Published March 4, 2013
By Diana Tuorto, dianatuo@buffalo.edu
Windows 8 came out this past fall…so, it’s time to
go ahead and upgrade the old computer, right? If you’re using
that device for classes or work with UB, we think you should
wait.
Comment(?)
Windows 8 has introduced significant changes to make the
operating system better suited for mobile devices, even including a
touch-friendly component. There is now a Start screen instead of a
Start menu and a new Windows store allows app purchases.
CIT is currently testing software and services to verify Windows 8
compatibility. As a result, university systems and public sites
will not be upgraded at this time.
“Based on consultation with the UB Workstation Standards
Committee, CIT recommends that students, faculty, and staff defer
upgrading personal systems until we’re satisfied that Windows
8 meets academic and business needs,” said Saira Hasnain,
Director, Enterprise Infrastructure Services (EIS).
Several individual UB schools have recently announced their support
of CIT’s recommendation:
“Currently, the School of Management is not considering a
migration to Windows 8 in the near future,” said David
Costello, Assistant Dean, UB School of Management. “Until our
staff has more time to use and become familiar with the new
operating system, we won’t consider a school-wide migration.
With that said, we don’t see any significant, technical
benefit to consider. In fact, we feel the user interface and
experience would require training for most, if not all, users. We
will work with faculty that have a genuine need to consider the
migration to Windows 8 for business or research
reasons.”
Peter Rittner, Assistant Dean of the UB College of Arts &
Sciences, added, “The College of Arts & Sciences fully
supports the UB Workstation Standards Committee’s
recommendation that any devices used for UB purposes not yet be
upgraded to Windows 8.”
Already Have Windows 8?
If you’ve already upgraded or purchased a Windows 8 device,
be sure to download the latest version of Symantec
Endpoint Anti-Virus Protection. Staff, faculty and students can
download this software and much more, including Microsoft Office,
at no cost through the UBIT website.
Can’t wait?
If you are interested in trying Windows 8 on your personal computer
and you understand the risks, then UB students, faculty, and staff
can obtain a version of Windows 8 under UB’s Microsoft Campus
Software Agreement for a small distribution cost.
Follow
CIT’s testing progress and latest advice on Windows
8.
VITEC Solutions services both personal and department-owned computers and iProduct devices; visit their drop-off depot in the Lockwood 2nd Floor Cybrary or call 800-333-1075. You can also request office pick-up for UB-owned equipment. Track your repair status.
iPhone usage by students is up in every UB school. Students in
the School of Nursing reported the biggest increase this year-
their iPhone usage jumped from 18.6% in 2011 to 45.9% in 2012.
Verizon Wireless is currently the carrier of choice of students at
UB, with 39% using their service.
In 2012, more students reported connecting to Wi-Fi through UB
Secure. 74% reported securely connecting vs. 67% in 2011.
Computing and Information Technology at UB is more than 40 years
old. Here’s a look back at the Interface newsletter from March 1980.
(Please note: this PDF file includes perturbations natural to the
duplication process at the time.)
