using-sipbmp3
Learn how to print music to sipbmp3.
2024 NOTE: A lot of this documentation is outdated, or now pretty obscure.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.
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)
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 zcrypt
ed (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.
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.
XVM: Using remctl
, and
Getting the serial console
Printing with CUPS on the Mac
How to set up printing on a Mac.
Using CPAN
CPAN is a source of many useful Perl libraries, but the tools often seem determined not to let you have them. Here’s how to beat them into submission.
SIPB teaches an array of classes each IAP and shorter cluedumps in the fall. Some of them leave notes useful as documentation.
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.
How to Choose a Good Password (DVI)
A one-page list of guidelines on how to choose secure passwords, and why this is important.
Who Fixes What at MIT
How and to whom to report all kinds of problems with computing infrastructure at MIT.
Filtering Your E-Mail on Athena
A quick guide to filtering your e-mail on Athena’s common email-clients.
Getting Started with PGP on Athena
A quick guide to using PGP security on Athena.
DVI files? What are those? What’s XDVI? (DVI)
XDVI is a program to view DVI files, a common output format from LaTeX.
NetNews: A One-Page Guide to the Usenet (DVI)
A one-page reference to reading NetNews.
Using Discuss (DVI)
A guide to using and enjoying the Discuss bulletin board system on Athena.
So you want to learn Git…
Pointers to resources from which Git, the Version Control System many of us use.
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.
Learn how to print music to sipbmp3.
Learn about Git, a Version Control System.
Instructions on configuring client-side certificate authentication for an Apache server using modules from the scripts.mit.edu project
Instructions for installing CPAN modules
Random zsigs for BarnOwl, a popular Zephyr client.
This page provides instructions for using SZS, a service that relays messages between Zephyr and phones (which use SMS).
How to use the traditional Zephyr client.
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.
Instructions for enabling Kerberos logins on a server, including installing keytabs and configuring SSH.
Learn how to use screen
for enhanced terminal sessions, including multitasking and resuming after disconnection.