Navigating the University of Illinois WebStore: A Comprehensive Guide to Software Resources
The University of Illinois WebStore serves as a central hub for students, faculty, and staff seeking a wide array of software solutions. With over 350 software titles available for purchase or download, the WebStore strives to provide essential tools at competitive prices. This article provides a detailed overview of the resources offered through the University of Illinois WebStore, empowering users to effectively leverage these tools for academic, research, and administrative purposes.
Accessing Essential Software
The WebStore categorizes software into various types, including instructional software, which is readily available on campus computers. Here's a breakdown of some key software offerings:
Microsoft Office 365
University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) students and employees can leverage the benefits of Office 365. This provides access to download Office applications on personally-owned devices. This service is available free for use while actively enrolled in courses or employed at UIS. Office 365 includes access to the Office mobile apps, enabling users to create and edit documents on mobile devices. Students and employees can visit the Office365 Login page to get started.
Once Office is downloaded and installed, users may be prompted to log in upon opening an application for the first time (e.g., Microsoft Word).
OneDrive Cloud Storage
Both students and employees have access to OneDrive, providing 1TB of cloud storage for files.
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Adobe Creative Cloud
While most students can log in and download applications within a few hours, it may take up to 24 hours for Adobe to activate a student’s license.
ArcGIS
ArcGIS is an integrated Geographic Information System (GIS) software suite designed for building comprehensive GIS solutions. The Software WebStore maintains a site license for this software, making it accessible to the university community.
Mathematica
Mathematica is a powerful program designed for numerical and symbolic mathematical calculations, equipped with built-in graphical capabilities. It comes pre-installed on all lab and classroom PCs, and is available for faculty and staff office PCs and Macs.
MATLAB
MATLAB is a high-level language and interactive environment widely used by engineers and scientists across the globe.
SPSS
SPSS is a statistical software package installed in most computer labs on campus and on all instructor stations in classrooms. It is available to faculty and staff for free, while students can purchase it at a discounted rate through the University of Illinois WebStore. The student price is $70.
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Support Resources
For technical assistance, users can access the Support Team portal. When logging in, select SSO below the login box, and enter "uisits" in the Organization ID field. This will redirect to the UIS Login page, granting access to the support portal after logging in.
Remote Access with Citrix Virtual Desktop
Citrix Virtual Desktop allows users, both on and off campus, to access a virtual computer that runs all software for which UIS has licensing. The initial login requires a few steps: Click "Desktops" from the button bar, then "Details," and finally "Add To Favorites." Subsequent logins will display the desktop on the Favorites tab.
Files can be temporarily saved to the "Documents" folder (up to 1 GB) for the duration of the semester. Note that all files will be deleted at the end of each semester. Saving files to any location other than "Documents" is not recommended, as these files will not be saved. Users are encouraged to utilize cloud storage solutions like Box or Google Drive for secure and permanent file storage.
Citrix also supports mobile access through the free Citrix Receiver app, available in mobile device stores.
Enhancing Online Testing Security
Respondus LockDown Browser
Respondus LockDown Browser is a customized browser designed to enhance the security of online testing in Canvas.
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Respondus Monitor
Respondus Monitor is an integrity option available for low-stakes exams. While it doesn't provide real-time proctoring, it records the exam session and automatically flags suspicious behavior.
Oracle Server Products
Since the Fall of 2000, the University of Illinois has maintained a site license for a set of Oracle server products. The site license covers only the Database and Application Server. All other software must be licensed separately.
This software can be run on university-owned machines, personal laptops, and personal home machines. The site license covers educational, research, and university administrative use for students, faculty, and staff across all three campuses.
Azure Dev Tools for Teaching
Azure Dev Tools for Teaching (formerly Microsoft Imagine Standard and Premium) is a subscription-based program that provides accredited schools and departments with access to tools commonly used in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs.
It offers professional developer and designer tools, software, and services from Microsoft to faculty and students. This includes access to the latest technologies and cloud services. Note that Azure Dev Tools for Teaching does NOT include Microsoft Office.
The program provides tools to departments, faculty, and students to expand their study of software development and testing. Microsoft Azure Dev Tools for Teaching products may only be used for academic instruction, academic projects, and non-commercial research. Commercial use is prohibited, except for developing apps and games for the Windows platform to be published on Microsoft app stores for no cost.
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