General Software at Boise State University
Getting Started
AntiVirus Software
Faculty and staff have access to free Symantec AntiVirus software for both personally-owned and University-owned computers through the OIT Help Desk. This software is available for both Windows and Macintosh computers.
Students can purchase antivirus software at an academic discount through the University Bookstore, or they can download and install our recommendations for free antivirus software over the Internet.
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Apple OS X Operating Systems
The OIT Help Desk fully supports Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther), 10.4 (Tiger) and 10.5 (Leopard) operating systems. Support for Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) is pending as we're waiting for Symantec to release an enterprise antivirus client for the platform.
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CD & DVD Burning Software
Most University-purchased computers come with CD and/or DVD burning software installed. If you need assistance with creating CDs or DVDs, let us know and we'll help you out.
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SFTP Clients
Boise State University requires a secure FTP (SFTP) client for file transfer with almost all non-FrontPage (e.g., www.boisestate.edu) websites. For example, any website on the www.boisestate.edu server requires an SFTP client to download and upload files.
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Handheld and SmartPhone Software
The OIT Help Desk supports handheld and smartphone connectivity with Google Apps email and calendaring tools.
Using Smartphones with Google Apps >>
Internet Browsers
The OIT Help Desk supports Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Apple Safari web browsers.
Keep in mind some University software systems are designed to either work exclusively or "best" with Microsoft Internet Explorer.
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Microsoft Office Suite Applications
The OIT Help Desk supports all versions and platforms of the Microsoft Office Suite of applications. Microsoft Office is available at no charge to any University employee for installation on University-owned Windows and Apple computers per our Microsoft Site License.
For those of you upgrading to Office 2007, note the interface has changed markedly. Prepare for the changes by reviewing them through a series of short tutorials on Microsoft's website.
Microsoft Office is also available for a nominal download fee for personal home use for faculty and staff through our Microsoft Home Use Program.
Computer Based Training on Microsoft software is available at no charge through our Microsoft Site License.
Microsoft Home Use Program >>
Microsoft Computer Based Training >>
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Microsoft Windows Operating Systems
The OIT Help Desk supports all versions of the Microsoft Windows desktop operating system. Microsoft Windows is available to any University employee per our Microsoft Site license.
As part of our Microsoft software site license, Microsoft Software E-Learning is available at no charge to employees to access online and download on University-owned computers.
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SPSS, SAS and NVivo Statistical Software
SPSS, SAS and NVivo are statistical analysis software programs available to University employees per an annual license agreement per copy.
The OIT Help Desk supports installation and licensing issues for SPSS version 16 and 17 for Windows, and SAS 9.x.
For information on obtaining or renewing a license for one of these statistical software packages, contact the OIT Help Desk.
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Virtual Environments (vmWare)
vmWare is a desktop virtualization software program that allows you to run one or more operating systems in addition to a computer's primary operating system.
vmWare can be purchased by individuals and departments. The OIT Help Desk can troubleshoot vmWare desktop virtualization software installation issues.
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Web Editing Software and Web Accounts
The OIT Help Desk advocates an agnostic view of web editing software choices for producing and editing University website content. Use what works best for you!
- That being said, keep in mind websites created in Microsoft FrontPage or Expression Web cannot be published to a non-FrontPage University web server from within those programs; you must use another publishing tool to upload or download content.
- The corollary is true; sites created outside of Microsoft FrontPage or Expression Web cannot be published to a University FrontPage server unless either of those programs are used for publishing.
The OIT Help Desk supports installation and connectivity issues for all web editing software, as well as supports basic HTML troubleshooting.
The OIT Help Desk does not provide support for designing websites or training on using web editing software. If you are interested in fee-for-service web design and web editing, Printing and Graphics Services can serve your needs.
However, we do provide links to training resources and recommended books to help further your web editing skills.
The Help Desk also facilitates requests for website permissions and website creation.
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What is LAMP?
LAMP is a new server environment designed to allow expanded services to the campus web community.
At this time the LAMP project has been approved as an OIT project. However the project plan, timeline, migration process and campus changes are being built out. As items become definite, campus input is needed and as more information becomes available there, will be increased communication to the campus community.
Of course, the OIT Help Desk is available for any questions you may have. We're open 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday, and you can reach us at 426-4357, or via e-mail at helpdesk@boisestate.edu
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