SIMnet works seamlessly with Windows computers. The Microsoft Office content taught by SIMnet was created by Microsoft who also creates the Windows Operating System. However, SIMnet can be used by a variety of systems to effectively complete your course in the right circumstances.

Using SIMnet on a Mac

Macs can seamlessly complete the vast majority of SIMnet coursework. There are a few areas where using a Mac can cause issues:

1. When using the Function Keys F1-F12, Mac keyboards require holding the Fn key before pressing the desired function key. This is because Mac computers have their F keys automatically set to control things like speaker volume and screen brightness. The F Keys can be set to use standard function keys by going to the System Preferences menu and selecting Keyboard and clicking the Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys check box.

2. The Microsoft Access application is not available for Mac. To complete assignments using Microsoft Access you will need to use a separate computer or set up a Virtual Machine to run Windows 10 on your Mac. Your school may offer access to a virtual machine but this is not available through SIMnet.

3. To-right click on a Mac press and hold the Control key while you click an item using your mouse or trackpad. You can also set up additional Control-click options for your mouse or trackpad.

   1. To Control-click items using only your mouse, you can change its settings.

      1. On you Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Mouse in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)

      2. Click the “Secondary click” pop-up menu on the right, then choose an option.

         You can choose to click the right or left side of the mouse surface, whichever is most comfortable for you.

   2. To Control-click using only your trackpad, you can change its settings.

      1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Trackpad in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)

      2. Click the “Secondary click” pop-up menu on the right, then choose an option.

         You can choose to Control-click by clicking with one or two fingers.

On a Chromebook

Chromebooks are fully compatible with SIMnet Lessons, Exams, SIMpaths, and SIMbooks. Auto-graded project assignments are only compatible with Chrombooks if the project is labeled as Office Online and require using Microsoft 365 in your web browser. Check with your instructor about whether or not they are assigning these projects before you select a chromebook for your course. Using Office Online, Google applications, or other browser-based applications like Office will not work for Project assignments.

Chromebooks also have limitations when using the Function Keys. To use F keys on a Chromebook keyboard users must hold the Search button and the corresponding Here are the appropriate key combinations to use Function Keys:

On a Windows 10 Virtual Machine

Virtual Machines running Windows 10 can work effectively with SIMnet. This is an effective method for using the Microsoft Access application on your Mac computer. However, running a Virtual Machine is not a straightforward task and may be best suited when suggested by your school.

Why do we need to run Windows on a Mac?

There are many reasons people might run Windows on a mac. Maybe you are a game enthusiast where you have a game that only runs on a PC and does not run on a mac. Because of this challenge you might want to think about installing a Windows Operating System on your mac so you do not have to go out and buy a new computer just to play your game.

Installing Windows on a Mac will allow you to use multiple operating systems like Windows and Mac OS X to test and develop different software and applications in different user environments. To use SIMnet projects on a Mac you will need to install Microsoft Windows.

In addition, you might want to use a productivity software such as Microsoft Office on your mac. Most businesses use the Microsoft version for their business. In fact, there are over a million businesses worldwide that use this version of office. Currently, the Mac version of office does not include a database to use such as Microsoft Access. If a user installs the Microsoft Office version on a Mac computer, they would not be able to use a database management system like Microsoft Access. To complete Access projects in SIMnet you will not be able to complete the projects without running Windows in one way or another.

Lastly, Macs are designed to be some of the best computers in the world in relation to the hardware that is included when they are built. Many of them are thin and light weight which allows them to be very mobile. Also, many Macs are so well designed that they can last a very long time and are durable.

What is Remote Desktop?

Remote Desktop is available in the Windows Operating System that allows a user to remotely access another computer through the Internet. People can interact with the remote computer as if they were really there. Some of the benefits of using remote desktop are:

• Access the computer from anywhere.

• Use Windows from a Mac computer.

• Demonstrate how to use a software application.

Instructions on how to use Remote Desktop Connection

• When you are at home you will need to have a VPN connection to your University or College in order to connect to your home system.

• Once you login with the VPN client your home computer will become part of the campus network.

• You will need your PC computer name or IP address in order to connect to your home pc.

Once you are ready to remotely connect to your Home Windows machine you can follow the instructions below:

Assuming the computer you are using is running Windows 10:

1. Click on the Start button >> Scroll down the Programs list to Windows Accessories >> Remote Desktop Connection.

2. Enter the provided computer IP as the Computer (this is your office computer’s full computer name e.g. TSS-FA-352.ad.yourschool.edu).

3. Click on "Show Options" in the lower left hand corner and enter your username as username@ad.yourschool.edu or yourschooldomain\username.

4. Click on Save and then click on the Connect button.

If you are using a Mac with macOS Catalina:

1. Open the App Store

2. Make sure you are signed in to the App Store with your Apple ID

3. In the Search box, type Microsoft Remote Desktop and click enter to begin the search

4. Click “Get” next to the Microsoft Remote Desktop 10 search result

5. Click “Install”

6. Microsoft Remote Desktop App will now appear in Applications

7. Click on Microsoft Remote Desktop to open the App

8. Click through any prompts until the Microsoft Remote Desktop App opens in its own window

9. Click “Add PC”

10. Enter the provided computer name in the “PC name:” text field (this is your office computer’s full computer name e.g. TSS-FA-352.ad.yourschool.edu)

11. Enter a “Friendly name:” in the corresponding text field (e.g. Office Computer at Work)

12. There are options you can choose to customize your remote experience. Please consult with your local IT representative before making any custom changes.

13. Click Add

14. Your remote connection is now permanently added to the Microsoft Remote Desktop display window.

15. Click on remote connection you just created (e.g. Office Computer at Work)

16. Enter your University or College username and password to login.

17. Click Continue

18. Click Continue to the certificate prompt (possibly twice)

19. You are now logged onto your work computer

Once your computer is remotely connected using remote desktop you should be able to complete all of the SIMnet Assignments.

Many users, especially students with Mac computers, run Virtual Machines to access Windows. This is especially helpful in courses that use Microsoft Access projects as the Access application is not available for Mac.

However, running a VM can cause issues in SIMnet. That is because a virtual machine only uses a portion of the computers processing power and memory.

When uploading Projects Assignment files or Resource Assignment file, students may receive an Upload Failed message. This occurs when the upload takes too long and the process is halted. The solution to this issue is to increase the available hardware for the Virtual Machine. Using the Virtual Machine's configuration settings, set the number of available Processors to 3 or greater. Set the amount of Memory available to 4 GB or greater.

What kinds of technology can support running Windows on a Mac?

Virtual machines

A virtual machine is actually a file that will run on software designed to mimic operating systems such as Windows and ChromeOS. It allows the user to borrow resources such as memory, hard drive space, and processors from their host machine in order to virtually create a Windows or Chrome environment. It is important to have a fast processor, lots of memory and hard drive space. The virtual machine option will allow you to create projects from SIMnet on your Mac by installing a Windows operating system. Some of the following options for using virtualization include:

Parallels

Parallels is a Virtual Machine designed to run on Apple products that you can install on your Mac to simulate a Windows or a ChromeOS operating system using virtualization software. There is a great guide HERE to help install and configure parallels to use one of the supported operating systems. Once the installation is complete you will be able to complete SIMnet Microsoft Office projects.

The following are system requirements for parallels:

You can get Windows through the use of parallels by using following methods:

· Have your own license key

· Purchase a Windows license key directly from Parallels desktop

The following are system requirements for VMWare are:

You can get Windows for VMWare fusion by using the following methods:

· Have your own license key

You can get Windows for Bootcamp by using the following methods:

· Have your own license key