Logging In

To begin working with a computer, you log in. The login process prevents unauthorized people from using your computers, files, and folders.

To log in, you type in your user name and password. A typical login process consists of these steps:

1. Type your user name at the login prompt.

   If you make a mistake, press the Backspace key to back up over each character you want to retype.

2. Press the Return key.

   The computer displays the password prompt.

3. Type your password at the password prompt.

   Your password is not displayed. In most cases, you will be given an initial password for your computer, which you can change later on.

4. Press the Return key again.

If you typed your user name and password correctly, you should enter the OpenStep workspace.

Figure 1-1

If you make mistakes while typing, a message informs you that your login attempt is unsuccessful. If this occurs, go back to step 1 and try logging in again. If you continue to have problems, contact your system administrator.

Entering the Workspace

The images or objects in the workspace represent files, application programs, and other items you can work with on your computer. Your workspace may not exactly match the one in Figure 1-2, but it will have many of the same features.

• Icons, which are small pictorial representations of things you work with in the workspace.
• The application dock (or dock, for short) which is a column of icons along the right edge of the workspace. Most of the dock icons represent applications. The Sun icon at the top of the dock represents the Workspace Manager^(TM) application, which you use to manage your computer.
• The File Viewer window, which gives you access to your files.
• Menus, which are lists of commands such as Edit and Log Out that you can choose to make the Workspace Manager do something.
• A pointer, which is the small black arrow that moves when you move the mouse. You move the pointer to point to objects on the screen.

Figure 1-2

Using the Mouse

To get your computer to do things, you act on objects in the workspace. Most of the time, you use the mouse. Practice these basic mouse techniques:

• Slide the mouse on the mouse pad.
• Point to an object on the screen by moving the mouse to position the cursor on top of the object.
• Click by pointing to an object and, without moving the mouse, pressing and releasing a mouse button.

  Click an icon in the File Viewer window. The icon is highlighted.

For detailed information on using the mouse that accompanies your Sun workstation, refer to the hardware or user's manual that came with your system.

Figure 1-3

• Press by pointing to an object and, without moving the mouse, pressing and holding down the mouse button.

  Press a black arrow button (if there is one) in the File Viewer window. As long as you press, the button is highlighted; information may also move in the window.

• Drag by pointing to an object, pressing and holding down a mouse button, moving the cursor to a new location (by sliding the mouse), and then releasing the mouse button.

  Drag the title bar at the top of the File Viewer window. The window moves in the workspace.

The cursor changes shape as you work. The most common forms are:

Table 1-1

Shape Purpose
An arrow, for pointing to objects. An I-beam, for editing text. The question mark, for getting on-line help about an object. The watch, which indicates that the application is busy, usually with an instruction you gave. You can wait or switch to another application.

Setting a Password

Change your password often so that it remains secure. To set your password, follow these procedures.

1. Move your pointer to the application dock and double-click on the Preferences icon.

   The pointer changes to a watch for a moment, and then the Preferences window opens. Notice that the main menu for the Preferences application replaces the main menu that is currently displayed.

2. There is a row of buttons across the top of the Preferences window; click on the password button.

   See Figure 1-4 for the location of the password button. If the button is not visible, drag the sliding knob (just below the buttons) to bring it into view.

Figure 1-4

3. At the insertion point, type your current password (if any).

   You won't see the characters as you type.

4. Click on the OK button in the window.

5. Type your new password in the text field and click on the OK button.

   The Preferences application asks you to verify your new password by typing it again.

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Note - A good password is hard to guess but easy to remember. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and other characters, such as punctuation marks.

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6. Type your new password again and click on OK.

   If you typed correctly, a confirmation panel confirms that the new password is in effect; otherwise, the Preferences application asks you to repeat the process.

7. Click on the confirmation panel's OK button.

8. Choose the Hide command from the Preferences main menu.

   Move your pointer to the Preferences menu, in the upper left corner of your screen, and click on the Hide command.This hides the Preferences application. For more information on hiding applications, see "Hiding an Application" on page 4-4.

Choosing Commands

One way to tell an application what to do is by choosing a command from a menu. Each application has a main menu that appears in the upper left of the workspace while you're working in the application.

• To choose a command, click it in the menu.

  The command is highlighted and carried out.

A dimmed command (shown in gray rather than black) is currently unavailable.

A command with an arrow opens another menu, called a submenu, which

contains more commands.

The submenu stays open until the next time you choose a command from the first menu.

Figure 1-5

• To keep a submenu open, detach it by dragging its title bar.

Figure 1-6

• To close a detached submenu, click the close button in its title bar.

Figure 1-7

• To choose a command, you can also use a keyboard shortcut.

  You can choose a command from the keyboard by holding down the Command key while typing the character shown next to the command.

  When you choose a command that's followed by an ellipsis (...), a panel asks for additional information about how to carry out the command.

Figure 1-8

Logging Out

When you're done with a work session, you log out to quit all applications that are running.

Before logging out, make sure you save any work you've done in an application, or your work will be lost. (To learn more about saving, see Chapter 5, "Files.")

1. Choose the Log Out command from the Workspace menu.

   (If the Workspace menu isn't visible, click in the File Viewer window or double-click on the Sun icon at the top of the dock to make the Workspace menu appear.)

   The Log Out panel opens. If you change your mind about logging out (or if you choose Log Out by accident), click on the Cancel button in the Log Out panel.

2. Click on the Log Out button in the panel.

   If an application contains unsaved work, a panel may open, giving you a chance to save your work.

   Logging out closes all open window, quits all running application, and returns you to the desktop.

Figure 1-9