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Before logging in for the first time, please read the following rules and responsibilities. By the terms of the grants that fund the equipment and facilities in the Mathematical Sciences, the equipment and facilities are intended for educational and/or research use. The continued existence of the equipment and facilities depends upon their responsible use. Please abide by these rules when using the computing resources. Repeated breaking of these rules will result in the suspension of your Mathematical Sciences account and expulsion from the Mathematical Sciences laboratories.
- Do NOT tell others your password. The Mathematical Sciences account is for your use only. Giving your password to others increases the risk of a break-in. Because you are responsible for any abuses of Mathematical Sciences computing facilities or resources from your user account, you should choose a good password and not share it with others.
- Do NOT try to run cracking software on Mathematical Sciences computing equipment or network. Do not use such software, even if you're just experimenting with it. The University of Iowa may take action against any student shown to be using cracking software.
- Do NOT try to connect your equipment to Mathematical Sciences computing equipment or network. Plugging your equipment into the network can harm your own computer and can also disable some or even all of the other computers on Mathematical Sciences network.
- Do NOT try to move equipment, such as mice, keyboards, and monitors, between Mathematical Sciences equipment. Doing so can crash a workstation's operating system. There are many incompatibilities between different types of platforms. Trying to swap pieces between the systems can harm the hardware.
- Do NOT remove any equipment (including mouse pads, manuals, and cables). If you notice anyone walking out with equipment, report it immediately to the Computer Support Group (CSG).
- Do NOT bring food or beverages into the laboratories. The laboratories can be crowded, and food and beverages can easily spill and damage the equipment.
- Report all equipment problems to the CSG. The sooner the staff know of a problem, the sooner it can be fixed.
- NEVER turn off lab equipment. The workstations are not PCs or Macintoshes. They require a graceful software shutdown before they can be powered off. They are also multi-user machines. At any time, many users can be remotely logged into the machine. Turning the machine off will cause remote users to lose all their current work. When you have finished with a machine, logout but leave it running. If a machine locks up or appears frozen, do NOT turn the machine off. Instead, the problem should be reported to the CSG.
- Be considerate of other users. Keep conversations and noise to a minimum in the laboratories. If you are surfing or playing games and the laboratory you are in is crowded or your workstation has a heavy load, logout and come back when it's not as busy. If you are a teaching assistant, please do not hold office hours in the laboratories.
- Do NOT lock the screen of a laboratory workstation. When you leave a laboratory, logout. If you leave the screen locked, you can expect to have your session killed. It is understood that people may wish to lock their screen to get a drink of water or go to the bathroom. Under NO circumstances should a screen be locked for more than 15 minutes. Repeated abuses of this rule will result in disciplinary action.
- Respect the rights and privacy of others. Do not use the equipment to break into accounts, obtain superuser privileges, read others' email, pirate software, or conduct other unauthorized, unethical or illegal activities. Unauthorized use of the equipment or facilities will result in the disabling of your account and other disciplinary action.
- Check the windows and doors when you leave a laboratory. If you are the last person in the laboratory, make sure it is secure.
