Computers
Check with your supervisor/admin regarding computer purchases as there are different funding resources available depending on the research. In general you would buy (with our advice) a desktop and install and maintain Linux and all the relevant software you know and love (e.g. latex, iraf, ds9, IDL, etc). These machines are managed by the CfA Information Technology Services (ITS) (formerly Computation Facility -CF). Some scientists prefer to manage their own computer, particularly if they want a Mac. In that case you are on your own (you will get the Google apps and CfA user account of course, but you would need to do your own software).
More about the CFA Information Technology Services - https://pweb.cfa.harvard.edu/people/information-technology-services
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CFA Google Computer Accounts
Even though your appointment is through Harvard – it’s the Smithsonian’s Information Technology Services (ITS) who manages the computing at the CFA as they can meet our "specialized" needs. Visit the Information Technology Services page (requires CfA Google site access) for more information You will be required to sign off on your understanding of the Smithsonaian's Policies before gaining access. We will arrange for you to obtain a cfa email google account with unlimited storage as part of your appointment process. Harvard SSP members can request Unix, VPN, and remote access from Christine Benoit.
Slack
Connecting to the Network (Wireless)
Long term wireless users should be set up with https://www.eduroam.us - the Computing Facility Helpdesk can assist with the set up. Eduroam will enable you to use your devices at any eduroam institution in the program. Harvard IT has a site that walks you through the set up of different devices on the Harvard Secure Wireless Network. Please note that a wireless connection will require a VPN for you to connect to internal CF servers and printers.
Guest Access (Wireless)
Guests are able to register themselves via https://getonline.harvard.edu. You can also register a guest for multiple days. Select "I have a Harvard Key" and then when logged in choose "Create a sponsored guest account". You can use a guest account for a single visitor, or create one account for a group of visitors such as a conference.
Connecting to the Network (Wired)
For wired connections (ethernet or a ethernet adapter) bring your laptop down to the ITS helpdesk in B-207 to get it registered for a wall connection. The machines have to be documented and tagged before they can attach to the network.
Divisional disk space
Each user can store as much a 300GB of data, although this "disk" capacity is 3.4TB - meaning that there is not enough room for everybody to store as much as 300GB each, so please use it wisely. Contact helpdesk@cfa.harvard.edu for more information and to get access.
Harvard Research Computing
Computational resources are available for high performance and scientific computing, bioinformatic analysis, visualization, and data storage. https://www.rc.fas.harvard.edu/services/
Webpages
If you need personal webspace, contact Information Technology Services (requires CfA Google site access)
Harvard also has a few website content management systems that are free: http://openscholar.harvard.edu and https://huit.harvard.edu/campuspress
Be sure to update your profile on the CfA Website by filling out this form.
Here are tips for personal research websitesincluding things to keep in mind.
Software for Self-Managed Devices
Information about campus licenses software, including downloads can be found on the Harvard University IT (HUIT) Software for FAS Community website.
Adobe
is a suite of creative applications with collaboration and cloud features. Gain access to 20+ desktop and mobile applications for photography, design, video, web, UX, and more. Your access includes 100GB of document cloud storage. You can install Adobe applications, including Acrobat DC, on personal or Harvard-owned devices with up to two simultaneous device activations.
Zoom
. To activate or access your Harvard Zoom account, visit https://harvard.zoom.us.
Office 365
In addition, Microsoft Office 365 can be installed (up to 5 machines) for Harvard EMPLOYEES connected to a network. Instructions for the MS Office installation are as follows:
You will need a Harvard specific login for the download link: https://portal.office.com/OLS/MySoftware.aspx
- Login credentials are [Central Account ID]@harvard.edu and password is the Harvard key password.
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The central account ID can be found https://connections.harvard.edu/
in the internal directory by searching for your own name.
All of the services below are free to Harvard employees and Harvard non employees (students, stipend postdocs) through your fas.harvard.edu account. Training for how to use these apps can be found on Trainingportal.harvard.edu.
The CFA uses Google Drive on the Google platform but should that not meet your needs - this is another option at no extra cost.
- Cloud storage available for PC and Mac
- No VPN required
- 1 TB storage
- File share inside and outside of Harvard
- Share secure files without needing to use a secure email option
- Install Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Project, Publisher, Teams
- install for free on up to 5 computers and 4 mobile devices
- Mac and PC
Overleaf (ShareLaTeX)
The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) is providing free Overleaf Professional accounts for all students, faculty and staff who would like to use a collaborative, online LaTeX editor for their projects. Visit https://www.overleaf.com/edu/harvard-smithsonian-cfa for information on how to set up your account.
Laptop Theft Prevention
Students, faculty, and staff are strongly encouraged to take appropriate precautions to prevent the theft of their laptop computer and to register their laptops to assist the police in recovering the laptop in the event that the laptop is lost or stolen. http://www.hupd.harvard.edu/laptop-theft-prevention
Printing/Scanning/Faxing
Please note, in order to print from a device on the CF Network, you must either have a wired connection OR use VPN from a wireless connection to connect to the device.
B/W Printers The division has two b/w laser printers: ssplx is an HP LaserJet E M507 (CFA-10264) near Kathy Campbell’s office (Perkin 357) and ssplw is an HP LaserJet P4515X (CFA-07197) in the corner next to David Charbonneau’s office (Perkin 332). Both can print in duplex mode.
Color Printer: A color printer is located by Kathy Campbell’s office (Perkin 357) and is available from all CF-managed machines, and has been named ssplc2. It is an HP LaserJet E M652 (CFA-09940).
Scanning: There is a scanner located by Kathy Campbell’s office (Perkin 357). If you are a regular user of the scanner, contact cfhelp@cfa to get yourself set up with a profile on the device.
There are other print services available such as poster printing and network scanning. Visit ITS Printing/Scanning Services (requires Google account access)for more information. If you are on a self-managed device, here are the instructions to add the printers you need:
Windows:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hmEm4LCuWIYwYLHFCrtOK5rKLW092DXV14-qEx-BUqU/edit?usp=sharing
Mac:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k8ENsGkcA60sEydA7cy4dQwOHS-cEga27T6Vcpi4Qug/edit?usp=sharing
Faxing: There is a fax machine located by Kathy Campbell’s office (Perkin 357. If you are faxing within the CfA or Harvard you may dial only using the last 5 digits.If you are faxing to an outside line – you must dial 9 and then the fax number. The SSP Fax number is 617-495-7049.
Branding
The CfA logo and branding guidelines are available on this page. The Harvard Shieldthat applies to the Harvard College Observatory, is the Faculty of Arts and Sciences shield.
Email Lists
You will automatically be added to “ssp” and “cfa-wide” email lists. You may also want to join other lists such as the exoplanets email list, Planetary Journal Club List, or the Women in Science (WiS List). A complete listing of emails lists is available on the Google Groups Page and the CF Email Lists Page (requires VPN or network access).
We now have a subscriber-based postdocs mailing list! This means that anyone at the CfA who identifies as a postdoc can subscribe to this mailing list. We would like this list to be as complete as possible, so please sign up to this list if you identify as a postdoc! Instructions are here:
- https://support.google.com/groups/answer/1067205?hl=en
- You are signing up to: all-postdocs@cfa.harvard.edu
Secure Email
Email sent from the cfa.harvard.edu to another cfa.harvard.edu email address is encrypted. Please note that although the gmail platforms might look identical to a personal gmail account - the cfa account is a government account with additional projections. These protections are NOT in place if you are using your personal gmail account.
Password Management
Harvard University has partnered with the popular password manager 1Password to help organize all the passwords for your personal and professional accounts for free.
GitHub Enterprise Account
Harvard has an agreement in place with GitHub for enterprise usage -https://code.harvard.edu. The official intent behind code.harvard.edu is primarily as an academic workspace for all students, faculty, and staff to collaborate between undergrad & graduate programs and courses at any Harvard School, Department, or Organization on Academic programming projects. Code.harvard.edu is available within Harvard and from the public Internet so, students might, for example, collaborate on homework with their professors and teammates while on campus or around the world.