+--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS (for DOWNLOADS, RESULT RETURNS, etc.) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ 3. The README file contains information about the files included in the FTP server. All data files are compressed. The files with .zip extension are compressed with the PKZIP compression utility and they are for participants with IBM PC compatible hardware. The PKUNZIP utility is needed to unzip these files. The files with .Z extension are UNIX COMPRESSed and they are for the participants with UNIX compatible hardware. YOU WILL EITHER NEED THE DATA FILES *OR* , BUT NOT BOTH. REMEMBER TO FTP THESE FILES IN BINARY MODE. 4. The data sets are in comma delimited format. The learning dataset contains 95412 records and 481 fields. The first/header row of the data set contains the field names. The validation dataset contains 96367 records and 479 variables. The first/header row of the data set contains the field names. THE RECORDS IN THE VALIDATION DATASET ARE IDENTICAL TO THE RECORDS IN THE LEARNING DATASET EXCEPT THAT THE VALUES FOR THE TARGET/DEPENDENT VARIABLES ARE MISSING (i.e., the fields TARGET_B and TARGET_D are not included in the validation data set.) 5. The data dictionary (for both the learning and the validation data set) is included in the file . The fields in the data dictionary are ordered by the position of the fields in the learning data set. The dictionary for the validation data set is identical to the dictionary for the learning data set except the two target fields (target_B and target_D) are missing in the validation data set. 6. Blanks in the string (or character) variables/fields and periods in the numeric variables correspond to missing values. 7. Each record has a unique record identifier or index (field name: CONTROLN.) For each record, there are two target/dependent variables (field names: TARGET_B and TARGET_D). TARGET_B is a binary variable indicating whether or not the record responded to the promotion of interest ("97NK" mailing) while TARGET_D contains the donation amount (dollar) and is only observed for those that responded to the promotion. 8. THE DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED. You are required to return the questionnaire and the validation dataset of 96367 records by email to by AUGUST 19, 1998. Each record in the returned file should consist of the following two values: a. The unique record identifier or index (field name: CONTROLN) b. Predicted value of the donation (dollar) amount (for the target variable TARGET_D) for that record You are also required to fill out the questionnaire (file name: . The questionnaire is used to summarize in bullet points the data analytic techniques you've applied to the dataset. 9. Please send email to when you download the files so we can keep you informed about anything necessary. 10. Under no circumstances should any participant contact Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) for any reason. If you have any questions, please send email to +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | FILES LISTING (README FILE) | +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ File Naming Conventions: o cup98 : KDD-CUP-98 o QUE : QUEstionnaire o DOC : DOCumentation o DIC : DICtionary o LRN : LeaRNing data set o VAL : VALidation data set o .txt : plain ascii text files o .zip : PKZIP compressed files o .txt.Z: UNIX COMPRESSED files FILE NAME DESCRIPTION --------------- ------------------------------------------------------ README This list, listing the files in the FTP server and their contents. cup98NDA.txt The Non-Disclosure Agreement. MUST BE SIGNED BY ALL PARTICIPANTS AND MAILED BACK TO ISMAIL PARSA BEFORE DOWNLOADING THE DATA SETS. cup98DOC.txt This file, an overview and pointer to more detailed information about the competition cup98DIC.txt Data dictionary to accompany the analysis data set. cup98QUE.txt KDD-CUP questionnaire. PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO FILL-OUT THE QUESTIONNAIRE and turned in with the results. cup98LRN.zip PKZIP compressed raw LEARNING data set. Internal name: cup98LRN.txt File size: 36,468,735 bytes zipped. 117,167,952 bytes unzipped. Number of Records: 95412. Number of Fields: 481. cup98VAL.zip PKZIP compressed raw VALIDATION data set. Internal name: cup98VAL.txt File size: 36,763,018 bytes zipped. 117,943,347 bytes unzipped. Number of Records: 96367. Number of Fields: 479. cup98LRN.txt.Z UNIX COMPRESSed raw LEARNING data set. Internal name: cup98LRN.txt File size: 36,579,127 bytes compressed. 117,167,952 bytes uncompressed. Number of Records: 95412. Number of Fields: 481. cup98VAL.txt.Z UNIX COMPRESSed raw VALIDATION data set. Internal name: cup98VAL.txt File size: 36,903,761 bytes compressed. 117,943,347 bytes uncompressed. Number of Records: 96367. Number of Fields: 479.