1. Don't leave remote disks mounted on Picker computers.
If the computer containing the remote disk is turned off, all other Picker computers which had that disk mounted will hang and must be rebooted.
Corollary. Don't deliberately reboot a Picker computer until you've checked that other computers don't have your disks mounted. If you crash a system inadvertently, as soon as the >>> prompt appears type b to start rebooting.
2. Don't experiment on acquisition computers.
They contain irreplaceable patient data.
Corollary 1. Learn on computers in Reading Rooms (readrm or prism35) with no remote disks mounted. They contain no data which isn't duplicated elsewhere.
Corollary 2. Don't delete anything you didn't create. The techs are responsible for archiving clinical data and will periodically delete patient files as they are archived. WARNING: the red "Delete" button permanently deletes files unlike the Petview Load module’s Delete button which merely unloads the file from memory.
3. When in doubt, ask!
Picker computers are exceedingly vulnerable to misuse. All of the patient files and much of the operating system are owned by the "prism" account = the account you'll be logged into whenever you sit at a Picker computer. If you issue the wrong command you can wipe out patient data and/or disable the computer for hours.
Corollary 1. If you're not sure what you're doing ask the techs or e-mail/page Janet. In addition there are software manuals near every terminal.
Corollary 2. If you're accessing a Picker computer over the network, use the petuser account. It doesn't have permission to create or delete anything outside of the /img**/transfers directory so you can't go astray.
4. Don't assume someone else has reported a problem.
This is particularly important for temperature problems. The recommended temperature range for Picker gantries is 68 to 75oF. If you walk into a room and the temperature is outside that range please do two things: call the Trouble Desk to report the problem, extension 2301, and notify Janet.
5. Always write down where an OD has been initialized.
Reason 1. Picker and Sun ODs have incompatible formats. Trying to read a Picker-formatted OD on a Sun has been known to crash the Sun. Picker computers are more resilient so if you're ever in doubt, try to read the OD at a Picker first.
Reason 2. OD disk drives can fail incrementally instead of catastrophically. If the read/write heads are slightly misaligned, then an OD formatted on one disk drive may only be readable by that disk drive. Writing down where you formatted the OD helps us identify which disk drive needs service.
6. Don't leave ODs in the disk drives for long periods of time.
While an OD is inserted in the drive its shutter is open, exposing the surface to dust. The OD also forces the disk drive door to be open, exposing it to dust too. In addition, some OD disk drives on the Suns run so hot that ODs left in them overheat and fail to eject. When that happens the drive must be turned off until the OD cools.
7. Don’t install any software on any Picker computer.
Janet Saffer is System Administrator for the Picker computers. If you want software installed, speak to her.
