MIT Atlas

Generally, an underwhelming app. It requires updating often or it will not work. The screen layout is difficult on a reasonably sized phone. Features seem to come and go at random. At one time, one could put in sick time on the app if you were a member of the salary staff. It was awkward and difficult because of poor user interface design, but it could be done Evidently, you no longer can do so. The live chat agent I interacted with was pleasant and professional, albeit clueless about the issue I was having. This is, of course, industry standard these days. A ”ticket” has been opened. One might expect better technical competence from one of the finest technical universities in the world. One would be disappointed in that expectation.

I first wrote a complaint with a grade of 1 star. The app failed repeatedly when I tried to get a copy of my alumni ID with no explanation, just “try later” for days. Someone in Support eventually delved deeper and found the problem. I am very grateful to that individual, and I hope the developers will look into such issues and provide better info to the users. I will gladly upgrade my review if I ever get my ID!

MIT has successfully done amazing things, like create a color out of nanotubes that blocks 99.85% of light reflection, and use the CRISPR-Cas9 enzyme to edit the genetic code in humans. However, some problems are so intractable they can elude even the most intelligent researchers and scientists of our generation, and that includes the problem of how to use one’s phone as a keycard to unlock doors on campus, apparently. You’d think this would be simple compared to, oh, inventing radar technology, but guess which one MIT has done successfully? (Hint: it’s an acronym for RAdio Detection And Ranging) Anyway, if you like exchanging multiple emails and phone calls with university IT support technicians, or if you like endlessly waving your phone at unresponsive card readers in the freezing cold, this is the app for you!