Microsoft Office 2007 Roll-Out Plan
In preparation for the Fall 2008 semester, Information Technology Services will be upgrading all classroom and computer labs to the latest version of Microsoft Office 2007 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Publisher). In addition, faculty and staff may request Office 2007 to be installed on their office computer systems.
Below you will find information pertaining to:
- Requesting Microsoft Office 2007
- Training Offered at the ITD Lab
- Anticipated Upgrade Schedule for Classroom Podiums and Computer Labs
- Web Editor Alternative for FrontPage
- How to acquire an installation CD for your personal home computer
Requesting Microsoft Office 2007
It is not mandatory for users to migrate or upgrade to Office 2007. Key point for consideration is the compatibility with other users/students (2003 documents can be opened by 2007, but is not guaranteed backwards compatible - even with the conversion utility installed). With the deployment of Office 2007, ITS will only support the use of the Office 2003/2007 suites, discontinuing support and training for all versions prior to the 2003 version.
ITS strongly encourages training prior to having an upgrade performed (which will require all other versions to be uninstalled). The Office 2007 interface is significantly different than its predecessors. Please review the next section for training opportunities. If you would like a sneak peak of the new interface click here.
The procedure for requesting an Office 2007 upgrade is easy; just contact the ITS Support Center (x4225). As you make your request, you will be added to the installation list and a Support Center representative will contact you to arrange a time for installation (actual timeline will depend on ITS workload). The installation of Microsoft Office 2007 will result in previous versions being completely removed from your office computer system (FrontPage will not be removed, unless you request it. Note: FrontPage will be removed from the labs by fall semester (see section below for more information).
Training Offered at the ITD Lab
Do not under-estimate the learning curve! Sign up for a training session at: www.svsu.edu/workshops Departmental/group training should be scheduled seperately from the dates offered below. Contact the ITD Lab at (x7471) to arrange a special workshop for your department, and ITS will coordinate installation on your systems to follow the training sessions.
Available Workshops in Z111 on the following dates:
May | June | July | August |
| Tue, 5/6/08 1:00-3:30 | Fri, 6/20/08 1:00-3:30 | Tue, 7/15/08 1:00-3:30 | Fri, 8/1/08 1:00-3:30 |
| Tue, 5/13/08 1:00-3:30 | Tue, 6/26/08 2:00-4:30 | Wed, 7/23/08 1:00-3:30 | Fri, 8/08/08 1:00-3:30 |
| Thur, 5/22/08 12:00-2:30 | Tue, 8/12/08 10:00-12:30 | ||
| Fri, 6/20/08 1:00-3:30 | Wed, 8/20/08 10:00-12:30 | ||
| Fri, 8/22/08 1:30-4:00 |
Anticipated Upgrade Schedule
for Classroom Podiums and Computer Labs
IMPORTANT
If you feel there is a schedule conflict with a class you teach, contact ITS immediately (x4225).
LAB | Timeline | LAB | Timeline |
| B110 | May | C141 | July |
| B129 | May | C220 | August |
| B203 | August | C227 | July |
| B213 | May | SE104 | August |
| B215 | May | SE105 | August |
| Classroom Podiums | July-August | SE136 | May |
| EN106 | May | SE145 | May |
| EN108 | May | SE206 | May |
| ES112 | May | SW226 | May |
| ES214 | May | SE127 | July-August |
| ES220 | May | SE135 | July-August |
| ES225 | May | Ryder 267/257/R101 | Late Summer |
| Pioneer first floor labs | May | W261 | Late Summer |
| Pioneer P239 P241 | May | Macomb | July-August |
| P232 | July |
Web Editor Alternative for FrontPage
Back in 2002/2003, Microsoft decided to change their office suite of applications. With the 2003 version, Microsoft removed FrontPage and added Publisher to Office 2003. Since SVSU had a site-license agreement with Software Assurance with Microsoft, ITS was able to upgrade the Office XP version of FrontPage to FrontPage 2003 (as a standalone application, even though it was no longer included in the suite).
Microsoft replaced FrontPage 2003 with a new product line called Expressions (which has a variety of purchasing options, dictated by user needs). Expressions is not included in our Office 2007 site license agreement and must be treated as an independent application, purchased separately from departmental funds. FrontPage does not "have" to be uninstalled from your office computers, but the application has no future and is considered "broken" when used with SVSU servers, and will be removed from computer labs next fall.
During the Winter 2008 semester, ITS sent out information regarding this and offered a Web Editor Alternatives forum. Following the presentation of four different editors, ITS opted to widely deploy Kompozer (a basic, easy to learn and use, multi-platform supported free web editor. During the summer, ITS will be installing Kompozer in the labs, while removing FrontPage. If you wish to have Kompozer installed on your office computer, mention it when requesting your Office 2007 installation.
More information about Kompozer and/or to download your own copy, visit: www.svsu.edu/its and click on the Software Downloads menu link.
How to Acquire an Installation CD
for your Personal Home Computer
Microsoft Office 2007 CDs for HOME installation will be available for checkout at the Library Circulation Desk beginning May 5th. Only full time faculty and staff that have Microsoft Office currently installed on their office computers are eligible. ITS will be investigating solutions for part-time employees, including adjuncts. As of this point in time, students are not eligible for Microsoft Office software at SVSU. However, Corel WordPerfect X3 is available for students for free (check-out a CD at the Library Circulation Desk).
If you have any questions contact the ITS Support Center at 989.964.4225