Changes in computer software in the coming months
To: University Faculty and Staff
From: Steve Fleagle, Chief Information Officer
Date: Monday, October 23, 2006
Re: Changes in computer software in the coming months
Over the next few months, our campus will experience an influx of new software product offerings from Microsoft and Apple Computer. These new products will provide a variety of enhancements to the software many of us use daily on our computers, as well as present significant changes in how these products look and how you use them.
This message is intended as an early notification and as reassurance that all University IT professionals are ready to assist and support you during the changes. As more information becomes available, both ITS and your collegiate and departmental IT staff will periodically send notification messages. In addition, we encourage you to visit the ITS Help Desk web site http://helpdesk.its.uiowa.edu, and to consult with your local IT professionals, for the latest information.
The first new product to be released is the web browser Internet Explorer version 7 (for Windows only). Beginning November 1, 2006, this new browser may be automatically installed on computers running the Windows XP operating system via the automatic update process. The use of the automatic update method to deliver the new version is significantly different than prior releases and has the potential to cause confusion, if it is unanticipated. This could impact you in two ways:
- University computer – Contact your departmental IT professional for specific information on the IE7 deployment schedule for your department.
- Home computer – Automatic Updates will first notify you when Internet Explorer 7 is ready to install and then show a welcome screen that presents key features and the choice to accept, decline or postpone installation. How and when it happens for any individual will vary depending on that person’s Automatic Updates settings. Please consult the ITS Help Desk web site at http://helpdesk.its.uiowa.edu for more details.
Other new products coming in the near future include a new Microsoft operating system (Windows Vista), a new version of Microsoft Office (Office 2007), a new version of Microsoft Exchange Mail/Calendar system, and a new Apple operating system (OS X Leopard).
Last Updated: 10/15/2008