Frequently Asked Questions: Computer Science Lab, University of Kentucky

Answers To Your Questions
Logging In - Mail - Applications - Printing

Logging In

How do I get an account on the CSLab machines?
Accounts are only created for students who are enrolled in classes which have requested to use the lab. If you are in such a class you should have "CSLAB" or "Computer Science Lab" as an option if you follow this link and log on: http://www.uky.edu/userids. To determine whether you are in such a class consult your instructor.

Why can't I log in?
There may be a space in front of your userID or password on the login screen. Delete the original entry you made and try again. You may also click on "Start Over".

What is msgs? Why should I read msgs everytime I log in?
MSGS is a program that you can read important messages from the system administrators on such matters as new software or other information concerning the CSLab. You can access it my typing 'msgs' at a command prompt.

I have forgotten my password. Can you change it?

Not really. You must go to the IT Customer Service Center located in 111 McVey Hall to have your password reset to the initial u$ + last 6 digits of your UK Student ID number. This must be requested in person and the user must show a picture ID at the time of the request. You may find more information about passwords here.

I know my password but I just want to change it. How do I?
You should change your password when you first log in.

At the prompt, type "passwd".
It will then ask you for your current password. Use the password you used to log into the machines at the cslab.
You will be prompted for a new password.
You will be prompted a second time for your new password to confirm your entry.

How do I remotely login?

From another UNIX machine you should secure shell (ssh) or slogin to one of the CSLab clients excluding sheffield.
Telnet has been disabled in the lab as this is a very insecure method of remote login and can easily lead to your account being compromised by a hacker...and you wouldn't want that now, would you?
Here is a list of the CSLab clients.

Mail

Why should I check my mail?

Mail is one of the ways that the System Administrators communicate with the user. This should be checked at least once each week. There are ways to have your mail forwarded to a more used account (such as UK Exchange email, for instance).
For more information speak to a consultant in the lab or send email to sysadm @ cslab.uky.edu.

How do I check my mail?

Click on the letter icon on the bar at the bottom of the screen.
Or type pine in a terminal window.

Applications

How do I set paths for foo package?

Most packages in the lab have a xsh.package_name file in the directory /usr/local/env.

I am trying to run this program on another machine, and it keeps giving me an error about display 0:0 or something. How can I make it work so I can see it here?

First, on your local machine you should open a terminal window. From that window enter the following command:

xhost +remote_machine_name

Now ssh to the other machine and set the DISPLAY variable to the machine you are on. To do this from csh you should type:

setenv DISPLAY local_machine_name:0.0
Run the application as normal.
How do I use TeX/LaTeX? LaTeX is an unsupported package in the CSLab. You can purchase a reference manual in the UK Bookstore. LaTeX, A Document Preparation System 2nd Ed., by Leslie Lamport, ISBN #: 0-201-52983-1, is highly recommended. Is there any wordprocessing software in the lab? Microsoft Office is available on all CSLab clients. Do you have AutoCAD here? DOS machines? Sell disks? No, No, No and No! Printing How do you print a file? From the command line: a2ps -1b filename What is the name of the printer? The printer in the CS Lab is: Computer_Science_Lab How do I view a PostScript file before I print it? You should issue this command: ghostview filename Or from the "File Manager", just double-click on it. File foo won't print from lp. Why? If it's PostScript (first 4 letters must be "%!PS"), then there's a problem with the PS code. If you must have this file and cannot get another copy, send mail to sysadm @ cslab.uky.edu with the pathname of the file and we will try to help out. How do I cancel a print request? There is no way to cancel a print request once it makes it to the Computer_Science_Lab print queue. This is not really a problem because the queue will eventually delete the file itself if it has not printed within a few hours. I am trying to print out a picture / file / whatever from application foo and all that is coming out is numbers / strange letters / nothing. You should attempt to save the file to a PostScript format. This procedure is different for each application. Usually the option can be found in the File menu. If no solution is obvious, you should look at manuals or refer to the faculty member using the software. sysadm @ cslab.uky.edu Page last updated: March 3, 2008 Webmaster: webmaster @ ewl.uky.edu