MATH 151 - 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, your TA will introduce you to Maplets which you can use to visualize and practice the concepts of this course.

1. You must work individually on this setup. Next week, your TA will organize you into teams---typically groups of four. 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 so, skip to the next step. If not, 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" near the top of the page. 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 left 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 "Lab Schedule". Scroll down to this week's schedule. You should have received a link to a Pre-Semester Survey in your TAMU email account. Please open a new tab and open the link in your email now. If you did not receive an email link, click on the word "HERE" under Week 1. Complete the survey at this time.
   On the Lab Schedule page, click on the link "Written Instructions" under MATLAB Setup near the top. 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.
   
   • 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 or the Documents folder!)
   • MATLAB4e_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 MATLAB4e_lnx.zip" without the quotes. Wait for the extraction to complete. Then delete the Zip file by typing the command "rm MATLAB4e_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.
   • In the "Workspace" window, click on the triangle in the upper right corner, then select "Close" (ignore this step if the "Workspace" window does not appear on your interface).
   • Repeat this step for the "Command History" window (ignore this step if the "Command History" window does not appear on your interface).
   • You should now only have the Command Window and Current Folder showing. You may X out any information bars which show as well.
   • In the "Current Folder" window. double-click on the "proto" subdirectory, then double-click on the g000x00.m M-file. If the file appears in a separate window, dock the new editor window! (Click on the triangle again in the upper right corner of the editor, then select "Dock Editor". Ask if you need help.)
   • Finally, click on the "Home" tab, then select Save Workspace. Give it a name, say FirstName1; e.g., David1.

Now that you have set up your MATLAB, go back to the Maplet Homepage and your TA will introduce you to the Maplets you should be working on (listed HERE). Remember that the material covered in these Maplets my appear on a quiz or assignment in the next recitation!