Using the CS Lab and Accounts
The following FAQ answers common questions about the Computer Science Computer Lab and Computer
Science accounts.
Please check this page occasionally for changes in procedures and/or policies.
Please read through this entire document at least once and feel free to send any
questions, comments or concerns to the System Administrator.
- Access
- How do I get in to the lab?
- How does the card swipe work?
- How do I access my account in the lab?
- How do I choose a good password?
- What are some methods for choosing a good password?
- How do I use the computers in the lab?
- How do I change my password?
- How do I get a secure login from the outside world?
- Lab and Account Use
- What are the lab rules?
- How do I use one of those lockers in the lab?
- How do I copy files to/from a floppy?
- How do I use a memory stick or other usb storage device in the lab?
- How to I view PDF files?
- How do I create a Word-type document?
- How can I run CS lab GUIs on my Windows machine at home?
- How can I get some of the free software I have heard about?
- What if I run into problems?
- What is some of the history of the lab?
- Email Information
- How do I read my Computer Science email?
- How do forward my Computer Science email to read in a different place?
- How is my email protected from spam and viruses?
- Printing Information
- How do I print something in the lab?
- Nothing printed, what do I do now?
- How many pages do I receive in lab "free"?
- How will I know when I am running low on paper credits?
- What do paper credits cost?
- How do I receive more paper credits?
- I don't have any cash with me today, and I MUST print, what do I do?
- How do I print a PDF file?
- How do I create a Word-type document and print it?
Access
How do I get in to the Computer Science computer lab?Your campus Ranger Card must be used to access the lab. You will need to swipe your card in the card swipe and then type in your PIN number.
If you do not have a Ranger card, you will find the Ranger Card Office in Wyll D192 by the Cashier's Office. If necessary, see the CS System Administrator in Moln D120C to make arrangements for entry into the CS Lab.
How does the card swipe work?
Before swiping your card, the light on the card reader should be green. The magnetic strip of your Ranger card is on the right as you hold the card to swipe it.
After you swipe your card, the light will flash amber. You then have 5 seconds to enter the digits of your PIN. If your your card and your PIN are accepted, the light will flash green, and there will be beeping for 5 seconds.
Pull the door open. You do not need to turn the handle, just pull straight out.
If the light flashes red, try again. If trying to access the lab fails repeatedly, see your instructor or the CS lab system administrator.
How do I access my account in the Computer Science computer lab?
If you qualify, you will be given a login account on cs.uwp.edu.
Before using the account you must fill out a UNIX Account Policy Form. This can be obtained from your instructor or the Program Assistant in MOLN 248.
Logging onto a lab computer requires a user name (available from your instructor or the CS system administrator) and a password.
When you first get your account, you must set a password. Please see your instructor or the CS system administrator to complete this process.
How do I choose a good password?
The password you select for the Computer Science Computer Lab must be a minimum of 8 characters long. At least two of these characters must NOT be letters or numbers (digits).
What are some methods for choosing a good password?
Choose a word, replace some of the letters with numbers and then insert other characters so the original word is not recognizable.
or
Choose a phrase such as the first line of your favorite song, use the first letter of each word of the phrase, and insert punctuation marks and numbers.
or
Choose a common word, but as you type it, offset your fingers on the keyboard one or two places up, down, or sideways. The typed word will then look like gibberish.
or
The possibilities are endless, use your own method.
Once you have changed your password, this password will be pushed to the whole lab in about a minute. You will use your new password the next time you log in.
Note: If you have forgotten your password, contact the System Administrator, in the lab. She may ask to see some identification or verify some personal information. She will then reset your account.
*How do I use the computers in the lab?
Typically, all machines are powered up, with the monitor turned off.
Turn on monitor.
If the screen is black, move the mouse or press the shift key to wake it up.
If the screen is locked, or someone forgot to log out, press ctrl-alt-backspace to reset it to the login screen.
Enter your cs username and password.
Remember to log off when done. (From the menu bar -> Desktop -> Log Off username)
If you are only going to be gone 2 or 3 minutes, lock your screen and leave your books/papers by the workstation.
Do not turn off any of the computers. These are accessed from remote locations and others may be using them at the same time.
If there is a problem with a machine, please notify the system administrator.
Systems can be rebooted by pressing ctrl-alt-F1 to leave the desktop and then pressing ctrl-alt-delete. Rebooting should only be done in emergencies.
You must change your password on the server.
From a terminal session logged in to the lab:
Type the command 'ssh ginger'
Then type the command 'passwd'
Enter your current password. Press enter.
Enter your new password. Press enter.
Enter your new password again. Press enter.
Type the command 'exit' to return to the lab machine.
*How do I get a secure login to the CS computer Lab from the outside world?
Please use ssh. Secure Shell encrypts the terminal connection including your password so no data is transmitted in clear, readable text. The lab machines are no longer accessible from off campus using telnet or ftp.
From outside our CS subnet in Moln, you will need to ssh to lab.cs.uwp.edu.
To access the lab with ssh, you will need to get an ssh client (workstation) software installed on the machine you want to access the lab from. This can be downloaded for Windows or UNIX from www.ssh.org. The latest version available free to students through a campus educational license is 3.2.9. A more recent commercial (not free) version can be found at http://www.ssh.com if you so desire.
To access the lab with ssh or sftp (secure ftp from the same package), from a UNIX machine, type the command 'ssh -l login lab.cs.uwp.edu' or 'sftp login@lab.cs.uwp.edu' where login is your CS user name. Supply your CS password when prompted. You do not need to use a key.
For a connection from a Windows machine, after installing ssh, set up a profile in ssh which includes lab.cs.uwp.edu as the remote machine name and your CS login as the login name to use. Supply your CS password when prompted.
Lab and Account Use
What are the lab rules?All guests must be escorted while in the lab. With the exception of special 'events' preapproved by the chairperson of the department, the Computer Science computer lab is for use by Computer Science students with a cs account only.
Treat the furniture well. Make sure to wipe up spills at the conference table. Keep your shoes off the furniture. Return all items to their proper place.
Food and drinks are allowed at the conference table but not elsewhere.
Clean up your area when you are through working at both the conference table and/or a workstation. Push your chair in and clean up your papers.
Recycle unwanted papers including the banner pages for printing jobs in the blue recycle containers. Recycle cans and bottles in the appropriate container. Other garbage goes in the brown lined container.
Do not forget to log completely off the machine when you are finished so others can use it.
NB: Offenders may lose access to the lab and/or to their account. Repeat offenders will lose access. Not keeping the lab clean and in good order could cause everyone to lose the privilege of having food and/or drink in the lab.
How do I use one of the lockers in the lab?Anyone with access to the lab may use a locker if any are available. The lockers are assigned on a first come first served basis. In order to use a locker, you must register your intent with the system administrator.
*How do I copy files to/from a floppy?Briefly, you must log onto a lab workstation and then put your floppy in the disk drive. To copy a file called myfile from your floppy to the system, type the command 'mcopy a:myfile .'. Don't forget the dot. You can see the files on your floppy by entering the command 'mdir a:'. To copy a file called thatfile from your system account to your floppy, type the command 'mcopy thatfile a:'.
*How do I use a memory stick or other usb storage device in the lab?You must log onto a lab workstation and open a terminal window. Insert the usb storage device into the cable which is on the table to the left of the monitor you are working at. In the terminal window, type the command 'mount /media/usbstor'. This will give you access to the files on the usb device with normal Linux commands like 'cd', 'ls', etc. using a file name such as /media/usbstor/someFile where someFile is a file stored on the usb storage device.
The above command will also allow anyone else logged into the same machine to see any of your files on your usb device. For more security, instead of the above mount command, use the command 'mountusb' which will mount your usb device so only you can see and use the contents.
When you are finished using your usb storage device, unmount it with the command 'umount /media/usbstor' and then remove the device from the cable. Alternately, When you are finished, just remove it from the cable before logging out.
*How do I view a PDF file?You can use Acrobat Reader to read a PDF file. The command for Acrobat Reader on the command line is 'acroread filename.pdf &'. The application gpdf is also available and is the default viewer in the Ice Weasel web browser.
*How do I create a Word-type document?The Open Office suite is installed on the lab computers. It is similar to MS Office and can display MS Office documents. To use OpenOffice.org Writer, choose Applications -> Office -> OpenOffice.org Writer from the gnome menu, or from a command line type the command 'openoffice&'.
*How can I run CS lab GUIs on my Windows machine at home?Setting up an X server along with SSH on an MS Windows machine will allow you to connect to the CS lab and have GUIs normally viewed on a lab machine display on your Windows desktop. Click here for directions on how to set this up.
How can I get some of the free software I have heard about?The department in conjunction with the Microsoft Development Network Academic Alliance (MSDNAA) is pleased to bring you the opportunity to get free software. For very modest amounts, some of the software media is also available for purchase. You must be enrolled in a CSCI or CIS class and have received an email with login information to take advantage of this offer. You will receive a new email each semester you are eligible. If interested, please visit our ELMS website.
What if I run into problems?You may have a problem getting a login screen. If the screen is black, move the mouse or press the shift key to power it up. If the screen is locked, or someone forgot to log out, press ctrl-alt-backspace to reset it to the login screen. If the computer is locked up, it can be rebooted by pressing ctrl-alt-F1 to leave the desktop and then pressing ctrl-alt-delete. Rebooting should only be done in emergencies.
If you have trouble printing, check the print queue with the 'lpq' command and/or check your Computer Science email to see if the system sent you any messages regarding its inability to print the document.
Any unresolved access or usage issues should be brought to the attention of Heather Miles, the department system administrator. Her office is in the lab area in D120C. A message could be taped to the door or put under the door if she is not there. She can also be reached by phone at extension 2592 or by email. Please report any equipment that is not working as expected.
Email Information
*How do I read my Computer Science email?All CS accounts come with an email account which is different from your campus one. Your email address is login@cs.uwp.edu where 'login' is your CS user name. You can view your email through a program called pine from any of the lab computers. Any communication made from your instructors, the system administrator, or servers like the printer server will go to your CS account. Please check it regularly.
*How do forward my Computer Science email to read in a different place?If you prefer to receive your Computer Scinece email elsewhere, you can forward it. To do so you will need to use an editor such as vi or emacs to create a file with the name .forward (note the dot) containing a single line with the email address you prefer to use. This file needs to be at the root level of your account.
How is my email protected from spam and viruses?Like all email systems, virus are scanned for and emails containing them are discarded. Spam is also scanned for and the worst of it is also discarded. Unfortunately, spam does get through. Email with attachments with executable extensions are also discarded. For example, you will not be able to mail or receive any .exe files.
Printing Information
*How do I print something in the lab?To print you need to know the command to type and you need to have enough paper in your CS printing account to print the document. To print a text file, type the command 'lpr filename'. Pages will be printed 2-up on the laser printer in the lab. To print a file 1-up, type the command 'lpr -Poneup filename'.
*Nothing printed, what do I do now?If nothing prints, you can check the print queue. To see the files in the print queue, type the command 'lpq' or 'lpq -Poneup'. To remove a file from the queue, type the command 'lprm job-number' or 'lprm -Poneup job-number' where job-number is the number listed when you type the 'lpq' command.
How many pages do I receive in lab "free"?Each student receives 100 pages from the Computer Science Printer when their Computer Science account is created. Typically, the semester you registered for Computer Science I. All pages printed (except cover sheets) decrease your paper balance.
How will I know when I am running low on paper credits?You will be notified by email to your Computer Science email account when you have 20 pages or less left and/or if you do not have enough pages for a particular print job. Please note: If you run out of pages in your printing account, you will be unable to print until you purchase more.
What do paper credits cost?Every page you print will cost 5 cents after your first 100 pages.
How do I receive more paper credits?To increase your print credits, fill out a pink Computer Science Lab Printing form requesting to add funds to your printing account. Copies of the form are next to the printer in the lab. There is a minimum purchase of 100 pages or $5.00. Please, complete all requested information and return the form to the system administrator in the lab (Moln D120C).
I don't have any cash with me today, and I MUST print, what do I do?Never attach money to the form, the Bursar's Office will add these charges to your campus account and you can pay in the Cashier's Office in Wyll Hall. Please see their rules on payment to avoid having to pay intrest or penalities.
How do I view and print a PDF file?You can use Acrobat Reader to read a PDF file. The command for Acrobat Reader is 'acroread filename.pdf &'. Clicking the printer icon or using the print option in the file menu will print the PDF file. The application gpdf is also available and is the default viewer in mozilla.
How do I print a Word-type document?Using Open Office, click on the printer icon or use the print option in the file
menu will allow you to print the document 2-up.
To print a document 1-up, choose the print option in the file menu then choose the
printer named 'Generic Printer_1up. Click OK to start the printing.
