This is the home page for the Introduction to Unix tutorial at Macquarie University.

This is not a formal course at Macquarie University. It is a tutorial that you work through in your own time.

The computing courses at Macquarie University require you to develop practical skills in using:

• text editors
• compilers
• operating system commands
• support tools for analysis, design and implementation of programs
• web browser
• email

To develop the skills you need use the facilities. You have to do it yourself.

The aim of this tutorial is to:

• get you started and
• give you an idea where to find the infomation about the systems.

You can follow the link to Tutorials and Practicals for that material, but firstly you need to look at the following information.

You should have a look at the material inducated by the links below.
If you attended the tutorial, then you will have been given a set of printed notes containing:

• Logging on to the system
  This is a short description on how to be recognised as a user.

• Introduction to MPCE Undergraduate Computing Facilites
  Describes where to find the rules for using the facilites;
  The structure of your account (user name);
  The structure of your initial password;
  How to change your password;
  What to do if you forget your password.

• Logging out
  Describes how to tell the system that you want to stop using it (until the next time of tutorial)

• OpenWindows Workspace and Program menus
  How to use the OpenWindows Workspace menu and the Program menu is described in
  Menus and Pushpins.
  The Workspace is the background area on the screen. That is, the area not being used to display a window.
  The MENU button is the RightHand mouse button. The SELECT button is the LeftHand mouse button. The middle button is used to ADJUST the selection.
  To display the Program menu, use the MENU button (righthand) in the workspace to display the Workspace menu. Then move the cursor to be on the Programs entry in the Workspace menu. Click the MENU button while the cursor is on that entry. The Program menu is displayed.
  To dismiss both menus, click the SELECT (lefthand) button anywhere outside the Program menu.
  Clicking the SELECT button on any of the Program menu entries will start that program.

• To Start and Stop the web browser.

• UNIXhelp for Users
  This is the top web page for the help system. The UNIXhelp is set up as a link to that web page.

• Basics
  The Basics web page from UNIXhelp->Getting Started (here the -> indicates that you should click on the "Getting Started" link on the "UNIXhelp" page).

• Table of Contents for: AnswerBook2 - Solaris User's Guide
  This is part of the Sun Microsystems Solaris documentation. Solaris is Sun Microsystem's version of unix. This documentation is important. For example, it describes how to use:
  
  • the three button mouse in the Preface (under the Conventions heading).
    This is also in Mouse and Pointer
  • Overview of the OpenWindows Environment
  • File Manager
  • Text Editor (textedit)
  • Mail Tool
  • Command Tool, Shell Tool and Console Window
    You should note the comments about system messages under the Console heading.
    I prefer the xterm command window that can be started from the Program menu. This is mainly because of the facilities for "cut & paste" of commands and for the use of the arrow keys to scroll through the command history (in a similar manner to doskey).

  The URL for the Solaris Documentation on this system is:
  http://docs.sun.com/

• Table of Contents for: AnswerBook2 - Solaris Advanced User's Guide
  The Solaris Advanced User's Guide contains information on:
  
  • Logging In to Solaris and Starting OpenWindows
    Note that the graphic terminals (X-terminals) use a login window and will automatically start Openwindows after successful login.
  • Basic Solaris Commands
  • Working with Files and Directories
  • Searching Files
  • Using the vi Editor
  • Using Printers
  • Passwords, Processes, and Disk Storage
  • Using the Network
    This includes rlogin.
  • Customizing Your Working Environment
    This includes setup of aliases for commands. The environment is normally set up by the system administration to cover most cases for students.

• Table of Contents for: AnswerBook2 - Personal Library
  This is the table of contents of the Solaris documentation.

• Some other resources:
  At The University of Newcastle:
  Department of Computer Science Introduction to Unix by Kate Lance
  

This tutorial is based on the UNIXhelp web pages generated by the University of Edinburgh.