How to deal with new admits

[Michael Oltmans <moltmans@>]

As you all know, today begins the 2006 installment of "New Admit 
Weekend!"  I know you are all excited and a bit nervous about this so we 
here at GSB have put together a handy reference guide of things to say 
and do to convey a good, accurate, picture of our lab:

* Make sure to clean your office and surrounding open spaces.  We don't 
want them to think that we just leave 20 year old computer's and parts 
lying around everywhere.  This is an institvte of higher learning not a 
crap swap.

* Make sure that you don't mention how excited you become at the mention 
of free food.  If you do, they'll think we don't get paid enough to buy 
 lunch and they won't want to come.

* Make sure that they know that although Bldg. 32 looks big and 
confusing you can really get used to getting around.  Personally, I'm 
still not sure how long that adjustment period is, I've only been here 
for 2 years.  My suggestion is to ask the mice, they seem to know their 
way around pretty well.

* This one isn't very important but it is really fun.  Tell them that 
all new admits must send a message to csail-related@ that describes 
why Linux is a much better name than GNU/Linux.  This is a great way to 
become familiar with an important piece of lab culture.  Oh, and for an 
even richer experience, send it in MS Word Format.

* Tell them if they don't like their office, its ok.  It is easy to 
reconfigure.  That's what they told us, and we believed it, why 
shouldn't we pass the wisdom on to others.

* Make sure to let them know that everyone graduates in a timely manner. 
 Nobody sticks around for as long as say, oh, to pick a random, but 
really long time... 8.5 years.

* And for the love of Pete, don't tell them about GSB.  If word got out 
about that one they would all want to come here and then where would we 
be?  Do you want a 5th person in your office (10th in your open space)?

We hope this guide will be helpful to you when interacting with those 
naive, bright eyed hopefuls.  If you are still unclear about anything 
(particularly those points in this message), either come to, or bring 
your young one, to...

    Oh, one last thing, send me more fortunes!!!!
    http://projects.csail.mit.edu/cgi-bin/gsb/fortunes.cgi

... tonights very special (even more special than the other specials) 
edition of...

           +-                                                  -+
             girl scout benefit -+-  5:30 pm  -+- 32-G9 lounge
           +-                                                  -+

              For those coming from elsewhere: Building 32 is
               <http://whereis.mit.edu/map-jpg?selection=32>
          Once you are in 32, just take the G-elevator to the 9th
      floor and we will be in the lounge that you will be looking at
                    <http://projects.csail.mit.edu/gsb>



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