[Macpartners] IS&T Software Update for January 2005

[Deb Bowser]

Date: Wednesday, January 26, 2005
To:  Members of the MIT Community: itpartners at mit.edu, macpartners at mit.edu, 
winpartners at mit.edu, sw-release-announce at mit.edu, ed-tech at mit.edu, 
linux-help at mit.edu
From: Software Release Team <swrt at mit.edu>
Subj: IS&T Software Update for January 2005
Cc:  is&t at mit.edu, itag at mit.edu, it-lead at mit.edu


This monthly communication is intended for Faculty, Staff and Students 
within the MIT Community, to provide updated information regarding new and 
upcoming software products and services.


Topics of the month:
----------------------------------------
1. Recently released software
2. Software release efforts underway
3. Mobile Devices
4. Volume & site license software update
5. Software retirement
6. How are we doing?  Let us know

1. Recent Releases
-------------------------------------------------------
Linux
------------------
OpenOffice - January 19, 2005
Virtual Private Network (VPN) - January 4, 2005

Macintosh
-------------------
Virtual Private Network (VPN) - January 4, 2005

Windows
-----------------
Virtual Private Network (VPN) -  January 4, 2005


2. Software Release Efforts Underway
------------------------------------------------------
Linux
-----------
None this month

Macintosh
----------------
Adobe Reader 7 - Release effort to begin in February
Eudora 6.2 - Release effort to begin in February 2005
Office 2004 - Release effort underway - February 2005

Windows
-----------------
Adobe Reader 7 - Release effort to begin in February
Eudora 6.2 - Release effort to begin in February 2005
Microsoft Anti-spyware - evaluation in progress

To obtain information on any of the release efforts listed, please visit 
our page:  http://web.mit.edu/swrt/


3. Mobile Devices:
-------------------------------
Support for PalmOS PDAs and Smartphones will begin in February.  Focus will 
be on e-mail clients SnapperMail version 2.1 and VersaMail versions 2.7 and 
higher.  Synthesis SyncML version 2.1 has been removed from the release 
effort as the technology is not mature enough to document and support.  The 
release team will keep watch for a supportable version.

An IAP event will be held at 12:00 today, Wednesday, January 26, 2005 in 
the N42 Demo center.  Configuration quickstarts will be held several 
afternoons in February and those dates will be announced soon.


4. Volume Site License Software Update
----------------------------------------------------------
The annual Matlab renewal is underway.  IS&T has enhanced our systems to 
expedite and simplify the renewal process.  We have also reduced most of 
the prices.  If you have not already ordered your Matlab license for 2005, 
please visit https://web.mit.edu/is/products/vsls/matlab/matlab-license.html.

MIT is licensed to upgrade the majority of the Adobe Acrobat Professional 6 
licenses we distributed last year to the recently released Adobe Acrobat 
Professional version 7.  We are working with Adobe on distribution 
mechanisms and will be posting additional information on the VSLS site 
http://web.mit.edu/ist/products/vsls/.


5. Software retirement
--------------------------------------------------
Keeping pace with current Operating Systems and applications benefits 
everyone.  As a reminder, Windows 2000 workstation will be retired on March 
31, 2005.  MIT has signed a Campus Agreement with Microsoft for use of its 
current operating systems which will assist Departments, Labs and Centers 
(DLCs) and undergraduates in upgrading aging Windows OS software.  For 
additional information, please read the announcement: 
http://web.mit.edu/swrt/announcements/retirement-win2000.html. To read more 
on software retirements during FY2005, please read the announcement: 
http://web.mit.edu/swrt/announcements/de-support-fy05.html
For additional information on the MIT Campus Agreement, visit 
http://web.mit.edu/ist/services/software/msca.html.


6. How are we doing? - Let us know
--------------------------------------------------------------
Do you find this communication helpful?  Are there other items of interest 
you would like to see included as well?  Please take a moment to let us know:
http://web.mit.edu/swrt/feedback.html

You can always send e-mail to swrt at mit.edu with any questions and comments 
you have pertaining to this communication or other software release matters.

Deb Bowser
QA Coordinator - Client Support Services
Information Services and Technology (IS&T)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Room W92-176
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-253-3879
bowser at mit.edu