NYU to offer its software online

Spending too much time in computer labs in order to use NYU-owned software for your homework? Well, you're in luck: Soon, you'll be able to access it all from home, even that obscure statistics program, SPSS.

Beginning next fall, Information Technology Services will introduce "virtual computer labs," which will allow students to use software provided by NYU from any location with Internet access.

"It enables students to make best use of their computers on a fast network, working from the location that works well for their studies," said David Ackerman, executive director of .edu Services.

In order to access the software programs, students will have to log in to the VCL, which will then connect them to the NYU network. From there, they will be able to use all NYU programs, ranging from technical software such as SPSS (the statistical analysis program) to more popular programs such as Microsoft Word and Visual Studio.

Ackerman said NYU already has licenses in place with the software vendors and is currently working to modify or extend them for the VCL.

According to Ackerman, NYU wanted to find a way to provide these programs to students without restricting them to computer labs or having to pay for the programs out-of-pocket. He said the implementation of the VCL will not only reduce the tax on students but is also projected to help NYU cut costs; maintaining such large computer labs is both costly and ineffective, Ackerman said.

"Although there may be some additional costs to NYU, providing software through a virtual computer lab is far less costly than using a physical space to do so," said Ackerman, referring particularly to Third Avenue North residence hall's lab, which runs dozens of computers and takes up nearly 2,300 square feet of space.

Ackerman added that the ultimate goal of the VCL is to significantly downsize the current computer labs.

"There's always a wait," said CAS senior Vadim Zhitomirsky, who frequents the computer lab in Third North. "Plus, this place closes at 10:30 p.m., so I'm pretty much on their schedule. It'd be a lot easier if I could just work from home."

In creating a VCL, NYU will join various other schools across the country that have already done so, such as North Carolina State University, which began running its VCL in 2004.

"The system has been very effective and has allowed us to address a number of our needs," said Eric Stills, the director of advanced computing at North Carolina State.

But Stills advised NYU against implementing its VCL too quickly and all at once.

"Don't try to boil the ocean," Stills said. "We implemented VCL incrementally, and I feel that that is a good approach. Deliver a few applications initially and grow those incrementally."

Jaywon Choe is a staff writer.