Since its launch in 2020, UC Riverside’s virtual computer lab (VLab) service has provided Highlanders convenient access to specialty software. To better support the instructional needs of our students and faculty, Information Technology Solutions (ITS) is launching itopia as UCR’s new VLab service. itopia will be available to campus starting on March 29, 2024, replacing Apporto.

UCR’s virtual computer lab is made possible by the Student Technology Fee (STF). It enables Highlanders to complete their coursework without needing to obtain a software license or use a specific computer operating system.

To access UCR’s new virtual computer lab, visit the CloudApps Classroom portal and follow these login instructions:

1. Click “Sign in with Google”
2. Enter your UCR NetID email address (e.g. scottyb@ucr.edu) to be directed to the CAS login page
3. In the CAS login page, enter your UCR NetID and password
4. Verify your identity (learn to navigate Duo Universal Prompt)
5. In the itopia Privacy Policy page, click “Continue” to enter the CloudApps Classroom portal

Please note that the CloudApps Classroom portal takes about 90 seconds to initialize the virtual lab session. Once inside the VLab portal, the user experience is fast and responsive. 

The portal hosts specialized instructional and classroom software that can be easily accessed and run from an internet browser at any time and anywhere. Users can choose a document from their cloud storage, computer hard drive, or storage device and upload it into the virtual environment, work on their document using the desired software application, and then download a copy of their new or revised document to their original storage.

The following applications are accessible to Highlanders through the VLab service:

• ArcGIS Desktop
• ArcGIS Pro 
• Artemis
• Microsoft Office
• EViews 
• IBM SPSS Statistics
• Jmol
• JMP Pro
• MATLAB R2021b 
• Mauve
• MetaNeuron
• Minitab 19
• Netlogo
• Neuroism
• Rastop 
• R for Windows
• RockHopper
• RStudio 
• SAS
• StataSE
• STOAT
• Visio
• WeChat
• Wolfram Mathematica

Join the VLab Office Hour Sessions

ITS is giving a demo of the new VLab service in a series of Office Hour sessions. The demo will be followed by a Q&A session.

The first set of Office Hours is structured to ensure the user community is comfortable with accessing the new platform. Questions related to Spring Quarter use cases will also be addressed.

Spring Quarter Prep Office Hours Schedule:

• March 22, 2:00-3:00 pm (PDT) 
• March 25, 9:00-10:00 am (PDT)
• March 25, 3:00-4:00 pm (PDT)
• March 28, 1:00-2:00 pm (PDT)

In the second set of Office Hours, ITS will focus on providing user support and showcasing the features available to faculty and students that will enhance the user experience.

Spring Quarter Office Hours Schedule:

• April 3, 10:00-11:00 am (PDT)
• April 4, 10:00-11:00 am (PDT)
• April 8, 11:00 am-12:00 pm (PDT)

After the initial Office Hours, the meetings will move to a quarterly schedule but will remain open to the VLab user community. 

Be Part of the VLab User Community!

VLab users are invited to be part of the UCR VLab user community, where you can get training resources and have the opportunity to compare user experiences and learn best practices from fellow VLab users. Sign up today to join the quarterly VLab user community meeting hosted by ITS.

Get IT Support

For questions, concerns, or feedback related to the UCR virtual computer lab service, please get in touch with Lily Barger, Director of ITS Campus Support Services, at lily.barger@ucr.edu.