Depersonalized “personal” computers
Williams College OIT provides desktop computers, both windows and mac, for use by students, faculty and staff in common areas across campus. An important distinction between these lab computers and others you may use is that OIT has endeavored to depersonalize, as much as possible, these inherently “personal” computers. This depersonalization is required to provide a reliable and secure computing environment for all to use.
Essentially, this means that software may behave differently on the lab/classroom computers than it does on your own personal computer. Contact [email protected] if something does not work as expected an we will work to find out why.
Log in to start
On Lab/classroom computers, unlike public kiosks, it is best to log in with your own account login information. This is your username and password which should be the same as what you use for email except that on the username part, you leave off the “@wiliams.edu”.
If you want to use a lab/classroom computer that someone else left logged in, you really should log them off first and then log yourself in. It is possible that the person before you either intentionally or accidentally left the computer in a compromised state and your use of it will compromise your accounts!
Save your work (often)
Just as you keep your personal belongings in sight in public spaces, it is important to be mindful of where your personal data is being stored when using lab computers. A couple of important reminders help to make sure you always have a copy of your work:
Always – select “Save As” and use your own personal USB drive or network file space when saving your work.
Do not edit documents directly from web-based email. Instead save the attachments to your USB drive or network space first. Then, when done editing, make sure to “Save As” like above.
While we will try to provide fair warning, any data left behind on lab computers is subject to deletion without warning. There are several reasons, not the least of which is hard drive failure, which can cause the immediate loss of stored data.
Also, as with any computer, please save your work often. Do not edit a document for hours, for example, without saving copies as you go along. Power failures happen when you least expect them!
Log off when done
Since your private network space may be available to you while logged into lab computers, it is important to log off when done to prevent others from inadvertently deleting or changing data that is important to you. Also, you are responsible for the security of your account and could be questioned should someone use your account inappropriately.
Mounting Network File Shares
Printing Issues
Any issues with printer supplies (paper, toner, etc) or printer malfunctions should be reported to the Student Help Desk in the CET. They can be reached by email to: [email protected] or by phone at: 413-597-3088
Please, No “Camping”
Computer classrooms are not clubhouses. Please do not leave your personal belongings, books, study guides piled around lab computers when you are not actively using a computer. All lab computers are available on a first come – first serve basis and “reserving” a computer is not permitted. With nearly 500 lab and classroom computers on campus you are sure to be able to find an open seat somewhere.
Please contact the lab manager (email below) if you need access to a computer for a long running job.
Gaming
Classroom computers exist to support the curriculum specifically and scholarship generally. These spaces are expensive and require professional staff to maintain them in support of the College’s mission. Any other use of the computers requires that an exception be made case by case. Gaming-related RSOs should develop a proposal for exceptional uses of one or more specific computer classrooms. Exceptional uses include short-term gaming tournaments or long-term (semester) gaming by an RSO community. A proposal should include the name and primary contact for the RSO, gaming times (e.g. days of the week and hours of the day), any technical requirements (e.g. installations), and above all should detail how the proposed exceptional use will not interfere with other students who need to use the classroom for scholarship (e.g. controlling noise, trash, etc.). Proposals should be submitted to the Office of Campus Life each semester, who will coordinate the review process by OIT as well any faculty scheduled to teach in the desired classroom(s) in a given semester.
NOTE: Proposals may be severely amended or may be denied entirely. Conflicts with course schedules, including out of class assignments or study sessions, or any increase in overhead for staff maintaining the spaces could be grounds for amending or denying a proposal.
If a proposal is granted, you will be expected to reserve the classroom(s) for the approved days/hours in EMS Roomscheduler (do not try to book rooms without an approved exception), and also to post the schedule on the classroom door so that other students are aware of the gaming periods. Computer classrooms must remain in an ever-ready state to support scholarship. This means that computers, computer peripherals like mice/keyboards, the arrangement of tables/chairs, lectern media, etc. must remain in their original operable states (i.e. use of gaming specific peripherals must be remove after each session and the room restored for scholarly use). Gaming equipment cannot be stored in the classrooms.
NOTE: Classroom computer may be re-imaged (i.e. wiped) at any time!!!! Computers are routinely reimaged for security and other reasons – this means that any personal files on the computers will be deleted and are not recoverable. Store your work in the cloud (e.g. Google Drive) or on a personal hard drive.
Contact [email protected] with any questions or suggestions.
For other help
Contact [email protected] with any questions or suggestions.