|
OACS News
OACS' stance on Windows
Vista
Many of you are deciding whether to purchase new
hardware pre-loaded with the Windows Vista operating
system. OACS strongly recommends that you purchase
hardware with the Windows XP operating system if
you have that option. Windows Vista is still early
in its life cycle and there are many compatibility
issues with drivers and software packages. If you
have a critical business need that requires Vista,
OACS will support you as best as it can given the
environmental constraints.
OACS urges you to work with your departmental
business manager to utilize purchasing programs
established by the University. For personal purchases,
you may use the ACT program sponsored by OIT (http://act.umd.edu). Institutional purchases
may be made via the Master Contracts page
http://www.purchase.umd.edu/general/morder.htm
(click the "MC07004_Dell" link).
When configuring your machine, please be sure
that there is an operating system option for Windows
XP Professional. If you do not see an option for
XP, OACS recommends that you select another model
that does have XP as an option. Otherwise, you run
the risk of experiencing serious compatibility issues.
Regardless of what computer you select, be sure
to get at least 2 GB of RAM.
NOTE: Please do NOT purchase a machine with Vista
pre-loaded in the hope that OACS will remove Vista
and install XP for you. Many Vista machines have
hardware that will only work with Vista, rendering
a Windows XP install useless. "Vista Ready" machines
with XP pre-loaded are fine.
Please contact OACS if you need further guidance
on hardware purchases.
No Maintenance Windows for April and May
Thank you once again for your patience this semester during the various maintenance windows.
These planned downtimes have allowed OACS to keep its core systems up-to-date per guidance from
Microsoft, Novell, and IBM. Unless there is a critical emergency that requires action,
OACS will NOT have any maintenance windows the rest of the semester. Summer maintenance windows,
if any, will be announced in May.
|
