telnet into standard OSX?

[Koelling]

This isn't a real problem but as I was sitting at my computer doing homework for my C++ class, I was about to visit my parents house for the weekend. I thought "wouldn't it be cool if I could telnet into this computer and do the work I need to do?" I use emacs and the Apple development tools to compile, so it seems like I could ssh(a word I've heard from my linux friends but don't know what it means) into my computer and work on my programs. My current approach is fine which includes making a copy of the source I'm working on, emailing it to myself and then working on it where ever I am. I just remember in middleschool learning to make websites with pico and emacs from a remote computer so why shouldn't I be able to do this in other languages? I use OSX.1.2 and my dorm computer is on a devoted line which I know the IP for. I just need to know if its possible and what processes I would take to accomplish this.

[rinse]

yes.... completely possible.

open system prefs --- go to the sharing pane...

click the "Application" tab... click the "Allow Remote Login" box.

a user in your "users" pane can now login to your machine remotely via SSH. (to learn how to use SSH, open a terminal and type "man SSH")

[symphonix]

Or, if security isn't a huge issue, you can activate normal Telnet, but make sure you've locked down all your privileges and stuff properly first.

Edit the /etc/inetd.conf file, there will be a line starting with:

#telnet blah blah blah

just remove the # to un-comment the line, then restart your computer.
You should now be able to access it by Telnet. Do this only if you can't get an SSH connectioon going, and only after you've done appropriate back-ups and checked security.

[kilowatt]

I used to ssh into my computer when I had a dorm room from my EE labs. My room mate would be asleep of course.

I had a great stereo - +200watts per channel into two subs and two three way's.

Anyway, I had mpg123 compiled (which is a command-line mp3 player for linux, bsd, osx, and other systems).

I would do something like this: mpg123 ~/music/windows_95_sucks.mp3

heh and if I had remembered to crank the stereo up before I left in the morning.... hehehe lets just say he would wake up and not be happy when I got back.

SSH is great, and lets you do many things. To use ssh as a client from a unix system, try it like this:
ssh username@host

or, if your usernames are the same at both places, just use:
ssh host

enjoy!

[Koelling]

Thanks all. I thought it was possible and knowing mac it had to be easy Thanks again

[dsnyder]

If your parents happen to have a windows machine and not a Mac, here is an SSH client that is small enough to fit on a floppy disk (or download over a dialup connection in a reasonable amount of time):

http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/