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FAQs - Virtual Information Commons


Please read through these FAQs before you begin your first session on the Virtual Information Commons.

Who can use the Virtual Information Commons? 

The Virtual IC provides University students, faculty and staff with access to the licensed software provided on the Information Commons computers in the libraries.  You will login with your NetID and UNIX password (the same password you use to login to WebMail and/or MyUAlbany.)  There is a finite number of "seats" available in the Virtual IC.  Before attempting to login, you can check availability of a seat.

How many seats are available in the Virtual IC?

Virtual seats are limited to 30 during the introduction and evaluation of this new service.

Are there any computer requirements?

  • You will need a broadband Internet connection and a computer with Java v.1.5 or later installed.
  • You can confirm you have the correct version of Java installed on your computer by going to http://www.javatester.org/version.html
  • If you are running Mac OSX 10.4 or earlier, you must install X11.  10.5 already has X11 installed by default.
  • To use your local printer, you must have Adobe Reader installed on the computer.
  • The Virtual IC has been tested for use with the latest browsers.  However, for people using Chrome you must press refresh (F5) at the Sun Secure Global Desktop screen with the progress bar in order to proceed.

How do I install X11 under Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)?

  1. Insert your Tiger (10.4) install disk.
  2. Scroll Down to the Optional Installs.
  3. Agree to the terms.
  4. When it gives you the option to select which packages, expand the applications tree listed.
  5. Check "X11" under packages.
  6. Click Install.

Can I access local drives when using the Virtual IC?

Unfortunately, you cannot access your local drives (C, USB, CD, DVD) on the Virtual Information Commons; this is due to enhanced security on the Virtual Information Commons.  If you will need to access files stored on your local drives, you must first upload the files to your S Drive or space on the UNIX system via FileZilla before you login to the Virtual IC.

How do I map my S drive on the Virtual IC?

When you log in to the Virtual IC, a prompt will appear asking for your NetID and UNIX password. When you enter this information, your S drive will be mapped and an icon will appear in the Virtual IC Start menu.  If you press Cancel at the prompt, you can still map the S drive by going to the Virtual IC Start menu and choosing map s-drive.vbs; you will then be prompted for your NetID and UNIX password.

Can I print a document when using the Virtual IC?

There are two ways to print when using the Virtual IC.  You can print to your local printer (i.e. at home); this does require having Adobe Reader installed on your computer. The other option is to print to one of the Information Commons printer in the libraries. You will then use your SUNYCard to pay for and print your document in the same manner as you do when using the IC computers in the libraries.

How to print to a local printer

  1. Click on the Microsoft button and click "Print"

     
  2. Make sure that "Local Printer as a PDF" is showing in the Name field and click "OK"


  3. A PDF file should appear

     
  4. From the preview of that document, click "File" and "Print". Be sure that your local printer name appears in the "Printer" field. Click "Print".

How to print to the Information Commons printers in the libraries.

  1. Click on the Microsoft button and click "Print"


  2. Make sure that the appropriate printer is selected in the Name field. In this example, the document will be printed to the black and white printer in the University Library. Select OK to print.

    Print Location Print Queue
    University Library B/W UnivLibBW
    University Library Color UnivLibColor
    Science Library B/W SciLibBW
    Science Library Color SciLibColor
    Dewey Library B/W DeweyLibBW
    Dewey Library Color DeweyLibColor

Do I have access to the same software that is available on the Information Commons computers in the Library?

We did remove a few software titles because technical limitations cause some software titles to not provide its full range of use. For example, CDBurner XP has been removed since it uses the CD drive which the Virtual IC does not have access to.  However, you will have access to the majority of licensed software the University provides on the Information Commons computers.

Software titles not available on the Virtual IC -
  • Sound Recorder
  • TOEFL
  • Volume Control
  • CDBurner XP
  • Google Earth

How do I log off or end my Virtual IC session?

Before you log off, make sure you save your work to your S Drive.  The proper way to log off is to click on the Virtual IC Start button and choose Log off. This will close your session with the server.  If you press the X in the upper right hand corner instead and confirm that you want to end your application session, your session will close on the server immediately. 

What happens if I lose my Internet connection during a Virtual IC session?

If you lose network connectivity (e.g. dropped Wi-Fi connection) during a session, you will have 15 minutes to reconnect with the Virtual IC.  If you do not connect within 15 minutes, any work not saved to your S Drive will be deleted as your session will have closed on the server. We recommend that you save often during your Virtual IC session to avoid loss of work during an unintentional interrupt to your network connectivity.

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