Technology

Windows (especially Vista), Office 2007, and Me

Oz-like scarecrow For those of you on the yellow brick road: join Scarecrow in his quest for knowledge by learning more about how these upgrades will affect you, in which spaces on campus and when.  Although perhaps intimidating at first, in the end, it will feel like home. For more information about Leopard and Vista and Office—Oh My, click the ruby mouse.

ruby mouse on the yellow brick road to upgrades Microsoft has released Windows Vista, which replaces Windows XP. Microsoft has also released Office 2007 for Windows. Office has within it a number of products, including Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word. This page is your starting point for information about Windows Vista and Office 2007, the Help Desk's support for them, and how and when the college will upgrade. The topics covered on this page are broken down into these categories:

Related pages

My own computer

If you purchase a new Windows computer (as many of you know from experience!), it will come with Windows Vista. And, any new copy of Microsoft Office for Windows will be some flavor of Office 2007. If you own Vista or Office 2007, the Help Desk is happy to answer questions that relate to those products and your Simmons work.

Simmons students, faculty, and staff have access to special Simmons and general academic discounts on hardware and software through our online stores. At the e-academy store, you will find the best price on Microsoft products, including Office 2007, and an upgrade to Windows Vista. 

For more information, check our resources for personally-owned Windows computers.

Computers I use in Simmons general access spaces, computer labs, and classrooms

When the fall 2008 semester begins, all Simmons general access, lab, and classroom Windows computers will be running Windows Vista and Office 2007. This includes computers in the Information Commons (including loaner laptops), residence campus labs, Technology and departmental labs, classroom podiums, and computers delivered by Media Services for events and classes.

If you haven't yet seen Windows Vista or Office 2007: take a look at Oz! There is a Sneak Peek station on the 1st floor of the Beatley Library Information Commons, just across from the Technology Desk. GSLIS faculty, staff, and students can also see Vista/Office 2007 at a station in the GSLIS Lab.

Important information for faculty and staff requesting Windows software for any general access space, computer lab, or classroom for next fall.
For the good of the many people who use the computers in these spaces, we cannot install software that has not been tested with Windows Vista (or Office 2007, if there are tie-ins with an Office product).  The only way to really test software is for someone who knows the software to run the tests.  We have checked all of the software in the Simmons standard suite, and a few other common applications (see Compatibility with Windows Vista & Office 2007)

Before you begin testing, please check with the manufacturer of the software to see whether you need to upgrade your software in order to ensure compatibility.  To avoid puttiing your computer at risk, we have a test station available where you can install your software (with or without Help Desk assistance), and a compatibility form (PDF) to use as a guide for your testing.  To reserve a time to use the Test Station, call the Help Desk at 617-521-2222; be sure you have your installation media and licensing information with you when you come!

The need for testing is also true for Macintosh software; please see Information about the Macintosh upgrades for more information.

If you plan to have software installed in more than one lab, classroom or general access space, please also see Software Installation Requests.  For installations on more than one computer, testing must be completed and forms received by the end of May.

The Simmons computer I use in a Simmons office

As of November 2007, if your department purchases a new Windows computer, it will come with Windows Vista and Office 2007. Also as of November 2007, all Windows computer replacements (through the Simmons Technology Replacement Cycle Policy), will run Windows Vista and Office 2007. The timing of replacements is being arranged with Technology Liaisons in each department in order

  1. to coordinate with hands-on, on-campus training, and
  2. to allow faculty and staff to avoid a simultaneous Simmons eLearning and Microsoft Windows/Office upgrade.

Because sooner or later all Windows XP computers on campus will be replaced or upgraded to Windows Vista, all Windows users should take a moment now to read through What Should I Figure Out Now?, particularly regarding software compatibility.

Also see the Computer Replacement: Cycle Overview.

I want Office 2007 on a Simmons computer now

If the Windows computer you use is not due for replacement this year but you want to use Office 2007, you can complete the Software Installation Request form to request the upgrade. Office 2007 is very different from earlier versions; many users new to Office 2007 have found themselves frustrated at not being able to do what they're used to doing easily. Windows Vista and Office 2007 Resources includes links to trainings, videos, and documents that will help you prepare, as well as descriptions of how to take advantage of built-in help when you need it. We strongly recommend that you take advantage of some of these resources before you schedule an Office upgrade.

I want Windows Vista on a Simmons computer now

If the Windows computer you use is not due for replacement this year, but you have an essential need to use Windows Vista, you may request an upgrade. (See Computer Replacement Cycle: Overview for replacement information.)  Upgrading to Vista requires that the Help Desk do a complete backup of your data, wipe clean the computer's hard drive, and do a fresh installation of the operating system and all of the applications, many of which will be new versions (e.g. Office 2007, Photoshop CS3, etc.).  We have tested all of the standard Simmons software, but if you have any additional applications, please look at our Compatibility with Windows Vista & Office 2007 page, and also check with the manufacturer to be sure your software is compatible with Vista or Leopard and Office 2007/2008. 

Getting started with Windows Vista will be easier if you learn about what's new since Windows XP. Windows Vista and Office 2007 Resources includes links to trainings, videos and documents that will help you prepare, as well as descriptions of how to take advantage of built-in help when you need it. We recommend that you take advantage of some of these resources before you schedule a Windows upgrade.

When you are ready, please complete a Software Installation Request form, and on the Standard Software List page, scroll to the bottom and click "I would like software installed that does not appear on the list above." In the space provided, type "Windows Vista," and give us a little information about why you need the new operating system, so that we can help you make sure it is the best choice for you, and fit your request into our schedule. 

Vista/Office 2007 Migration: Simmons Timeline

Vista/Office 2007 Migration: Simmons Timeline
Scheduled Date Activity
November 2007 - on New Windows computers purchased by Simmons will be deployed to departments with Vista/Office 2007
November 2007 - June 2008 As part of the 3 year replacement cycle, faculty/staff office Windows computers being replaced, will be replaced with new computers running Vista/Office 2007. 
December 2007 - on Faculty and staff may request an upgrade from Office 2003 to Office 2007 (but not from XP to Vista); you will be urged to take some sort of training.
Spring 2008 - on Faculty and staff with an essential need, may upgrade from Windows XP/Office 2003 to Windows Vista/Office 2007.  See I want Vista now.  Depending on how replacements have gone, sometime in summer 2008, we will begin encouraging faculty and staff whose computers will not be replaced until 2009-2010 to upgrade Windows/Office on their Dell 745 computers. 
June 2008 All Windows-based software requested for Fall 2008 general access, lab, and classroom Windows computers must be Vista-compliant (or compatible with Office 2007, if there are tie-ins with an Office product)
August 2008 All general access, lab, and classroom Windows computers will be upgraded to Windows Vista/Office 2007.
November 2008 - May 2009 As part of the 3 year replacement cycle, faculty/staff office Windows computers being replaced, will be replaced with new computers running Vista/Office 2007.
Tentatively, all 2 year old Windows computers (i.e. Dell 745) will be upgraded to Vista/Office 2007.