Introduction to Computing Resources
During the math department orientation sessions at the start of each academic
year, the computer staff runs a few computing-related sessions.
This page outlines the material discussed during
the “Introduction to computing” session.
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Basic help and support resources
Most of the information contained in this introduction can be accessed directly
from the math department computer support website.
In general, if you have computing-related questions or comments,
please contact the computer system staff either by sending an e-mail
to system@math.arizona.edu, or by filling out our
web feedback form.
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University of Arizona computer system organization, resources, facilities, and policies
Organization
Resources
Facilities
Policies
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Math department computing facilities, policies, and resources
Computer lab facilities and policies
The math department maintains the following
computer facilities.
The departmental body responsible for computer related policymaking is the Computer Committee.
Resources
Operating system platforms:
- GNU/Linux - Red Hat 9
- Microsoft Windows XP
- Apple Mac OS X
Software and applications:
Other:
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Accounts
To use the services listed above, you must have a network account (a username and a password).
There is information for holders of new accounts.
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Understanding, using, and managing your account
- Users/accounts: root (super user, administrators), system users and regular users.
- Managing your account: the text based console vs. the graphical interface (GI).
First we are going illustrate the GI and later we will take look at a console shell prompt interface.
Using the graphical interface
- Logging in with the graphical interface:
desktop choices (Gnome,
KDE),
usernames and passwords.
- Working with the Gnome desktop: the
panel, the icons, the virtual desktops.
- Launching applications, accessing tools and preferences through the Main Menu button
and/or the
Start-Here icon
.
- Opening a shell prompt terminal window from the GI.
More about the shell prompt command line later in a section below.
- Finding help for using applications by clicking on the HELP tabs and icons.
- The file system tree: listing hidden files, manipulating
files and directories, and navigating the tree using the
Nautilus file manager.
- Searching the file system for files and directories.
- Using the right mouse button to obtain information about files and directories, to view and edit files (e.g., images, documents, text files), and to set file/directory
permissions.
- Copying and pasting text with a three button mouse.
- Managing print jobs by using the Print Manager icon
.
Note: always remove your unsuccessful print jobs from the printer queue!
- Handling removable media: floppy diskettes and CD-ROMs.
Note: always unmount your floppy and/or CD-ROM before logging out!
- Using the
File Roller to compress, decompress and archive files.
- Logging out. —
Remark on a logout bug!
- More about the basics of working with the GI can be found in the
Red Hat Linux Getting Started Guide.
Using the shell prompt 
A shell is a text based command line interpreter that interacts with the user. There are
many flavors of shells (bash, ksh, csh, zsh, ssh) but the Red Hat Linux default is the bash
shell (which stands for Bourne again shell). User specific preferences for the shell are
contained and can be edited in the .bash_profile file which is located in the
user's home directory.
- The most common ways to encounter a shell prompt are:
- The general Linux/Unix command structure is of the form: command [options] [parameters].
- The basic commands reference page contains a list of Linux commands organized by theme.
- Detailed information about a specific commands can be found in the Linux built-in help pages known as man (short for manual) and info pages.
For example, typing man commandname or info commandname will bring up a browsable file that contains the description of the command and its properties.
Alternatively one can use the commandname -h or commandname --help options to get help about how to use the command.
- Note: You will need to use a shell terminal window to change your password!
- To launch an application from a shell prompt simply type the name of the application at the prompt.
- To log out from a shell prompt terminal window type exit or press <ctrl+d> (the general end of text control character).
- We provide a short on-line tutorial on how to use the basic file manipulating commands at a shell prompt.
- You can read more about the basics of the shell prompt in chapter 13 of the Red Hat Getting Started Guide or browse the math department computer support site for links to more guides and tutorials.
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Important general safety and security remarks 
- Virus savvy: never open e-mail attachments for which you don't know who the sender is.
If you do happen to open an attachment with a virus, immediately notify the computer support staff.
- To plug a personal equipment (e.g. laptops) into the math department building network,
your equipment must be approved and registered! Network access ports can be found in Math 103, Math 401 and Math 224.
- If you need to connect remotely to a network be it the U of A Math Department
network or any other network always use the secure (encrypted) - SSH, SCP, SFTP connections. The old TELNET, FTP, RLOGIN protocols are deprecated since they are not secure. Do not use them!
- Make sure your anti-virus software is always up-to-date.
- Information about current viruses and tools for their removal.
- At no cost to you, download and install Sophos anti-virus on your computer (even if it stays at home)!
- Regularly backup files in your home directory by burning them on a CD.
- If curious about system backup procedures read the backup FAQs.
- Make sure that you periodically change your password.
- For additional security and network related issues consult the network FAQs.
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