A CS account is automatically issued to you by the Computer Systems Lab (CSL) after you register for the course.
If you already have a CS account (e.g., you are a CS major or had an account during the past semester), you do not need to re-activate your account. Login using the same CS username and password from the past semester.
If you are a new user of CS lab computers you will have to activate your account. Check your campus email for a message about activating your CS account and follow the instructions. Note there is a 24 hour delay from the time you register until the time you may activate your CS account.
This account provides you with access to the lab computers, a disk quota (for file storage), and paper quota (for printing). Only registered students are given an account.
Account Policies:
Always log out before leaving the lab.
Never share your account password with anyone.
More information about your instructional account.
If you have problems with your password or account, contact the CSL
The computer labs for use by students are located on the first floor of the Computer Sciences building during the hours from 7 am - 1 am every day.
For locations look for the Linux machines listed in the Computer Systems Lab Instructional Facilities page.
You may also remotely log into these machines.
See the CSL's information about remote access to CS machines
To access the machines remotely, connect to best-linux.cs.wisc.edu (this will connect you to the Linux machine in the CS labs that currently has the fewest number of other users logged in to it).
If your computer gives you a warning about spoofing, try connecting to best-royal.cs.wisc.edu (and if neither of those work, try connecting to royal-NN.cs.wisc.edu where NN is a 2 digit number between 01 and 30).
These instructions for using SCP and SSH to copy your work, remotely connect, and test your programs on the CS computers may be helpful.
All the instructional machines are set up to print to the printers in 1358 CS. In order to print from any of the computers your paper quota must be greater than 0. At the beginning of the semester all CS students receive an initial paper quota established by the CSL.
Each of your print jobs will be scheduled individually and may print out on any of the printers in 1358 CS. To check which printer your job is coming out on look for your login name on the monitor by each printer.
If there is a problem with one of the printers or there is no paper left in the print room send email to lab@cs.wisc.edu.
Do not try to fix any of the printers yourself.
For further information about printing (e.g., how to check your quota) see the CSL information about printing in the instructional labs.
A useful command for printing source code listings is:
print -landscape -Plaser <filename>