of Software Carpentry classes and links for registration for Spring 2024 classes will be posted on Research Tools and Computing Workshops website. Some classes will be held online, others are in person; check the individual descriptions.

7. U-Spatial Mapping Prizes: The deadline for the 2024 competition is May 10, 2024. U of M students are encouraged to submit their maps. Winners receive cash awards. Submission information can be found on the Spatial University website.

8. MSI Operations: MSI staff are working under a hybrid model; not all staff are working on-site full time. All MSI systems are operational and can be accessed remotely.

To request technical assistance with your MSI account, contact the Helpdesk:

9. Jobs Available at Research Computing:

10. Useful Webpages: Looking for help with using MSI? One of these pages may have the information you need: