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Home - Computing - Home Computing Environment

Home Computing Environment

See application specific notes:
| anti-spyware | antivirus | browsers | e-mail | MS Office
| MS Office Compatibility Pack (docx, xslx, pptx) | Powerpoint 2004
| Web browsers and cookies | Windows Vista |

See also the Technology Literacy Requirements

Please note that the School requires that all incoming students have computer access at home as follows:

NOTE regarding Windows Vista:

  1. Blackboard: Windows Vista users must use either Internet Explorer 7.0 or Firefox 2.0 when accessing the SLIS Blackboard system.
  2. MySJSU: Windows Vista users must use Internet Explorer 7.0 when accessing MySJSU.

  3. Second Life is now officially supported on Windows Vista. However, please make sure that you have the latest drivers installed for your graphics card. More information on compatible graphics cards is available at: secondlife.com/corporate/sysreqs.php.

See also Windows Vista FAQ.

NOTE regarding Mac OS: In LIBR 202 (all sections), all students are required to use software that is currently only available for Windows. The program is called Inmagic DBTextWorks (see link in sidebar). A Mac user will need to use Windows-emulation software such as Microsoft Virtual PC in order to use a Macintosh to run DBTextWorks. If you have one of the newer Intel-based Macs, Parallels is one option for running a virtual environment. [Notice: SLIS has not tested the combination of Parallels/Windows XP/DBTextWorks.] Note that you must also purchase Windows XP to use DBTextWorks in a virtual-Windows environment. You can continue to use Microsoft Office in Mac OS X. If you already have Microsoft Office installed in your Mac OS X environment, you are not required to purchase it for the virtual-Windows environment unless you want to run Microsoft Office in the virtual environment.

Alternatively, you may invest in Windows emulation software, such as Virtual PC 6.0. The presentations may play slightly slower under Virtual PC 6.0 (depending on the processor and amount of memory in your Mac), however you should still be able to view the presentations adequately to suit your class requirements.

NOTE regarding Microsoft Office: The Microsoft Office Suite is available to students through the SJSU Bookstore at a discounted price of $79.99.

Office products for both Windows and Mac OS are available. You will be purchasing both the installation media as well as licensing for the product.

Please note that you must bring your Tower Card with you to the Spartan Bookstore in order to purchase these products. Special Session students are not eligible for Tower Cards but they may obtain a student ID card that will satisfy this ID requirement. Cards can be obtained from the Bursar's Office.

CSUF SLIS Students: For students based in Southern California, the Titan Bookstore is participating in this program. Students will need to bring a valid student ID with them to the Titan Bookstore in order to make the purchase.

For both SJSU and CSUF students, you will be asked to fill out and sign a contract prior to purchasing Microsoft Office products.

General information can be found at: msadmin.calstate.edu/student_program.shtml

NOTE regarding Antivirus Software: Students are responsible for purchasing, installing, and maintaining antivirus software on their home computers. It is now a mandatory requirement that students have antivirus software installed on their home computers. Students are also required to keep their virus definitions up to date.

NOTE regarding Anti-spyware Software

Recommended:

It is good to run more than one anti-spyware scanner periodically. For instance, scan your system using Ad-aware and delete any spyware/adware that is detected. Then, run Spybot S&D and do the same. Often the second program will identify spyware & adware that the first program missed.

Laptop Rental: Please note that students may rent laptops through SJSU Associated Students. The price is $25 per week, and an SJSU student ID is required. Students interested in this should contact Associated Students at 408-924-6976 and inquire about the Laptop Rental Program.

E-mail Accounts: All active SJSU students will receive an SJSU email account beginning in Fall 2008. Information regarding SJSU student email accounts will be posted at E-Mail Accounts.

NOTE regarding web-browsers and cookies: Please make sure that your web-browser is configured to accept cookies. Several SLIS server programs require the usage of cookies in order to function correctly.

NOTE regarding DSL service and Blackboard: If you use a broadband router to share your DSL service amongst multiple computers, then you need to make sure that the router is configured to allow all traffic on the following TCP ports: 80, 7755, and 8081.

NOTE regarding Powerpoint 2004 on Intel-based Macs: Some students who try to view Powerpoint presentations under Powerpoint 2004 on their Intel-based Macs have reported several issues. The main issues are:

  1. Links embedded in the Powerpoint file do not work.
  2. Audio embedded in the Powerpoint file does not play.

Students who are experiencing the above issues are encouraged to upgrade to Powerpoint 2008 for Mac. SLIS has verified that the issues have been resolved under Powerpoint 2008.

Students can obtain Office 2008 for Mac (which includes Powerpoint 2008) at a discounted rate ($79.99) through the SJSU Spartan Bookstore or the CSUF Titan Bookstore.

See the following for additional information:
slisweb.sjsu.edu/ecommunication/homecomputing.htm#office.

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