Windows 10

As many of you probably know, the latest Operating System from Microsoft has been released. Microsoft released Windows 10 in late July 2015 as a free upgrade to your home computer through the Windows update application. Ferris State University’s IT department has began discussions on deployment of Windows 10 to University computers, but do not have any plans set at this time. As more developments become available for upgrading to Windows 10, we will be sure to communicate with University.

If you are interested in upgrading your home computer to Windows 10, you can get some good information about the upgrade here. For information about Windows 10 FAQ’s, you can look at this link.  And some helpful How-To’s for Windows 10 can be found here. Again, this is for your home computer only. ITS has not determined a plan at this point to upgrade University owned computers to Windows 10.

Windows 10 was created with the best parts of the familiar Windows 7 OS and and not-so-familiar Windows 8.1 OS. These parts being the Start Button (Windows button), the Desktop, Programs, and Live Tiles. When Windows 8 was released, the focus of this OS was on touchscreen devices like phones and tablets. There was a need for this technology at the time, but the usefulness of the touchscreen was not transferred very well into a desktop setting. PC users on a desktop or laptop were not able to use and benefit from the touch features like those using a phone or tablet. The other feature in Windows 8 was the introduction of Live Tiles. Live Tiles are a way to interact with a computer through tiles that display information in a real-time manner or allow you to access applications or files quicker and easier. These tiles can then be grouped and manipulated in whatever way a user wants to make their computer use more efficient.

Now, fast forward a few years, Windows 10 now integrates those live tiles within the familiar Start menu and is now usable on both a PC or tablet/phone device. Also, Windows 10 brings back the focus of the Desktop environment that users have become so familiar with while interacting with their PC. Microsoft has really done a nice job of combining the touch screen modern features needed for the new technology with the older more familiar features users are used to from the older Operating Systems, which makes for a more user friendly interface.

In addition to those things, Microsoft released a new web browser in Windows 10 to replace Internet Explorer. The new Windows 10 browser is called Microsoft Edge. Microsoft Edge is a completely redesigned browser  with new features that aim to improve web browsing capabilities and the user’s web experience. Like many web browser companies already, Microsoft has made the move to now allow Java applications to run on their new browser in hopes that web developers will begin to adapt to new security standards and practices when developing their web applications. There is some good news though, Microsoft did not really get rid of Internet Explorer, they just hid it in a different folder. To use Internet Explorer 11, just click on the search box at the bottom and type Internet Explorer. You can the pin the shortcut to your start menu or taskbar for later use. For more information about the new Microsoft Edge browser, click here.

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Windows Tablet Standard

The Information Technology Services department has named a standard tablet that runs the Windows Operating System. The standard Windows tablets are Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and Microsoft Surface 3. The tablet selection was made this past May and the review team included members from IT and the Accounting department. This selection of a standard Windows tablet does not effect or replace the standard iPad options.

The review team looked at several different models and several different configurations before narrowing the selection down to just a few. During the initial discussions, it was determined that two options would be available as a standard, a High-End model and a Low-End model. The High-End model included things like a faster and more powerful processor, more memory, larger storage drive, and larger screen size. The specifications could allow a user to use the tablet as laptop and run more power intensive applications without losing function of the tablet, similar to a laptop. The Low-End model included things like a mid-grade processor, less memory, lower storage capacity, and smaller screen. This tablet option was selected for users that wanted/needed a tablet, but didn’t need the power to run resource heavy applications. This tablet is more for email, web browsing, and document modification.

The specifications for the selected tablets are as follows:

• Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (High-End)
  • Processor – Intel Core i5 1.9GHz
  • Memory – 8GB RAM
  • Storage – 256GB Hard Drive
  • Screen Size – 12″ Touchscreen
  • Stylus Included
  • Keyboard Cover Included
  • 3 Year Warranty
• Microsoft Surface 3 (Low-End)
  • Processor – Quad-core Intel Atom x7-Z8700
  • Memory – 4GB RAM
  • Storage – 128GB Hard Drive
  • Screen Size – 10.8″ Touchscreen
  • Stylus Included
  • Keyboard Cover Included
  • 3 Year Warranty

The decision to select two Microsoft Surface tablets for the High-End and Low-End was consistency between the layout and use of the tablet. Also, the ability to image and troubleshoot issues on a single brand is much easier for IT to manage. These tablets are being added to the Sehi purchase portal and to the standard purchase product list within the Ferris State University Technology Purchase Portal. Look for these to be added shortly. If you have any questions regarding the tablet selection or options, please contact the Technology Assistance Center for more information.

 

Updated Newsletter

The FSU Tech Connect newsletter has gotten a facelift. We have moved the newsletter from it’s old location on BlogSpot to WordPress and have updated the look and feel to provide a more updated and relevant source of news regarding ITS. The newsletter will begin with new monthly content starting in December. In conjunction with updating the newsletter, TAC has launched a social media presence on Facebook and Twitter to open the communication avenues that are popular with todays technology. The TAC Facebook page can be found by searching for Ferris State University Technology Assistance Center in Facebook or by going to This Link. You can also follow the TAC Twitter account here. These social media resources will provide an updated way to communicate with the Ferris community about IT related news and updates at Ferris and in the IT industry. And as always, if you have a topic that you would like to see added to the newsletter, please don’t hesitate to pass it along. You can send those ideas and suggestions to: tac@ferris.edu and put Tech Connect Newsletter Idea in the subject.