Session 1: Week 1/2

This first session is primarily concerned with introducing the hardware and software tools which will be used in the remainder of the course. Given that you are reading these notes, you have successfully completed the first phase of the exercise!

Stop at this point and read back over what you have written in your logbook. Make sure you have a reasonably complete record of what you have done so far (so that, if necessary, you could redo it without further guidance).

Your next task is the following:

• Start up the File Manager program. Browse through its on-line help to get a general idea of what the program is and how it can be used.

• Using File Manager, create a new directory at the topmost level on disk drive D: with any name you wish (for example, your own forename or surname etc.). Try to establish what, if any restrictions apply to naming a directory - either by experiment or by reading the help.

• Use the Notepad program to create a text file containing a short description of your experiences during Orientation week - what you enjoyed, disliked etc. Save this with the filename ORIENT.TXT in the directory you have just created. Ensure that it is no more than 2,000 bytes long. If necessary, go back and make it shorter.

• Save a copy of this file on both your diskettes, in a top level directory called LAB_1. Delete the original file and its directory from drive D:.

• Using the Terminal facility of the Wnqvtwsk program, consult the DCU library On-line Public Access Catalog (OPAC) to find any books written by Donald Alcock. Make a note of any you locate.

• Still using the Terminal facility of Wnqvtwsk change your password on the computer ugmail.eeng.dcu.ie.

• Use the Mail facility of Wnqvtwsk to exchange at least 2 e-mail messages with other student(s) in the class. Arrange for copies to be sent to your own mailbox also. Save these messages.

• Compose, using Notepad, a brief formal report on the lab session. Include copies of the file ORIENT.TXT, and the e-mail messages you exchanged. The complete report must be no more that 5,000 bytes long. Mail it to your demonstrator. Arrange to save a copy of the mailed message (including the time and date stamp) on both your diskettes in the directory LAB_1.

• Shut down any programs you still have running - and go for a well deserved lunch!