Math 151/STEPS: Linux MATLAB Setup for CalcLab

1. Generally, your TA will seat you in your STEPS teams---typically groups of four. (Today, however, you will work individually.) You will use your NetID and NetID password to login to your CalcLab account. (This is the one you use to login to NEO, 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 OK.
   
   
4. Next, type in the Web address of our class home page, then press Enter. Bookmark this page for ready reference. (Click on Bookmarks, then "Bookmark This Page.")

     http://calclab.math.tamu.edu/~belmonte/2008a_m151.html
   

   Click on "MATLAB Assignments and Videos", then on the link "CalcLab MATLAB Setup" under Assignments. You are now looking at the electronic version of this piece of paper, replete with links.
   
   
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!)
     • MATLAB_lnx.zip
     
     
   • Open a terminal window. At the command prompt enter "unzip MATLAB_lnx.zip" without the quotes. Wait for the extraction to complete. Then delete the Zip file by typing the command "rm MATLAB_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 all set. The codes I wrote for you will now be accessible locally!
   
   
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.
   • You have a Current Directory panel on the left and the main Command Window on the right.
   • Resize the two panels by moving the vertical dividing line between them. (The Current Directory panel can be quite narrow; just enough space to show file names and extensions.)
   • Click on the leftmost toolbar icon to open the MATLAB Editor. Now dock the editor!
   • Finally, click on the Editor title bar. Now from the Desktop menu, deselect both the Cell Toolbar and the Shortcuts Toolbar.