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Other Sources of Help

As you're likely discovering,

  A plethora of information (including this document) is available on-line through the internet information browsers, Mosaic and netscape, which includes, among other things, information about the Computer Sciences Department. Mosaic and netscape are menu-driven and self-explanatory to use. Simply type the command Mosaic or netscape to run them. You can also run them via the window manager by clicking the left mouse button and selecting Information. Once on the UW home page, look under the topics ``Computer Systems Lab'' and ``CSL's Answers to Frequently Asked Questions'' for more information about the UNIX machines.  

For those of you who get tired of reading manuals on a screen, many are available on hard copy from the DoIT Documentation Center for a small charge. There is additional information on Vi, as well as information on csh (the ``C Shell''), which is a precursor to the default command interpreter that you use. A number of good books are available at the library and in the bookstore. See Section gif for a list of ones we suggest.

You will find that the person sitting next to you is often the shortest way to an answer. When you don't know something, ask around. There's almost certainly going to be someone in the user room who can help. Also, several books on UNIX are available at the local bookstores. You may also find UNIX consultants in the printer room(1359). They are teaching assistants who hold office hours and answer UNIX related questions. The CSL staff offers UNIX orientations at the start of each semester.

Many questions are best handled by your TA or professor, especially course related ones. This would include things like specific libraries you have to link in or where some data file he asked you to use happens to reside. The CSL (Computer Systems Lab) staffers are not programming consultants, and should never be used as such.

There are some matters, however, that only the CSL staff can solve. These mostly pertain to administration and security, such as a nonexistent account or if you think that someone else knows your password. If you think there is a problem with the system software, as opposed to your own program, or a problem with hardware, such as a broken key on a terminal, send mail to the alias lab with an explanation of the problem. Be sure to fully describe the problem as best you can, or your problem may not be understood. Mail to lab will be read by the Facilities Manager and forwarded to the correct party to deal with your difficulty. Remember to direct your questions and problems to the correct place, whether it be your professor, TA, or the CSL.



next up previous contents index
Next: What to do Up: Getting Help Previous: The man program



Caitlin Howell
Thu Jan 16 20:24:40 CST 1997