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Operating Systems, Microsoft Office, and Web Browsers

Click the links below to learn more about use, known issues, and support of these new releases at Boston College:

Snow Leopard Logo Snow Leopard

New Software Release: Snow Leopard – Mac OS 10.6
The new Apple operating system, Snow Leopard (10.6) was released on August 28, 2009. A select number of ITS staff were part of Apple’s pre-release testing team, and continue to test the new final release.

ITS Recommendation: Wait to Upgrade
ITS recommends you wait to upgrade to Snow Leopard. At this time we are still finalizing internal testing of BC specific services on Snow Leopard, as well as ensuring we have an anti-virus program that works on this new operating system. In addition, as with any brand new software release, often the first few months of the release allow for some initial “bugs” to be worked out. ITS is in the process of developing a full list of known issues, in the mean time, you can visit http://snowleopard.wikidot.com for information about Snow Leopard’s compatibility with popular applications.

Not afraid of a few bugs?
If you are anxious to try Snow Leopard right away, and understand that there may be some problems with it and support at this time is limited, you have two options:

  • For BC owned computers: Please contact your TC. They have access to an online installer and can assist you.
  • For your personal computer (not owned by BC): You may buy Snow Leopard for $29 at any Apple store or at the BC Bookstore.

If you do decide to be an early adopter of Snow Leopard, we hope you will share your experience with us by emailing your feedback to help.center@bc.edu.

Learn more about Snow Leopard at BC.

Leopard Logo Leopard

Leopard was commercially released in October 2007. According to Apple, Leopard contains over 300 changes and enhancements over its predecessor, Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger, covering core operating system components as well as included applications. Leopard introduces a significantly revised desktop, with a redesigned Dock, Stacks, a semitransparent menu bar, and an updated Finder that incorporates the Cover Flow visual navigation interface first seen in iTunes.

Windows 7 Logo Windows 7

Microsoft commercially released Windows 7 on October 22, 2009. Although Windows 7 has been officially released to the public, ITS is currently testing Windows 7 Enterprise for compatibility with BC-specific applications and services.  

ITS Recommendation: Wait to Upgrade
ITS recommends you wait to upgrade to Windows 7. As with any brand new software release, often the first few months of the release allow for some initial “bugs” to be worked out and there might be some compatibility issues with your existing BC-specific applications or services. ITS will develop a list of known issues and make those available.

However, ITS realizes that there are genuine business reasons for someone to be an “early adopter” of Windows 7, even before we have had the chance to complete testing. For those individuals who understand that there may be some compatibility issues with upgrading to Windows 7 and currently support is limited at this time, you have two options:

  • For BC-owned computers: Please consult with your Technology Consultant.
  • For your personal computer (not owned by BC): BC is in the process on finalizing an agreement with a Microsoft approved reseller as well as other options where you may purchase the upgrade for a nominal amount to cover the cost of the media. More information to come.

Please check back here frequently as new updates will be posted here as they become available on how Students who want to be early adopters can get the upgrade to Windows 7 Enterprise. Faculty and Staff should consult with their Technology Consultant if they want to be an early adopter.

Learn more about Windows 7 at BC.

Windows Vista Logo Windows Vista

Windows Vista was commercially released in January 2007. This most recent version of the Microsoft operating system incorporates a dramatic makeover with a new "glass-like"user interface (Aero), improved search capabilities, better user control, improved performance and reliability. Windows Vista is the most secure Windows operating system to-date.

Important: Windows 64-bit editions are not recommended due to compatibility issues.

Office 2007 Icon Office 2007 for Windows

Microsoft Office 2007 for Windows was commercially released in January 2007. This most recent version of the Office suite of applications incorporates a dramatic makeover of the look, feel, and file formats for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and companion software.

  • These changes can affect all Office users, whether or not they upgrade, due to compatibility issues.

Faculty, staff, and students can download Office 2007 now from the Software Download site, but please be aware of the following:

Note: Laptops bought from the BC Laptop Purchasing Program have Office 2007 installed on them.

Learn more about Office 2007 for Windows at BC.

Office 2008 Icon Office 2008 for Mac

Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac was commercially released in January 2008. This most recent version of the Office suite of applications incorporates a dramatic makeover of the look, feel, and file formats for Entourage, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and companion software.

  • These changes can affect all Office users, whether or not they upgrade, due to compatibility issues.

Note: Laptops bought from the BC Laptop Purchasing Program have Office 2008 installed on them.

More information about Office 2008 for Mac coming soon...

Internet Explorer Icon Internet Explorer 8 (IE8)

In March 2009, Microsoft released Internet Explorer 8. According to Microsoft, security, ease of use, and improvements in RSS, Cascading Style Sheets, and Ajax support were its priorities for Internet Explorer 8.

Faculty and Staff Using Windows: Any user who is a local administrator can install Internet Explorer 8 from the Microsoft Download Center. Information Technology Services (ITS) is currently blocking the automatic update on faculty and staff computers until a campus-wide upgrade plan is determined.

Students Using Windows: You may receive an Automatic Update notification indicating that this update is available. After clicking on the Automatic Updates notification balloon, you will see a welcome screen summarizing key features of Internet Explorer 8 and presenting two options – “Next” (to install IE8) or “Ask me later.”

Note: For security reasons, ITS still recommends that you use a web browser other than Internet Explorer (IE), however IE is still required for some applications at Boston College and other sites on the web. Read more about recommended browsers.

Safari Icon Safari 4

Apple released Safari 4 in June 2009. Safari 4 has vastly improved speed, and new features such as Cover Flow (a feature of Mac OS X), and a "Top Sites" tool (a copy of Opera's Speed Dial that displays your most visited sites in a 3D world), and much more. Learn more about Safari 4 from Apple.

Safari 4 is now available as an install option when you get software updates. Currently, because of some compatibility issues ITS recommends that you do not install Safari 4 on your computer. ITS testing has found that when using Safari 4 to access certain sites, they reject your browser for incompatibility (for example, the Undergraduate Course Feedback site linked from Agora Portal). More information will be posted here as it becomes available.