NEW LAPTOP REQUIREMENT
In Spring 2011, the GSD faculty voted to "require each student to bring to school a laptop computer, capable of running Windows software." (Note that an Apple Macintosh notebook can satisfy this requirement, with a dual-OS solution that includes Windows, at some extra expense and complication.) This laptop computer should be powerful enough for intensive design related applications in CAD, GIS, animation, simulation, desktop publishing, etc. Check this page for more information.
MAC USERS:
In summer 2011 Apple introduced OSX10.7 "LION". It's cool; but - We know of a number of incompatibilities with Lion and current GSD and University systems. We will not introduce Lion on any school-owned Macs until next year. And if you experience some difficulty, helpdesk may recommend that you switch to the Windows-solution, or revert to MacOSX10.6 ("Snow Leopard") for the sake of more seamless functionality.
Network Security Announcement
All computers connected to the GSD network must be personally identified, virus-free, and protected from common infections and exploits. This means that:
You must REGISTER your computer other connected device ONLINE once before it will be fully connected to the GSD network.
- Once your computer is at the GSD (both wired via ethernet cable, and wireless, separately, is required), open any web browser, and you will be redirected to a Registration Page. (Note: you will have to register your computer twice, if it used used both with a wire (ethernet cable) and wirelessly (WiFi). But each is only a one-time requirement.)
- Accept the 'Acceptable Use Policy' by entering your HUID and PIN. (PIN Management Utilities at www.pin.harvard.edu).
- Choose Register. You may choose to 'SKIP' registration for 24 hours up to three times. After that time unregistered computers will not be able to connect to the network.
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- You must install regular Operating System patches and security updates from your OS manufacturer (probably either Microsoft or Apple).
- If we detect that your computer is infected by any known malware, the network connection will be temporarily suspended, and the computer 'quarantined' until you have removed the infection and taken steps to prevent a recurrence.
Inform yourself about basic network safety, especially:
- Never open email attachments or web-downloads that you are unsure of
- Keep anti-virus measures installed and up-to-date
- Never install 'bootleg' software
- Always keep backups of important work
