Those of you who’ve been around for a while will recognise this one! Stat 317 students need long run time series data. A good source to direct them to is New Zealand Time Series Database or any of the EconData Time Series Databases infact.

The catch with these databases is that they run on dX for Windows software, which must be installed, for the user on the computer being used, in order to use the databases. If this software is not installed, or not installed for the particular user, the application will appear to open, but will output an error message saying “No official databases located. Copy Datadisks now?

Most student install PCs on campus (computer workrooms and Library) have the dX for Windows software ready for installation. To install it students need to – Go to Start, Settings, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs, Add New Programs and select Econdata from the list of programs. This should then be available for their login on that particular computer.

It is pretty straight forward when you know that you have to go through the installing process but if you don’t know ….well you don’t know!

Please take a moment to have a look at at least one of the EconData Databases and make sure that you know how to access the data and when you do know its easy.