Unix Macintosh

Via CAP (Columbia AppleTalk Package), a Unix directory can be mounted with the Chooser on a Macintosh.

Setting up your Unix Environment for mounting on the Macintosh

In your home directory (/sgi/people/yourname/) type:

initmacunix

This will create a directory called "mac/" in your home directory and some hidden directories also (.finderinfo/, .resource/) and a hidden file (.afpvols).

Un/Mounting the Unix "mac" directory on a Macintosh

On either Macintosh in the core lab, go to the Chooser, select the AppleTalk Zone "applecore", click on AppleShare, and select "csbmet Aufs" from the list and click OK. Next, the Mac prompts you for a username and password. Use your Unix login name and password here. Hit return or click on "OK", then wait for a few seconds.

An icon titled "unix-home-mac" appears on the Macintosh Desktop. Double-click on the icon.
There it is:

• Your personal, password protected Macintosh folder.
• A folder which can be used like any local Macintosh folder. You can store any data and programs, and run the programs off the mounted folder.
• A folder which can be accessed (mounted) from any Macintosh in the core lab, the other groups connected to the core subnet (e.g. Steitz, Engelman).

For the future, you can simplify the procedure considerably. The preparation (which needs to be done only once) is:

• Highlight the "unix-home-mac" icon.
• Select File - Make Alias from the finder menu.
• Rename the new alias as you like and put it somewhere into Macintosh people folder.
• Trash the "unix-home-mac" icon.

The next time you want to mount "unix-home-mac", simply double click on your alias. The Mac prompts you for your password. Type it in and hit return. Done.

To unmount "unix-home-mac", simply drag the icon into the Trash Bin on the Desktop.

What you can do and should not do with Unix commands

• You can safely copy files from the "mac" directory to other locations.
• You can safely copy files into the "mac" directory.
• You should not remove, rename or move files in the "mac" directory with Unix commands!

However, if you accidentally remove, rename or move files from the "mac" directory, this will do no serious harm. But better try to avoid these manipulations. Go to a Mac and remove, rename or move the files there.

To recover from accidental manipulations, go to the "mac" directory and type "maccleanup".

Thanks to Ralf W. Grosse-Kunstleve for this implementation and documentation.