From time to time the laser is unavailable. Either for maintenance or because of an issue.

When this happens, this is a checklist of the things we need to do. If we don't do these steps, people may come a long way to VHS to use the laser, and be unable to use it. That is a bummer. The laser is volunteer run, and there are no guarantees of usability - but if we can clearly communicate what's happening that goes a long way to being excellent to each other!

1. Disable the laser via the MQTT flag
   • The laser login system can be disabled by flipping a switch in the private MQTT instance.
   • More details on how to do that to come.
2. Make bookings unavailable on booking.vanhack.ca
   • This can be done by changing the “VHS Redsail Laser” provider's “Working Plan” on this page.
3. Cancel existing bookings on booking.vanhack.ca.
   • This can be done by going to the laser booking calendar, and deleting the individual bookings that are likely to be impacted by the downtime.
4. Put a sign up on the laser computer and the laser - see below for an example sign
5. Post on Slack #laser
   • Something like: “LASER IS OUT OF SERVICE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE” - feel free to add a reason why if you can - we are hackers, we all like to know why everything.
6. Post on talk? - might be overkill, discussion happening now - example post to come if we decide this is needed.

See #laser on slack for details and status updates.

Thanks for your patience, the Laser Cutter Committee