Information For New Users - Using Macintoshes on the MCS

The MCS Macintoshes are all connected to a system called the Managed Cluster Service (MCS). Apple Macintoshes for general use are located in rooms on the New Museums Site in the Balfour Macintosh Room and Phoenix User Area. There are MCS Macintoshes for use by graduate students and staff in the University Centre. You need to be registered for the MCS to use the machines. If you are not already registered, go to the Computing Service Reception (second floor of the Cockcroft building, New Museums Site) and fill in an application for Computing Service Resources.

This leaflet is an introductory handout designed to get you started. MCS information is available online. The Computing Service offers a range of training courses covering the use of Macintoshes and a number of the applications available on the MCS.

How to log in

• Machines will be already switched on. If the screen is blank, move the mouse to wake it up. The login box is then available on the screen and you can login.
• You will see the MCS login box.

• Enter your user identifier and then press tab or click in the next field to enter your password in the next box. Click on the 'Log In' button or press return.

  [To change your default password, you will need to log on first - see below.]

• If access is denied, the log in screen will shiver and you will be given the opportunity to try to login again.
• If you have forgotten your password, go to Reception on the second floor of the Cockcroft Building with some form of identification and request another.

Changing your password

Your initial password is issued automatically. You should change your password as soon as possible to a more memorable string, which should not be in any dictionary. Passwords on the MCS should be treated as case-sensitive (fred, Fred and FRED are all different). To change a password go to the Apple menu and select MCS Account Management Facility:

From this window you can immediately see your filespace usage and common print balance, you can also reset preferences, change your password, and access MCS eCredit (although the application can't be used on a Mac as yet).

and fill the required information in the following screen box:

Accessing applications

You can access applications via a number of different routes. If you look at the Dock, the more commonly used applications be can clicked on to be accessed directly:

In addition, the Applications directory may be accessed from the Apple or the Go menus, or by clicking on the Applications icon in the left bar of any open window.

Publishing Personal Web pages

There is a facility for publishing personal web pages from your MCS filespace. If you create the directory public_html at the top level of your filespace (this directory name is case sensitive), all pages you put into it will be published on the web at http://people.pwf.cam.ac.uk/youruserid/. A default page and stylesheet provides you with a starting point and links for where to get more help. You are reminded that the rules and guidelines for publishing personal web pages apply. Full information may be found in M350: Web pages on the MCS: Personal and Group (pdf).

Logging out

When you have finished using the Macintosh, you need to log out of the MCS to ensure no-one else can access your filespace. To log out, close all files then go to the Apple menu and select Log Out...

Last updated: October 2009 Last reviewed October 2011