Users will find NT's interface more familiar to them than Unix's because of the widespread use of MS Windows at home and in the workplace. The desktop is a colorful plane of icons that can be double-clicked to launch programs or access data. Unlike the Unix platform, which will always look the same no matter where you log in, the desktop you see on NT depends on where you log in and what your NCSU affiliation is. For example, students in the labs will see different desktops depending on the college they are in because the colleges provide and support different programs. If it has been possible to license and install the NT version, the application will run on both platforms.
Users can move their files between the two platforms without a problem.
The management and scalability of the Unix system was so successful that it was decided that NT must run similarly in order to be a realm client. System administation is handled remotely via the network since it is not practical to configure each machine individually and on site. The configuration is downloaded to the machine upon login, giving the user access to a commonly configured interface, shared hardware devices like printers, legally licensed software, and both shared and personal file space on servers that are backed up nightly. User customization of the interface and software is still possible but kept in user file space on servers rather than locally on the machine or with the software. As a result, much of the customization you might usually do in applications, or via the Control Panel and Accessories , is not available to you on the lab machines.