- All software provided by OIT through channels including OIT images, web sites and public servers is required to have an “owner” to help ensure continued interest and oversight of the software. This may be OIT, a member of the campus community, or a department. Any such software provided by OIT is subject to decommissioning due to loss of ownership unless a new owner is identified, as described in the OIT published procedure "Requesting OIT Support for Software."
- OIT will normally make available on OIT images, software web sites and public servers one version of a software package (e.g., MatLab, Mathematica, S-Plus). Where exceptions are deemed necessary, OIT will provide up to three major versions of a software package. Prior versions will not be made available if there are licensing, security or administrative issues (e.g., incompatibility between an older version and the current operating system).
- OIT will utilize regular communications channels to notify users of version changes and of the decommissioning of software and images. The principal communication channel is through the Princeton Software Repository. The communication to users will be announced 6 months in advance of decommissioning and will include information on requesting retention of a prior version.
