Microsoft’s release of Windows Vista two years ago disappointed users. But with its latest operating system, Windows 7, Microsoft has fixed the problems associated with its older system, Syracuse University users said.

SU plans to begin installing Windows 7 on computers in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in May 2010, said Stanley Ziemba, the chair of an SU committee studying Windows 7.

‘This will be exciting because every PC on campus will be using Windows 7 and will be operating off of the same environment,’ Ziemba said.

About 90 percent of PCs at SU still use Microsoft’s Windows XP operating system, while 10 percent of computers use the Windows Vista operating system.

The committee has opted to install the new system after testing the software since July, the month Microsoft submitted the new software to SU technicians.

By using Windows 7, released to consumers Oct. 22, the campus will decrease electricity use because of its advanced sustainability. Windows XP does not go into power saver mode like Windows Vista or Windows 7 do, Ziemba said.

When a computer running on Windows XP goes into idle mode, it uses 75 watts of electricity, Ziemba said. But Windows 7 will go into a hybrid sleep mode where it only uses 1 watt of electricity, he said.

SU’s Technology Leadership Committee formed the sub-committee that tested the software. The sub-committee, headed by Ziemba, is a campus-wide collaboration incorporating 50 information technology professionals from different colleges within SU, said Ziemba, who is also the Information and Computing Technology director at Maxwell.

‘I have been working on Windows 7 exclusively for six to seven months. I have installed it on at least 15 different laptops, including net books, and it has run beautifully,’ Ziemba said. ‘Microsoft really spent a lot of time testing the operating system, and they got it right.’

Windows 7 offers a simpler way to navigate through a computer, according to Microsoft’s Web site. The system offers better compatibility with hardware and software, easier accessibility to files and programs and better security with fewer system message alerts.

The committee is testing compatibility with academic software programs and has had success with each program, Ziemba said.

A main concern for the sub-committee was to minimize the transition for users who are familiar with Windows XP and Vista. Ziemba explained that the large compatibility Windows 7 has with other programs, like Abobe software, will make the transition very smooth.

Any Windows computer students buy will now come with the new operating system. Since no campus upgrades will begin until May, this gives students seven months to familiarize themselves with the operating system, Ziemba said.

Michael Fudge, an adjunct professor in the School of Information Studies, said he was dissatisfied with the way Windows XP and Windows Vista ran on his laptop. He experienced problems with supporting computer hardware with the Vista system.

‘I am very satisfied with Windows 7,’ Fudge said. ‘In my opinion, it works better compared to Windows Vista.’

Some students have said the new system has been easy to use.

Jinyan Xu, a junior graphic design and information studies and technology major, said she is constantly using programs like Adobe InDesign, as well as Cisco software, that are not compatible with Macs. Xu upgraded from Windows Vista to Windows 7 about a week ago.

Xu said Windows 7 is faster on her laptop than Vista, and it is easier to use.

‘Adobe runs better on Windows 7 than Vista, which is good for me because I use it a lot,’ Xu said. ‘Now I can run Adobe and Cisco software; it’s very convenient.’

hadrost1@syr.edu

Published on November 3, 2009 at 12:00 pm