The textbook answer is: A virtual machine (VM) is a software implementation of a machine (i.e. a computer) that executes programs like a physical machine.
All operating system files and software are installed on a server. What is seen on the screen of your "session" is taking place physically at another location. You are looking at a snapshot of this activity. Hence, no data can be stored "locally" on the machine in front of you.
NWTC offers an application called VMWare, which when installed enables students to "tunnel" through the Internet and receive a computer session from an NWTC server on their personal computers. The computer session offers specialized software that is installed on NWTC computers on campus.
