Facilities
Computer Support
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Facilities |
The Unix Operating System
The majority of the computers in the department run some form of the UNIX operating system. Unix is a secure multi-user, multi-tasking system that is ideally suited for large networks. While in the past Unix was known for its arcane commandline interface, much like the old MSDOS operating system, it has matured to the point of providing a mature Graphical User Interface (GUI) that allows for greater ease of use and more complex programs. There are several different interfaces available, but the most popular are KDE and Gnome. We recommend using Gnome, but KDE, LXDE, XFCE, CTWM, FVWM, FVWM2, and Metacity are provided for those that wish to use them. Please go to the documentation page for more info on Window Managers.Public Computing Resources
The Mathematics Department provides computer labs for users with math accounts. No ACPUB access is provided. There are three main computer labs in the Physics building. With the exception of room 102, these labs are available whenever a class is not meeting in them. Room 102 has no classes but is only unlocked between 8AM and 5PM Monday - Friday.- Room 274J : This lab contains 9 Linux Workstations and LCD Monitors with a resolution of 1280x1024. These computers are named tux1.math.duke.edu -> tux9.math.duke.edu. There is also a HP Laserjet 4240 Duplex Printer available called lw3.
- Room 102 : This room across from the lounge contains three computers running Linux named plato.math.duke.edu, socrates.math.duke.edu, and alexander.math.duke.edu, a HP Laserjet 4250 Duplex Laser Printer, designated lw0 for single sided and lw0d for double sided printing, and a Brother 9045 Color Laser Printer/Scanner designated as cp136. There are restrictions on color printing, please read the Color Laser printer. The scanner portion of the Color Laser Printer can be used from any computer in the room and instructions are posted on the wall above the scanner as well as here. All computers in this room can also provide a limited guest Windows session to run some Windows based software.
- Room 223 : This room is located approximately above the front office and contains an HP 4250 Duplex Capable laser printer named lw6 for single sided jobs and lw6d for duplex printing. There is also a Linux Workstation available for public use in this room. The computer in this room can also provide a limited guest Windows session to run some Windows based software.
Printing
The mathematics department provides 4 printers for public use. All public printers are duplex capable, meaning they can print on both sides of the paper. To use the duplex feature, append a 'd' to the printer name. For example, if lw0 is the name of the printer, lw0d is the name of the printer to print on both sides of the page. The public printers are :- lw0 : Located in Room 102. This printer is an HP Laserjet 4250 Duplex Capable Printer
- lw1 : Located in Room 102. This printer is an Xerox 4400 Duplex Capable Printer that serves mainly as a backup in case of problems with lw0.
- lw3 : Located in Room 274j. This printer is a HP Laserjet 4240 Duplex Capable Printer.
- lw4 : Located in Room 029. This printer is a HP Laserjet 4240 Duplex Capable Printer.
- lw6 : Located in Room 223. This printer is an HP Laserjet 4250 Duplex Capable Printer.
- cp136 : Located in Room 102. This printer is a Brother 9045 Color Laser Printer/Scanner. Please observe the restrictions listed below .
Backups
Unix home directories and mail are backed up nightly. Daily archives are kept for 2 months, Monthly Archives for 6 months, and Yearly Archives are permanent. Note that backups are only done once a day at approximately 1:30 AM, so if you lose a file at 12:30 AM, you'll have to take the previous day's backup. To request the restoration of a file, please send the name of the file (with complete path) and the date from which you would like it restored to req@math.duke.edu. We will notify you when the files are restored. A backup tape schedule can be seen here.Scanning from the Photo Copier
The simplest way to scan documents into your account is via the photo copier. This process is very quick and simple, but will only produce greyscale scans, no color. Full instructions are available in the copy room and here as well.Brother 9045 Network Attached Scanner
There is a Hewlett Packard Scanjet II color scanner attached to the Windows XP machine in Room 136. This scanner is capable of converting full color images from paper, photos, or books, into computer images that can be used on web pages. Instructions on using the scanner are available here.WinXP Computers
Windows XP is an operating system that is very similar to Windows 95/98 but has the added advantage of secure user management. As a result, in order to use the machine, you must have a valid mathematics department username and password, they will be the same as you use to login to the various Unix Workstations in the department.When you login to the Windows XP machine, you will be presented with a desktop screen with several icons on the side of the screen. Double-Clicking on these icons will launch that program. Other programs may be found by clicking on the START button at the bottom left hand corner of the screen.
Windows uses letters C:, D:, ..., Z: to specify logical locations on the Hard Disk. Under each drive letter, C: for instance, there are directories containing files. Z: is special on this machine. Z: is your UNIX home directory. Please save any files that you wish to keep onto this drive. Note that Z:, your UNIX home directory, is made accessible on this machine when you login. If you do not logout, then anyone can sit down at the machine and ACCESS YOUR FILES. MAKE SURE YOU LOGOUT. You may logout by pressing "CONTROL-ALT-DELETE" (all three keys simultaneously) and selecting "Logout" from the dialog box that comes up.
The Windows XP machine itself WILL NOT be backed up. Any files left on its hard disk may be deleted by the Administrator as needed. Please DO NOT install any commercial programs on this machine. If there is an application that you wish to have installed, request it by sending mail to req@math.duke.edu. If you install any personal programs, please install them into your home directory. Right now, there are not many applications installed. Just enough software has been installed to allow use of the scanner which is now attached to the machine. Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) will be installed shortly. Other applications will be installed as needed or requested.