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Starting to Use Your Computer

You may have previous experience with MS-DOS; or other single user operating systems, such as OS/2; or the Macintosh.; In these operating systems, you didn't have to identify yourself to the computer before using it; it was assumed that you were the only user of the system and could access everything. Well, Unix is a multi-user operating system--not only can more than one person use it at a time, different people are treated differently.gif

To tell people apart, Unix needs a user to identify him or herselfgif by a process called logging in.; You see, when you first turn on the computer, several things happen. Since this guide is geared towards Linux, I'll tell you what happens during the boot-up sequence.

Please note that if you're using on some type of computer besides an Intel; PC, some things in this chapter won't apply to you. Mostly, they'll be in Section 3.1.1 and Section 3.1.2. (Some parts of Section 3.1.2 will pertain.)





Converted on:
Mon Apr 1 08:59:56 EST 1996