GSD Public Computers

Public computers at the GSD are typically very high end computers. They may be set up in a classroom, to assist in a teaching lab environment. They usually are capable of running some very specific software, that students may not be able to run on their own computers, for network or performance reasons.

Computer resources tries to keep the public computers working at all times, but allowing any student to run any software, also means any student can cause damage to the computer. We do not guarantee that each one will be always running.

We have put a variety of software and peripherals around the school for all to use. Some computers are dedicated to specific peripherals, or applications, and should be used primarily for that use.

Please also see our page on borrowing equipment for details of other equipment available to you at the GSD.

Access

The public computer facilities are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for all Design School staff, students, and faculty, with a valid GSD computer account. They are not available for use to the general public, nor other Harvard students. The GSD network typically goes down for maintenance Tuesday evenings, from 6pm-8pm.

Public Computer Lab Etiquette

Public computer labs are for:

students, to use software that their own computers cannot run.

students, to use peripherals (scanners, slide writers, etc).

teaching labs.

Public Computers are not personal computers.

Students should bring their own computer for web browsing, word processing, and email.

Public lab computers are configured for the majority and are not meant for individual users' personal preferences.

Don't even try to install your favorite beta program or plug-in, it could ruin the machine for all users.

Delete all your work after using public computers - five hundred users' files add up!

Please don't eat around the computers-sticky keyboards suck for all. Clean up your trash, books, CD's, etc. before you leave. Use headphones.

Priority Use

Many public machines have special purposes, such as the Slide Mac, the Scan Mac, and the Video Mac. You might use such a machine for another purpose (i.e.: editing a document), but if someone needs to use it for its specific resources or peripherals, you may be bumped.

Can I kick someone off?

If you leave for more than 10 minutes, you must log off. Otherwise, you may leave a note, but beyond ten minutes others can and will log users off. Do not lock the computers, others can and will simply restart it to unlock it, and you will lose your work. Save your work on CD or zip often, and obviously before you leave.

On Rendering:

Public computers are not plentiful enough to be 24-hour rendering computers, sorry. You leave a rendering running at your own risk, if the computer is needed others can and will log you off. Do not take up more than one computer for your renderings at busy times.

Students are expected to "police" themselves, on following these policies. Please be considerate.