Technology

Mac OS X (especially Leopard), Office 2008, 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 upgradesApple has released Mac OS X 10 Leopard (officially numbered OS X 10.5), which replaces Tiger (OS X 10.4). In addition, Microsoft has released Office 2008 for the Macintosh. Office has within it a number of products, including Excel, Entourage, PowerPoint, and Word. This page is your starting point for information about Leopard and Office 2008, 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 Macintosh computer (as many of you know from experience!), it will come with Leopard. And, any new copy of Microsoft Office for Macintosh will be some flavor of Office 2008. If you own Leopard or Office 2008, 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 2008. For Mac OS X.5 Leopard, visit the Simmons Apple store.

For more information, check our resources for personally-owned Macintosh 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 Macintosh computers will be running the Leopard operating system, and Office 2008. This includes in the Information Commons (including loaner laptops), Technology and departmental labs, classroom podiums, and computers delivered by Media Services for events and classes.

If you haven't yet seen Leopard or Office 2008: take a look at Oz for yourself! A Sneak Peek station is located on the 1st floor of the Beatley Library Information Commons, just across from the Technology Desk. GSLIS faculty, staff, and students can also see Leopard/Office 2008 at a station in the GSLIS Lab.

Important information for faculty and staff requesting Macintosh software for any general access space, computer lab, or classroom
For the good of the many people who use the computers in these spaces, we cannot install software that has not been tested with Leopard (or Office 2008, 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 Leopard & Office 2008)

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 Windows software; please see Information about the Windows upgrades for more information.

If you plan to have software installed in more than one lab, classroom or general access space, please also see General Access 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

If your department purchases a new Macintosh computer, it will come with Leopard and Office 2008. Also, starting in March 2008, all Macintosh computer replacements (through the Simmons Technology Replacement Cycle Policy), are running Leopard and Office 2008. The timing of replacements is being arranged with Technology Liaisons in each department.

Also see the Computer Replacement Cycle: Overview.

I want Office 2008 on a Simmons computer now

If the Mac you use is not due for replacement this year but you want to use Office 2008, complete a Software Installation Request form to request the upgrade. Office 2008 is a bit different from earlier versions. Macintosh OS X 10.5 and Office 2008 Resources includes links 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 an Office upgrade.

I want Leopard on a Simmons computer now

If the Mac computer you use is not due for replacement this year, but you have an essential need to use Leopard, you may request an upgrade. (See Computer Replacement Cycle: Overview for replacement information.)  Upgrading to Leopard 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 2008, 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 Leopard & Office 2008 page, and also check with the manufacturer to be sure your software is compatible with Leopard and Office 2008. 

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 "Leopard," 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.

Leopard/Office 2008 Migration: Simmons Timeline

Leopard/Office 2008 Migration: Simmons Timeline
Scheduled Date Activity
March 2008 - on New Macintosh computers purchased by Simmons will be deployed to departments with Leopard/Office 2008
March 2008 - on As part of the 3-year replacement cycle, faculty/staff office Macintosh computers being replaced, will be replaced with new computers running Leopard/Office 2008. Note: as of Fall 2008, the replacement cycle has been extended to 4 years.
March 2008 - on Faculty and staff may request an upgrade from Office 2004 to Office 2008. Faculty and staff will be encouraged to upgrade to Office 2008.
April 2008 - on Faculty and staff with an essential need to use Leopard may request an upgrade to Leopard.  See I want Leopard now. 
June 2008 All Macintosh-based software requested for Fall 2008 general access, lab, and classroom Windows computers must be Leopard-compliant (and compatible with Office 2008, if there are tie-ins with an Office product).  See important note for requesting software for fall.
August 2008 All general access, lab, and classroom Macintosh computers will be upgraded to Macintosh Leopard/Office 2008.
November 2008 - May 2010 As part of the 4 year replacement cycle, faculty/staff office Macintosh computers being replaced, will be replaced with new computers running Leopard/Office 2008.