Macs: some basic info

You HAVE to use Windows/Internet Explorer for myITlab access, and Windows Office 2007 for the Capstones. Office for Mac does indeed do everything that Office for Windows does (and IMHO does it better) - however, that's how the class is setup. I won't bore you with the details on why.

Staying with the Windows side to get your work done will be MUCH less mentally stressful as well - less switching back and forth.

So here are your options:
1) The cheapest is to not use your Mac at all. There are machines in the Library labs available - you would save your work to your flash/thumb drive. Computer Science Lab Room 101 will be open nights.

2) Use your Mac for myItlab access, and lab computer for the capstones/Office 2007.
For this you will need to install Windows on your Mac - and you have 2 options for this path! First - swing by the Computer Science Department and pick up a copy of Windows for $25.

1. Using Boot camp - you'll need the Windows disc PLUS a burnable CD or DVD (Boot camp will tell you which). Boot Camp is either in the Applications folder, or in Applications-->Utilities.  This way you can choose which one to startup with - Mac or Windows - and you'll be able to do the myITlab training and exams.
   
2. Use emulator software to run Windows. Without getting too technical here, you purchase a copy of Parallels or VM Fusion. With this you startup the Mac as normal - then startup an application called Parallels - which then cranks up Windows. The advantage: you can easily switch back and forth between the two operating systems, and you don't have to muck around with the hard drive.. Disadvantage: more complex to deal with, and the somewhat higher cost.

3) Use your Mac for everything. For this you do the stuff in option 2, PLUS pick up a copy of Office for Windows. It's available here at Mercer online for $69 download / $80 box - sadly, only the 2010 version [still workable for the class]. You'd get setup for Windows - startup Windows, and then install Office. This whole process does take a while - allow for the time!

I can help with this. As of January 2011 Mercer Tech support is little help for Macs - a grand source of frustration for me as well!

The big tradeoffs are cost versus convenience. If you are good at scheduling things, and working ahead, you really CAN get by without having a computer at all in this class - it just isn't as convenient as having your laptop and pulling it out in your room.

Boot Camp / installing Windows etc.
Here is some basic info about Boot Camp, installing Windows, etc.

1. A stash for some Boot Camp website URLs and a pdf of instructions
2. Boot Camp 3 FAQ
3. Boot Camp Guide
4. Boot Camp - Windows 7 FAQ
5. Boot Camp: Keyboard Mapping - shows the differences between the Mac kybd and a standard Windows keyboard. Scan down this article and find YOUR keyboard - there's a link to additional info specific to your keyboard.
6. SERIOUSLY detailed instructions on installing Windows 7 on your Mac.
7. Another Guy wrote some instructions - scan down to the Mar 06 2010 entry. It's more of a synopsis, but may be helpful.