Due Date:

Before 11:59PM on Thursday, February 9

Note that late projects will NOT be accepted.

Objectives:

To become familiar with

• using Tera Term to log on to and off of the UMBC gl Linux system (linux.gl.umbc.edu),
• checking your disk quota and deleting unnecessary files,
• the basic use of the xemacs text editor, and
• the basic use of the pine e-mail client.

Note that this exercise is meant to be performed in the lab with the assistance of your instructor. However, if you do not finish, you must finish on your own time.

Resources:

• Summary of Common emacs/xemacs Commands
• The pine help command (enter pine and type: ?)

Assignment:

1. Log On to the Linux System

   We'll go over how to do this in class.

2. Check Your Disk Quota and Clean Your Directory

   OIT allocates a fixed amount of disk space (called your "disk quota") to each of the gl system users. It is a good habit to check your disk quota from time to time to make sure that you are not coming close to your allocation. To do this, type: quota -v

   If you have already used a large portion of your quota (e.g., 90% or higher), you should delete unnecessary files. To do this, type oitcleaner at the linux prompt.

3. Getting Ready to Use the xemacs Text Editor

   Before you begin the next part of this exercise, you need to copy a file into your directory. This file is called .emacs and activates certain emacs features (do not worry about what features for now). To copy the file, type

        cp /afs/umbc.edu/users/d/b/dblock/pub/.emacs .
   	

   Note that the final period is part of the command and must be typed. To check that the file is now in your directory, type: ls -a

4. Use the xemacs Text Editor to Create an Autobiography

   You will be using the xemacs text editor to create a file called mybio.txt. The file will contain a brief autobiography about you as follows:

   1. Begin by stating your name, major, and class standing (e.g., sophomore).

   2. Then, write a paragraph or two telling me a little bit about yourself. Tell me
      • where you are from and why you chose UMBC for your education,
      • why you chose your major,
      • the best college course you have had so far and why, and
      • what is your favorite color?
      Do not leave out any of this information!

   3. Finally, you should use the Internet to find answers to the questions below. Your answers need not be more than a sentence or two.
      • Search for information about Computer Science. After reading several sources, what would give as a definition of Computer Science? Do not directly quote a source. Think of your own definition!
      • What are some specific areas or fields of study in Computer Science?
      • In what year was the C Programming Language first developed?
      • Who is Linus Torvalds?

      To create your autobiography file, do the following.

      • Enter the emacs editor by typing: xemacs mybio.txt
      • Simply type in the information specified above. Edit any mistakes using the Backspace or Delete key to backspace and the Ctl-d sequence to delete a character.
      • Save your work by typing Ctl-x and then Ctl-s.
      • Exit emacs by typing Ctl-x and then Ctl-c.
      • You will know that you have exited emacs and are again talking to the Linux system if you see the linux1[#]% or linux2[#]% or linux3[#]% prompt.
      • You can check that the file mybio.txt is in your directory by typing: ls

   4. Use the pine E-mail Client to Send an E-mail With an Attachment

      You are now going to use pine to send an e-mail to me that has the mybio.txt file that you created as an attachment. You are also going to send a copy of the email to yourself.

      To accomplish this, do the following.

      • Enter pine by typing: pine
      • If this is the first time you are opening pine you will probably see a screen that welcomes you to pine. You should type the letter 'e' to exit the welcome message screen.
      • Next, the pine main menu should appear. Type: c to begin composing a new e-mail.
      • Next to To:, type: dblock@csee.umbc.edu
      • Next to Cc:, type: yourusername@umbc.edu
      • Next to Attchmnt:, type: mybio.txt
      • Next to Subject:, type: Autobiography for your name
      • In the Message Text area, type: Here is my autobiography! followed by your name and CMSC 104, Section 0301 or 0401.
      • To send the e-mail, type Ctl-x and then y.
      • Type: q to exit out of pine.
      • You are done when you receive the system prompt of linux1[#]% or linux2[#]% or linux3[#]% back.

   5. Log Off the Linux System

      To log off of the system, type logout. Make sure you log off of the computer as well.

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