In the Astrotech payload processing facility, General Dynamics technicians watch as GLAST is moved toward a work stand (left) to check the telescope's scientific instruments. (Image courtesy of NASA/Kim Shiflett.)

GLAST Makes Last Terrestrial Journey

NASA Press Release

NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) arrived last week at the Astrotech payload processing facility near the Kennedy Space Center to begin final preparations for launch. Liftoff of GLAST aboard a Delta II rocket is currently targeted for 11:45 a.m. EDT on May 16.

GLAST is a collaborative mission with the U.S. Department of Energy, international partners from France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Sweden, and numerous academic institutions from the U.S. and abroad. The spacecraft will explore the most extreme environments in the universe, and answer questions about supermassive black hole systems, pulsars and the origin of cosmic rays. It also will study the mystery of powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts.

The milestones to be accomplished over the next two months include attaching the Ku-band communications antenna and the two sets of solar arrays, a complete checkout of GLAST's scientific instruments, installing the spacecraft's battery and loading aboard the observatory's propellant. These activities will be performed by General Dynamics, builder of the spacecraft for NASA. GLAST currently is scheduled to be transported to Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on May 1. Read more...

Lock Your Computer

by Marilyn Cariola

Because SLAC computers provide ready access to SLAC information, networks and systems, they must be protected from malicious use. It is remarkably easy to sit down at an unattended computer and access anything the previous user left up on the screen, left stored on the hard drive or can be accessed on the network—including sensitive applications like payroll. If malicious access takes place via your user account because you left your machine unattended and logged in, you can be held accountable.

What can you do to prevent this kind of abuse? The answer is simple: log out before leaving your machine or use a password-protected screen saver.

Most modern operating systems have a screen saver that can be configured to be password-protected and to automatically turn on after a certain amount of idle time. In addition, it is a good idea to manually turn on the screen saver whenever you step away from your machine. As a failsafe, you should have a password-protected screen saver configured to start within a reasonable timeout period.

For Windows: You can press the Windows key (ÿ) and L keys simultaneously on most keyboards to enable the screen saver. On other keyboards you will need to press Control-Alt-Delete and select "lock computer."

For Unix: Password-protected screen savers are provided by Gnome, KDE (Linux) and CDE (Solaris) desktop environments. For other desktops you can use xscreensaver. Visit the Unix Screen Locking web page for instructions on activating and configuring these screen savers.

If you need help, please contact your departmental computing support person.

In addition, effective March 14, 2008, all centrally managed Windows desktops and laptops will be configured to turn on the screen saver after 15 minutes of inactivity. Exceptions must be approved in writing by the Computer Security Officer at security@slac.stanford.edu.

SLAC Welcomes
New Employees

Click on image for larger version.

Last week, SLAC welcomed eight new employees at New Employee Orientation. From left to right, they are: Joy Andrews, Wenkai Zhang, Qasim Bilal Lone, Umar Kalim, Mira Rubin, Amita Gupta and Cindy Patty. Not pictured is Jerri Lynn Shoff.

SLAC Hosts Job Fair

by Kelen Tuttle

Click on image for larger version.

Yesterday afternoon, SLAC hosted a job fair to assist laid off employees in their pursuit of employment opportunities. Representatives from 18 companies met face-to-face with potential job applicants.

"We had a great turn out," said SLAC Employment Manager Lisa Mongetta. "The representatives were excited by the quality of the attendees, and the attendees were pleased by the contacts they made."

Events

March 17: (4:15 p.m.) SLAC Colloquium: Autonomy from the Heavens down to the Sea

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Physicists: After 30 years of study, rare particle confirms prediction University of Florida
Initiative on Improving K-12 Education Seeks to Support New Projects Stanford Report

<% Response.AddHeader "Last-modified", getArticleDate() 'Response.AddHeader "Last-modified","Mon, 01 Sep 1997 01:03:33 GMT" 'Monday, December 06, 2010 %>

View online at http://today.slac.stanford.edu/.

In the Astrotech payload processing facility, General Dynamics technicians watch as GLAST is moved toward a work stand (left) to check the telescope's scientific instruments. (Image courtesy of NASA/Kim Shiflett.) GLAST Makes Last Terrestrial Journey NASA Press Release NASA's Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) arrived last week at the Astrotech payload processing facility near the Kennedy Space Center to begin final preparations for launch. Liftoff of GLAST aboard a Delta II rocket is currently targeted for 11:45 a.m. EDT on May 16. GLAST is a collaborative mission with the U.S. Department of Energy, international partners from France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Sweden, and numerous academic institutions from the U.S. and abroad. The spacecraft will explore the most extreme environments in the universe, and answer questions about supermassive black hole systems, pulsars and the origin of cosmic rays. It also will study the mystery of powerful explosions known as gamma-ray bursts. The milestones to be accomplished over the next two months include attaching the Ku-band communications antenna and the two sets of solar arrays, a complete checkout of GLAST's scientific instruments, installing the spacecraft's battery and loading aboard the observatory's propellant. These activities will be performed by General Dynamics, builder of the spacecraft for NASA. GLAST currently is scheduled to be transported to Pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on May 1. Read more...

Lock Your Computer by Marilyn Cariola Because SLAC computers provide ready access to SLAC information, networks and systems, they must be protected from malicious use. It is remarkably easy to sit down at an unattended computer and access anything the previous user left up on the screen, left stored on the hard drive or can be accessed on the network—including sensitive applications like payroll. If malicious access takes place via your user account because you left your machine unattended and logged in, you can be held accountable. What can you do to prevent this kind of abuse? The answer is simple: log out before leaving your machine or use a password-protected screen saver. Most modern operating systems have a screen saver that can be configured to be password-protected and to automatically turn on after a certain amount of idle time. In addition, it is a good idea to manually turn on the screen saver whenever you step away from your machine. As a failsafe, you should have a password-protected screen saver configured to start within a reasonable timeout period. For Windows: You can press the Windows key (ÿ) and L keys simultaneously on most keyboards to enable the screen saver. On other keyboards you will need to press Control-Alt-Delete and select "lock computer." For Unix: Password-protected screen savers are provided by Gnome, KDE (Linux) and CDE (Solaris) desktop environments. For other desktops you can use xscreensaver. Visit the Unix Screen Locking web page for instructions on activating and configuring these screen savers. If you need help, please contact your departmental computing support person. In addition, effective March 14, 2008, all centrally managed Windows desktops and laptops will be configured to turn on the screen saver after 15 minutes of inactivity. Exceptions must be approved in writing by the Computer Security Officer at security@slac.stanford.edu.	SLAC Welcomes New Employees Click on image for larger version. Last week, SLAC welcomed eight new employees at New Employee Orientation. From left to right, they are: Joy Andrews, Wenkai Zhang, Qasim Bilal Lone, Umar Kalim, Mira Rubin, Amita Gupta and Cindy Patty. Not pictured is Jerri Lynn Shoff. SLAC Hosts Job Fair by Kelen Tuttle Click on image for larger version. Yesterday afternoon, SLAC hosted a job fair to assist laid off employees in their pursuit of employment opportunities. Representatives from 18 companies met face-to-face with potential job applicants. "We had a great turn out," said SLAC Employment Manager Lisa Mongetta. "The representatives were excited by the quality of the attendees, and the attendees were pleased by the contacts they made."	Events March 17: (4:15 p.m.) SLAC Colloquium: Autonomy from the Heavens down to the Sea Access (see all) Alpine Gate & PEP Ring Road closed Gates 17 & 30 open 24-7 Research Yard bisected Announcements (see all \| submit) Lab Announcements Stanford phishing e-mail SLAC Workshop - Retirement Savings Plans: A Refresher Learning & Development Class Offerings - Stanford Campus Symposium to Celebrate Pief Panofsky Community Bulletin Board 19th Annual Fairbank Memorial Run/Walk/Bike/... Stanford University Faculty and Staff Help Center News (see all \| submit) Physicists: After 30 years of study, rare particle confirms prediction University of Florida Initiative on Improving K-12 Education Seeks to Support New Projects Stanford Report
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	Thursday - March 13, 2008