Overview

UWF provides virtual software access to online students 24/7. The most up-to-date versions of ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced, ERDAS Imagine, and Adobe Illustrator are the primary GIS related software utilized to complete course assignments.

We currently offer two methods for students to access GIS related software via Virtual Desktops. eDesktop for GIS uses Windows Remote Desktop Protocol and GIS Virtual Apps & Desktops uses Citrix. GIS Virtual Apps & Desktops is the preferred choice. Not only does it work on both Macs and PCs but it also allows students to use tablets and other touchscreen devices.

Other GIS Applications are installed and available on both platforms so students can choose whichever service works best for them based on their internet connection and their computer. These Virtual Desktops allow students to access software and data directly from the GIS Online program servers. Student's connections are distributed evenly among the GIS servers by our Load Balancer and Session Broker systems. The Session Broker will also attempt to reconnect a student to their previous work session if they were accidentally disconnected.

Roaming profiles are used to provide a seamless experience regardless of which GIS server is used. Additionally, all users of the virtual desktops for GIS are assigned a "Student Folder" where they can save large data files (typical of GIS) mounted as S:\ Other network drives include:

Network Drives
H:	\\argofiler\students\Home\<username> Student's personal network storage (10Gb limit shared)
R:	\\argo\its\gisonline\Repository Read-only access to class data and samples
S:	\\argo\its\gisonline\StudentFiles\<username> GIS online specific personal storage, Instructors have access to assist students with assignments.
G: (Kumo)	Kumo allows you to easily access files stored in your Google drive from campus computer labs, ArgoApps and eDesktops. See G: Drive (Kumo) for instructions on how to setup this drive.

ArgoApps for GIS (HTML5)

This video will cover how to access ArgoApps via the HTML5 client (your browser) as well as how to move data from the R:\ drive (where your instructor places tutorial data) to the S:\ drive (your student drive).

This video will cover how to manage data across multiple drives, including file compression, using the HTML5 client (your browser):

1. Moving data from the R:\ drive (where your instructor places tutorial data) to the S:\ drive (your Student Drive).

2. Migrating data from your Student Drive (S:\) to your H:\ drive, your Google drive, or your local drives. This is important because all data within the S:\ drive is purged at the end of the semester; if you want to hold onto any of your work, you will need to migrate it to another drive.

Argo Desktop app (Citrix Receiver)

This video will cover how to access ArgoApps via the Citrix Receiver. This method of accessing ArgoApps is the preferred method - it gives you access to all the drives you could possible need: your local drives, the H, I, R, and S drives, and your Google drives if they are set up through Kumo.

This video will cover ways of accessing and relocating data while using the Citrix Receiver:

1. Moving data from the R:\ drive (where your instructor places tutorial data) to the S:\ drive (your Student Drive).

2. Migrating data from your Student Drive (S:\) to your H:\ drive, your Google drive, or your local drives. This is important because all data within the S:\ drive is purged at the end of the semester; if you want to hold onto any of your work, you will need to migrate it to another drive.

eDesktop for GIS (RDP client)

This video will cover how to access ArgoApps via an RDP (Remote Desktop protocol), as well as how to move data from the R:\ drive (where your instructor places tutorial data) to the S:\ drive (your student drive).

This video will cover ways of accessing and relocating data while in a remote desktop session with ArgoApps:

1. Moving data from the R:\ drive (where your instructor places tutorial data) to the S:\ drive (your Student Drive).

2. Migrating data from your Student Drive (S:\) to your H:\ drive, your Google drive, or your local drives. This is important because all data within the S:\ drive is purged at the end of the semester; if you want to hold onto any of your work, you will need to migrate it to another drive.

FAQs

GIS Virtual Apps and Desktop are MAC and PC friendly and work with any operating system. eDesktop for GIS requires a Windows operating system to work best.

To make the most of the flexibility that online education offers you need a fast internet connection, at home if at all possible. We recommend 10 -15 Mbps download speeds for a good end user experience. High-speed Internet or Broadband (defined by the FCC as 25 Mbps) would be optimal. Are you curious if your internet connection can handle the job? Check out this speed test to learn more.