Each individual in the course will be given an account on a departmental computer. Each account will have a unique password assigned by the instructor. Since this is not a full-proof security system, do not put personal items in this account, but restrict it to PHYS 251 activities and assignments only. In addition, the account will survive only through the semester. Finally, the instructors will have access to your account for purposes of grading your assignments where necessary. Since there is always the possibility of machine crashes and pranksters, you should make it a regularly policy to backup all your work on another account on another machine, such as mason (see Activating GMU Computer Account). As the semester progresses, each individual will be adding additional information and items supporting the course.
Done.
Physics 251 has a list serve to which each member of the class, faculty and students, should subscribe. To subscribe, send an email message containing the word subscribe in the subject to P251-L-request@physics.gmu.edu. It is important that you send the email message from the account on which you wish to receive email messages from faculty, staff, and students concerning Physics 251. During the semester as questions arise about the course materials or computer techniques, send your question to the email address P251-L@physics.gmu.edu and it will be distributed to all subscribers, which in this case is everyone in the class. If you think you know the answer to some other persons question, please try to help by replying to the email message. If none of us know the answer to computer technique questions, then the instructors will pass the question along to the Physics Department Support Staff for their assistance.
Done.
Spend some time examining the web resources provided on UNIX and Windows.
Done.
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