Collaboration (RIC)

RIC (Research. Innovate. Collaborate.) is a Virtual Research Environment (VRE) based on Microsoft Sharepoint. The British Library, Microsoft Research and La Trobe University originally developed it into a portal/collaboration space for University researchers. The current version is an ongoing open source development by a number of Universities and Microsoft Research based on requirements and feedback from academics.

At La Trobe University RIC has been set up for all internal academics to use. It is integrated into the Active Directory authentication system, so your usual username/password will work.

Training

We strongly suggest you sign up for initial training for RIC, as it is a system you may not be at all familiar with. Some features are not obvious and it has a way of working that although mimics academic work habits may not be obvious without some guidance.

From October 2012 you will be able to sign up for RIC training through StaffOnline. Specialised training can also be organised through the eResearch Office, just send us an email; eresearch@latrobe.edu.au

Start RIC

To start RIC from inside or outside the University (no VPN necessary) in a web browser type:

https://ric.latrobe.edu.au

On Internet Explorer you may not be asked for a username/password if your computer is part of the LTU domain. On other browsers enter your usual username/password.

External colleagues

The only limit on sharing with non-LTU personnel/students is that each one you collaborate with has to be registered in the University Active Directory system. This is done by getting them to fill out the computer account form and, after obtaining the HoS signature, submitting to ICT service desk.

  1. Fill out the Access to IT resources form, email to colleague, and get colleague to sign and email or fax back (or you sign on their behalf in a pinch).
  2. Get HoS to sign.
  3. Submit form to ict.servicedesk@latrobe.edu.au.
  4. The username/password will be sent to the person on the form (email/phone).
  5. The RIC website handles password management, if needed.
  6. An external account will last a maximum of 12 months. It can be renewed if needed.

If the project uses RDS disk storage with external colleagues the external user will be able to get access from outside the Uni. Please read Tech Note 3.

Shibboleth authentication will be included in due course, so anyone you nominate on a compatible system around the world will be able to log in without the need for any computer account management.

Further support

We have the following documents available:

Feedback

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