Before the first class, please do these steps to prepare. If you have any questions or problems doing them, write to molay at fas.harvard.edu .

Also, check the course site at https://cscie28.dce.harvard.edu/~dce-lib215/ or the Ed Discussion page at the course Canvas site for news and announcements.

1. Try the self-assessment exercises at
   https://cscie28.dce.harvard.edu/~dce-lib215/hw/hw_u/hw0/ to make sure you are prepared for CSCI-E28. If you find these exercises difficult, have questions about them, or would like me to review your solutions, send email to molay at fas.harvard.edu.
2. Complete a Student Info Form at
   https://cscie28.dce.harvard.edu/~dce-lib215/infoform/
3. Read about online courses
   See https://extension.harvard.edu/academics/programs/take-a-course/types-of-courses/#web for information about requirements and expectations for taking on-line courses.
4. Get your Harvard Key at
   https://key.harvard.edu/
   This key will give you access to class, office hours, and sections. The key will also allow you to set up your account on the course server.
5. Get your Harvard NetID at
   https://key.harvard.edu/manage-account
   This NetID is your username for your account on the course server: cscie28.dce.harvard.edu.
6. Synchronize Your Password
   https://key.harvard.edu/manage-account
   This NetID is your username for your account on the course server: cscie28.dce.harvard.edu. Clicking this synchronize password link will make sure the key password is attached to your server account.
7. Download and install VPN software for Harvard's VPN
   You can only connect to the course server over Harvard's Virtual Private Network. To use this network, you have to download and install the Cisco AnyConnect client program. Here are the details:

   Go to https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=f1766696db1e9418441560fdd39619ef for system requirements and instructions for downloading and installing the software.

8. Connect to the VPN
   Make sure the software works and you can connect to the VPN by following the instructions at https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=f90a73f6dba21c5c60c0d9fcd39619ea
   If this does not work, write to or call Harvard HUIT technical support. You must have this VPN connection working to do course work.
9. Make sure you can login to the course server. Use ssh to connect to cscie28.dce.harvard.edu using as username the Harvard NetID you found in an earlier step and the password you use for the Harvard Key.

   On Mac OSX and Linux, open a terminal and type ssh your-NetID@cscie28.dce.harvard.edu . This also works in a cmd.exe window on Microsoft Windows. On Windows, another method is to install puTTY, secure CRT or other ssh client and connect to cscie28.dce.harvard.edu. puTTY can be downloaded from the Internet, and secureCRT is available from the Harvard FAS Downloads page

10. Set up Zoom
    If you have Zoom installed you have already done this step. If you do not have Zoom installed already, download the client from http://zoom.us and install it on your computer. Make sure your microphone and webcam work. Make sure you have updated the software to the newest version. You are required to use your webcam during online class activities (class, section, office hours).
11. Set up a Backup System
    Your files on the e28 server are not backed up by the system. If there is a crash or if you accidentally delete files, you must be prepared to recover your work from some backup.

    Options:

    • rsync You can keep copies of your work on your home machine. If you have Linux or macOS system at home, a very good standard Unix program called rsync is efficient and simple (once you learn the syntax.)

    • github can also use github. If you already use github, use your account there, but make any course repositories private. If you prefer, you can set up a Harvard github account at https://code.harvard.edu .

    Please use github or other offsite host to backup the work you do on the course server.

12. Do I Need Unix/Linux at Home?
    No. You can use our course machine (cscie28.dce.harvard.edu) to do your course work. If you have a Macintosh, you have Unix at home. If you have a Windows computer, you can install Linux along side Windows, or you can make a bootable Linux USB drive with persistent storage and run Linux when you need to. There is also a package called Linux Subsystem for Windows that runs Linux within (or under or on ..) Windows.