Student Information Processing Board @ MIT

SIPB Documentation

2024 NOTE: A lot of this documentation is outdated, or now pretty obscure. We will get to you some new documentation about tech at MIT and SIPB Projects soon (TM)

SIPB offers documentation for users at MIT and elsewhere.

Writing and editing this documentation is an ongoing project. Edits and other contributions welcome.

Recent Documentation

SIPB

  • Using sipbmp3
    A guide to queue music to sipbmp3, the gutenbach system SIPB uses to play music in the office.

  • Summer Reading
    Documents and books that various SIPB members recommend reading.

  • Moira
    Some tips for using Moira

  • Pergamon
    Setting up a mailing list archive using Pergamon, SIPB’s self-service discuss server (see below for documentation on discuss)

Zephyr

  • Using Zephyr
    A guide on using Zephyr today with BarnOwl (and GNU Screen). Aimed at newcomers to Zephyr, and a pretty good reference. See also the BarnOwl wiki.

  • Using zcrypt
    A guide to using zcrypted (encrypted) zephyr classes. Zephyr at MIT (mostly) doesn’t support limiting who can sub to a zephyr class, so if you want to have reasonably private conversations, encrypting them is a good idea.

  • Using SZS (the SMS to Zephyr Relay)
    Send and receive text messages through Zephyr.

  • Using Screen
    Handy for doc/Zephyr and anything else you do in an ssh session.

Kerberos and AFS

  • Kerberized Server
    Explains keytabs and how to get one and how that lets you SSH somewhere with Kerberos.

  • Root Instance
    Explains root and extra instances in Kerberos.

  • Using Athena
    An introductory guide to Athena and AFS, presented as a tutorial to set up a small web page. Prerequisite: knowledge of how to use the command line.

  • AFS and You
    A useful guide to AFS (originally the Andrew File System), the system that stores your Athena files. Targeted at mid-to-advanced users, this is a more up-to-date version than the Inessential Guide to AFS below.

Client Certificates

Miscellaneous

IAP Classes and Cluedumps

SIPB teaches an array of classes each IAP and shorter cluedumps in the fall. Some of them leave notes useful as documentation.

  • Understanding Git
    These slides were developed for a SIPB cluedump on the Git version control system.

The Inessential Guide Series

The SIPB Inessential Guide series contain useful information about a variety of computing topics. Explore!

  • An Inessential Guide to Athena (DVI)(PDF)(PS)
    A large guide on how to get the most out of your Athena account, from reading mail, to using AFS, to sending zephyrs.

  • An Inessential Quick Reference to Athena (DVI)
    A one-page reference to the most basic information about Athena, including logging in, reading email, and getting help.

  • Inessential AFS (DVI)(PDF)(PS)
    A guide to AFS (Andrew File System) - the system used to store your files on Athena. Note that a more updated version of this guide can be found here.

  • Inessential LaTeX (PDF) (DVI) (HTML, but somewhat dated)
    A very helpful guide to LaTeX, a typesetting program commonly used for doing PSets, writing papers, theses, books, etc.

  • Inessential MATLAB (DVI) (PDF)
    A guide to using MATLAB on Athena.

  • Inessential Zephyr (DVI)(PDF)
    A guide to using the Athena instant-messenging system, Zephyr. Less relevant now that most people use BarnOwl, try this instead

  • Inessential Bitmaps (DVI)
    A guide to drawing and displaying XBM bitmaps and other graphics.

  • Inessential Refrigerator Restocking (Internal DVI version - inquire at SIPB)
    A guide on how to restock a soda fridge. It isn’t as hard as you make it look.

Other Documentation

Licensing

While we love free and open source software, there are too many licenses and the options can get a bit confusing. SIPB has some official recommendations for what to use and how to effect these licenses.

__38__git_

Learn about Git, a Version Control System.

Using CPAN

Instructions for installing CPAN modules

SIPB Documentation Project

SIPB Documentation Project is a project to document in written form the collective knowledge that SIPB members take for granted or use in maintaining services and projects.

Using Screen

Learn how to use screen for enhanced terminal sessions, including multitasking and resuming after disconnection.