The unix system is the most flexible system on campus. It can be used to write programs for the Computer Science Department, model molecules for the Chemistry Department, and serve web pages for the entire university.
With this flexibility comes a variety of ways to access this system. It can be accessed on a character level, using something like telnet. It can be accessed by actually sitting down at a Unix workstation in one of the Science Labs (AS233 or SC217) to access the rich and powerful GUI, multimedia capable environment, or the unix system can be accessed simply as a file server from the Windows 95, NT or Macintosh systems. It all depends upon what you wish to do.
This page attempts to point you in the right direction, so that you can get up and running quickly and easily, no matter how you intend to use the Unix network.
When you receive your unix account information, your account has only a default password. It is very important that you change this password immediately upon receipt of your unix account, so you can prevent other people from accessing it.
For instructions on how to do this consult the following URL's:
If sitting at a Unix workstation, simply choose Applications/Utilities/Change Password
The preferred way to access the Unix systems is to actually sit at one of the SGI workstations. These are located in the SJU Science Building in rooms 217, and 114, or in the CSB Ardolf Science Building, in room 233. By sitting at one of these workstations, you will have access to a rich and powerful, multimedia capable, highly efficient multitasking environment.
Since sitting at a workstation, is not always convenient, or necessary, there are other ways to access the Unix network. Please read on.
Many of the graphical features of the Unix environment can be accessed via a Windows based PC using eXcursion X server software. eXcursion allows you to use any X based GUI unix application from your PC. Some applications on the SGI such as Quanta Charm, jot, many of the demos, and the 3 dimentional version of Spartan, are not X based, and so unfortunately, these applications are not accessible from your networked PC. Unfortunately, this functionality is not available from a Macintosh system without purchasing some sort of Mac X server software.
GUI = Graphical User Interface, ie mouse and windows
One of the joys of the Unix system is its extremely powerful and flexible command line interface, commonly refered to as the shell. Unix has its origin in the character based shell. The GUI was a natural add on, due to the efficient multitasking nature of Unix. When using the Shell, there is no mouse, no fancy GUI interface, but simply the shell command prompt.
The most common way to access this environment is via telnet. At any telnet capable system, simply type telnet unix.csbsju.edu. (Or on a windows system, Choose Start/Run, and then type telnet unix.csbsju.edu) You will then be prompted to log on to the system, and end up at a shell prompt.
Much has been written about the shell. Many books are available to help you learn more about this environment. I have a few links that might help you get started.
Since the unix systems act as the web servers for this campus, you'll need to know a little information before you begin your creation. See the following links:
When creating web pages, using PC or MAC web content creation tools, you don't have to actually log onto a Unix system, you simply use your Unix username and password to connect to the Unix server from your PC or Macintosh. With this connection, you can save your web documents, directly to the Unix web server. For instructions on how to do this, see:
Connecting to your Unix files from a Networked Macintosh at CSB/SJU
Often times I have answers to specific questions or instructions on specific procedures on my web page. Check there if you have questions. Perhaps I have already solved the problem you are having.
http://www.users.csbsju.edu/~jgramke/Help/unix/startup.html
last modified by jgramke@csbsju.edu 3/27/98
If you have questions or comments on this information, contact helpdesk@csbsju.edu