Software Specifications
Note: These are the preliminary 2008 specs. Phase V configurations are being negotiated; the specifications listed below indicate the likely features and configurations. This page will be updated with the most current configurations when available.
Also note: The table lists the software supplied on the laptop that CITS will support. The laptop may come with other software; see the Software FAQs for more information. Click on a feature name to learn more about what it means and does.
| Feature | IBM-Compatible | Apple |
|---|---|---|
| Photo |  |
 |
| Model | Gateway M285E Tablet | MacBook Pro |
| Operating System | Windows XP Professional | OSX 10.4 |
| Office Software | Microsoft Office 2007®:
|
Microsoft Office 2008 ®:
|
| ThunderBird 2.0, UMassD Webmail | ThunderBird 2.0, UMassD Webmail | |
| Web Browsers | Internet Explorer 7, Firefox 2.0 | Safari 2.0, Netscape Navigator 7.2, Firefox 2.0 |
| FTP | Smart FTP | Fetch 5.1 |
| Anti-Virus | Norton Anti-Virus | Norton Anti-Virus |
| Personal Firewall | Windows Firewall | Mac OSX Firewall |
| Scheduling & Calendaring | MeetingMaker | MeetingMaker |
| PeopleSoft | PeopleSoft Applets and Configurations | PeopleSoft Applets and Configurations |
| Miscellaneous Internet Applications | Adobe Reader 8.0, Quicktime 7.1, RealPlayer, Windows Media, Flash Player, Audacity | Adobe Reader 8.0, Quicktime 7.1, RealPlayer, Windows Media, Flash Player, Audacity |
| CD Burning Applications | Standard Utility | Standard Utility |
Descriptions
- Operating System
- Both models come with full versions of their operating systems, along with the latest security updates. Note that the Macintosh MacBook Pro computers have Intel processors and cannot run Classic applications (those needing OS9).
- Office Software
- Both models come with Microsoft Office. Microsoft Word ® is the word processing software; Microsoft Excel ® is the spreadsheet software; Microsoft PowerPoint ® is the presentation software; Microsoft Access (for PCs only) ® is the database software.
- Users of Eudora and Netscape mail will be switched to the new Thunderbird email reader. You can also use the UMassD Webmail at https://email.umassd.edu/. If you have another email program you prefer to use, or use a web-based email system like Yahoo! or Hotmail, you are free to continue using them. CITS will only provide support and training for Thunderbird and UMassD Webmail.
- Web Browsers
- The MacBook Pro comes with the latest versions of Firefox and Safari a modern web browser built and maintained by Apple. Microsoft has discontinued Internet Explorer for the Macinsoth. You may download and use whatever other browser you prefer to use; however, CITS will provide support and training only for Firefox and Safari on the Macintosh Platform.
- The Windows laptop comes with the latest versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer and Firefox for their respective platforms. You may download and use whatever other browser you prefer to use; however, CITS will provide support and training only for Explorer and Firefox for the Windows platform.
- FTP
- The File Transfer Protocol program allows you to transfer files to and from servers. As with Web Browsers, you can download a different FTP program if you prefer. However, CITS will provide support and training only for SmartFTP and Fetch as well as WS-FTP, our older package which is being phased out.
- Anti-Virus
- Both models come with Norton Anti-Virus software to protect your computer against viruses and worms. CITS requires that all computers connected to the campus network have and use anti-virus software.
- Personal Firewall
- Both models have built in firewall protection as part of their operating systems. This helps prevent malicious programs from using your computer.
- Scheduling & Calendaring
- Both laptops come with MeetingMaker installed as a scheduling and calendaring application. You can use your existing MeetingMaker account with the laptop
- PeopleSoft
- Both models come with the appropriate Peoplesoft Applets and Configurations.
- Miscellaneous Internet Applications
- These are standard applications that will make your Internet
experience better.
- Stuffit is a compression utility. Often, files available on the Internet are compressed to reduce file size and decrease download time. Stuffit will decompress and compress files. The Windows operating system has built-in capabilities to compress and decompress files.
- Acrobat Reader allows you to read and print PDF documents. To edit existing PDF documents, you will need the full Acrobat program; contact CITS for more information. (Note: Macintosh OSX can create PDFs from just about any program, via the Print command but cannot edit them once created. A special utility PDF995 has been installed on the Windows computers to allow this capability also. If you need to manipulate PDFs as a regular activity, we recommend you get the full Acrobat program.)
- Quicktime, Real Player, Windows Media and Flash Player are multimedia applications that can play movies, listen to audio tracks, tune into Internet radio streams and watch movies on the Internet.
- Audacity is an audio editing application, of particular interest to faculty teaching online courses using WebCT Vista.
- CD Burning Applications
- Both models' operating systems come with basic CD/DVD burning software built in. You should not need special software to burn a CD/DVD; if you do, contact CITS for more information and consultation.
Software FAQ
- If I need a specific program installed on my laptop that is not listed and is not part of the operating system. How do I get it on the laptop? Can I install it myself?
- Contact CITS regarding special software you need. You have
the ability to install any software necessary on the laptop and we ask that
you install academic and work related programs. CITS will provide support
for the programs listed above.
Piracy programs, mal ware, spamming software and hacking programs are not allowed on the computers and violate the UMass Responsible Use Policy. - Can I delete programs on the laptop?
- Do not delete programs provided on the laptop as these constitute
a standard configuration. If you have a problem with one of these programs,
contact CITS for support. If you prefer to use another program instead of
the one provided, you may do so, and simply not use the program we provide.
If you find that you need space on the hard drive, you can back up data using
the CD burner or another mass storage device. You can delete any programs
you install yourself.
Under no circumstances may you delete or replace the operating system. If you have technical difficulties or if the program you need requires a specific version or kind of operating system, contact the CITS Service Center at 508.999.8790 or itscenter@umassd.edu. - What are my rights and responsibilities?
- You are expected to abide by the Responsible/Acceptable Use of Computing Services Policy. You are also responsible for the care of your laptop hardware and software. CITS has backups of all programs and operating systems; however, it takes significant time to restore programs and operating systems and you may lose your settings and possibly your data during the restoration process. If the operating systems and installed programs have to be restored, you may lose your settings or possibly your data. CITS provides training in using the operating system and the programs we support. Also consult the Hardware FAQ.
