IT Announcement
Microsoft Vista Overview
Vista offers a more appealing and easier to use desktop navigation experience over that of XP. It is compatible with the most commonly used campus software applications at CSUN, such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat Reader and works well with Active Directory, the application used to grant access to campus computers. Vista also has a number of features such as System Image Back–Up and BitLocker Hard Drive Encryption that will appeal to technical and security–minded users.
Recommendations
Campus Use
CSUN IT and the Desktop Administration Support Committee (DASC) conducted a review of Vista Enterprise Edition with Service Pack 1 to determine if a campus–wide upgrade is necessary at this time. Due to a lack of business–critical features found in Vista, a campus–wide upgrade is not recommended at this time. Each College and Division will determine if and/or when to transition their computers to Vista: Vista Enterprise Edition is the recommendation of the review team for those areas who chose to implement.
Personal/Home Use
New computers purchased by faculty, staff, and students will more than likely come preloaded with Windows Vista (Home Basic Edition and Home Premium Edition are the most common versions sold with new computers), check the comparison chart to select the home version of Vista that is right for you. Before buying a new computer review the recommendations for hardware and software to ensure your computer runs well.
Students, faculty and staff can obtain significant discounts on Vista by purchasing through the campus Bookstore. For information on student pricing, click here and in the resulting web page, enter "Vista" in the ‘Search’ box located in the upper right hand corner of the page. Faculty, staff can call (818) 677–2932 or visit the Bookstore for information on "Work At Home" pricing for Vista.
Support
XP Support through 2014
The CSU Microsoft license permits the continued use of XP on university–owned machines at least through April, 2014. Windows XP Professional (the version used on University computers) will continue to be supported by Microsoft through April 2014.
Vista Support at CSUN
The IT Help Center provides support for Vista and XP users. Each division and college technical support group will provide Vista support if and when their computers are transitioned to Vista.
If you have questions, contact the IT Help Center at (818) 677–1400 or email to helpcenter@csun.edu.