MATH 151-8xx - Linux MATLAB Setup for Calclab

(NOTE: This setup is for Linux workstations only, such as your calclab account.)

Here is a checklist for today's MATLAB setup. First you'll login to your CalcLab account and set up your Linux MATLAB environment. Once this is complete, you will receive instruction needed to start on Individual Lab #1 part A.

1. You must work individually on this setup and on the first MATLAB assignment. Thereafter, you will work in assigned teams. You will use your NetID and NetID password to login to your CalcLab account. (This is the one you use to login to Howdy, open access lab computers, etc.)
2. After logging into your CalcLab account, SINGLE click with the left mouse button on the Firefox button in the bottom panel. (It looks like an orange fox wrapped around a blue globe.)
3. Make the sure the CalcLab home page is your home page on your CalcLab account. If necessary, type
   

     http://calclab.math.tamu.edu
   

   in the web address field, then press enter. Now click on Edit, then Preferences. In the dialog box that opens, click on "Use Current Page" then on "Close".
4. Next, type in the Web address of the Math 151 Course Home Page, then press Enter. Bookmark this page for ready reference. (Click on Bookmarks, then "Bookmark This Page.")

     
   http://www.math.tamu.edu/courses/math151/
   

   Click on "Maplets". This page contains many Java Applets which you might find useful to understand the concepts of and practice problems related to the course. Bookmark this page for ready reference. To enter the site, click on "Texas A&M Univ" in the upper right corner, then log in with your NetID and password. For now, click on the back arrow or re-type the URL above to return to the Math 151 Course Home Page.
   Click on "8xx" beside the words "Lab Schedule" Now click on the link "Set-up" under In-Lab Instruction. You are now looking at the electronic version of this piece of paper, replete with links. Please return this piece of paper to your TA at this time (if you prefer to read the remaining instructions on paper, you may return it at the end of lab).
   
5. Here's how to set up your Linux MATLAB environment on your CalcLab account (NOTE: This is NOT the Matlab program itself, but a directory structure for storing your work and some Matlab worksheets and functions we will use later).
   
   • Right-Click on the following Zip file, then select "Save Link As..." In the ensuing dialog box, choose your home directory in the "Save in folder" drop-down box. (Do NOT save the folder on your desktop!)
     • MATLABa_lnx.zip
   • Open a terminal window by single-clicking on the icon which looks like a monitor at the bottom of your screen. At the command prompt enter "unzip MATLABa_lnx.zip" without the quotes. Wait for the extraction to complete. Then delete the Zip file by typing the command "rm MATLABa_lnx.zip" and pressing Enter.
6. Invoke MATLAB by SINGLE clicking on the gold hill icon in the bottom panel. Patiently wait while the program loads. When you see "Ready" in the lower left corner of the MATLAB window, you're set.
7. Your last task is to make your MATLAB interface somewhat simpler.
   • Click on the Desktop menu. Uncheck the Workspace radio button.
   • Repeat, this time unchecking the Command History radio button.
   • IMPORTANT!!! Repeat again, this time unchecking the Current Folder radio button. You MUST do this in order for Matlab to load quickly from now on!
   • Click on File, then Open. Double-click on the "proto" subdirectory, then double-click on the g000x00.m M-file. Now dock the editor! (Click on a downward-pointing arrow in the upper right corner of the editor. Ask if you need help.)
   • Click on the Editor title bar. Now from the Desktop menu, select Toolbars. Deselect the Editor Cell Mode Toolbar. Now repeat, deselecting the Shortcuts Toolbar.
   • Finally, click on the Desktop Menu, then select Save Layout. Give it a name, say FirstName1; e.g., David1.

Your TA will direct you to the pertinent pages in the Gilat Lab Manual for the first assignment. Having read these and having viewed pertinent MATLAB videos in advance, start working on Individual Lab #1,part A.