http://www.engin.umich.edu/htdocs/Newsletter/current.newsletter (World Wide Web Directory, 06/1995)
Table of Contents
In 1985, CAEN introduced 24-hour unmonitored labs which greatly increased the availability of workstations to the Engineering user community. The money saved by reduced student staffing has been invested in more powerful workstations, expanded counseling hours, and increased services.
Next year, CAEN will take another quantum leap forward by introducing the first Virtual Computing lab on campus, to be located in the Integrated Technology Instruction Center (ITIC). The new lab will contain 24 Virtual Computing Stations, each capable of simulating any CAEN lab machine. Imagine the convenience of logging into a Sun, a Power Macintosh, and a Pentium workstation without leaving your seat! In addition, CAEN will be able to upgrade workstation hardware without actually purchasing the workstations, allowing CAEN to continue bringing the most advanced computing hardware to the user community for next to nothing.
The idea for the Virtual Computing lab was first formed during CAEN's annual budget planning meeting. A significant portion of CAEN's budget is spent purchasing new workstations every year to keep pace with the current market technology. In the early days of computing, hardware was expensive and fledgling programmers were a dime a dozen at the University. More recently, the price of hardware has plummeted, and experienced programmers are commanding top dollar in the workplace. CAEN plans to usher in a new era where computer programs replace the need for hardware and programmers. The money saved by not buying workstations will be used to upgrade Virtual Computing Stations to higher levels of performance, allowing them to simulate workstation hardware that has not yet been shipped, fabricated, or even conceived.
Your high school friends who went to MIT or Stanford will be green with envy when you inform them that you read your mail on the virtual console of a Sun SparcCenter 6000, or ran Windows at reasonable speed on an Intel Septium(tm), or played Bolo on a Power Macintosh 10500/440. These will be the only Macintoshes capable of running Words 7.0, see CAEN installs Words 7.0, Lab Notes.
Watch the CAEN Newsletter for future ground breaking news from the world of virtual computing.
LaTeX is one set of these macros and environments. Twisting the programming analogy some more, you can think of TeX as an assembler, and LaTeX as a high level language that uses the assembler. While you can write in assembly language and produce a program, it is generally easier to write in a higher level language. Because of this, most people who use TeX use it in the context of the set of macros called LaTeX.
LaTeX is different from other programs that you might use to create a typed or typeset document in that it is not "What you see is what you get" (WYSIWYG) word processor. You type your document, including formatting commands, equation generating commands, and other special commands in your favorite text editor. You then compile your document using LaTeX. This generates a file that describes your document in a device independent (DVI) manner, and has the extension .dvi. At this point in the document creation process you can look at your document using an on-screen DVI file viewer, or you can convert it to a printable format such as PostScript using dvips.
LaTeX removes the formatting burden from you, it typesets math much better than any word processor, it is very portable, it is used around the world, and it is free. For these reasons, many scientific societies and journals accept LaTeX input files for submitted papers and usually grant a reduction in page charges for such a submission.
An older commercial version of TeX is also installed on the IBM PS/2 computers. However, if you have a PC of your own, you can get a version of TeX at the Comprehensive TeX Archive Network (CTAN) by ftp at ftp.shsu.edu. One of the more popular versions of TeX for the PC is called emTeX. This program is available at CTAN and comes with TeX, the latest LaTeX macro package, an onscreen DVI file previewer, printing software for printing DVI files, and other related tools. There also are other freeware or shareware implementations of TeX available at CTAN.
CAEN does not currently have TeX available for the Macintosh, but there are several implementations available. One of the more popular versions is OzTeX. OzTeX comes with TeX, the latest version of LaTeX, an onscreen DVI file previewer, an implementation of dvips for the Macintosh, printing software for printing to StyleWriters and other Apple printers, and other related tools. For more information on OzTeX, see the file: ftp://ftp.shsu.edu/tex-archive/systems/mac/oztex/Read-Me.
You can ftp to CTAN for TeX tools and additional information or you can access CTAN via the WWW at: http://jasper.ora.com/ctan.html. There is also a Usenet newsgroup, comp.text.tex.
Take a look at the following WWW sites for additional information on TeX:
Learning to use LaTeX is not as easy as learning to use a WYSIWYG word processor, but the time invested in learning it can be out weighed by LaTeX's advantages. If you run into a problem, or have a question, you can send e-mail to tex-support@engin.umich.edu.
The change being made will remove the xhost +localhost command from the login process, reducing the risk of keystroke capturing. It will, however, affect some applications by producing the following error:
This change is being made because of an increase in password-capturing activity on CAEN workstations. Private workstation users will not be affected at this time.
Working Model:
Working Model is used in the dynamic simulation of rigid bodies subject to a given set of constraints. The program provides a graphical editor used to define the geometries of rigid bodies. Designs from other CAD programs (Claris Cad, IDEAS, Unigraphics) can be imported. Constraints that can be defined include pulleys, springs, and joints. The program has the capability to simulate real-world interactions, including gravity, air resistance, and collisions.
Working Model on the Macintosh uses Apple Events for inter-application communication. This means that you can build an external control system in a program such as Microsoft Excel and use it to control the current simulation in real-time. You then can use some of the more advanced math functions found in other external programs. When the simulation is being run you will see an animation of the movement of the different objects of the dynamic system. The animation can be exported to computer animation programs such as Wavefront and MacroMind Director. Since the program models the movements of the objects using real-world dynamics, it provides a way to add realism to computer animation.
CAEN has purchased 75 licenses of Working Model for the Macintosh. The software can be found in the Software folder of the Lab Software partition on all of the CAEN lab software servers.
ENPORT/pc:
CAEN has purchased an upgrade to ENPORT/pc Professional 5.3 for the DOS machines. This package can be used to simulate a wide variety of engineering dynamic systems using bond-graphs and block-diagrams.
You enter equations governing the dynamics of each of the entities of the bond-graphs and block-diagrams. Then the system can obtain linearizations and eigenvalues, or you can solve the system using numerical integration. Results can be displayed graphically. ENPORT/pc has the ability to export a description of its dynamic models to MATRIXx(Xmath), which runs on CAEN Sun and Hewlett-Packard workstations.
ENPORT/pc has two executable filesthe model builder and the solver. Both programs can be found on CAEN PS/2 personal computers in the Courseware folder. The older version of ENPORT also is available in this folder.
Manuals for these programs are on reserve at the North Engineering Library circulation desk and the North Campus Commons counselor office. Send any questions or comments about Working Model or ENPORT/pc to amadi@engin.umich.edu.
It is important to safeguard your account by changing your password to one that is secure. When changing your password be sure to follow the following safety guidelines:
If you are a Dilbert, Views of the World, or Bizarro comic fan, you now can view them from caenweb. These comics are available as part of the Clarinet newsfeed service purchased by U-M. To access the comics, use your favorite WWW browser and go to URL http://www.engin.umich.edu/comics. Lynx users can download the GIF files to your home directory. If you are on a workstation running the X Window System, Lynx displays graphics automatically using xv. These comics are copyrighted and should not be sent in e-mail messages or printed outside the U-M community. You also should not keep archives of these comics. If you want back issues, you can purchase the books.
Comic Tricks:
To quickly display the daily Views of the World comic on a workstation, type lynx -dump http://www.engin.umich.edu/comics/worldviews/pics/current.gif at the Unix shell prompt. You also can make a comic your background picture. This will work from the csh shell. Add the following line to your .xsession file: (unsetenv DISPLAY ; lynx -dump http://www.engin.umich.edu/comics/dilbert/pics/current.gif | xv - -root -quit -display :0.0 ). To save a comic to a file for downloading, type unsetenv DISPLAY ; lynx -dump http://www.engin.umich.edu/comics/bizarro/pics/current.gif > bizarro.gif.
Words has an impressive set of new features that make it more than a word processor. You can now perform spreadsheet operations, drawing, painting, mailing, news reading, World Wide Web browsing, pizza delivery, and shuttle launching directly from this application. Macrosoft is building on the concept that one user interface is easier to learn than several. Once the application can completely meet user needs, Macrosoft anticipates that the next step would be to obviate the need for user input entirely.
Macrosoft has built upon the popular word completion feature of Words 6.0 with the document completion feature in Words 7.0. After typing in a few short lines, the word processor will complete the document for you. It will then title the document, send the document to a printer, and in 7-10 business days, you will receive a bound copy of the document. These options may be turned off, but as a Macrosoft senior executive put it, why would anyone want to.
CAEN has placed a set of CDs in each of the labs. Users will be able to check the CDs out from a Macrosoft junior executive in the labs. A junior executive comes with each copy of Words 7.0 purchased and is able to provide you with excellent Macrosoft technical support any time you need it. This is part of Macrosoft's program of "Bringing Technical Support to You".
WWW and HTML workshop
Introduction to MATLAB and XMath
We would appreciate any feedback from the engineering community concerning the student employees at CAEN. This feedback should be directed to us through the caenhelp program. Outside CAEN, comments can be mailed via electronic mail to caen-feedback@engin.umich.edu.
March award winners
Todd MacDermid - Operations
Todd works in the Backup Operations group and is responsible for running NFS backups, and NFS and AFS restores. He also writes utilities in Perl to automate backup procedures. He is a second year Aerospace Engineering student at UM.
Andrew Thaler - User Services
Andrew works in the Macintosh Systems group and is responsible for maintenance and administration of all of CAEN's Macintosh computers and software. He also tracks and answers Macintosh user questions. Currently, Andrew is working on an inventory of all CAEN Macintosh software. He is a freshman in Computer Engineering at U-M.
Rajeev Parekh - Office
Rajeev updates electronic forms and other office-related databases. He assists with CAEN mailings and regular messenger errands. He is an Electrical Engineering student at U-M.
Answers are supplied by CAEN counselors and staff. If you are interested in viewing all questions and answers sent to CAEN support groups, you can read the Usenet support groups. These support newsgroup names are umich.caen.support.topic, where topic includes such items as mac, unix, and x.
How do I find out about the configuration of a machine that I am working on? For example, I would like to know how much storage and RAM the machine has.
Most of this information is hidden from users. Type pstat -T to find out how much swap is available on a Sun workstation. Type uname to determine your operating system name.
How can I convert a Macintosh file into PostScript? Also, if I already have a PostScript file, how do I print it on a Macintosh?
To print a PostScript file, first select the LaserWriter driver in the Chooser and then select Print from the application. These printer drivers are available on the System Software partition of the Software server and can be obtained via anonymous ftp from ftp.support.apple.com. In the lower right there should be a box labeled Destination, change that to File and then click Save. A pop-up dialog box will ask you where you would like to save it, choose a location and give it a reasonable name, like mywordfile.ps.
The easiest way to print the PostScript file to a CAEN printer from a CAEN lab Macintosh is to use a utility called DropPS which is available in the Mac_Archives in the /util/print directory. Drag the file on the DropPS icon and it will ask you which printer to send the file to.
If you want to print it from a Unix workstation, use Fetch to FTP the file to your account, then log in with Telnet and type lpr -Pprintername filename if you were printing from a Sun workstation.
I am looking for a program called BinHex4.0, which converts a .hqx Macintosh file into a Unix file. I tried to use xarchie to locate it but I was not successful.
BinHex converts Macintosh files (applications and data files) to and from a text format (.hqx) which is more easily transferred to Unix systems. You could also use Stuffit Expander to convert from .hqx to Macintosh format, and DropStuff to convert from Macintosh format to .hqx. These programs are available in the Mac_Archives in the /util/compression directory.
I am having trouble running Mosiac and other Windows PPP applications from home. I have etherppp installed and I can run NCSA Telnet from DOS. When I try to use Mosaic, though, it says failed DNS lookup. I also have Trumpet Winsock running. How can I fix these problems?
It sounds like Winsock may not be configured correctly, and cannot find the domain name server (DNS). When you first run Winsock is first run, it asks for default settings for nameserver, timeserver, and gateway. Problems will occur if these defaults are set incorrectly. The settings should be as follows:
CAEN has a free pre-configured Connectivity Kit for DOS and Windows with these parameters preset. The Kit is available at the Hotline, 231 Chrysler.
I am having trouble using MacX with xdm to connect remotely to a lab workstation.
You now have to use a new method of logging into a machine with MacX, since CAEN took the encrypted password string out of /etc/passwd on the lab machines. Instead of using the xdm application that came with MacX, you will now have to follow these steps:
When I try to use Pine to read mail it says: "Folder Format Error, please consult an expert" What can I do?
When this happens, you should call the Hotline, 763-5041. The problem stems from NULL characters being appended to mail messages.
I can no longer log into any CAEN machines. What causes this problem?
CAEN recently disabled the accounts of users who are no longer affiliated with the College of Engineering. You should have received a message in early February stating that your account was in the process of being deleted. If you feel that this was done in error, call the CAEN Office at 763-3266.
I want to use a Macintosh to mount my AFS home directory, but no Appletalk zones show up in the Chooser.
Almost 100% of the time, this problem is caused when the Network Control Panel is set incorrectly. To check this, open the Network Control Panel, and make sure that it is set to EtherTalk, and NOT LocalTalk. This will cause the computer to re-check the network, and find the zones.
I have been running a FORTRAN program remotely on a Unix workstation using babysit. The past couple of times, the program stopped midway with a message saying "bus error". What does this mean?
"Bus error" and "Memory fault" are error texts printed by /bin/sh when a process run by that shell dies with either a SIGBUS or SIGSEGV signal. For user processes, these errors are usually caused by invalid or incorrect memory references.
You should debug your program to make sure that it is not trying to reference an area of memory that it is not allowed to. Bus errors also occur when a program attempts to scan in a non-terminating string.
How can I make my Zephyr messages beep or appear in different colors?
Your Zephyr output is formatted according to @ commands embedded in the character string. To include a beep in your zephyr, include the line @beep in your message. You can only include one beep per message. To change color of the text message, type @color(colorname)where colorname is a common color. To center text type @c(text_you_want_centered). If you want to bold a word, type @b(text_you_want_in_bold). For a list of other zephyr commands, type man zwgc.
How can I stop people from writing zephyr messages to me for my active session only? I do not want to turn messages off forever.
The easiest way is to type zctl hide to stop receiving zephyr requests for a particular zephyr session.
CAEN Newsletter
Editor Jennifer R. Noble
Editorial Assistants Mark J. Stock, Amber D. Pewe
Photographer Ann Gordon
Contributors Mark Bouza, Andrew Caird, Randy Frank, Mark Giuffrida, Ann Gordon, Ken Horning, Paul Howell, Wanda Monroe, Craig Nastanski, Matthew Nauss, Amadi Nwankpa, Shawn Quinn
The CAEN Newsletter is published monthly during the academic year and bi-monthly during the summer by the University of Michigan Computer Aided Engineering Network. It is available free of charge at all CAEN lab facilities, and outside the CAEN Hotline at 231 Chrysler Center. Subscriptions (campus, U.S., and electronic mail) are available. Members of the U-M community must use a campus mail address; however, we do not mail copies to U-M students.
Send address changes and subscription requests to CAEN Newsletter, University of Michigan, 229 Chrysler Center, 2121 Bonisteel Blvd., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2092 or via electronic mail to newsletter@engin.umich.edu (Internet).
The newsletter welcomes readers' contributions. For further information, send e-mail to newsletter@engin.umich.edu. The deadline for submissions is the first of the month preceding publication.
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