Before you begin, you’ll need to have access to a Microsoft Windows machine and know the answers to the following questions:

1. Should you turn the computer on and off, or does it remain on all of the time?
2. You should have your own account on the lab’s computers:
   1. What’s your username?
   2. What’s your password? And how do you change it?
3. In your windowing environment (e.g., MacOS, KDE, Microsoft Windows, etc.):
   1. How do you use the environment?
   2. How do you exit your environment?

If you are using your own machine, then you should work through the prerequisite configuration guide.

Getting Started with Microsoft Windows

Basic operation of the Windows operating system is relatively well-understood by most students. If you need a refresher course, consult the Windows Basics help materials that are provided with the system. You can find these under a heading similar to “Help and Support” under your start menu.

You will need to know how to do the following:

• Run a program (e.g., Processing or Eclipse)
• Create, browse and delete directories (aka folders)
• Create, view, print and delete files

All of these skills are outlined in Windows help system. If you have any questions on this, don’t hesitate to ask.