Getting Started

How to Activate Your Computer Account

Before you can begin your travels on the Internet, you must first get your computer ID number and your password. To do this you must go to the basement of Smith Hall, room 002A. You will have to pass the Electronic Community Citizenship Exam before being able to access your account. You should also review About the Tutorials before starting.

Where to Log on to the System

The following procedures assume that you are in the B&E Computer Lab, in the basement of Purnell Hall. The semester hours for the computer Lab are:

Monday-Thursday   9:00 AM   12:00 AM
Friday            9:00 AM   6:00 PM
Saturday          2:00 PM   6:00 PM
Sunday            12:00 PM  12:00 AM
Different sites or remote communication software packages may alter the log-on procedure. There are a number of computer locations throughout campus that give you access to your UNIX account and therefore access to the Internet, these locations include:

If you are logging on from a site other than the B&E computer lab, you may want to ask a site consultant for some assistance, if you are having problems. ONCE YOU HAVE LOGGED ONTO YOUR UNIX ACCOUNT, THE REMAINING PROCEDURES THAT THE TUTORIALS COVER CAN BE FOLLOWED AS WRITTEN.

How to Log on from the B&E Lab

Logging on from Windows

  1. Find the icon for the Windows logon program. It will have a title like "Wtnvt".
  2. Double Click on the icon to start the program.
  3. A list of the composers will appear. Click on, "Strauss."
  4. Choose the "OK" button.
  5. You will see the prompt: "strauss.udel.edu login:" (assuming you are using Strauss), type in your "user number", then press the [RET] key.
  6. You will be asked for your password, type in your "password", then press [RET].
Although you will not be asked for your terminal type in the B&E computing Lab, you may at other locations, terminal types include z29, gp29 and vt100 (for dial up from home). The terminal type should be displayed on the computer's monitor.

How to Join a Group Project

Special computer funds may have been allocated to you so that you can maximize your usage of the various Internet tools. These funds will have been allocated to you as a class project. To access those funds, you need to change your default group. (If you are not part of a class project, don't despair, you will still have $50.00 available to you for your use, do not follow the following steps.)

  1. At the % prompt type: chdgrp "project number" [RET]
  2. Now type: "password" [RET]
The following day, this will take effect.

How to Change Your Password

It is advised that you change your password when you first log on, for security reasons. After you change your password you must wait 24 hours before using the new password.

  1. After logging on to the system, at the % prompt type: passwd [RET]
  2. You will be asked once for your old password, and twice for your new password. You must press [RET] between each password. Your new password should be between 6-8 characters, include letters, numbers and symbols, and not contain any spaces.

How to Change Your User ID to a Recognizable Username

To help you or a colleague remember your login ID you may want to change your ID number to a username. You will still receive mail that is sent to your old ID number.

  1. After logging on to the system type: username [RET]
  2. The computer will prompt you through the remainder of the procedure.

How to Find the User ID of a Classmate, Professor, or Friend

You need the user ID to send a mail message.

  1. At the % prompt type: finger "user's firstname.lastname"@udel.edu [RET]
You can also use finger to find the user ID of someone from another University if you know the address of the computer that that person is using.

  1. At the % prompt type: finger "user's name"@"computer address" |more [RET], press [SPACE BAR] to move through the text.

How to create your signature file

In order to include information about yourself when sending Email or posting to news groups, you might want to create a signature file. This file will automatically be included at the end of your correspondence. Netiquette suggests that this file should be no longer than four lines.
  1. At the % prompt type: pico .signature [RET]
    You are creating a .signature file using pico as your text editor.
  2. In the text area, include the information you want to appear at the end of your correspondence, for example, name, address, Email address etc.
  3. Press [CONTROL] x, you will be asked if you want to save your changes, press y, you will be prompted with the file name (.signature), press [RET]
    You have now created your signature file.

Index to Demystifying the Internet UD Home Page
Index to Internet Tools Index to Internet Tutorials
The University of Delaware
August, 1996