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Leopard and Vista and Office—Oh My!

As of Fall 2008, all Simmons classrooms and general access facilities have Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007, or Mac OS X Leopard (OS X 10.5) and Microsoft Office 2008.  If your computer is up for replacement, you will receive a computer with the most current operating system and MS Office suite.

Changes in technology are inevitable, but you are not alone!  Getting through Oz and back home again is easier than you think.  Just click your ruby mouse to follow Technology on the Yellow Brick Road: we are here to help you every step along the way to your new computing environment!

"Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas any more." These upgrades are fairly significant, and so may make you feel as though you are in an odd foreign land, so we are giving the community a range of opportunities to become accustomed to the new version(s) before they appear in classrooms, labs and general access spaces in September.  If you follow the yellow brick road, Leopard/Vista and Office 2007/2008 will feel like home.

Where do you want to start along the road?

I want to know which way the road goes, and what I'll see when I get there
Join Scarecrow in his quest for knowledge. For info about how the upgrades will affect you, in which spaces on campus, and when, go to one of these pages:

• Windows (especially Vista), Office 2007, and Me
• Mac OS X (mostly Leopard), Office 2008, and Me

I want just a glimpse of Oz
Picture yourself in Oz: every Wednesday in April, 11 am - 1 pm in Java City. Come try out a Sneak Peek station, and while you are there, take a picture of yourself in Oz!  President Scrimshaw has been to Oz; check out pictures of Scrimshaw and others who've visited.

Or, step on the yellow brick road into Oz at the Sneak Peek station available in the Beatley Library Information Commons, just across from the Technology Desk.  GSLIS faculty, staff and students can also use the Sneak Peek station in the GSLIS Lab.

The Sneak Peek stations are "dual-boot" iMacs; that is, when the iMac powers up, you choose if you want to use Windows Vista or Mac Leopard.  To switch to the other operating system (i.e. Windows or Mac OS), simply restart the computer.

I want to check to see if my software is rusty
Tin Man needed oil for his journey on the yellow brick road.  Your software may need a similar tune up.  For help checking the compatibility of your software, go to one of these pages:

• Compatibility with Windows Vista and Office 2007
• Compatibility with Leopard and Office 2008

If you are a faculty or staff member who needs software installed on general access, lab, or classroom computers, please read this important note for Mac software and for Windows software.

I'm afraid I might get lost on the road
Take courage: you and Lion will find training and other resources that will help you through Oz.

• Windows Vista and Office 2007: Resources
• Mac OS X Leopard and Office 2008: Resources

I am ready to travel through Oz now!
If it's your Simmons computer you are ready to upgrade, please see below.

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, Office 2008, and an upgrade to Windows Vista. For Mac OS X.5 Leopard, visit the Simmons Apple store.

I use a Simmons computer in my office and am ready to travel through Oz now
If the computer you use is not eligible for replacement this academic year, you can request an Office 2007 or 2008 upgrade by completing a Software Installation Request form. 

Faculty and staff with an essential need to use Vista or Leopard may request an upgrade to Vista or Leopard.  Upgrading to Vista or 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 2007/2008, Photoshop CS3, etc.).  We have tested all of the standard Simmons software, but if you have any additional applications, please look at our compatibility pages, and also check with the manufacturer to be sure your software is compatible with Vista or Leopard and Office 2007/2008. 

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, indicate Vista or 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.