Linux-ing

So today was my first experience with Linux. And my first step into hacking. Sort of. VT-endorsed hacking.

I learned how to create tunnels to other computers, namely the Linux system that is holding all of the lab's molecular evolution data. I have no files as of right now, but Dr. J (my research lab adviser) is placing files into my home program so I can work from home and not spend every waking second in the lab, on the computer in his office. This was in the plan all along.

Learning the command lines is tedious. Right now all I can do is sign in and out and toggle between my folders. I need to figure out a new password that will be acceptable to the system so it will let me change my password from the default one that Dr. J gave me when he set up my account.

I'm also learning to use a program called FigTree to create cladograms (or, at least as of right now, annotate already existing ones to make them ready for publication), which is a pretty standard, self-explanatory hybrid of Photoshop and Excel.

All in all, it's been a good few days in the research lab.

In other news, once again VT is proving to the world that it never, ever closes. Not even when all the schools in the county, nay, the commonwealth are closed. Including many other universities. Eesh. So when I wiped out on a patch of black ice today, when rushing between classes, I just reminded myself that this will all be worth it in the end. And popped a few Advil to keep the souvenir bruise on my knee from hurting too much.