Spatial Computing Lab
The Geography and Environmental Studies Spatial Computing Lab (SCL) is located in Room 106, in Bandelier East Hall (which is building number 008 on the main campus map).
For the Summer 2025 semester, the spatial computing lab will only be available for use Monday through Wednesday from 12pm to 6pm and can be accessed using either of the main buildings entrance doors (the lab is closest to the buildings East entrance).
In addition, for the summer semestser the use of only specific workstations in the lab will be available due to operating system changes (Windows 11 imaging) and the upcoming academic years GIS specific program imaging being completed to all the lab's systems.
If you are planning on utilizing the lab systems during it's available days/timeframes please reach out to the lab manager via email in advance for information on which lab systems are available for use or check in with them immediately upon entering the lab via the office on the East side of the lab (room #106B).
There are general use/open lab hours each day the lab is open (designated in Green) which can be viewed by clicking here (.pdf). In addition, in order to ensure the health and safety of the labs numeroud daily users we request that all lab patrons adhere to the labs usage guidelines which can be viewed by clicking here (.pdf).
The use of LoboVirtualDesktop (https://lobovirtualdesktop.unm.edu/) allows you twenty-four hour, secure access to UNM computer applications from your personal computer or other web-enabled devices. Which for the use of you do not need to install the applications on your personal device, and you do not need to purchase specialized hardware.
In order to use the virtual desktop, you must have internet access and utilize the program called Omnissa Horizon Client to access it. In addition, to get the best performance you will need to use a high speed internet connection. If you are using a lower-speed connection you may experience significant delays when using many of Lobo Virtual Desktop applications. In addition if you are using a Macintosh computer, some of LoboVirtualDesktop applications will not function correctly.
To setup you computer to use please refer to the LoboVirtualDesktop website resource with the required program download link and the connection server setting [infinity.unm.edu] here.
Once you have sucessfully conected to our departments custom Lobo Virtual Desktop it will enable you to run common and specialized software used for GIS related work,such as: Adobe Creative Cloud suite of programs, Mircosoft Office suite of programs, ArcGIS Desktop, Arc Pro, TerrSet LiberaGIS, ENVI 6.0, R, R Studio, QGIS, Anaconda, Python, MultiSpec, PyScripter and Visual Studio Code, with very minimal setup.
To gain access to the GES department's remote environment please email your instructor/advisor requesting to be granted access to it or email the Spatial Computing Lab's manager requesting it. After which once you have been granted access to the remote environment you'll be able to conduct your GIS coursework remotely in place of doing it physically in the lab.
With that said, though it should be mentioned that due to licensing requirements/restrictions some specific types of GES software (i.e., GeoCart 3) can only be accessed/utilized from physically within the lab.
