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Computer Science is a growing field with a broad range of tools and technologies. This area contains how-to guides for making use of the department's resources.
  • How to Change Your Linux Account Password

    If you have been told to change your Linux account password, here is a handy guide for how to do so. To change your password, you will need to log into your Linux account on one of the Linux computers in Adams 204 or Adams 019. You can also log...

  • How to Install Pygame

    Pygame is a set of Python modules used for writing simple video games and graphical programs. It is cross-platform, which means it can be installed on both Windows and Mac computers. This guide provides the steps needed to install Pygame for Python 3.6 on Windows and macOS. Procedure (Windows 10)...

  • How to SSH into the Linux Lab

    You can use SSH to remotely login to the Linux Lab computers in Adams Hall. To do this on a Windows computer, you will need to install Cygwin. If you are using a Mac, you can use the Terminal. Procedure Open Cygwin (on Windows) or Terminal (on Mac). Enter the...

  • How to access VMs in the Big Data Lab

    This guide shows you the multiple ways you can access Virtual Machines (VMs) in the Big Data Lab. To access VMs remotely, you must first connect to the Compu...

  • Introduction to App Inventor

    App Inventor is a visual programming enviroment used to facilitate the development of Android applications maintained by MIT. It uses block-based coding to allow anyone not familiar with programming to easily develop functional applications in a short amount of time. In order to use App Inventor, you must install the...

  • Cisco AnyConnect install for Mac

    The Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client is used to connect to the War Room VPN, CSVPN2, and HUVPN. This guide shows you how to install the Cisco AnyConnect client on Mac OS. Go to one of the following, depending on the VPN you want to connect to: Cyber War Room...

  • Cisco AnyConnect install for Windows

    The Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client is used to connect to the War Room VPN, CSVPN2, and HUVPN. This guide shows you how to install the Cisco AnyConnect client on Windows. Go to one of the following, depending on the VPN you want to connect to: Cyber War Room VPN...

  • How to edit, compile, and run C++ programs

    Edit Open up your favorite text editor, (gedit, emacs, or vi, refer to this quick manual question 1), create a file with .cpp extension. For example, I could create a simple c++ program like the following: #include <iostream.h> int main() { cout << "Hello, world." << endl; return 0; }...

  • How to edit, compile, and run Java programs

    How do I edit, compile and run Java programs? Edit Open up your favorite text editor, (gedit, emacs, or vi, refer to this quick manual question 1), create a file with .java extension. For example, you could create a simple java program like the following: public class Test { public...

  • How to Contribute to this Site

    This site is open to the Hofstra community for edits and contributions. This guide shows you how by walking you through the process.

  • Cyber Range Tunnelblick Setup on macOS

    Tunnelblick is an OpenVPN client for macOS (OS X) to connect to the Big Data Lab VPN and the Cyber Range VPN. This guide shows you how to install Tunnelblick...

  • Cyber Range OpenVPN Client Setup on Windows

    OpenVPN GUI is an OpenVPN client for Windows to connect to the Big Data Lab VPN and the Cyber Range VPN. This guide shows you how to install the OpenVPN GUI ...

  • Creating an account on the Cyber Range

    This guide shows you how to create an account on the Silensec Cyber Range platform for access to various cyber challenges. The Cyber Range is available to an...

  • Remote file transfer on a Mac using Cyberduck

    Introduction Cyberduck is a file transfer application with an intuitive graphical interface for transfering files to or from a remote machine. Cyberduck is available for both Windows and Mac. Note: As macOS/OS X is a Unix-like system, you can also use the command-line to transfer files as detailed here. Installation...

  • How to install Cygwin

    Introduction Cygwin is a Unix-like environment for Windows. Below are notes on how to install and setup Cygwin. Installation Notes Download setup.exe from www.cygwin.com/install.html You will want to download setupx86_64.exe if your system is 64-bit architecture, or setupx86.exe if your system is 32-bit architecture Run application from your local harddrive...

  • How to X11 forward over SSH using Cygwin

    Introduction X11 forwarding over SSH allows access to the GUI of the computer you want to SSH into. It is necessary for running any programs on the remote machine that have graphics. You will need the following packages for your Cygwin installation: xinit (X11) cygutils-x11 (X11) xterm (X11) More information...

  • Getting started with Git

    Introduction to version control Have you ever used or even heard of CVS, Subversion (SVN), or Team Foundation Server (TFS)? These type of programs are known as version control systems or revision control software. A version control system (VCS) allows you to store “versions” of a project, track the changes...

  • How to install Git on Windows

    Introduction Git is a free and open source version control system for projets. Git is by far, the most widely used version control system and is useful for any project, no matter the size. Installing Git on Windows Go to Git’s download page and click “Windows”. An .exe file should...

  • Gitlab Tutorial

    Getting to GitLab Go to https://git.cs.hofstra.edu/ and sign in using your Hofstra portal credentials. Alternatively, you can find GitLab in your list of apps in your portal. Creating your first remote repository On GitLab let’s create a new repository. Click on the plus button on the top bar and select...

  • How to enable Adobe Flash for vSphere

    This page is obsolete. Adobe Flash is no longer supported. Flash Player reached EOL on January 1, 2021. In order to access VMs in the Big Data Lab with the vSphere Web Client, you must enable the Adobe Flash plugin in your browser of choice or use the HTML5-based vSphere...

  • Introduction to Jira Software

    Introduction JIRA is a web-based project management system and issue tracking system that can be customized to support any type of workflow or business process. Jira Software is an edition of JIRA that incorporates features of the Scrum framework, an agile methodology for software development teams. At the core of...

  • Sprint Management in Jira Software

    Sprints A sprint is a short development cycle for teams using the Agile methodology of software development. Sprints are created when a software development team meets to determine which issues from the project backlog need to be completed. Generally, sprints last 2 weeks, but that can vary between different software...

  • How to remote into Mac Minis through KVM

    Introduction This guide will show you an alternative way to access the Mac Minis in the Big Data Lab on a Windows machine. Remote access to Mac Minis is available for students who are currently enrolled in CSC 184/285 (Mobile Device Programming). Important: In order to connect to these Macs,...

  • How to remote into Mac Minis in the Big Data Lab

    Introduction Remote access to Mac Minis in the Big Data Lab is available for students enrolled in CSC 184/285 (Mobile Device Programming). Important: In order to connect to these Macs, you must first connect to the CSVPN. Windows 10 In order to remote into the Macs from Windows, you must...

  • How to set up Remote Desktop on Mac

    Microsoft Remote Desktop is used to access remote Windows computers, including physical machines, virtual machines in cloud environments (such as in the Big Data Lab and Cybersecurity Center), and the War Room Virtual Desktop. Installing Microsoft Remote Desktop Note: Microsoft Remote Desktop may not be available in the Mac App...

  • How to install MATLAB

    If you need MATLAB for classwork, you can use MatLab in our labs or install it on your own computer. Installing MatLab takes just a few steps.

  • How to get Microsoft Office from the Hofstra Portal

    Students and faculty get a free Office 365 subscription, which allows you to install Microsoft Office on up to 5 PCs or Macs and Office apps on up to 5 table...

  • Remote access to lab machines on Windows using PuTTY

    Introduction PuTTY is an SSH and telnet client, developed originally by Simon Tatham for the Windows platform. PuTTY is free and open source software that is developed and supported by a group of volunteers. You can learn more about PuTTY at putty.org. On Windows, you can use PuTTY or Cygwin...

  • How to access a PC with Remote Desktop

    This guide shows you how to use Remote Desktop to access a Windows PC or virtual machine remotely.

  • Connecting a Raspberry Pi to WiFi

    /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf country=US ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev update_config=1 network={ ssid="WorkNet" proto=RSN key_mgmt=WPA-PSK pairwise=CCMP TKIP group=CCMP TKIP psk="your_password" } /etc/network/interfaces #interfaces(5) file used by ifup(8) and ifdown(8) # Please note that this file is written to be used with dhcpcd # For static IP, consult /etc/dhcpcd.conf and 'man dhcpcd.conf' auto lo iface lo inet...

  • Remote file transfer on Linux/Mac systems

    Introduction There is a wide assortment of graphical SCP/SFTP programs available for Linux. As such, for this document only the command-line version will be described, since it is usually installed by default in all Unix environments. Execution Open a shell/console/terminal window and change to the directory that contains the files...

  • How to install Unity

    For classwork, you can use Unity Pro in the Gaming and Graphics Lab or install Unity Personal on your own computer.

  • How to install VirtualBox on Mac

    If you need to run VirtualBox VMs for classwork, you can use VirtualBox in our labs or install it on your own computer. There is a known problem installing V...

  • How to install VirtualBox on Windows

    If you need to run VirtualBox VMs for classwork, you can use VirtualBox in our labs or install it on your own computer. Installing VirtualBox on Windows take...

  • How to install Visual Studio on Windows 10

    Go to https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/downloads/ and click the “Free download” button under the “Community” part. Run the downloaded “Visual Studio Installer” and follow the prompts Select the workloads and components you need for your class/project. These can be changed at any time by running the installer again. Click “Install” in the bottom...

  • OpenVPN client setup on Windows

    OpenVPN GUI is an OpenVPN client for Windows to connect to the Big Data Lab VPN and the Cyber Range VPN. This guide shows you how to install the OpenVPN GUI ...

  • OpenVPN client software

    An OpenVPN client program is needed to connect to the Computer Science VPN and Cyber Range VPN. Please install the client appropiate for your operating system.

  • Tunnelblick setup on macOS

    Tunnelblick is an OpenVPN client for macOS (OS X) to connect to the Big Data Lab VPN and the Cyber Range VPN. This guide shows you how to install Tunnelblick...

  • VMware Remote Console

    In order to access VMs through the vSphere Web Client, you should install the VMware Remote Console (VMRC). The VMRC replaces the VMware Client Integration Plugin (CIP), a NPAPI based plugin that provided enhanced functionality to the vSphere Web Client. While the VMware Remote Console is installed as a standalone...

  • Remote file transfer on Windows using WinSCP

    Introduction WinSCP is an open source free SFTP client, FTP client, WebDAV client, S3 client and SCP client for Windows. Its main function is file transfer between a local and a remote computer. Beyond this, WinSCP offers scripting and basic file manager functionality. Installation Download WinSCP installer from here Open...