Practicum Area/Mac/FAQ
FAQ for the Mac computers in the central practicum area of the FB3
Who can I contact if I have questions or suggestions about the Macs or if I encounter problems while working on a Mac?
Please contact the responsible technicians (technician offices on the ground floor of the MZH or email service
informatik.uni-bremen.de).
What should I do if the computer is not responding?
Contact the technicians (see the previous question). Please do not turn off the computer. It may help to force quit an application that has become unresponsive. To do this, press the three keys Command-Option-Escape (= Command-Alt-Escape) simultaneously, then select the frozen application in the window and click "Force Quit." "Command" is the key located to the right and left of the spacebar.
Logging into a Mac takes a long time, and the computer is very sluggish. What could be the reason for this?
This is usually due to issues with the home directory, which is mounted over the network via NFS. Common causes include:
- Quota exceeded: When your storage limit is reached, the Mac cannot save new settings or temporary files. In this case, please log in on a Linux computer and delete unnecessary files.
- Slow or unstable network connection: Since your home directory comes from the server, a poor connection can lead to long loading times or a frozen interface.
- NFS server overloaded or unreachable: If the server is overloaded or temporarily unresponsive, the Mac may freeze during login or when opening programs.
Can I use my UNIX username and UNIX password to log in to the Macs?
Yes, that is the only way to log in to these computers.
Is it possible to change my password from a Mac?
No. Passwords can only be changed through the Onlinetools of Administrative Department 8.
Will my settings be retained after logging out, and where are they stored?
Yes, after logging in, a "Library" directory is created in the home directory, and all settings made by the user are stored here.
Am I allowed to delete the "Library" directory in my home directory?
Yes, but doing so will result in the loss of all user-specific settings. The next time you log in, this directory will be recreated with the default settings.
How do I log out correctly?
- Through the Apple menu (top left): Log Out…
- Or with the keyboard shortcut: Shift + Command (⌘) + Q
What software is available on the Macs?
The Macs are equipped with a wide range of software for study and practice:
| Graphics & Design | Programming & Development | Office, Notes & Communication |
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| Audio & Video | TeX, PDF & Publishing | System & Utilities |
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Can I store data on the local hard drive?
Yes, data can be stored in the directory /Users/Shared, which is located on the local hard drive. Users can create their own directories here. All files and directories in /Users/Shared that have not been modified in the last 30 days will be automatically deleted (the entire directory in /Users/Shared will be deleted in this case).