Interesting space.....it looks like there are partial partitions in the space creating three semi-separate areas. Is that the design or are the spaces semi-private?

I think it'd be a good idea to put in an Athena workstation or two, because not everyone has laptops yet. If you're without a laptop but trying to work in a group, you can't work at the same time as everyone else.

Following the workstation Idea, I think it's also important that workstation users not be physically isolated from laptop users in their workgroup, as they would be if it were placed elsewhere in the room, or if they were hidden by a monitor. As a solution, I imagine something like what is present in many lecture halls; a screen below a glass panel in the table where the group is working.

Hi,

I suggest replacing the two existing doors with double pane, sound proof, transparent doors. This would help cut down noise from the rest of the cluster, while making it easy to see if the space was occupied or not.

I also suggest replacing at least one, if not both, of the partial partitions with a full height, full width transparent wall, perhaps with a doorway in it. It would further cut down on noise from other groups meeting in W20-475D.

Thanks for the initial comments already received! Let me try to responde to them in turn:
1) Question - are their partial partitions separating the spaces? Yes - there are currently half height dividers between the work areas which will remain, both to add some separation and to minimize reconstruction costs. We think that in the new configuration they will be even more useful.
2) Suggestion - there should be an Athena workstation or two in the area. We agree and there will be! The artists rendering of the space did not include the either the printers or the two Athena workstations we planned to leave on the right side of the room (as you face it in the drawing).
3) Suggestion - it would be useful to imbed into destop funiture full Athena workstaions so the monitors are not blocking discussion in workgroups. We have looked at this but for this version of the redesign test space we have opted not to do this now. The group spaces are meant to be flexible, with comfortable chairs on wheels, or a table with rolling chairs. Putting a workstation in to a desk requires wiring the furniture for power and data, and adding significant weight to the furniture. These things tend to inhibit the goal of an easily reconfigured space. We'll have to watch and see if this is truly a benefit, or if more fixed workstation furniture is a better alternative.
4) Suggestion - replace the existing doors with transparent doors to let them remain closed but still allow one to look into the space to see if it's occupied. That's great idea! We'll look into this and see whether this is an affordable change in the short run, or if we have to plan for it in upcoming financial discussions.

Thanks to everyone for the ideas and comments. Keep them coming!

Regards,

Regarding point (3) on "embedded" Athena workstations: if we can find a way to reasonably secure them without adding bulk (for example, via cable), there is no reason why laptops running Athena Linux attached to couldn't substitute for workstations.

With portability and small form-factor not being that important, the cost would be roughly equivalent but they would be very low profile and could slip out of the way if not needed.

Cheers,

Oliver

Will access to the space be based on a first come first serve model, or will there be a reservation system?

There are no plans to require reservations for cluster machines in the renovated clusters at this time.

-jean-

Hi!

As of Sat 14 August, the workstations at the west end of W20-475C
print by default to the printer "fiber" which is in W20-475D.

This means that groups working in the three new spaces in 475D will be
disturbed by users coming in from 475C to pick up their printouts.

If you want groups in 475D to be minimally disturbed, it makes sense
to have all the workstations in 475C print to printers that are in
475C.

It might make sense to move "fiber" out of 475D to the west end of
475C. The printer "pulp" is at the east end of 475C. If "fiber"
isn't moved, it be straight forward for I/S to change the hesiod
database for the workstations to default print to "pulp".

If "fiber" isn't moved put of 475D, it seems to make sense to have all
workstations in 475D print to it.

If "fiber" is kept in 475D, it would make sense to move it
* back nearest the west door between 475C and 475D, where it was
before 475D was redesigned.
* center it on the south wall between the two doors.

Where "fiber" is now, people sitting at the large table will be
disturbed as other users pick up their printouts. There is barely
enough room for people to get by the chairs to "fiber".

best -len

Hi Len,

Thanks for the feedback. It sounds like a reasonable suggestion. I'll pass it along to the folks in charge of the cluster.

-jean-