# Intro: Get your computer ready ###### tags: `basic commands`, `terminal` # Software We will need at least pieces of software. the bash terminal and a program to transfer files from and to your computer what is a terminal? check [here](https://itconnect.uw.edu/learn/workshops/online-tutorials/web-publishing/what-is-a-terminal/) what is a file transfer software ? check [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FileZilla) terminal ## mac a full terminal, compaltible with unix system, is pre installed. [Link](https://support.apple.com/guide/terminal/open-or-quit-terminal-apd5265185d-f365-44cb-8b09-71a064a42125/mac). ## windows You need to activate or install it. [how to install an ubuntu terminal in win 10](https://www.howtogeek.com/249966/how-to-install-and-use-the-linux-bash-shell-on-windows-10/) . ## linux If you are running linux, you are already familiar with this. But just in case, check [here](https://askubuntu.com/questions/38162/what-is-a-terminal-and-how-do-i-open-and-use-it) # filezilla download the appropiate version (Client) [here](https://filezilla-project.org/) # Firefox Many outputs use .html format. I know firefox don't have any trouble opening them. Maybe if you are using other browser, you can run into troubles. Let's have it alredy installed, you can still use your favorite browser for your stuff. # text editor. ## windows You will be using Notepad a lot. ## mac you have text edit. Just follow the instruction [here](https://www.techjunkie.com/textedit-plain-text-mode/#:~:text=TextEdit%20opens%20a%20new%20document,in%20the%20TextEdit%20menu%20bar.) to make it plain text ## linux I use the text edit from gedit. It is a small and lightweight text editor for the GNOME Desktop # Connect to the MBL BPC computing server ...now the fun begings: Open the terminal and type `shh -X 'user'@evol5.mbl.edu` `password: type here` ![](https://i.imgur.com/bKqGoDR.png) Actually, make sure you have installed "ssh" in your bash terminal. It's a progran to connect to servers. Why the -X? We'll see it in another time. When you get in after the password, that is the head node. WE NEVER EVER UNDER NO CIRCUNSTANCE work there. ![](https://i.imgur.com/10EjljO.png) however. there is a series of commands you can use, like browse among dir and files. But better keep going: `status` #list the servers and clusters. ![](https://i.imgur.com/FLWkb97.png) `news` #guess what... `usage` #list your quota and storage use. `handbook` # **check this one out*** now, log to the machine you will be using for running the programs eg: `ssh -X luna` ![](https://i.imgur.com/OWeMWhi.png) Sometimes you have to retype your password at this point. So now, you are in...but WHERE? type `pwd` and will show the path to your home dir `/users/your-name` but we'll be working mostly in a group directory; so I can see your anaysis. `/groups/fr2020` `/groups/arklab`