CATS Orientation
This orientation is your first step to using all of the resources and tools at CATS and will give you card access to our core spaces: the Granoff Multimedia Lab, the Grad Center Multimedia Lab and the Physical Media Lab.
Follow the steps below to gain swipe access. The orientation should take about 20 minutes to complete and usually processed the following business day during the academic year.
- Watch the video
2. LEARN TO NavigatE OUR Spaces
Our spaces are designed to support everyone from beginners to experts. We have a number of ways you can learn about our tools and policies:
Log in with your Brown credentials
You can log in to our computers with the same Brown credentials (username and password) you use for Single Sign On (SSO) at Brown.
Your Brown username is usually a combination of the first letter of your first name and the first seven letters of your last name. For example, Marina Velenkamp would be MVelenka
Look for signs and labels
Most of our equipment is labeled with a short description and QR Code and link to useful information.
Equipment that requires training should be labeled but if you are unsure ask a staff member.
Our website is your best resource for learning about our services! Consider using the "Find in Page" (cmd+F on a mac) or use the search bar at the top of our website for even faster results.
You can also contact us via email but response times are often slower than if you were to use the website.
Connect with our staff
Creative Technology Assistants
Creative Technology Assistants (or CTAs) are our student staff that help provide trainings, 1-on-1 consultations, and help us oversee the spaces. Feel free to ask them questions or report issues to them.
CTAs can be identified the denim apron they wear while on duty.
Professional staff
If you have a question you can't find the answer to or feedback about the spaces, email cats@brown.edu.
3. CATs Policies
Our goal is to make the Creative Technology spaces easy to use and welcoming to everyone. We need your help to keep the space everyone can create in.
Read and follow all signage
Check labels and other signage to see if equipment requires training, reservations or has other requirements before using.
Signage and labels may also contain links to useful documents and how-to articles.
Back up your files every time
Store your media projects on your own drive/cloud. Brown provides considerable storage via Google Drive during your time here.
CATS computers are a public computing lab. We can not guarantee that your data won't be lost, though unlike other labs, we do not delete local files at reboot or log off.
Don’t change the hardware setup
Equipment and tools should not leave the space.
Do not unplug accessories or displays. Computers workstations are set up to benefit our entire community. When things get unplugged it prevents other users from completing their work. This includes: monitors, computer keyboards and mice.
Some equipment can be used personal computers or moved around the room to different workstations. These include laptop stations MIDI keyboards, scanners and the Ableton Push. At the laptop stations you may plug your computer in but don’t remove cables from the monitors themselves.
Do not use equipment that requires training before completing training
Some equipment requires training. Check signage to find out. If you are unsure, ask staff.
Even if you have used similar equipment in other spaces, we require you to take our training so that we can ensure you are familiar with our policies.
You can sign up for trainings via our website.
Trainings typically occurs between the end of shopping period and the beginning of reading period. No trainings are offered during winter break, summer break or finals.
Eat only in designated areas
While we do allow food in some parts of our spaces we don't allow it everywhere. Food and drink can damage equipment, make it unpleasant to use and attract pests. Please clean up after yourself. Water bottles with lids are allowed.
No food:
Physical Media Lab
Capture Studio
Granoff Recording Studio
Food allowed in certain locations:
Granoff Multimedia Lab at Living room and Laptop Stations
Grad Center Multimedia Lab on empty tables
Studio 4 Creative Production on empty tables
Clean up after yourself
Our spaces are used by hundreds of people each semester. We expect each member to clean up after themselves so that the spaces remain functional for all.
Don’t leave food or paper scraps
Return equipment to its home
Use trash/recycling bins
Pick up 3D prints and other projects within a week, or they may be discarded.
Except for specific courses, we do not offer project storage.
Be respectful of others
Use headphones where appropriate, all sound should be non-disruptive
When working in groups, be mindful of others using the space.
Recognize that there may be others waiting to use equipment and plan accordingly.
Report issues if there is a problem in the space
Look for a CTA first. They can be identified by the denim aprons.
Email cats@brown.edu with the following information:
What room are you in?
What equipment are you using? If it is a computer what is its name and location?
A detailed description of the error and how you tried to solve it.
Leave a note to let others users know about the issue (e.g. the printer is out of black ink)
