Each email account is also a unix shell account.
Unix environment
The unix environment is currently CentOS 5, a stable if a little old linux distribution. It should be a fairly complete typical unix environment that has anything you could ask of a unix system.
Packages
You are welcome to query the installed packages with rpm and yum. If you are interested in getting something installed, the Administrators will likely install anything that can be found in the standard repos for the distribution. Use “yum search searchterm” to search for packages.
Cron
You are welcome to use cron as you wish so long as you don’t excessively use cpu or ram.
ssh tunnels
You are welcome to use Monkeycosm.net machines as the endpoint of SSH tunnels. It would not be appropriate to use it to route streaming audio at work or other large data uses. But if you are at an insecure hotspot and wish to surf in private, you are welcome to do such if you know how.