Computer system

Computer System at X11-A

Getting Started:

You can not start your experiments at X11 unless you have received GERT and BLOSA safety training. Please contact the beamline staff if you have any questions about the these.

Since the computer system is entirely MacIntosh it is expected that you are familiar with performing simple tasks (on Macintosh) such as: creating/opening/closing a folder, copying/renaming/deleting a file/folder, formatting diskettes, copying data onto a diskette, running a program etc. Please feel free to refer to the Macintosh User's Guide or consult the beamline staff if you need more help. It is possible to collect data in PC format although Macintosh computer is used for data acquisition.

Before you start data acquisition, you must create a folder which will store your data files and other information pertinent to your experiments. In addition you will need to copy PRM files which contain information about the beamline setup (e.g. monochromator crystals, detector setup, computer interface etc etc.). We recommend that you use the following folder(directory) structure:

Create a folder indicative of your name or your research group e.g. Yourname in the USERS folder. This folder will/should contain your data and PRM files. (X-11 HD: USERS :Yourname)
Create a data folder in the Yourname folder which is an indicative of the run dates e.g. 98/01 Yourname Data. (X-11 HD: USERS :Yourname: 98/01 Yourname Data)
Copy the PRM Files folder into the Yourname folder from the previous user. (X-11 HD: USERS :Yourname: PRM Files).

Now you can launch the NSLS_DAC data acquisition program. This program is provided by the NSLS and (constantly being) customized by J. Kirkland for the use at X11A. It is user friendly and mostly self explanatory. The program requires important information about the Beamline Configuration path, Data storage path, User path (location of the PRM files) and the file format. Please DO NOT change the Beamline Configuration path. Enter the appropriate folders for the data storage (X-11 HD: USERS :Yourname: 98/01 Yourname Data) and user paths (X-11 HD: USERS :Yourname: PRM Files). Now the program is configured such that your data will be stored in the folder X-11 HD: USERS: Yourname: 98/01 Yourname Data. You can select the data format (Mac or PC) by clicking on the appropriate box.