|
|
For UNIX systems, a system administrator takes care of the system: maintaining it, backing up files, installing software, and handling any problems that might come up. System administrators also sometimes assist users. This chapter focuses on using the system; for more information on system administration, see -1.
On the most basic level, you can bring information into your system (through the keyboard, disks, tapes, modems, or network connections), store the information in files, organize and manipulate those files, and send information out from your system (through the screen, printers, disks, tapes, modems, or network connections). By combining these operations, especially by using programs that combine them, you can accomplish complex tasks ranging from accounting to word processing to database research to developing other programs.
To use the system most effectively, you should understand how to:
One of the security features of UNIX systems is the requirement that users identify themselves at the beginning of a session with their login names and passwords. For Desktop instructions, see ``Starting the Panorama (xdt3) Desktop''. For command-line instructions, see the Operating System User's Guide.
For Desktop instructions, see
``Using Panorama (xdt3) Desktop features''.
On the command line, type the command (with any
options or arguments) and press <Enter>. For
additional instructions on running programs
on the command line, see the Operating System User's Guide.
For DOS command-line and Windows instructions,
see the NeTraverse Merge User's Guide.
Files are containers used for storing information;
directories (also known as ``folders'') are
containers used for organizing files. For information on
how to use files and directories (including creating,
controlling access to, and saving them) on the Desktop,
see the online help books, Using the Desktop and Using Edit;
for UNIX command-line instructions, see the Operating System User's Guide or Operating System Tutorial;
for DOS command-line and Windows instructions,
see the NeTraverse Merge User's Guide.
For Desktop instructions, see ``Sending and receiving mail'' and the online help book, Using Mail; for command-line and SCO shell instructions, see the Mail and Messaging Guide.
If your system is connected to others through a network, you can remotely log in to other systems, run programs and view files there, and share software and devices (such as printers and hard disks) between systems. For instructions, see ``Using the network''.
You can configure many features of the Desktop environment, including colors, fonts, icons, cursors, menus, messages, and mouse buttons. For instructions, see the Graphical Environment Guide. From the command line, you can specify your terminal type, default editor and printer, machine name, directory search path, and other environmental variables. For command-line instructions, see the Operating System User's Guide .
SCO OpenServer documentation includes context-sensitive help, reference manual pages, and both printed and online books. Instructions for getting online help are provided in ``Getting help'' and in ``Using DocView''.