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Cluster Information Page (In Residence Halls)

The Computer Center maintains public "clusters" of equipment in each residence hall. Most of these locations are open 24 hours a day during the academic year. These public computers are primarily used for word processing student papers, and to check student email and surf the web. These clusters are there for the use of the students within each dorm. There are public-access labs that are available to everyone as well (see information under public-access labs.)

Contents

• Cluster Locations and Equipment
• Software Available on Cluster Machines
• Cluster Access and Security
• Your Files
• Cluster Printers
• "Choosing" a Cluster Printer
• Cluster Maintenance
• In Case of Trouble

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Residence Hall Cluster Locations and Equipment

Location	Apple	Printer	Hours
Cushing	3 iMacs	VPrint Canon Laser	24 Hours
Davison	3 iMacs	VPrint Canon Laser	24 Hours
Ferry	1 iMac	VPrint Canon Laser	24 Hours
Jewett	8 iMacs	VPrint Canon Laser	24 Hours
Josselyn	2 iMacs	VPrint Canon Laser	24 Hours
Lathrop	3 iMacs	VPrint Canon Laser	24 Hours
Main	2 iMacs	VPrint Canon Laser	24 Hours
Noyes	3 iMacs	VPrint Canon Laser	24 Hours
Raymond	3 iMacs	VPrint Canon Laser	24 Hours
Strong	3 iMacs	VPrint Canon Laser	24 Hours

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Software Available on Cluster Machines

Operating System

• MacOS 10.3
• TCP/IP
• QuickTime 4.0.1

Productivity and General Apps

• Microsoft Office
• Symantec Anti-Virus
• Browsers--the usual suspects

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Cluster Access and Security

• The residence hall clusters are on card access with your Vassar Student ID.
  • Until 6pm all students have full access to all clusters.
  • After 6pm, your ID will only operate the door to the cluster in the residence hall where you reside.
• The cluster in Main House third floor is not equipped with card access. If the cluster is locked, obtain the key from the Main House messenger.
• The Kiosks in the College Center and Library public machines are normally available whenever those buildings are open.
  
• Theft and vandalism are fortunately rare, but expenses to replace stolen or damaged equipment (that is, in cases where the individuals causing the damage are unknown) are charged to the residents of the hall at the end of each academic year. Therefore, it is a good idea to remember to lock the cluster door to keep the room secure, especially if you are the last user to leave the cluster, and don't let people into your residence hall that you don't know to be members of the college community.

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Your Files

The public computers are equipped with protective software that prevents some kinds of adjustments to their setup and configuration. This reduces system failure and helps keeps the machines available for you to use.

• Files that you create on cluster computers should normally be saved to a usb drive or to a networked drive.

 

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Cluster Printers

Many of the public clusters have printers installed which are available for printing not only from the cluster machines, but also from your own networked computer in your student room.

• Each user supplies their own paper.
  
• Your personal Mac on the network can print to any cluster printer.
  
  For latest information on PC printing, contact the Help Desk. (x7224).

Printer problem reports

• The printers in the Residence Hall Clusters are owned and maintained by Residential Life.
  Problem reports go to the ROC, or the Residential Life office at x5860.

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Cluster Maintenance

The Computer Center normally retains one or two student interns each semester whose primary task is maintenance of the public clusters. The clusters are visited frequently to check for computer failures and other problems. In some cases problems can be corrected before any reports come in. Despite the best efforts of the cluster staff, machines do occasionally fail. If you encounter a computer with a problem, please report this to the helpdesk.

 

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In Case of Trouble

We rely on reports from the users of each cluster to correct any problems that may develop in the computers. Here are some guidelines to use when reporting problems:

• Where to call
• For computer problems/questions, call the Help Desk at x7224 or email helpdesk
• For Residence Cluster printer problems, including paper jams, low toner, or other malfunction, contact the ROC.
• To maximize the effectiveness of your report, include the station name i.e. "Lathrop03", usually given by a small sign on the wall near the unit. Please be specific as to the problem.

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This page was last updated on 9/26/07.

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Helpdesk Locations
and Summer Hours

The CIS help desk is located in the Computer Center (CC).

	M-Fr:	8:30 AM - 5 PM
	Sa:	CLOSED
	Su:	CLOSED

The CIS Satellite Help Desk is located in the Main Library and will be closed for the summer.

Click here to see a Campus Map of these locations.

If you need help, you can send an email to helpdesk@vassar.edu or call x7224 and we will make sure that the appropriate person on our staff comes to your aid.

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Copyright 2005, Vassar College
Computing and Information Services, Vassar College, Box 13, Poughkeepsie, New York, 12604
Contact the CIS Helpdesk with any technology related questions