Cisco delays Windows 7
Ben Ferree & Andrew King
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: News
In the battle between Bill Gates' empire and the resurgent brand of Steve Jobs, Microsoft hopes to land a crushing blow to Macintosh with the release of the "simple," "easy" Windows 7.
Microsoft unveiled their new operating system on Oct. 22, hoping to replace the widely criticized Vista, released in January of 2007.
In an interview with Newsweek, Gates, chairman of the Windows Corporation, said that the intent of the new operating system is to yield a "more user-centric experience," calling it a "more refined version of Windows Vista."
The challenge with Windows 7, however, just might be finding it.
Although many stores report an underwhelming turnout for the new system, the Windows 7 edition that contains upgrades to three computers, rather than just one, is currently sold out at every Best Buy in the greater Columbus area as well as online.
Currently, Capital University is still running on Windows XP, Microsoft's fifth effort, released an entire eight years before Windows 7.
"No sign of a switch is near," according to Andrew Daugherty, campus Information Technology employee. "Upgrades on campus would require erasing everything on every computer and installing the new operating system. We're an XP campus."
IT coworker Andrew Peddicord agreed with Daugherty.
"XP is good for networks [like Capital's]," Peddicord said. "We still need to test Windows 7."
The last time Windows introduced a new operating system, Capital had a multitude of problems when students tried to switch to Vista from the successful XP.
With the switch to Windows 7 imminent, Capital IT is trying to avoid the same situation.
The main roadblock in this process is the campus Internet situation.
"Cisco won't work on Windows 7," Daugherty said, referring to Cisco Clean Access Agent, Capital's network admission control. "Restricted access is needed, but for Windows 7 users, that access will be untimed. This is just a temporary fix."
While the University waits for Cisco to develop a new agent, Windows 7 users will have to use the restricted access like other campus computers without Cisco.
The "temporary access" will yield time restrictions as well as other minor issues.
IT also emphasized the necessity of anti-virus and firewalls, to prevent any threats from gaining access to Capital's vast network.
According to a statement issued by campus IT, "To access Capital's network, you must have the CCAA.
"Therefore, we strongly advise you to wait before upgrading and/or installing Windows 7 on your computer.
"Before we can fully support Windows 7 on Capital's network, we need to obtain, configure and test the new CCAA within our environment.
"Once we have completed this task, we will alert the campus and provide you with any important information."
IT hopes to make the transition to the new operating system a smooth one.
They ask that anyone with questions, comments or concerns contact them at 614-236-6508.
Some students, however, have found an alternative to dealing with the new issues Windows 7 presents.
Nate Tritt, sophomore, had his own theory.
"Just buy a Mac."
By Ben Ferree
Contributor
bferree@capital.edu
By Andrew King
Editorial staff
aking@capital.edu
Microsoft unveiled their new operating system on Oct. 22, hoping to replace the widely criticized Vista, released in January of 2007.
In an interview with Newsweek, Gates, chairman of the Windows Corporation, said that the intent of the new operating system is to yield a "more user-centric experience," calling it a "more refined version of Windows Vista."
The challenge with Windows 7, however, just might be finding it.
Although many stores report an underwhelming turnout for the new system, the Windows 7 edition that contains upgrades to three computers, rather than just one, is currently sold out at every Best Buy in the greater Columbus area as well as online.
Currently, Capital University is still running on Windows XP, Microsoft's fifth effort, released an entire eight years before Windows 7.
"No sign of a switch is near," according to Andrew Daugherty, campus Information Technology employee. "Upgrades on campus would require erasing everything on every computer and installing the new operating system. We're an XP campus."
IT coworker Andrew Peddicord agreed with Daugherty.
"XP is good for networks [like Capital's]," Peddicord said. "We still need to test Windows 7."
The last time Windows introduced a new operating system, Capital had a multitude of problems when students tried to switch to Vista from the successful XP.
With the switch to Windows 7 imminent, Capital IT is trying to avoid the same situation.
The main roadblock in this process is the campus Internet situation.
"Cisco won't work on Windows 7," Daugherty said, referring to Cisco Clean Access Agent, Capital's network admission control. "Restricted access is needed, but for Windows 7 users, that access will be untimed. This is just a temporary fix."
While the University waits for Cisco to develop a new agent, Windows 7 users will have to use the restricted access like other campus computers without Cisco.
The "temporary access" will yield time restrictions as well as other minor issues.
IT also emphasized the necessity of anti-virus and firewalls, to prevent any threats from gaining access to Capital's vast network.
According to a statement issued by campus IT, "To access Capital's network, you must have the CCAA.
"Therefore, we strongly advise you to wait before upgrading and/or installing Windows 7 on your computer.
"Before we can fully support Windows 7 on Capital's network, we need to obtain, configure and test the new CCAA within our environment.
"Once we have completed this task, we will alert the campus and provide you with any important information."
IT hopes to make the transition to the new operating system a smooth one.
They ask that anyone with questions, comments or concerns contact them at 614-236-6508.
Some students, however, have found an alternative to dealing with the new issues Windows 7 presents.
Nate Tritt, sophomore, had his own theory.
"Just buy a Mac."
By Ben Ferree
Contributor
bferree@capital.edu
By Andrew King
Editorial staff
aking@capital.edu
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