Quota
Contents
What is a quota?
Your quota is the amount of disk space you are allowed on your network file storage space or home directory. Typically student and staff accounts are limited to 150 megabytes while faculty accounts are limited to 1 gigabyte.
Additional space is available for those users with specific academic needs. Requests for additional space should be directed to root@gustavus.edu and include a brief description of the academic project, including a timeline.
What is disk usage?
Your disk usage is the actual amount of space you are using on the server. This total includes all the files in your Mydata folder, your e-mail inbox, outbox and other mailboxes, it also includes information about your account and your log-in information for the lab machines.
How do I check my disk usage?
- Point your web browser to the .
- Log in with your e-mail username and password.
- Click the "Check disk usage" link.
You will be presented with a page describing the size of your quota, how much of your quota you are currently using, and which files are the largest.
How will I know if I go over my limit?
If you reach your quota limit, you will receive notice via e-mail. You are then given 7 days to get your usage under your quota. If you remain over your quota for 7 days, your account will be disabled. Once your account is disabled you will not be able to access your e-mail or files stored on your home directory.
How can I re-enable my account?
If you have been disabled, your account can be re-enabled by stopping by the 鶹Ƶ Technology Services Department or the Technology Helpline (x6111) on the first floor of Olin Hall.
Why did I start getting this message now?
When you add files to your account that go over your quota, you will start getting these messages. These files will include things you are working on for school, things you downloaded from the Internet and e-mail that was sent to you.
Additionally, there are times of the year when quota checking is temporarily suspended to minimize confusion during short breaks. For example, during Christmas break, quota checking is suspended because campus is closed and contact to Technology Services staff is limited. When quota checking is reactivated, all users who are over quota will begin to receive messages.
How can I avoid quota problems?
Here are some suggestions for freeing up space in your account:
Incoming mailbox usage (inbox)
If you are using a large amount of space with your incoming mailbox, please remove the messages you do not need. You can also try sorting your inbox by message size and removing the largest ones. After removing messages, be sure to empty the trash and compact your mailboxes, these options can be found under the file menu in Thunderbird, the special menu in Eudora or the Empty Trash icon when using WebMail.
Attachments folder/Eudora
In your MyData folder in your home directory, there are two Eudora folders: Eudora and Eudora.mac. In each of these folders there is a folder for attachments. It is called attach or attachment folder. Delete the files in these folders that you do not need. Eudora automatically saves attachments to these folders, but does not delete the attachments when you delete the messages. After removing the unwanted files, be sure to empty the Recycle Bin or Trash.
Sent mailbox
Your Sent or Out mailbox is where WebMail, Thunderbird or Eudora might be saving all the e-mail messages that you send. Check in these mailboxes and delete any unwanted messages. You can check the sent or out boxes by double-clicking the sent or out boxes or selecting them from the mailboxes menu. After removing unwanted messages, empty the trash and compact your mailboxes - found under the special menu in Eudora; the file menu in Thunderbird; or by clicking the Empty Trash link in WebMail.
Trash mailbox
Your Trash mailbox is where all the messages you delete get put. You should regularly empty the trash mailbox and compact all your mailboxes. These options are found under the special menu in Eudora; the file menu in Thunderbird; or by clicking the Empty Trash icon in WebMail.
Other things to check
Remove unneeded items from the desktop, and the Downloads folder in your home directory.
Remove your mp3s--pirated music is not academic. Remove the installers for IRC, Napster, AOL and the sort.
What if I am still having problems?
Contact the Technology Helpline at x6111 or stop by the Technology Services department.