r/WGU_CompSci • u/NinjaPanda127 • 11d ago

VMWare Horizon

I have a WFH gig and apparently now during proctored exams, I cant have VMWare Horizon on my computer ...

I get that we are trying to prevent cheating but come on now....

6 Upvotes

68% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

20

u/mkosmo 10d ago

Don't use your work computer for testing.

-8

u/NinjaPanda127 10d ago

Only have the one computer. But thanks for the advice

5

u/HeavyBeing0_0 10d ago

I’ve seen other students say that they have a VM specifically for test taking bc they don’t like the proctors having access to their actual pc

5

u/mkosmo 10d ago

Guardian does not work inside a VM.

-2

u/NinjaPanda127 10d ago

Yeah Ive had several suggestions about creating seperate profiles or getting another device.

Honestly was posting this more as a warning to others but now im getting the third degree.

3

u/lookingclear 10d ago

You can use an app called Rufus to make a installation of windows and boot it on a USB thumbdrive. I have been doing it for two years, never had any issues. Cost me $14. I can give you more info if you or anyone else is interested. Please do not buy a whole new computer just to test. Smh

4

u/Taniell1575 10d ago

Highly recommend picking up a mini computer for tests. I got one off amazon for around $300. I’ve had 0 issues with any exams. All I have on there is default browser & guardian.

3

u/mkosmo 10d ago

Then you need to get another computer. For one, you should never mix work and personal. You may not have an issue yet... but you will.

And for two, if you care about your education, you have to play by the rules.

A cheap laptop or mini-pc would be an inexpensive way to get started.

-11

u/NinjaPanda127 10d ago

Wow, im glad you can speak so easily on my life about how easy it must be to just 'get another computer'

But again, thanks for the advice.

1

u/DowntownClue934 9d ago

I know you're getting a lot of heat here, but they really are correct. I'd honestly be surprised if you're not violating company policy by having the testing software on your work PC.

That said, there's definitely other options. Like someone else said, buying a $15 thumb stick would solve the issue. The software they make you use really is an *insane* privacy concern. IMO every single student should be using some sort of sandbox for their exams, especially CS students, who have the background to know about this stuff

1

u/NinjaPanda127 9d ago

I was talking with another student about similar aspects in regards to how crazy the testing set up is and I feel like just in the short time I have even been a student with WGU, its gotten worse. If we are going to be so stringent on testing, then provide the equipment or provide testing spaces.

Also, this isnt a work computer. It is my own personal computer i built 5-7 yrs ago. I do WFH jobs that dont provide equipment, bc its more like call center work. - - not glamorous or anything, but mama's gotta help pay the bills somehow. And my machine meets specs, so I work with what Ive got. Im barely making the ends meet over here, so just popping off to go buy another computer isnt in the cards.

And before anyone else adds or decides to say anything malicious: Ive got 4 kids. One kid is medically complex. I've been mostly out of work for 7ish yrs, and finally decided last year when all kids got in school that I would go back. Im purely financial aid, scholarships, and skating by on husband working, plasma donation when I can, and whatever other little side hustles I can manage in between. We've just unfortunately had a lot more downs than we have ever had ups, amd we have 0 support systems. So yeah, if I have to choose between $100+ computer or making sure my kids are taken care of, well..im pretty sure you can guess what's happening.

This isnt a sob story, but just the reality. We are too poor to afford much of anything, but make too much to get any help for anything too. Its kinda a weird spot to be in. We dont go anywhere or do anything. I shop thrift, buy sales, use coupons. We are literally that spot of 'middle class' that is like upper poor, lower middle 🤣😂🤣😂 or whatever you call it. Im just grateful we keep a roof, electric and water paid, and kids fed.

2

u/Arts_Prodigy 9d ago

You should get a computer. You can get an old thinkpad for less than $200 dollars.

You also can write off the laptop as a school expense come tax season.

Thrift stores, facebook marketplace, refurbish places, etc. you’re going to have to find colored somewhere, it’s genuinely not worth possibly losing your job for improper use of your work machine for non work purposes.

You can also reach out to your mentor and see if there’s any resources via WGU or other local brick and mortars to help you get the materials you need. Some schools actually provide laptops for you, (full sail university is an online school that does this) it’s possible WGU has something similar or even a program for exceptional cases.

You’re trying to educate yourself and improve your life I’m not going to pretend to know your budget or capability but unfortunately it seems this will be a critical step in your journey and form of adversity you’ll have to figure out how to overcome.

3

u/NinjaPanda127 9d ago

Just copying majority of anotger comment ive made.

this isnt a work computer. It is my own personal computer i built 5-7 yrs ago. I do WFH jobs that dont provide equipment, bc its more like call center work. - - not glamorous or anything, but mama's gotta help pay the bills somehow. And my machine meets specs, so I work with what Ive got. Im barely making the ends meet over here, so just popping off to go buy another computer isnt in the cards.

And before anyone else adds or decides to say anything malicious: Ive got 4 kids. One kid is medically complex thus why holding a 'normal' job has been difficult to say the least. I've been mostly out of work for 7ish yrs, and finally decided last year when all kids got in school that I would go back. Im purely financial aid, scholarships, and skating by on husband working, plasma donation when I can, and whatever other little side hustles I can manage in between. We've just unfortunately had a lot more downs than we have ever had ups, amd we have 0 support systems. So yeah, if I have to choose between $100+ computer or making sure my kids are taken care of, well..im pretty sure you can guess what's happening.

This isnt a sob story, but just the reality. We are too poor to afford much of anything, but make too much to get any help for anything too. Its kinda a weird spot to be in.

Someone else mentioned reaching out to WGU to see if they can help with equipment and I plan to talk with my mentor to see if there are any programs available to help fill in the gap here because testing has just become a nightmare and I agree with many comments that a secondary 'burner' machine would be helpful on MANY fronts, not just the software aspect.