iShare Desktop with QGIS
Overview
iShare Desktop with QGIS (previously QiC) comprises of a centrally hosted and managed installation of QGIS, which is streamed to the user's web browser from remote servers, rather than being locally installed on the user's machine. iShare Desktop with QGIS uses a technology called AppStream which therefore appears on the user's login page.
You should receive an email with your login information and a link e.g.
(We have removed the Email address and Temporary password details in the screen shot).
Complete your Registration
Visit your login page using the link and log in using the email address and the temporary password from your email.
Please bear in mind that the temporary password expires after 7 days. If you don't enable your account during those seven days don't worry, we can provide you with a new activation email.
Now all you need to do is to set a new password.
Logging On
After completing your registration enter your Email address and Password and click Log in to log on to QiC.
Once you have logged in you will see the suite of applications that are available to you e.g.
The first step, when you log in, is to select Windows Explorer as this will reconnect the home folder.
You will see the session being prepared; typically this takes a couple of minutes the first time you log in.
Folder Structure
Once you are in the environment, you will see the following folders in Windows Explorer.
IMPORTANT
It is important to note that the only information that will persist after you have logged off will be anything that you have put in the Home Folder - all other data will be lost.
It is important to understand how the environment uses these folders. Please review the notes in the table below.
Folder | Notes |
|---|---|
Home Folder | This folder, the actual address of which C:\Users\PhotonUser\My Files\Home Folder\ is where you should save any work done during your training course. NOTE: The Home Folder and its sub directories are the only folder where data is persistently stored between different sessions. All work undertaken during your training course should be saved in this folder or a subdirectory of it, otherwise it will be lost. NOTE: We have redirected the QGIS start up scripts to save any session parameters into this folder as well, so that any plug-ins, bookmarks, recent projects etc, will be reinstated in future sessions also. |
Temporary Files | This folder, the actual address of which is C:\Users\PhotonUser\My Files\My Files\Temporary Files\ as the name suggests is for temporary files. You can use it to download and upload data from your local machine using the My Files icon e.g. and then move your files from the temporary area into your home folder. Note - data in the Temporary Files folder is not persistently stored between sessions. |
Downloads | Downloads, the actual address of which is C:\Users\PhotonUser\Downloads is where any data you download from a web browser during an AppStream session would end up. Data in this Downloads folder is not persistently stored between sessions. |
Quick Reference for Common Tasks
Menu options
From left to right
Copy and paste between clipboards on local machine and cloud
Settings (screen resolution etc.)
Toggle multiple monitors
Launching Applications
To access the applications select this icon: This will give you the full list of applications available. To launch an application, simply select it from the menu listed.
This is just an example of the applications you may have configured as these may be customised.
Application | Notes |
|---|---|
Chrome | Web browser |
Windows Explorer | General folder browser |
FoxITReader | PDF viewer |
Notepad ++ | Text editor |
OSGeo4W Shell | GIS libraries used in QGIS development |
QGIS | QGIS |
QT designer | Utility for interface design of QGIS plugins |
Remote Desktop Connection | Allows you to connect to another machine |
Switching between Running Applications
If you have launched multiple applications, then you can switch between them using this icon: This will then tile all the applications you currently have running.
Uploading and Downloading files
To upload and download files, use this icon: This will then display the following dialogue.
Downloading
You can download from any folder in either the Home Folder or Temporary Files area. Simply navigate to your file, and then select the down arrow to the right.