Cray Research CRInform Program The Cray Inform (CRInform) program is an online menu-driven information and problem-reporting service for Cray Research customers. It allows you not only to report problems, request technical assistance, communicate directly with other Cray Research system users, and read about problems similar to yours reported at other sites, but also learn about solutions to various problems, find out about training offerings, read about new products, and more. You can configure CRInform to suit your needs and working habits by providing user information and setting default information that is saved and used as you work with the various CRInform menus. For your convenience, CRInform automatically logs events in a status file specific to your siteyou are always notified as new information is available in CRInform, so you don't have to reread old information or search through menus looking for new information. Logged events include changes in problem reports or technical assistance activity, or notification of new software, Cray Research Service Bulletins, software field notices, software release documents, software problem fix information, marketing information, and CRInform program information. You can also request to be notified automatically via email about any of this information, including any status changes for SPRs. The five main components of CRInform include the technical assistance portion, the CRInform/SPR database, a repository for service and marketing information, various catalogs, and the customer bulletin board. Technical assistance CRInform's technical assistance component allows you to report problems or request technical assistance for your Cray Research system. From a workstation or terminal, you can fill out online forms in your local language that CRInform automatically forwards to the appropriate support center. Most messages in the United States will be sent to the North American Support Center; messages in other countries will be sent to the service organization for that country. You also can use the system to learn the status of previous requests and to add information to a request if it has not been resolved. CRInform/SPR database Inside the CRInform application, you can browse quickly and easily through the CRInform/SPR database. This area lists previously reported software problems and allows you to see if a particular problem already has been reported at your site, at other sites, or at Cray Research internally; and if so, how it was solved. You can also add information to an SPR that has been submitted by your site if it has not already been solved. You can search the CRInform/SPR database in many different ways, such as by product name, operating system release level, a keyword in the problem description, a particular error code, or any combination of these and other fields. You can use this built-in flexibility to quickly narrow your search for related topics to the ones you would like to read. Software problems reported via the technical assistance feature that do not have immediate solutions are converted by Cray Research support employees into SPRs; the SPRs are then stored in the CRInform database. Customer-accessible files will be available (with the originators consent), but they will not contain information that could identify the customer or the site. Information repository CRInform includes a repository of service and some marketing information. The service information is divided into four main categories: software field notices, which are reports of problems that have been identified and corrected; software release documents; software problem fix information, which are summaries of problems fixed in various software releases; and the Cray Research Service Bulletin. The marketing information includes product announcements and product information. Catalogs The fifth area of CRInform contains online versions of various Cray Research catalogs, including software, publications, and software training. In addition to viewing the offerings, you can request Cray Research software and publications and communicate with your regional training registrar through CRInform. Included are: + A list of Cray Research compilers, applications, networking, and operating system software available to customers. + Directory of Applications Software for Cray Research Supercomputers, publication MCDR-1000. This catalog lists third-party software programs that run on Cray Research systems. The listings summarize each program and provide contacts for further information. + User Publications Catalog, publication CP-0099, which describes the Cray Research product documentation available to customers. + Software Training Catalog for Customers, publication TR-CUSTCAT. This catalog describes Cray Research training courses and registration information. Customer bulletin board The customer bulletin board allows you to communicate with other Cray Research customers. The bulletin board can be used to share suggestions and ideas regarding your Cray Research system. The messages in the bulletin board are arranged into topical categories called newsgroups. The CRInform newsgroups are only accessible by authorized CRInform users, who can read and post messages, and Cray Research employees, who can read messages. (Cray Research will not respond to any message in the bulletin board. To receive a response from Cray Research, use the standard methods for obtaining support from Cray Research, including the technical assistance component in CRInform, a support center, or your local service representative.) How to sign up for CRInform To sign up for CRInform, please contact your Cray Research account manager or service manager who will supply a CRInform agreement form. Included in the CRInform agreement is a request for a customer contact who will receive all information on the CRInform user account. Availability varies by location because of current communications requirements and restrictions.