Linux Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I change my password?
   A:Login using following command ssh [username]@shell.math.uic.edu. Then type passwd and follow the instructions. You will be asked to type your old password and then to type your new password twice. If you have any difficulties with this contact consult@math.uic.edu immediately.

   ---

2. How do I print just a portion of a document?
   A: If you want to print pages 17 through 24 of myfile.dvi type dvips -p 17 -l 24 myfile. You can also combine this with the filter option to print a portion of a document in a particular location: dvips -f -p 17 -l 24 myfile | lpr -Pseo308

   If you have a PostScript file and not a dvi file, use ghostview to view your document, mark the pages you want to print, then choose "Print marked pages..." from the
   file menu. Enter the desired printer name, e.g. "seo308".
   

   ---

3. My default printer is in 736 but I want to print a TeX document in 308. How do I do that?
   A: To print myfile.dvi in room 308 type:   dvips -f myfile | lpr -Pseo308 . To type PS file, type:   lpr -Pseo308 myfile.ps .
   

   ---

4. How do I make a file unreadable by other people?
   A: Use the UNIX command chmod. To make private.file unreadable and unwritable by anyone else you can type: chmod og-rwx private.file. To learn more about chmod, type man chmod.

   ---

5. All the mail that used to be in my mailbox is gone. Where did it go?
   A: Some mail readers, like emacs and Netscape, collect mail from your mailbox and file it in some other location. This is what has probably happened to you. If you have used Netscape to read your mail recently, we have a web page devoted to this topic. If you use emacs, look for a file named RMAIL in your home directory -- that's where your mail is now.

   ---

6. How do I use a removable disk (floppy disk, Zip disk or CDROM) on a linux machine?
   A: See our web page on this subject.

   ---

7. When I drag a file from one window to another in the Files file manager it takes a long time before the icon appears.
   A: Contact consult@math.uic.edu. Tell us which machine you are using so we can fix this.

   ---

8. In the Files file manager, how can I arrange that when I click on a pdf file it comes up in acroread instead of ghostview (or vice-versa).
   A: Files looks for a configuration file called .Filesrc in your home directory. Failing to find that, it looks for a system-wide configuration file called /usr/local/share/Offix/Filesrc. Send a message to consult@math.uic.edu if you have suggestions for improving the system-wide configuration file.

   If you want to configure the Files program yourself you should type: cp /usr/local/share/Offix/Filesrc ~/.Filesrc and then edit your .Filesrc file. Of course, you are on your own after that, since any updates to the system-wide Filesrc file will be ignored as long as you have your own .Filesrc file.

   As an alternative, you can select any file with the RIGHT mouse button and choose "Open With ..." from the popup menu. You may then specify which program to use for viewing the file.
   

   ---

9. The icon I use to start my favorite program on my linux machine has disappeared. How can I get it back?
   A: Start your favorite program from an xterm, then look around for an icon (without a black bar at the top) representing that program. The icon might be hidden inside your paperclip icon, so try double clicking on that if you don't find it elsewhere. Drag the icon for your program (holding down the alt key if necessary) back to where it belongs on your dock.

   ---

10. My window is so large that the widget at the bottom right hand corner is off the screen. How can I resize it?
    A: You can resize a window by holding the alt key while clicking anywhere inside the window with the RIGHT mouse button. You can move a window by alt-clicking with the the LEFT mouse button anywhere in the window. The latter operation also brings a window to the top.

    If you find yourself doing this every time you start an application, you can create a .Xlinux/Xresources file in your home directory to change your preferences. Use the file /etc/X11/xinit/.Xresources as an example.
    

    ---

11. While reading in the acrobat window, I selected "full screen" from the view menu. I got full-screen all right but couldn't page through the document or do much of anything else. What do I do?
    A: Use the arrow keys to page through the document. Hit the escape key to get your normal screen back.