Apple operating systems

The current Apple operating system does not work well with the Prosoft client software that is used to connect to Artemis. 

Microsoft Vista Support Policy

Microsoft has a new operating system named Vista.  This software has several versions and many new features.  

In agreement with other IT groups at Columbia, Academic Technologies has limited support for Vista for use on campus.   We will continue to  purchase College computers with Windows XP.  Our Microsoft Campus Agreement allows us to upgrade the operating system when we are ready.

The academic community continues to test+ Vista to see if it is compatible with the special applications used by students, faculty and administrators.   Some products (EndNote, Adobe Reader) have been found to work well with Vista.  Other Software (Mathematica, SPSS, Novell client for Artemis) present some problems.  There are also reports of issues with wireless networks.

We will upgrade the College computers to Vista after we have confirmed compatibility with Barnard's computing environment.   If you would like to be in the first test upgrade group, please send an email to the Help Desk.

Microsoft Office 2007

AT staff has tested this new suite of applications.  Many students will create documents in Word 2007 and send these to professors who are using Word 2003.   You may need the Microsoft compatibility pack to allow you to read the newer format.  Please call the Help Desk for assistance with this.

In Office 2007, Microsoft has replaced FrontPage with a new product "Share Point".  Please call the Help Desk to schedule installation of the new program on your computer.

The student computer labs were upgraded to Office 2007 during the summer.   

Administrative and faculty offices will be upgraded later, department by department.  If you would like to be in the first test upgrade group, please send an email to the Help Desk.

last update 06/12/08