News about nformation systems throughout M I T

V o l u m e 1 8 • N u mI b e r 4 MS a r c h / A p r i l 2 0 0 3 . . New MIT Home Page Innovates Further, as the home page images . . on a Very Good Thing change, the border containing the MIT . . logo remains consistent to show the . • Susan Curran . integration of MIT the institution and . MIT the community. . Coming Soon: Tap into Tuition . eci n’est pas un hack,” As before, members of the com- . Assistance via the Web ...... 2 . “C proclaimed the debut of munity and the public are invited to . . the new MIT home page on April 1. submit images or designs. This spirit of Software Spotlight . . “This is not a hack.” collaboration celebrates the diversity TSM Backups Can Save the . . Very true. The redesigned home of MIT and its freewheeling spirit, and Day, So Schedule Them Now ...... 3 . page reflects a great deal of thoughtful . reinforces the idea that we’re all here . work, based on data gathering through to learn from one another. Network Notes . . surveys and focus groups, work with a SecureFX and SecureCRT: More . Fostering Community 4 . professional design firm, and usability Options for Good Connections ...... Through its changing graphic . testing. The redesign team, led by IS Bits and Bytes . Web Communications Services (WCS), and spotlight, the MIT home page . has fostered a very organic kind of Advice about End User License . worked to achieve a sense of dynamism . community. The spotlight provides Agreements and Readme Files ...... 4 . and community, and to communicate . an important way for groups and de- . that MIT, the institution, relies on the MCC/Computer Currents . partments to share news and activities . collective strength of its many diverse The Changing Role of the MIT . with the MIT community and the . parts. Computer Connection ...... 5 . outside world. And it continues to . The More Things Change . showcase the vibrancy and creativity It’s Here, So You Can Go: IS . One of the best-loved features of . of MIT. It can feature anything from Offers E-mail Vacation Reply...... 5 . the site was the surprise and creativity . the announcement of a Nobel Prize to . of the changing home page graphic. men’s gymnastics, from new nano- Tech Tips: TSM ...... 6 . . Since 1997, the home page has featured technology research to a spectacular . Telecom Talk . hundreds of graphics contributed by new hack. . students, alumni, outside artists, and Sorry, Wrong Number: And This . Where the previous home page 6 . even prospective students and parents. One Has Consequences ...... offered only one or two spotlights, . Recognizing that the changing . the new site features eight, one on the Update on Windows 2000 . graphic mirrors MIT’s tradition of home page and one or more on each 7 . Delivery Project ...... hacks and “open source” initiatives, of the second-level pages. The new . the redesign team made sure it re- Getting Help ...... 8 . home page creates a connection to . mained the centerpiece of the new site. . these second-level pages through color Surf Sites: Resources for . The graphic will continue to play on . (which changes daily), typography, Developing a Web Site ...... 8 . the Institute initials much of the time; . grid and layout, and the white bar . the main difference is that it can now . at the top. . fill a larger canvas.

.  . . continued on page 2  Usability Testing software, used by people with repeti- NEW MIT HOME PAGE To ensure the usability and acces- tive strain injuries; and the World Wide continued from page 1 sibility of the new site, WCS worked Web Consortium’s validator. Minor with the IS Usability Team and the changes in the way the web pages One Level Down ATIC (Adaptive Technology for Infor- were coded significantly improved Each of the five second-level pages mation and Computing) Lab. accessibility for users with disabilities, (Education, Research, Offices+Services, Usability testing was conducted in without detracting from the experi- Community, and About MIT) uses an phases, to validate the work at each ence for non-disabled users. stage. Each round of testing provided enlarged and cropped logo as a back- The Team Behind the Scenes valuable insight – often in unexpected ground to bring together the catego- The redesign was led by WCS in ways. For example, in one design, sev- ries of life at MIT. For the graphical close collaboration with designers from eral users could not locate the campus key to the background designs, see Pentagram. Pentagram understood right map, even though it was visible on the the About This Site page at away that the site’s greatest strength http://web.mit.edu/site/ page. At the same time, users readily was its “un-institutional” feel – that it aboutsite.html understood some complex elements wasn’t the result of a Madison Avenue that the redesign team thought might Navigation for the second-level branding campaign. In fact, it is the go unobserved. opposite: a natural extension of the pages has also been revamped. Now, The first phase of testing focused when you look under “Research,” you open, creative culture that exults in on the menus and site architecture. hacks and invented OpenCourseWare. can search by topic, not just by lab or As the original navigation was found department name. This makes the site Now that the new web site has been to work well, it was retained with only launched, feel free to send your feed- easier to get around – and highlights the minor modifications. The second phase interdisciplinary work going on at MIT. back to . presented a preliminary design to a And don’t forget that you’re invited to Other enhancements to the second- variety of users, and identified the level pages include merging “Adminis- play! Design contributions, visual puns, need for more vibrant color. The third and clever Photoshop images can be tration” and “Resources” into “Offices and final phase was a heuristic review +Services,” renaming “Campus Life” sent to . For full of the chosen design direction in order details about submitting a design or to “Community” to reflect the diver- to identify any unforeseen problems. requesting a spotlight, see sity of clubs and interests, and renam- Working with the ATIC Lab was ing “Academics” to “Education.” These http://web.mit.edu/site/ very helpful in creating a site that users propose.html pages have also made long lists easier with disabilities could navigate easily. to navigate with a user interface that The site was tested using JAWS, a screen Graphics that are used receive a credit expands and contracts the lists of links. reader for the blind; voice recognition on the home page. ø

Coming Soon: Tap into Tuition it is eligible for reimbursement. The Assistance via the Web process takes only minutes to complete MIT Information Systems and displays a confirmation screen that The employee self-service function on tells whether the course is eligible for reimbursement. Managing Editor the Web will expand in May with the Robyn Fizz introduction of tuition assistance (TA) Employees can review their TA Writer/Editor tools. These will let eligible employees: account or submit data for course reimbursement by going to Lee Ridgway • Determine if a course qualifies for http://web.mit.edu/sapwebss/ i/s is published six times a year. MIT faculty tuition assistance and staff receive copies through campus mail; • Check their TA balance for the and clicking on the Benefits tab. Em- i/s is also available in lobbies around campus. calendar year ployees still need to submit (in paper) Individuals at MIT may subscribe by contacting proof of payment for a course as well the managing editor. • Check the status of reimbursement as proof of successful completion. requests Send comments or subscription requests to: Employees can also use this link to MIT Room N42-290B, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, • Submit course data for reimburse- see when a reimbursement check was Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 ment (although paper forms will issued. Phone: (617) 253-0540 still be accepted). You can send questions about the Electronic mail: Instead of submitting course infor- new tuition assistance process to i/s is also published online at http://web.mit.edu/is/isnews/ mation on paper before taking a class, . At Lincoln employees can verify that their course Laboratory, call the Benefits Office at A companion Web site, i/s NewsLink, offers (781) 981-7072. frequent news updates. It’s located at qualifies for tuition assistance using http://web.mit.edu/is/newslink/ an online tool at This service is part of collaborative http://web.mit.edu/hr/careers/ work among Human Resources, Pay- All product names are trademarks of their manufacturers. taplan.html roll, the HR-Payroll Project, Financial Systems Services, and Information © 2003 Massachusetts Institute of Technology This tool asks eight or so questions Systems to improve MIT business about the course to determine whether processes and services. ø . . . . 2 . i/s • March / April 2003 • http://web.mit.edu/is/isnews/ http://web.mit.edu/is/isnews/ • March / April 2003 • i/s . 3 . . S o f t w a r e S p o t l i g h t

TSM Backups Can Save the Macintosh: Keep the TSM Confirm Scheduled Backups Day, So Schedule Them Now Scheduler Running The day after a scheduled backup, • Janet Littell Mac OS X check the last section of your TSM • Ensure that the TSM Mac X Sched- schedule log for statistics with the uler is always running by adding it most recent backup date and “number eing able to recover recently lost to your System Preferences>Login of objects inspected,” etc., to confirm B files contributes significantly to Items list. a successful backup. For quick access, you can create a shortcut for the log on the security of your information. The • In the Energy Saver System Prefer- your desktop. Here’s the path to the MIT TSM backup service, maintained ences, set the timing for Put the by IS, provides members of the com- computer to sleep… to Never. You log, based on your operating system: munity with an application for backing can, however, set times for the • Windows up files from their computer over the display and hard disk to sleep. Program Files\Tivoli\TSM\baclient\ network to a secure server. This appli- dsmsched.log cation, Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM), At the time of a scheduled backup, • Mac OS X was called ADSM in an earlier incar- you or another user of your computer Applications>MIT TSM 5.1.5> nation. must be logged on with Administra- privileges. Secure your computer TSM Schedule Log Note: In TSM lingo, you “restore” using a screensaver with a password. backed-up files from the TSM Server. • Mac OS 9 The “archive/retrieve” is for selected Mac OS 9 Applications (OS 9)>Tivoli Storage files only. • Ensure that the TSM Scheduler Manager v4.1>TSM Schedule Log The TSM at MIT web site at application is always running by Your schedule log may open in Word http://web.mit.edu/is/help/tsm/ putting an alias to it in your or some other text processor. If it gets System>Startup items folder. too large, you can delete it. The next provides details about who’s eligible • On the expanded Energy Saver scheduled backup will generate a new to use TSM and about how to obtain, log. You can adjust how often your register, and use TSM on Windows, Control Panel, set a time for the display sleep only. schedule log is “pruned” using TSM’s Macintosh, Athena, and non-Athena Preferences. systems. When you restart Mac OS X or OS 9, You can back up files manually a Schedule Information window on the Getting Help using TSM, but the best way to ensure desktop shows the time of the next If you have questions about TSM the security of your files is to arrange check-in between your computer and its or scheduled backups, contact the for scheduled backups. Follow the assigned TSM server. The window dis- Computing Help Desk at or x3-1101. backups of your computer, at a time (6 pm or midnight) and weeknight of New TSM Servers Coming This Summer your choice. Sign Up for Scheduled Backups The MIT TSM backup service will soon be using new servers dedicated entirely You can sign up for scheduled back- to backup, restore, archive, and retrieval. This should improve backup services ups when you register for the TSM and provide increased functionality. Backup Service or, if you like, sign up To keep server and network loads within bounds, each new server will later using the Update form on the become available to assigned subscribers in a designated month – tentatively TSM web site. in the June to September time frame. To view the migration schedule, go to http://web.mit.edu/is/help/tsm/server-upgrade.html Windows: Set Up the TSM Scheduler Service If you are a TSM subscriber, you will have a window of at least four weeks You can configure the TSM Sched- to complete several steps: uler Service during installation or later, 1. Link TSM on your computer to the new server, by modifying your TSM using the Setup Wizard on the TSM Preferences or by running a script that will be provided. Utilities Backup menu. 2. Back up your files to the new server, manually or via a scheduled backup. Start the Scheduler Service using the Services Control Panel. Follow one of 3. Verify that backups are running successfully, to ensure that all your files these directory paths, depending on are copied to the new server. (This should be done by the time your cur- your flavor of Windows: rent TSM server is decommissioned.) Users of the TSM Archive service will be notified of several additional • Windows XP (category view) Performance and Maintenance> steps that may be needed to preserve archived files. Administrative Tools>Services Server assignments, detailed instructions, and dates will be sent to sub- scribers, as well as being provided on the TSM Server Upgrade web page. The • Windows XP/2000 TSM backup service has 3600 subscribers, so it’s important that anyone with Administrative Tools>Services scheduling issues or questions contact the Computing Help Desk as soon as • Windows NT possible at or x3-1101. Control Panels>Services . . . . 2 . i/s • March / April 2003 • http://web.mit.edu/is/isnews/ http://web.mit.edu/is/isnews/ • March / April 2003 • i/s . 3 . . . . N e t w o r k N o t e s . B i t s a n d B y t e s . . . . . SecureFX and SecureCRT: More SecureCRT, a Secure Shell . This column presents announcements . Options for Good Connections . about or guidelines for using IS-supported . SecureCRT provides the SSH alterna- . software. For news about recent releases, • Bill Brids and Tim Brennan . http://web.mit.edu/swrt/ tive to HostExplorer, which is Kerber- . see . ized. If you have been using an earlier . version of SecureCRT, IS recommends . Advice about End User License indows users can help improve . Wnetwork security at MIT and that you upgrade to 4.0.3. . Agreements and Readme Files . protect their account information, data, You can use SecureCRT to protect . Almost any time you install software . and systems by using secure connection your sessions when you con- . on your computer, you will first see . software. Information Systems now sup- nect to Athena – either via MITnet or . an end user license agreement (EULA), . ports a new application for file transfer, through an Internet service provider. . which you are asked to accept. This is . SecureFX 2.1.3, as well as a new version IS recommends this program if you . often a long, boring, jargon-filled doc- of a emulation prefer the SSH2 protocol or if you are . ument. Most people don’t read it; they . program, SecureCRT 4.0.3. having trouble connecting securely to . just click the Accept button so they can . Athena with HostExplorer. SecureCRT . proceed with installing the software. Alternatives to Kerberized does not offer TN3270 support for . Some software vendors are taking Connections . connecting to the mainframe. . advantage of this by having you agree Most of the Windows connectivity . SecureCRT offers users . to licenses that you would never agree programs that IS currently supports, . . to if you read them. For example, one such as FileZilla and HostExplorer, rely • Support for SSH1 and SSH2 . . vendor’s license agreement stated that on Kerberos for security. SecureFX and protocols . by installing this software, you agreed SecureCRT instead use the SSH (Secure . • Increased performance on slow . to have your computer send unsolic- Shell) protocol for secure connectivity . connections through variable . ited commercial e-mail (i.e., spam). and work without Kerberos. SSH also . compression . Another license agreement gave the works well from behind the Network . • Easy configuration of settings via . connections and redirect referral bo- Address Translation (NAT) boxes . the Session Options dialog . nuses away from intended recipients to commonly used in home networks. . itself. (Retailers such as Amazon.com MIT does not allow NAT boxes on the • The ability to store different . . typically give these bonuses to web campus network, and while IS does not preferences for different hosts . . sites, including charities such as The support home networks, it is offering • The ability to log a session to a file . . Hunger Site, that link to them: the SecureFX and SecureCRT to commu- . For known issues and more infor- . bonuses are generated when visitors nity members to ensure that they can . mation about this application, go to . click the retailer’s link.) connect securely regardless of their . http://web.mit.edu/is/help/ MIT reviews the licenses of IS- network setup. . securecrt/ . distributed software such as Eudora IS has developed custom installers . . to make sure that the licenses are for both applications. These installers System Requirements . . acceptable. When there are license provide a preconfigured Athena con- System requirements are the same . . restrictions to convey, IS includes nection and a quick launch option. They for both applications: . . them in an accompanying readme file. also include the vendor license key, so • . Windows XP Professional, 2000 . These readme files also report any users won’t need to enter it manually. Professional, NT Workstation, or . . issues discovered by the IS Software Windows 98 operating system . SecureFX for Secure File Transfer . Release Team when testing the soft- Note: . SecureFX is offered as an alterna- IS will discontinue support . ware – along with helpful instructions. tive to FileZilla for the secure transfer for Windows NT Workstation and . For example, even with improved tools . of files such as web pages, images, and Windows 98 in June 2003. . for creating installers, new versions . software. SecureFX lets you • . of some commercial software perform At least 10MB of available hard . • Securely connect to SFTP servers disk space (for each application) . much better when you first uninstall . (e.g., Athena) . all previous versions. A recent case How to Obtain . in point is VirusScan Enterprise: with • Upload and download files . To download the custom installers . more than one version installed, you • . Remotely rename, move, delete, for SecureFX or SecureCRT, go to the . may get multiple error and and change the permissions of files . MIT Software: Windows page at . be unsure which features are actually . • Synchronize a local folder and a http://web.mit.edu/software/ . enabled. win.html . server folder . . The Bottom Line It also provides “relentless” file Valid MIT certificates are required. . . Given these software snafus, what transfer, reconnecting and continuing . a transfer should a connection be lost. Getting Help . should you do? IS strongly recommends . For more information about install- For assistance with SecureFX or . that you read at least the readme file for . ing and using SecureFX, see SecureCRT, contact the Computing Help . IS-distributed software, and read the . http://web.mit.edu/is/help/ Desk at . end user license agreement for software ø . you acquire elsewhere. ø securefx/ or x3-1102...... 4 . i/s • March / April 2003 • http://web.mit.edu/is/isnews/ http://web.mit.edu/is/isnews/ • March / April 2003 • i/s . 5 . . M C C / C o m p u t e r C u r r e n t s

The Changing Role of the MIT This includes help in selecting new products you want and the features Computer Connection equipment and upgrades, with a focus that make the experience easier. on MIT-recommended products. The Customers placing personal orders • Kathleen Moriarty recommended list includes desktop may come to the MCC for needs anal- and laptop systems, displays, printers, ysis, help with obtaining certificates, he MIT Computer Connection software, modems, and network inter- and placing and tracking orders. T (MCC) has had many roles since it face cards. You can view it online at Departmental customers can make an first opened as a computer store in the http://web.mit.edu/is/products/ appointment for a consultant to come to their office and evaluate their needs mid-80’s. The business expanded dra- The MIT-recommended products and assist with ECAT purchasing. matically when the store moved to the have been tested by IS and are known If you are shopping for an item that Student Center in 1988, and changed to work well on campus. The IS Com- is not listed in the GovConnection cata- again when the MCC selected an online puting Help Desk staff are familiar log, an MCC consultant will work with vendor for sales – at that time, NECX. with these items, and many of the a product manager to see if the item can Today the MCC partners with Gov- systems and printers can be repaired be sourced through one of its vendors. Connection and Dell, and continues to by MIT Hardware Services. For best results, you should provide help MIT students, faculty, and staff Beyond the recommended list, MCC the MCC with the manufacturer’s who are buying computers, software, consultants can help you find other name and product part number. and accessories. Services include pre- products, including memory upgrades sales support, on-site visits for depart- and internal devices that are appropri- Business Basics mental customers, and demonstrations ate for your system. The MCC showroom in W20-021 is of recommended products. open on Monday from noon to 4:30 pm Getting to Know the Catalogs and Tuesday through Friday from 10 am Pre-Sales Support If you are new to online shopping, to 4:30 pm. For general inquiries, just MCC staff offer computer pre-sales you may appreciate some guidance walk in or call during business hours. support for the GovConnection and in getting around the GovConnection To arrange an appointment for an on- Dell catalogs, available from the ECAT and Dell sites. MCC consultants can site visit, contact the MCC at x3-7686 page at show you how to navigate the catalogs, or via e-mail at . ø http://web.mit.edu/ecat/ including the best methods to find the

It’s Here, So You Can Go: IS Members of the community have ing that you are away. You can tailor Offers E-mail Vacation Reply requested this service for some time, this message to inform recipients that but in the past there were issues related you are not actively checking your e- • Mark Van Dyke to network traffic, since auto-responders mail for a specified period of time and at different locations can end up send- to provide a contact in your absence. icture this – your long-awaited, ing a barrage of messages back and How It Works P well-deserved vacation has forth. However, IS recently upgraded The auto-responder replies only to arrived. You’ve set your voice mail its mail servers, and the more sophisti- messages that are addressed directly extended absence greeting, left a note cated software on board can stop the to your in the on the whiteboard, and are just about loop of back-and-forth responses be- To: or Cc: field of a message. It will not to walk out the door when your man- fore it begins. respond to messages posted to mailing ager cuts you off at the pass. Activation lists of which you are a member. “I’ll need you to check your e-mail Activating the auto-responder is A great feature of this service is that while you’re away. Your address is listed simple, but it does require an MIT users don’t get a response every time on our web site and we don’t want in- personal certificate. If you don’t have a they send you a message. The auto- coming mail to go unacknowledged.” certificate already, you can get one at responder sends only one message to Before you can protest, he hands you a http://web.mit.edu/is/help/cert/ each sender per designated “wait” laptop (circa 1993), a 9600-baud modem period. People who send you e-mail To set up an e-mail vacation reply, with an instruction manual (450 pages more than once will receive the initial go to long), and a knotted jumble of cables. auto-response and won’t get another one http://web.mit.edu/mail/auto- Auto-Responder to the Rescue until they send you a message after the responder/ With the introduction of an e-mail “wait” period has passed. The default auto-responder service (also known as Enter your “away message,” select the is one day, but you can set the “wait” e-mail vacation reply), IS now offers a on, send auto-response radio button, period for anywhere from one to 31 days. solution to this scenario. It lets you set click the Update button, and you’re done. So leave that laptop at a customized “away message” and no- Any time your home and take a vacation. tifies people sending you e-mail that appears in a To: or Cc: field, the sender Just remember to set the auto- you are not actively checking e-mail. will receive an automatic response say- responder before you go. ø . . . . 4 . i/s • March / April 2003 • http://web.mit.edu/is/isnews/ http://web.mit.edu/is/isnews/ • March / April 2003 • i/s . 5 . . T e c h T i p s : T S M

This column presents answers to frequently should be used for large amounts of all unrestored files as deleted and delete asked technology questions. For more Q&As, data (around 200GB or more) that need them from the server 30 days after that. check the IS Stock Answers database at to be restored within just a few hours http://hdstock.mit.edu/stockanswers/ after a crash. Restoral of a larger drive How do I use TSM to restore my via the network could take a few days. Q files? Back up your data! Here are answers to some common questions regarding How do I manage my TSM If you need to restore files, use the MIT’s backup service, TSM – provided Q backups? A Restore button on the main TSM by Information Systems. (See also the Backup window. If you are restoring after Software Spotlight on page 3.) For an Some TSM subscribers prefer to a system crash and are prompted for a overview of the service and links to A run a backup session infrequently, login password that you don’t know, the specifics for Windows, Macintosh, after making important changes or contact the Computing Help Desk at Unix, and other machines, go to before leaving for several days. Many or x3-1101. http://web.mit.edu/is/help/tsm/ choose to put their machines on a Help Desk staff can give you a new schedule to run on particular nights. If privacy of sensitive data is an issue, password during business hours. These subscribers should still examine review the TSM Security page; you can the Schedule Log every few weeks to get to it from the web site listed above. Can I use TSM to transfer docu- be sure that TSM has not run into prob- Q ments from my old computer to lems with particular files, or with the my new one? Q How much does the TSM backup backup process itself. service cost? If both computers belong to the What can I recover through a A same family of operating systems, IS currently charges $5 a month Q TSM restoral? you can do the following: per machine. In 2004, the rate A 1. Back up the desired documents on will increase to $7.50 a month. You can restore a few lost files, your old computer. A a whole folder of files and sub- How much data can I back up folders, even a whole drive. If you are 2. Set up your new computer and Q using TSM? restoring after a system crash, com- install TSM. plete your restorals before you do any 3. Restore all the documents you want There is no hard limit on the size kind of backup, scheduled or manual. to keep from your old computer A of drive that may be backed up The reason is that when you do your before doing any backups on your by this service, but some other means first backup, the TSM server will mark new computer. ø

T e l e c o m T a l k

Sorry, Wrong Number: And This code of 011 or 01, you might dial 9 Swiss Miss One Has Consequences (to access an outside line), then 91-11- Another combination, though less etc. You may already see where this is troublesome, is for Switzerland (coun- • Lee Ridgway going: right to the local 911 Cambridge try code, 41) and Zurich (city code, 1). Fire and Police emergency center. Without the preliminary 011 or 01, this aking an international phone In recent months, Cambridge Fire combination will get you directory M call from the U.S. can take a lot and Police have been getting calls such assistance (411). of numbers! Between carrier access as this, where people placing calls to New Delhi realize they’ve misdialed, International Calling Procedures codes, country codes, city codes, and To review procedures for placing the phone number itself, the possibility and hang up when the emergency operator answers. A “hang up” on international calls, check any of these for error is high. And if you are calling sources: from an MIT business phone, you may Cambridge Fire and Police sets the need to include an MIT cost object. Emergency Response in motion. Such • The front of your local white-pages Errors in pressing all those num- calling errors tie up 911 lines and directory bers usually result in a simple wrong personnel time, which could interfere • The instructions provided by your number, or no connection at all. One with legitimate emergency calls. long-distance carrier If you mistakenly dial 9-911 and country and city code combination, • The front of MIT’s printed telephone however, presents a special problem. reach Cambridge Fire and Police, do not hang up directories The country code for India is 91, . Identify yourself as a caller from MIT, and tell them that there is • MIT’s dialing instructions at and the city code for New Delhi is 11. no emergency and that you have mis- http://web.mit.edu/is/tel/ If you try to call New Delhi and forget dialed. Wait for them to acknowledge dialing-int.html ø to start with the international access and then hang up. . . . . 6 . i/s • March / April 2003 • http://web.mit.edu/is/isnews/ http://web.mit.edu/is/isnews/ • March / April 2003 • i/s . 7 . . Update on Windows 2000 domain to address its training needs: cations for MIT students and faculty. Delivery Project a variety of computer courses are These machines are members of the taught at its facility in W89. win.mit.edu domain and allow users • Kerem Limon and John Welch The PLC’s administrative users are a access to AFS and other central services. small group using a to The cluster has been available to nformation Systems is committed to share data and some applications, along faculty for teaching since Thanksgiving Iproviding a coherent array of client with server-based printing. Users’ POP 2002, and has been open to the MIT services for the e-mail and bookmark data are kept on community for off-schedule use since platform at MIT. One major initiative, local server shares. January 2003. MIT classes are being the Windows 2000 Domains, Work- PLC has migrated all of its Windows taught in 37-312 this semester, and the groups, and Servers (DWS) Delivery 2000 workstations into the win.mit.edu facility sees heavy off-schedule use by Project, is creating the framework for domain. The users’ Windows profiles students engaged in course work and implementing and supporting Windows are stored in their AFS lockers. PLC other projects. 2000 Server environments at MIT. also plans to migrate the data from its For more information or to contact remaining local Windows NT 4.0 server the project team, go to Current Pilots to a Windows 2000 server that is a mem- http://mit.edu/windows/cluster/ The delivery team for this project ber of the win.mit.edu domain. PLC will has been involved in three Windows use local user accounts on this server to IS Windows Vision Statement 2000 pilots. The planning behind these provide access to its data for colleagues The IS Windows vision statement is pilots has helped in developing the in other MIT departments who are not an important development at MIT. This design assistance process to be used by part of the win.mit.edu domain. high-level commitment paves the way departments, labs, and centers (DLCs) PLC successfully tested a laptop for client services that are consistent implementing Windows 2000. The pi- running Windows 2000 Professional with MIT’s dynamic balance of central- lots are also providing real experience (and part of the win.mit.edu domain) ized and distributed environments. in the issues involved in migrating to for the ability to remotely access appli- To read the statement, go to Windows 2000 from Windows NT 4.0 cations, AFS lockers, and other shared http://web.mit.edu/windows/ network environments. resources on its Windows 2000 member winadmin_vision.html Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) server. This test shows that laptops can OSP began moving its administra- participate in a central domain along The Windows 2000 DWS tive systems into the win.mit.edu Active with desktop computers, albeit with Delivery Web Site Directory domain – centrally managed some additional preparation. IS recently launched a Windows by IS – in the second half of 2002. About Finally, PLC – with help from the 2000 Delivery Project web site at 30 Windows 2000 machines are now in Delivery Team – is in negotiations with http://web.mit.edu/windows-delivery/ the OSP “container” (a Windows term Microsoft and Dell to initiate an explor- with up-to-date project information. for an organizational unit of computers) atory project for the design and imple- The Products & Services section show- under win.mit.edu. OSP’s remaining mentation of its independent Windows cases the framework for documentation, workstations are scheduled for hard- 2000 domain. resources, and interfaces for Windows ware replacement; the new systems will Building 37 Windows Cluster 2000. To follow the project’s progress, be delivered with Windows XP Profes- IS maintains a Windows cluster in check the Recent Changes section. sional and added to the win.mit.edu 37-312 with high-end workstations run- Suggestions are welcome; send them to domain as they are deployed. ning Windows 2000 and selected appli- . ø When users log into one of the new machines, their roaming profile is copied from the local Windows NT 4.0 Design Assistance and Review Team (DART) Now in Pilot Phase server to the workstation. (“Roaming profile” is the Windows term for saving The Windows 2000 DWS Delivery Team recently announced the pilot phase of users’ settings and preferences in such the Design Assistance and Review Team (DART). DART addresses the need to a way that they can log onto different assist departments, labs, and centers (DLCs) in making the best choices across Windows machines, and still have ac- a wide variety of products and services for Windows. DART will help DLCs cess to those settings and preferences.) evaluate their options and fit their Windows 2000 deployments to their needs. On logout, the roaming profile is written The Discovery effort preceding the Windows DWS Delivery project recog- to their AFS home directory, and their nized the different needs and circumstances of DLCs. It recommended a Windows NT 4.0 profile is deleted. number of options for migrating from Windows NT 4.0 domains to Windows Once the new workstations have been 2000-based environments on MITnet. These options include joining the central placed in the win.mit.edu domain, OSP win.mit.edu domain, deploying an independent Windows 2000 domain, or will demote its Windows NT 4.0 domain moving to a Windows workgroup. The Discovery effort noted many factors in controllers and upgrade to Windows this process, including the greater complexity of Windows 2000 compared 2000 member servers in that domain. to Windows NT 4.0, the number of different migration paths, the constraints imposed by MITnet’s infrastructure, MIT resource interoperability issues, MIT Professional Learning Center (PLC) and Microsoft’s deadline to drop support for Windows NT 4.0. PLC began its planning in late 2002, DART is a standing, volunteer committee, with members from the DLCs and opted to move its administrative and IS. It draws upon the skills and expertise of teams and groups already systems into the win.mit.edu domain. supporting Windows. The Delivery Team will provide more details about PLC also chose to deploy an indepen- DART in ongoing announcements. dent Windows 2000 Active Directory . . . . 6 . i/s • March / April 2003 • http://web.mit.edu/is/isnews/ http://web.mit.edu/is/isnews/ • March / April 2003 • i/s . 7 . . 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Creating or redesigning a web site is Guidelines for MIT Web Sites not for the faint of heart. As the lead http://web.mit.edu/guidelines.html article on the MIT home page redesign IS Web Communications Services suggests, developing a site involves http://web.mit.edu/services.html long hours and the interplay of many specialties: information architecture, MIT Web Accessibility Guidelines graphic design, editorial insight, http://web.mit.edu/atic/www/sw/developweb.html familiarity with standards, and Usable Web knowledge of web technologies. http://usableweb.com/ IS Web Communications Services (WCS) can help you evaluate your web Web Page Design for Designers publishing needs and budget. To set http://www.wpdfd.com/ up an appointment, call x3-3500 or World Wide Web Consortium’s Markup Validation Service write to http://validator.w3.org/ You may also want to check out some of the key online resources listed Writing for the Web: Guidelines for MIT Libraries on the right. http://macfadden.mit.edu:9500/webgroup/writing/

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