I have a user who has FreeBSD installed on her desktop computer. Our main server also uses FreeBSD (5.2.1). When she uses this computer it logs her directly onto the server and all of her files are stored on the server (if she downloads something using FireFox for example, it goes straight to the server not to her local machine).

Does that mean any software she uses is also on the server, or can I install software on her local computer and it will save files to the server? I need to install matlab, but not on the server!

Maybe If she wants matlab, she may just have to switch to a less integrated desktop and use ssh and ftp to access her account like everyone else.

I'm interpreting this to mean her home directory is a nfs share - is that correct?

It's possible. I haven't looked at her computer closely enough to tell. I've just observed her using it an asked her a question or two (like where do her files end up when she downloads them).

I'll have to check to see if that is how it was set up. Where would I find that information? Normally the home directory is set in the passwd file, would it be in there?