skip to content

Services

ATIC Computer Cluster Rules of Use: 2008 - 2009

Privacy

All records of client interaction with ATIC staff are kept confidential. However, we may share information with the Disabilities Services Office. Please let us know if you do not want us to do so.

ATIC Usage Rules

All clients receiving access to ATIC are referred to us by the Disabilities Services Office and required to sign an agreement that outlines the rules of use for the cluster.

The ATIC rules of use incorporates both the MITnet and Athena rules of use as well as ATIC specific rules of use. These rules can be found at http://web.mit.edu/olh/Welcome/rules.html. Failure to comply with these rules could result in loss of ATIC cluster privileges.

General

  1. ATIC is a shared work environment. Please respect the needs of other users.
  2. ATIC attempts to be a quiet workspace. ATIC staff and users alike must try to keep noise at a minimum.
  3. Guests are welcome only when accompanied by the ATIC user and only for a short period of time (under 20 minutes). Keep conversations with guests brief and quiet. If you need converse with a guest for more than a few minutes, please step out of the cluster area. Guests are not to use the computers or other common facilities (i.e., printer, refrigerator, etc.). You may ask permission to have a guest present for a longer period of time,
    but this will generally only be granted if the guest is assisting you with an academic project that requires the use of an ATIC machine.
  4. Always return a workstation to the condition in which you found it when you arrived. Throw away any papers or food containers that were at your workstation and take your things with you. Do not leave books, papers, or other items at workstations.
  5. Push the chairs under tables and do not leave any obstructions in the walkways, so visually impaired users don’t bang into or trip over items.
  6. Absolutely no bicycles, rollerblades, or other sports equipment are allowed in ATIC.
  7. Please do not remove ATIC office supplies (i.e, stapler, tape dispenser, etc). If you use them, return them to their original location when you are done.

Hours

  1. ATIC usage hours – users are welcome to enter and use the cluster at any time with the exception of times we may need to close ATIC. ATIC may be closed for a 1-2 hour period every other month for staff meetings. We will let you know of any times we are closing ATIC.
  2. ATIC staffed hours – In general, ATIC staff are available for training and to answer questions Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. The ATIC schedule of staffed hours is posted on
    the office door.

Computer Equipment and Software

  1. ATIC machines are shared resources. If someone else needs to use a computer, please limit your usage to 2 hours at a time. If getting access to a machine becomes a problem for you,
    please alert an ATIC staff member.
  2. If you are logged into a computer and leave it unattended for more than 15 minutes, ATIC staff reserve the right to log you off.
  3. Do not store personal files locally on any computers in the ATIC cluster. Use your folder either on AFS (Athena) or on the ATIC Windows File Server, a USB drive or CD. We cannot guarantee that your documents will be on a local machine if you save them there. We, do, however, back up our file server daily.
  4. Don't change the software configuration on any equipment without permission.
  5. Don't steal/copy software from ATIC.
  6. Don't move or remove hardware from ATIC. If you need assistance, please ask an ATIC staff consultant. Our visually impaired clients expect things to be in their usual places and so
    do we!
  7. Only use equipment for which you have been trained and cleared for use. If you wish to use other equipment or software, please ask an ATIC consultant to provide training for you on that equipment prior to using it.

Phones

  1. 253-7808 is our ATIC business phone. It is located on the counter next to the printer. Please do not use this phone except for urgent business.
  2. 253-0662 (to the left of the Athena Station) is an on-campus phone. You may use it for short calls. You may give out the number for someone to reach you if you are in ATIC, however, be aware that ATIC staff does not answer this phone and will not take messages. Never forward your phone to our phone lines.
  3. ATIC’s TTY number is 258-5911.

Email

  1. All ATIC users are added to an email list. This list is used for the purpose of informing users of ATIC closures, machine/server technical problems or outages, and occasional information
    messages. We do not advertise or give out the list to anyone to keep the mail to a minimum. We request you do the same.
  2. ATIC’s advertised email for users and customers to reach ATIC staff is atic [at] mit.edu. All ATIC staff and student consultants are on this list. Feel free to send email if you have any technical problems or questions.

Food

  1. Food and beverages are allowed with the following caveats: don’t spill, clean up after yourself, and throw out all food containers.
  2. We have a very small refrigerator. Therefore, we request that you only store small food items in it for 24 hours or less. Otherwise, other’s cannot use it when they bring in their lunch. ATIC staff reserve the right to discard any food in the refrigerator that appears/smells spoiled.
  3. ATIC staff reserves the right to revoke food privileges if a user is disturbing other users or failing to clean up after themselves.

Problems

  1. If you encounter any problems when working in ATIC, send mail to atic [at] mit.edu or call 617-253-7808 specifying the problem and any actions you took.

Priority of Use

  1. Students using adaptive software and hardware working on academically related projects have first priority on all machines.
  2. Students employed by ATIC or the Disabilities Services Office working on projects have second priority.