Find a computer in the McGraw Lab. If it shows the McGraw Lab Menu Screen (tap the space bar if the screen appears blank), then use TELNET to log into your VAX ALPHA account (this is available off the UTILITIES menu on the McGraw network). It is the VAX ALPHA computer which manages all email on campus. Follow the on-screen prompts and supply the information requested. If you do not have a VAX account, call the HELP desk (dial "HELP").
Your VAX account username is the first eight letters of your last name plus the first initial of your first name plus your middle initial plus the two digits of your birthday. For example, if John D. Smith was born on June 1, 1979, his account username is SMITHJD01. Your default password is your complete 9 digit ID number. However, as soon as you log into your account, you should change your password. Use the SET PASSWORD command at any time to change your password. Follow the on-screen prompts. For your new password avoid common dictionary words like "BRAVO" or "CANYON." Use a word which means something to you but does not mean much of anything to someone else. Another way to generate a password is to pick a word which is meaningful to you and change it in some crazy way (like "PICNIC" and change it to "PIKCNICK"). The idea is to protect your account from unauthorized "snooping."
If you have received an email message, the system will announce that fact and "beep" your terminal. In some cases, it will automatically place you in the MAIL program. In any event, you start email by typing MAIL at the VAX prompt (it looks like $); the prompt then changes to "MAIL >". You can see a directory of messages by typing DIR at the MAIL prompt; you will notice that they are numbered. You can READ any messages by typing READ n, where n = 1, 2, 3, etc. according to the numbering of your messages. You can delete any unwanted messages by typing DELETE n (for example, DELETE 3 means delete message number 3). It is your responsibility to keep your mail folder cleaned out on a regular basis! To answer back to a short message you have just read, type REPLY and follow the prompts for the information required. The line editor in MAIL is not very friendly--you can correct mistakes only on the current line by using the backspace ("rubout") key. Caution: you will need to end each line by pressing "Enter"; when the line you're typing seems to be coming close to the right edge of the screen, that's the time to end the line by pressing Enter! Finish your message by pressing CTRL-Z. If you change your mind in the middle of a message and wish to "abort", press CTRL-C (not CTRL-Z). Always use EXIT to end your email session (not CRTL-C). Log off your VAX account by typing LO at the VAX $amp; prompt.
To send a message to me, type SEND and then HARRISB as a response to the TO: prompt. It is a good idea to use a 3-4 word phrase to summarize your message in the RE: prompt. To send a message to fellow students on-campus, you will need to know their username. If you do not know a user id on the ALPHA, there is a useful utility program called UWWFINGER which can help. Suppose you know that the user id you're looking for contains the letters KNOX. When you are at the $amp; prompt of the ALPHA, type the command UWWFINGER KNOX. All the currently valid user names or ids which contain KNOX anywhere in them will be listed for you on the screen.
Copy down the id you're seeking and then proceed to the MAIL program. There are many options available within MAIL; this is enough to make you "functional", and you can read more as your needs and interests dictate. Don't forget to use the on-line HELP within MAIL, too. Just type HELP when you see the "MAIL >" prompt.
Several new labs are available for students in the basement of McGraw and the Anderson addition to the library. Some of these labs may be Windows based only (they will not use the McGraw Lab Menu). On such computers, double click using the left mouse button on the EWAN icon and then single click on the OK button (making sure the highlight bar says "Alpha/VAX") to connect to the VAX and then proceed as above.
A word of caution: email messages are not secure. They are more like "postcards," in that anyone with the ability to access them can read your email messages. Therefore, do not engage in libelous or criminally penalized speech. You can very well be held accountable for such!
Remember that you can download class documents off the class web page from computers in McGraw or from your PC. Point your Web browser to http://math.uww.edu and then follow the faculty links to our class (http://math.uww.edu/faculty/harrisb/courses/cs171)