You can connect to a graphical desktop environment on the Linux Timesharing Service using software called X2Go.  X2Go is a free package, available for a variety of operating systems.  Please see the X2Go website for more information.

Configuring the X2Go client

• After downloading and installing the X2Go client, launch the client.  If this is the first time you've used the software it will prompt you to create a new session, otherwise choose "New session" from the Session menu.
• On the Session tab, give the session a meaningful name and enter the Host name (unix.ncl.ac.uk) and your Newcastle login ID.  Select "XFCE" as the session type.

Note: if you are working off-campus you will need to connect using your SSH key, use the "Use RSA/DSA key for ssh connection" option to specify it.  More information regarding SSH and SSH keys is available on the Connecting with Secure Shell page.

• On the Input/Output tab, select a suitable window size for the desktop display.

• Choose "Ok" to save the session.
• Double click the new session in the main window and enter your password when prompted.  If this is the first time connecting you may be asked if you trust the host key, click yes.

• You may be prompted that you have an existing session - this can sometimes happen if the previous session crashed or wasn't shut down cleanly.  Choose either resume to try reconnecting to the existing session or terminate to start a new session.