Spring Break
OS Raises Questions
Danielle Hoo
Issue date: 2/2/07 Section: News
The release of Windows Vista has raised questions about Microsoft's latest operating system. Should UConn students upgrade now or should they wait until more is known about Vista? Should they even bother upgrading at all?
Gary Hendrickson, the Director of Technology for the NEAG School of Education, urged students to wait until the end of the semester to upgrade. Hendrickson advised that Vista could potentially have a negative impact on student studies and productivity, because it is still unknown how Vista will work with UConn systems and in conjunction with its applications.
Vista's effect on various UConn applications is a major concern, especially since Internet Explorer 7 (the browser that comes with Vista) is known to have problems with WebCT. It is also unknown how Vista will affect security systems.
"We're looking into how Vista will impact the university," said Mick DiGrazia, the assistant manager of University Information Technology Services (UITS). For the time being, new computers sold at the UConn Co-op will still come with XP installed as their operating system.
"We want to get IT staff up to speed before making Vista available," said DiGrazia.
UITS finalized a proposition Wednesday, explaining the University's approach to Microsoft Windows Vista and Office 2007. The proposition, which can be viewed at software.uconn.edu explained that "offering Vista and Office 2007 as an option for new HuskyPC purchases [would] be delayed till after the end of the spring semester 2007 and coincide with the new HuskyPC contract, scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2007."
The proposition also gave a glimpse into the informal testing currently being done on Vista at UConn. Some of the categories being tested included, but were not limited to, usage and compatibility with existing UConn systems, network integration and related security features and issues. The proposition also described risks and costs associated with both Office 2007 and Vista. Primary concerns listed included navigating the new interface, hardware requirements and the new licensing structure. The proposition listed the target date for adoption of the new operating system as March 1, 2007.
Gary Hendrickson, the Director of Technology for the NEAG School of Education, urged students to wait until the end of the semester to upgrade. Hendrickson advised that Vista could potentially have a negative impact on student studies and productivity, because it is still unknown how Vista will work with UConn systems and in conjunction with its applications.
Vista's effect on various UConn applications is a major concern, especially since Internet Explorer 7 (the browser that comes with Vista) is known to have problems with WebCT. It is also unknown how Vista will affect security systems.
"We're looking into how Vista will impact the university," said Mick DiGrazia, the assistant manager of University Information Technology Services (UITS). For the time being, new computers sold at the UConn Co-op will still come with XP installed as their operating system.
"We want to get IT staff up to speed before making Vista available," said DiGrazia.
UITS finalized a proposition Wednesday, explaining the University's approach to Microsoft Windows Vista and Office 2007. The proposition, which can be viewed at software.uconn.edu explained that "offering Vista and Office 2007 as an option for new HuskyPC purchases [would] be delayed till after the end of the spring semester 2007 and coincide with the new HuskyPC contract, scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2007."
The proposition also gave a glimpse into the informal testing currently being done on Vista at UConn. Some of the categories being tested included, but were not limited to, usage and compatibility with existing UConn systems, network integration and related security features and issues. The proposition also described risks and costs associated with both Office 2007 and Vista. Primary concerns listed included navigating the new interface, hardware requirements and the new licensing structure. The proposition listed the target date for adoption of the new operating system as March 1, 2007.
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