To use the UNIX based computers, you need an account first. For the EECS machines, you can use either an "named" acount or a "class" account. Named accounts last until you graduate. Class accounts are for specific classes, like cs61a; and they last for the semester.

To get a named account, see the EECS Instructional and Electronics Support Group (IESG). They have offices in 386 Cory, 377 Cory, and 333 Soda.

To get a class account, you must first be enrolled in the class. Your GSI will give you the forms you need to get started.

Once you get an account, you can log in. To change your password, ssh into po.eecs.berkeley.edu and type: passwd

(Of course, you could also install UNIX on your home computer. One popular vendor of the Linux flavor of UNIX is RedHat. You then have to log in as root and establish accounts for yourself. You can find out how to do that in the software manuals or through online help systems.)