How To Get Work Done

This page is a combination of two old pages on how to get work done, along with some expanded content on how to get work done on personal computers and Duke's public dual-boot MACs. Please note - nothing on this page should cost any additional money to install!

Your Own Windows Computer

This section covers how to get work done if you are working on your own Windows computer.

File Access

To mount your CIFS folder on your Windows computer, see the OIT page CIFS: How to Connect from Windows. This will allow you to mount your CIFS drive. You must either be on Duke internet or have a VPN connection, which is described on the link above.

• Notes:
  • For the first step, instead of what the instructions say, start the file explorer by clicking the yellow File Explorer icon at the bottom of the page; after that comes up, click "This PC" on the left side of the File Explorer. At the top of the screen there are three tabs - the middle one is "Computer" - click that. You can now click the Map Network Drive icon and proceed with the rest of the instructions.
  • For step 4, you only need the first part which is \\homedir.oit.duke.edu\users\N\NetID with N as the first letter of your NetID and NetID as your NetID

Connecting to Duke's Linux Machines

If you need to connect to Duke's Linux machines (i.e. login.oit.duke.edu), you can use MobaXterm - more information on that is at the MobaXterm page.

Using LaTeX

There are two main options for using LaTeX -- you can either connect to Duke's Linux machines and use those tools (emacs to edit, dvipdf to convert, evince to view or to print) or you can use TeXworks. TeXworks is a part of the MiKTeX package for Windows; you should install MiKTeX. Be sure you have your CIFS drive mounted and save your files there while working with TeXworks.

Python

You can install Anaconda by going to Download. Download the Python 3.* version. Be sure you have your CIFS drive mounted and save your files there while working with Spyder.

Another option is to use a Spyder program that has been included with a Duke Docker Container. The downside of this method is that there is currently no mechanism for accessing your CIFS files from the container. There is a workaround for that which we are not quite ready to teach you.

MATLAB

There are two main options for using MATLAB -- you can either connect to Duke's Linux machines and use MATLAB there (using the matlab & command) or you can install MATLAB. See OIT's MATLAB & Simulink page and specifically the Download information section for more information. Be sure you have your CIFS drive mounted and save your files there while working with MATLAB.

Your Own MAC Computer

This section covers how to get work done if you are working on your own MAC computer.

File Access

To mount your CIFS folder on your Windows computer, see the OIT page CIFS: How to Connect from Mac OS. This will allow you to mount your CIFS drive. You must either be on Duke internet or have a VPN connection, which is described on the link above.

Connecting to Duke's Linux Machines

If you need to connect to Duke's Linux machines (i.e. login.oit.duke.edu), you can use XQuartz and specifically its Terminal program - more information on that is at the X11 page. Note: For Mac users only - the very first time you open the terminal window, you need to type xhost + to tell your computer to allow incoming graphical windows.

To connect to the virtual Linux machines, simply open your terminal window and type

ssh -XY NetID@login.oit.duke.edu

where NetID is your NetID.

Using LaTeX

There are two main options for using LaTeX -- you can either connect to Duke's Linux machines and use those tools (emacs to edit, dvipdf to convert, evince to view or to print) or you can use TeXworks. TeXworks requires installation of MacTeX, followed by installation of TeXworks. Be sure you have your CIFS drive mounted and save your files there while working with TeXworks.

Python

You can install Anaconda by going to Download. Download the Python 3.* version. Be sure you have your CIFS drive mounted and save your files there while working with Spyder.

Another option is to use a Spyder program that has been included with a Duke Docker Container. The downside of this method is that there is currently no mechanism for accessing your CIFS files from the container. There is a workaround for that which we are not quite ready to teach you.

MATLAB

There are two main options for using MATLAB -- you can either connect to Duke's Linux machines and use MATLAB there (using the matlab & command) or you can install MATLAB. See OIT's MATLAB & Simulink page and specifically the Download information section for more information. Be sure you have your CIFS drive mounted and save your files there while working with MATLAB.

Duke MACs Booted Into Windows

The Duke dual-boot MACs in Hudson and elsewhere have a Windows partition. See OIT's Locations and Hardware page for more information. There are also 8 dual-boot MACs Pratt's IT department has placed in Teer basement. As of 8/26/2018, not all of the software below has been installed.

This section covers how to get work done if you have logged into that partition.

File Access

Your CIFS folder should automatically be installed as a drive on This PC - just start the File Explorer (double click on the yellow folder a the bottom of the screen) and then select "This PC" from the list at left. Your drive should show up in "Network locations." If it does not, follow the instructions to Mount your drive via windows.

• Notes:
  • For the first step, instead of what the instructions say, start the file explorer by clicking the yellow File Explorer icon at the bottom of the page; after that comes up, click "This PC" on the left side of the File Explorer. At the top of the screen there are three tabs - the middle one is "Computer" - click that. You can now click the Map Network Drive icon and proceed with the rest of the instructions.
  • For step 4, you only need the first part which is \\homedir.oit.duke.edu\users\N\NetID with N as the first letter of your NetID and NetID as your NetID
  • If you logged into the Windows machine using Duke credentials - for example, you logged into a computer in Fitzpatrick B209 - you can skip steps 6-8 because the computer already knows you as your Duke self.

Connecting to Duke's Linux Machines

If you need to connect to Duke's Linux machines (i.e. login.oit.duke.edu), you can use MobaXterm - this should already be installed on the Windows partition. To find it, either go Start->File Transfer & Remote Access->MobaXterm Personal or simply type Moba in the Cortana search (accessed by clicking the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen). From there, follow the instructions for Creating a Remote Connection.

Using LaTeX

There are two main options for using LaTeX -- you can either connect to Duke's Linux machines and use those tools (emacs to edit, dvipdf to convert, evince to view or to print) or you can use TeXworks. TeXworks is already installed on the Windows partition; however, it is currently (23AUG2018) out of date and the version it has cannot install new packages. Be sure you have your CIFS drive mounted and save your files there while working with TeXworks.

Python

Currently, the Windows partition does not have Anaconda installed -- the version of Python it has is called IDLE and it is lacking many of the modules we will be using for class. To get around this you can install Anaconda on the Windows partition by going to Download. Download the Python 3.* version. Install for "just me" and use all the default options. You do not need to install the Microsoft tools at the end. This process takes about 6 minutes to complete and, unfortunately, only forks for the computer you are sitting at for the session that is currently active. Once you log out, the next time you log in you will start with a clean slate.

Another option is to use a Spyder program that has been included with a Duke Docker Container. The downside of this method is that there is currently no mechanism for accessing your CIFS files from the container. There is a workaround for that which we are not quite ready to teach you.

MATLAB

There are two main options for using MATLAB -- you can either connect to Duke's Linux machines and use MATLAB there (using the matlab & command) or you can start MATLAB on the Windows partition. For the latter, either go to Start->MATLAB R2017a->MATLAB R2017a or simply type matlab in the Cortana search (accessed by clicking the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen).