All stat grad students are entitled to an owlnet account, a ruf account and a stat account. To open an owlnet or ruf account, go to Rice Online Applicaiton System http://apply.rice.edu and follow the instructions. ( If you are new to Rice and can not access any computer, go to the Mud Building and you can apply your accounts there.) It's nice to have an owlnet or ruf account for various reasons, including easy web page hosting, ability to use computers in campus labs like Symonds II Lab (Owlnet), a backup in case there are troubles on the stat network, because you have access to different MATLAB toolboxes/licenses, etc. It is also convenient to have an owlnet account if you want to use the computers around campus at the assorted labs or in the library (you can then use `ssh' to access your stat account from owlnet). However, on an owlnet account, you only have a fixed amount of disk space to use (which changes every year. I believe that current limit is 500M), on a RUF account it's also fixed, while on your stat account, there is currently not a fixed quota. It is possible to increase your quotas on owlnet or ruf by logging a problem.
Symonds II lab (bottom of Duncan Hall, by the Dean's office) is part of the owlnet network. To use these computers you need to create an owlnet account. However, these computers are PC's and the main owlnet servers are Unix. In order for them to communicate, you need to get a Samba http://www.samba.org or printing password. This is now done by visiting owlnet webpage http://www.owlnet.rice.edu, and clicking on `Change Your PC/Mac Password'. This is the same password used to log onto PC machines in the library, and will let you print from PC and Macs on owlnet around campus (although you will be billed for your printing on owlnet).
Campus IT people want grad students to use a RUF account (intended for faculty, staff, grad students) instead of an owlnet account (intended for undergrad course work). Having a RUF account is in many ways analogous to having an owlnet account - both can check their email online at Rice webmail page http://webmail.rice.edu (refer to chapter four) and both have quotas. Although I'm not too sure about the differences - Owlnet provides certain software (MATLAB, S-plus, etc) that isn't available on RUF. To apply for a RUF account, visit Rice Online Application System http://apply.rice.edu again.
Vet is the statistical computer server for RUF. It is primarily used by faculty and grad students for large, statistical processing. It has stat software installed, including SPSS, SAS, GAUSS and SPLUS. Now, to get access a VET account, you must have a RUF account. After your have RUF account, apply for a Vet account by logging your request via IT problem webpage http://problem.rice.edu.