Microsoft Windows Vista and Office 2007

Microsoft has released new versions of its Windows operating system and Office productivity suite.

The Center for Planning and Information Technology (CPIT) is testing these products for use on the campus network.  We will keep you informed of our progress via this web page.

Windows Vista

Windows Vista is the next version of Microsoft's desktop operating system.  It is the follow on product to the five year old Windows XP, and will replace that version of Windows.

Windows Vista has a new look, and many new features.  It promises to be more secure than Windows XP, which is important for computers connected to the Internet.  Microsoft provides a look at Windows Vista features on their web site.

CPIT has begun testing Windows Vista for use on the campus network. There are many new features in Windows Vista, some of which require modifications to the university's computing infrastructure.

CPIT will begin the process of preparing a master computer image based on this operating system.  This image ultimately includes all the standard software distributed on faculty/staff and classroom desktop computers, and takes many weeks of installation and testing to complete.

Pilot testing of Windows Vista will occur during the Spring 2007 semester. (ResNet support for Windows Vista commenced at the start of the Fall 2007 semester.) Until testing is complete, faculty, staff and lab computers will use Windows XP.

Office 2007

Microsoft Office 2007 is the next version of the Office productivity suite.  It is the follow on product to Office 2003.

The Office user interface has been significantly redesigned to make it more intuitive.  Microsoft provides a Flash-based demo of the new Office 2007 user interface features on their web site.

CPIT has begun testing Office 2007. Once testing is complete, CPIT will begin the process of preparing a master computer image based Windows Vista and Office 2007.  This image ultimately includes all the standard software distributed on faculty/staff and classroom desktop computers, and takes many weeks of installation and testing to complete.

Pilot testing of Office 2007 at CUA will occur during the Spring 2007 semester.  Until testing is complete, faculty, staff and lab computers will continue to use Windows XP and Office 2003.