Stellar FAQ
What browser should I use to access Stellar?
For Stellar to work properly, browsers must be Javascript enabled and support personal SSL certificates. We support Stellar on all MIT recommended browsers.
Is information on Stellar backed up regularly?
Yes. All data files are kept on two separate systems with redundant disks at all times to ensure that we do not lose your data.
What is the difference between an Athena locker and a Stellar site?
There are several differences. An Athena locker, when it is created, is essentially empty. Content, as well as the design of the web pages, must be created manually either by the faculty member, owner or any others designated with administrative privileges. Uploading and downloading files, editing web pages, and other standard activities must be done likewise. Backups are performed nightly, but no archiving is done. With Stellar, several standard pages are created for you automatically using one of several standard designs. Tools are built in to facilitate editing of the site's pages, as well as administration of the class itself (i.e. receipt of homework and management of class sections). Traditionally, Athena lockers have contained one locker per subject and reused each semester by adding and deleting files at will. Stellar provides a new site each semester and materials can be imported from previous semesters as needed.
What is the difference between Stellar and OCW (OpenCourseWare)?
The Stellar Course Management System has been developed to support delivery of classes to students at MIT. A class website contains class materials, student information, homework assignments and a discussion board. To protect student privacy, Stellar websites are restricted to class participants only, although instructors can change the access levels to their course site. Please click here for more site access information. OCW is a free and open educational resource for faculty, students and self-learners around the world. OCW publishes MIT course materials, but it does not provide access to MIT faculty or grant degrees.
The URL for my course site is incorrect; can that be changed?
Site URLS cannot be changed once the site has been created. A new site will have to be requested.
Do I need to request a new Stellar site for each new semester?
Yes, you must request a new stellar site for each new semester. You may request a new Stellar course site by filling out the online site request form. Stellar also provides a tool for importing content from a previous semester's class website to the new site.
How far in advance can a Stellar course website be created?
Stellar sites may be requested at any time, however the intended semester may not always be available as an option. If not, choose the current semester available and then add a note in the comment section of the form letting us know the correct semester for the class site.
How long does it take for a Stellar course site to be created?
Stellar site requests are processed twice a day. You should receive a confirmation e-mail within one business day of your request. If you see a Mismatch Message
when requesting your site, the creation of your site may be slightly delayed.
Can a non-MIT person (Harvard/Singapore, etc) have access to Stellar course sites?
Yes, a non-MIT person can access Stellar. They will need a Collaboration Account and the instructor or TA will need to add them to the membership list for the class site. Please go here to find out how to obtain a Collaboration Account.
Once a non-MIT student has created a Collaboration Account, how do they log into a Stellar course site?
Instructions for how to log in to a Stellar site can be found on this page https://wikis-mit-edu.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/confluence/display/stellarhelp/Stellar+Login+via+MIT+Touchstone.
Can someone with a 'usernamexx.mit.edu' e-mail address register for a Collaboration account since they do not have an Athena Account and are unable to get certificates?
Anyone affiliated with MIT and has an '@mit.edu' in their e-mail address is strongly encouraged to use their MIT Athena Account to access Stellar. If they have not registered for an Athena Account, they may do so here.
I have a Collaboration Account, but I've forgotten my password. How do I reset it?
If you forget your password, click on the Forgot Password button when you are asked to enter your password. Or, you may reset your password here.
When I try to access a course site, I get the message 'Bad request! Your browser (or proxy) sent a request that this server could not understand. Error 400' Why?
Users may be directed to this message when there is a build-up of cookies in the browser. Try clearing your cookies and then attempt to access your course sites again. If you need help clearing your cookies, go here for instructions. Note: we are working on addressing this issue.
It's the first week of class and my students are unable to log into the class site because the class Participants list is empty. How can they access the site?
Generally, the registration information is not fully available at the start of the semester. Instructors or TAs can grant access to students not yet listed in the Class List by manually adding their e-mail addresses to the Participants group for the course site. Please see see Adding Users to a Group.