Although UNIX has a windows interface called XWindows, the interface is not as refined as other windows-based operating systems. In UNIX, you will often work with a command-line interface similar to working in Microsoft DOS especially if you will be accessing the SCILS server remotely. Fortunately when you log in to the SCILS server, there is an option to display menus of options. If you want to work with the files you have saved in your server space, you would type file. You then see a list of file options. For example, if you want to copy a file from one place to another, you use the command cp (like copy in DOS). If you want to see the files in a directory, you type ls (like dir in DOS). If you want to change from one directory (folder) to another, you use the command cd (just like in DOS).
What follows is a table of common UNIX commands:
| ls | This command lists the files in your directory. This is similar to the Microsoft DOS command dir. |
| ls -la | This lists all files including hidden ones as well as giving more information. |
| cp | Similar to the Microsoft DOS command copy. Makes a copy of a file from one location to another. You need to type the entire pathname of the destination file. |
| rm | Similar to the Microsoft DOS command Erase. Removes a file without warning. Use it carefully. |
| mv | Moves a file from one location to another without making a copy of it. The cp command makes a copy of the files and leaves it in its original location. The mv command places the file in its new location without leaving a copy in its original location. |
| cd | Similar to the Microsoft DOS command
cd. Allows you to change to a directory. Try going into your html directory by typing cd html To get back to your root directory, simply type in cd .. |
| finger | Gives you information about other users. (finger ssaba) |
| pine | This is a built in email program. It allows you to view your email directly on the server. This is very handy if someone sends you a very large file that you don't want to wait 20 minutes to download. You can simply delete it on the spot. |
| passwd | This command lets you change your SCILS login and e-mail password. |
| traceroute | Typing traceroute machinename (for example traceroute cnn.com) will give you a list of computers that you pass through to get to the machine you specify. If traceroute stops working for a while, then there is a problem somewhere between your network and the network that you are trying to contact. Press <CONTROL - C> to stop the trace. |
| lynx | This is a text-only web browser. It was used long before Netscape or even Mosaic (Netscape's predecessor.) |
| talk | With talk, you can chat with people who are logged into the server. talk will not work with people not logged into the server. Type talk userid. Press Control-C to exit. To find out who is logged into the server use the who or users command below. |
| who (or users from the menu) | Find out who else is connected to the server. |
| logout | This will end your telnet session. |
There are only a few things that you will have to do in UNIX and we'll cover them when we look at the Telnet program and the FTP program.
Bibliography
Intercom.com. Telnet FAQs. http://www.intercomm.com/telnet.html