BC Apps allows members of the BC community to access and use certain licensed applications from any computer with an internet connection. The system includes file storage space designed specifically to work with BC Apps.
Accessing BC Apps
Accessing BC Apps Using the Light Version (Recommended)
- Using Chrome or Firefox, go to https://bcapps.bc.edu and sign in with your BC username (in lowercase letters only - no capitals) & your BC password. When prompted, complete BC 2-Step Verification.
- If you have previously used BC Apps with the Citrix Receiver: In the top right corner of your screen, click the arrow next to your name, and click Change Citrix Receiver.
- On the Detect Receiver page, click "Use light version" (see Figure below).
- To view the available applications, click APPS.
- Select the application you want to open.
The app opens in a separate tab and you may begin working. Note: When you click to open a second app, a window will pop up and disappear. The second app will appear in the same tab as the first app.
- If you get a message saying there is no storage space available, log out & log back in again.
The first time you open an application in BC Apps, the process to initialize your designated AppsStorage space occurs. You will see a message window indicating your account is being initialized. Click OK. If you get a message saying there is no storage space available, log out & log back in again.
Do you require access to local computing resources? (printers, thumb drives, or local hard drives)
Only if you require access to local computing resources (such as printers, thumb drives, or local hard drives):
- Install the Citrix Workspace app on each computer that you will use to access BC Apps.
- Note: The Citrix Workspace app is currently installed on all computers in the Libraries.
- Go to: https://www.citrix.com/products/receiver.html
- Click Download for Mac.
A file called CitrixWorkspaceApp.dmg will download to your computer. - Open CitrixWorkspaceApp.dmg & follow the prompts to install it.
- When prompted, check Add Account, then click Continue.
- On the Add Account screen, enter https://bcapps.bc.edu, then click Add.
- When prompted, log in with your BC username and password.
- When prompted, complete BC 2-Step Verification.
- If you have previously used BC Apps on Citrix Receiver or Citrix Workspace app using this device, follow the steps below to remove the legacy Citrix account.
- To view the available applications, click APPS.
- Select the application you want to open.
The app opens in a separate tab and you may begin working. Note: When you click to open a second app, a window will pop up and disappear. The second app will appear in the same tab as the first app. - If you get a message saying there is no storage space available, log out & log back in again.
If you have previously used the Citrix Receiver or Citrix Workspace app on the device you are setting up, you will have two accounts listed in Citrix. You need to remove the old account.
- Open Citrix Workspace app & select the arrow next to your name, and select Preferences.
- Check the box next to Apps, and click the minus sign to remove the old account. BCAppsStore should be your Primary account.
- Go to: https://www.citrix.com/products/receiver.html
- Click Download for Windows.
A file called CitrixWorkspaceApp.exe will download to your computer. - Open CitrixWorkspaceApp.exe & follow the prompts to install it.
- On the final installation screen, click Add Account.
- On the Add Account window, enter bcapps.bc.edu, then click Add.
- When prompted, log in with your BC username and password.
- When prompted, complete BC 2-Step Verification.
- If you have previously used BC Apps on Citrix Receiver or Citrix Workspace app using this device, follow the steps below to remove the legacy Citrix account.
- To view the available applications, click APPS.
- Select the application you want to open. The app opens in a separate tab and you may begin working. Note: When you click to open a second app, a window will pop up and disappear. The second app will appear in the same tab as the first app.
- If you get a message saying there is no storage space available, log out & log back in again.
If you are using BC Apps on Windows using Chrome, and have not used the Citrix Receiver previously on that device, you may see a message prompting you to download an ICA file. If this occurs, do the following:
- Next to the Start menu, in the Search field, type Default app settings. Click Default app settings in the search results.
- Click Choose default apps by file type or Associate a file type or protocol with a program.
- Scroll down the list and highlight .ica.
- Click Choose a default (or the Change program button) and select Citrix Connection Manager. If Citrix is not available in the list, follow the steps below.
You are now configured to run BC Apps.
Windows 10
- Click the More apps link. If Citrix is still not listed, click the Look for another app at the bottom of the list.
- Browse to one of the following locations:
- If you’re running a 32-bit operating system, browse to C:\Program Files\Citrix\ICA Client, select wfcrun32.exe, and click Open.
- If you’re running a 64-bit operating system, browse to C:\Program Files (x86)\Citrix\ICA Client, select wfcrun32.exe, and click Open.
- Click Close to close the dialogs.
If you have previously used the Citrix Receiver or Citrix Workspace app on the device you are setting up, you will have two accounts listed in Citrix. You need to remove the old account.
- Open Citrix Workspace app & select the arrow next to your name, and select Accounts.
- Check the box next to apps and click Remove.
- When asked if you are sure you want to remove the account, click Yes. Apps is removed, leaving only BCAppsStore.
- Click OK.
Citrix Workspace is not required when using BC Apps on a Chromebook.
For the best possible performance, ITS strongly recommends you save your files to AppsStorage when using BC Apps. Your AppsStorage space will display as the L: Drive within BCApps on both Mac and Windows computers.
Working With AppsStorage
AppsStorage is a secure drive dedicated to supporting BC Apps. Once you access AppsStorage, you will have access to any files you have saved there.
The first time you open an application in BC Apps, the process to initialize your designated AppsStorage space occurs. You will see a message window indicating your account is being initialized. Click OK. If you get a message saying there is no storage space available, log out & log back in again.
- When working within any of the applications on BC Apps, your files will be saved to the L: drive (AppsStorage) by default.
- When you are logged into BC Apps, the L: drive appears as if it is a local drive.
- You may access the L: drive to open or save files from within any of the applications.
- You have the ability to access files stored on your local computer. However, to make sure you are getting the best performance results, using AppsStorage is strongly recommended.
Working from off-campus? To access AppsStorage from off-campus, you must use VPN.
Accessing AppsStorage Outside of BC Apps
AppStorage can also be accessed independently of BC Apps, which will allow you to easily download/store files to be used within BC Apps (example: an SPSS syntax or data file). You may also want to move files from AppsStorage to another location or USB drive, etc.
Windows 10
- Click Start.
- In the Search field, type: \\appsstorage.bc.edu\YourUserName
- Click the magnifying glass to start the search.
A new Windows Explorer window will open and allow you to work with your files.
- If your Windows computer is not a member of the BC Domain, you will be prompted to sign in.
- In the Username field, enter: bc\YourUserName
- In the Password field, enter your BC password.
You may also map the drive, so that it always appears under (My) Computer.
Mac
- From the Mac Finder, click Go and select To Server.
- In the window that opens, enter: smb://appsstorage.bc.edu/YourUserName
- Click the "+" sign to add the server path to your Favorite Server list.
Working With Local Files
BC Apps applications are running on servers in the data center; accessing data on your local (own) computer will cause performance to be significantly degraded.
Although using AppsStorage (L: drive) is strongly recommended, you may access and save files on your own computer from within the BC Apps Server.
To open a locally stored file:
- From the File menu of the application you are using, click Open.
- Click the plus sign (+) next to Local Disk (C: on BC – USERID).
- Click Users.
- Click your BC User ID.
- Navigate to the folder on your computer in which you have saved the file, and double-click to open it.
Remember, performance will be better if you save files to the L: drive (AppsStorage). Once you have opened the file, use Save As to save it to the L: drive.
Accessing Files From a USB Drive for Applications Used on BC Apps
Although using AppsStorage (L: drive) is strongly recommended, you may access and save files on a USB drive (thumb drive, external hard drive, USB card reader, etc.) by following these steps:
- Be sure you’ve connected the USB drive to your computer before logging in to BC Apps.
- From the File menu of the application you are using, click Open.
- Navigate to the USB drive - for example, Removable Disk (E: on BC – USERID)
- Navigate to the folder on your computer in which you have saved the file, and double-click to open it.
Remember, performance will be better if you save files to the L: drive (AppsStorage). Once you have opened the file, use Save As to save it to the L: drive.
Mapping a Drive to AppsStorage
You may create a shortcut (or "map" access) to the AppsStorage space (L: drive) on your computer so that it is easily accessed. You must open an application in BC Apps first, before mapping the drive.
Windows 10
- Open File Explorer and select This PC.
- Click the Computer tab at the top of the screen.
- Click Map network drive button in the ribbon menu.
- Select Map network drive.
- Choose the drive you want AppsStorage to map to. You can use any drive not already in use. If possible, we suggest that you select "L" since this is how AppsStorage is referenced within Apps.bc.edu.
- In the Folder field, enter: \\appsstorage.bc.edu\YourUserName
- Make sure Reconnect at sign-in is checked.
- Click Finish and the drive will automatically open and show any files you have saved.
It will now be permanently listed under This PC along with your other local drives or other network drives.
- Open File Explorer and select This PC.
- Click the Computer tab at the top of the screen.
- Click Map network drive button in the ribbon menu.
- Select Map network drive.
- Choose the drive you want AppsStorage to map to. You can use any drive not already in use. If possible, we suggest that you select "L" since this is how AppsStorage is referenced within Apps.bc.edu.
- In the Folder field, enter: \\appsstorage.bc.edu\YourUserName
- Check the box: Connect using different credentials.
- Click Finish.
- You will be prompted to sign in.
- In the Username field, enter: bc\YourUserName.
- In the password field, enter your BC password.
- From the Mac Finder, click Go and select To Server.
- In the window that opens, type: smb://appsstorage.bc.edu/YourUserName
- Click the "+" sign to add the server path to your Favorite Server list.
- Open the files app.
- On the top right, click the three dot menu.
- Click Add new service.
- Click Install new service.
- From the Available services, install Network File Share for Chrome OS.
- On the top right, click the three dot menu.
- Click Add new service.
- Click Network File Share for Chrome OS.
- In the Mount File Share dialog:
- In the Share Path, enter (substitute "YourUserName" with your BC username):
smb://appsstorage.bc.edu/YourUserName
- Check the box next to My file share needs a password.
- In the Username field, enter: bc\YourUserName
- In the Password field, enter your BC password.
- If you want the drive to map automatically next time you sign in, be sure to check the Store credentials box.
- Click Mount.
- In the Share Path, enter (substitute "YourUserName" with your BC username):
Once finished, your network drive will appear on the left-hand side of the files app.
Restoring Files From AppsStorage
If you have accidentally deleted or changed files, you may be able to restore them from AppsStorage (L: drive) by following the steps below:
- Access your AppsStorage space (L: Drive) or mapped drive. You must be on the BC network or connected via VPN.
Windows 10: Click Start and in the Search field, type \\appsstorage.bc.edu\YourUserName.
Mac: From the Finder, click Go > Connect to Server, and type smb://appsstorage.bc.edu/YourUserName. Enter your username and BC password.
- A folder displays called ~snapshot. (Windows: You may need to adjust your view options to display Windows hidden files. See instructions below.)
- Double-click the folder to open it.
- Subfolders will display. The names of the folders indicate when the data included in the snapshot was taken (hourly, nightly, or weekly, followed by the version).
Hourly - The most recent snapshots, from the past 24 hours, done at 8 a.m., noon, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Nightly - Taken Monday through Saturday.
Weekly - Taken every Sunday.
Versions - The newest versions are the ones appended with “.0” and the older the version, the higher the number. Following this logic, the newest snapshot would be hourly.0, created within the last four hours, and the oldest could be weekly.2, which would be about a month old. You are not likely to find any snapshots older than one month.
- Open the folder of the time frame from which you believe the data you are looking for was saved.
- Once you find files or folders that you want to recover, you can copy them to their previous location or to a new location. Just be careful about overwriting data if you do copy it to its original location.
Displaying Windows Hidden Files
- From the Options menu, select Folder and Search Options.
- Click the View tab.
- In the Hidden files and folders section, select Show hidden files and folders.
- Click OK.
File Storage Quota
- Faculty, graduate students, and staff can save up to 10 GB of data on AppsStorage.
- Undergraduate students can save up to 1 GB of data on AppsStorage.
If your quota is close to being reached, you will receive an email notifying you, and should delete some files or save them on your computer.
Viewing Your AppsStorage Information
If you think you may be nearing your quota, you can view how much space you have used and have remaining before creating new files. Follow these steps:
- Map a drive on your local computer to AppsStorage.
- After mapping the drive, it will display on your computer just as any other drive does.
- Windows: Click Start, then Computer. Right-click the mapped AppsStorage drive, then choose Properties to view the used and free space in the drive.
- Mac: In Finder, right-click the mapped AppsStorage drive, then choose Get Info to view the used and free space in the drive.
View AppsStorage Information From Within an Application
You can also view your available and used AppsStorage space if you are logged into BC Apps and using an application.
Windows
- When saving or opening a file, your AppsStorage drive will display on the left.
- Right-click the drive, then choose Properties to view the used and free space in the drive.