Technology

Windows Vista & Office 2007: Resources

Oz-like lion For those of you on the yellow brick road: Dorothy didn't get through Oz all by herself, and neither should you! Paws here with Lion, to gather your courage through the resources on this page. Be brave, in the end, Windows Vista/Office 2007 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 Technology at Simmons College urges you to take advantage of resources such as those listed here to prepare yourself for Microsoft Windows Vista, and particularly for Office 2007. The most significant change in Office 2007 is the introduction of the ever-present "ribbon." The contents of the ribbon changes depending on the context of your activities at any given moment.

Even if you are already using either product, you will find tools here that will make you more productive.

For general information, also see Windows (especially Vista), Office 2007, and Me.

How do you like to learn?

  1. I like to read works on paper (not so much on-screen)
  2. I know the Office 2003 command, where do I find it in 2007?
  3. I have Vista or Office 2007: where is the built-in help?
  4. I like to take online classes
  5. I like to take classes in-person, on-campus
  6. I like to watch presentations and demonstrations
  7. I like to "play" with the tools
  8. I like to surf my way around
  1. I like to read works on paper (not so much on-screen)
    Unfortunately for those who like to read the printed page rather than on-screen, there is not as much print-able documentation as there used to be. We are looking for suitable PDFs (if you find any, tell us!). In the meantime, check your local bookstore. Different books suit different tastes, but several Technology staff members have found the Peachpit Press "Visual QuickStart Guide" series brief, well-illustrated, and to the point.  
  2. I know the Office 2003 command, where do I find it in 2007?
    • Whether or not you have Office 2007 installed, you can use the Interactive Command Reference Guides. The guides allow you to click a tool or command you're used to using in an Office 2003 application, and see where to find the same functionality in Office 2007. For example, you could click the bullets icon on the Word 2003 toolbar, and the reference guide would show you the Paragraph Group, on the Home tab, of Word 2007 ribbon.
    • You can use the guides by running them directly from the Microsoft web site, or download the guides to your computer. If you are using a Simmons computer in a faculty or staff office that has Office 2007 installed, the guides are available from the Get Started tab: see a picture of the tab here.
  3. I like to take online classes
    • Students: There are a limited number of ElementK seats available at no-cost to Simmons students through the PTRC.
    • Faculty and staff: Through the Simmons Microsoft Campus Agreement, Simmons Faculty and staff have access to a large catalog of online courses. You must provide your Simmons username and standard password (same as for email) in order to see the instructions.
  4. I like to take classes in-person, on-campus
    In person training is available through the Pottruck Technology Resource Center. All training sessions will be held in P113 during the dates and times below. You may attend the full day or multiple sessions on varying days.  Registration priority will be given first to faculty and staff; students may contact the PTRC (617-521-2736) to inquire about available space. Faculty and staff should register online.
    Dates Offered: Monday, Feb. 4; Wednesday, Feb. 27; Wednesday, Apr. 2; Wednesday, Apr. 30 (same schedule all days)
    9 - 12, Windows Vista/Office 2007 Overview
    1-4, Word, Excel, PowerPoint 2007: New Features

  5. I have Vista or Office 2007: where is the built-in help?
    The help built into both Windows Vista and Office 2007 is easier to use than prior versions, and chock full of information that includes text, images, and, often, animation. For Vista help, from the Start menu, choose Help and Support. For the help built into all of the Office applications, open the application (e.g. Excel), and go to the Getting Started tab.
  6. I like to watch presentations and demonstrations
    • Watch any of the many narrated Windows Vista Demos, which are designed to introduce you to personal computing and the Windows Vista operating system. Tasks are performed on screen and concepts are explained through animation.
    • Find a topic that interests you on Microsoft's Vista Help and How-to or Getting Started with the 2007 Microsoft Office system, and follow any of the "Show Me" links.
    • Microsoft has a vast archive of On-Demand Webcasts. Follow the link to Find Events and Webcasts. To narrow your search, under "Event Type, choose "On-Demand Webcasts," and uncheck the other types. Then find the "Search by Keyword" section, and in the "All of These Words" box, type something like Windows Vista or Office 2007 Word.
  7. I like to "play" with the tools
  8. I like to surf my way around Since you like to surf, you have probably already found elsewhere on this page that there is a wealth of information on Microsoft's Help and How-to web site about Vista, and on the Getting Started site about Office 2007. These are our favorites: