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Issue
62 - December 2009 |
Implementation
of Windows 7: An update
By
Joe Lee
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We have announced our tentative implementation
plan of Windows 7 through various channels, including Network
Computing (“Windows
7 – A First Glimpse”, Network Computing Issue 61 - September 2009),
notification to Departmental Network Administrators of departments
(early November) and network message to all staff in mid-November.
Due to the overwhelming response to Windows 7, the Computing Services
Centre (CSC) has revised its implementation plan to meet users’
needs. Basically, we have speeded up the implementation in Lecture
Theatres (LTs) and Classrooms, making all of them available before
Semester B commences. In addition, we have significantly moved
the implementation ahead in the Staff LAN environment. The Windows
7 prototype for Staff LAN will be finalized this month and it
will be deployed to CSC machines for trial run in January 2010.
Formal support of Windows 7 is expected to be offered in March
2010 instead of summer if most offices/units have sorted out the
compatibility issue of their acquired or in-house developed applications.
1. Teaching and Learning
The following table depicts our current implementation schedule:
Location |
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CSC Teaching Studios |
Room A, B |
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Room D, E |
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Room F, G |
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Room
P |
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Room
I, J |
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Room
K, L |
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Room
H |
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Room
Q |
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Printing,
Scanner, Service Counter |
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Library |
Information Space |
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Learning
Commons |
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LTs
and Classrooms |
LT
1-18 |
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Classrooms |
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Obviously, Windows 7 is guaranteed to be available in all CSC-managed
computers for open access in Semester B.
Windows7 replaces Windows Vista while Windows XP remains
intact
The implementation of Windows 7 will not affect the existing Windows
XP environment. However, Windows 7 will directly replace the existing
Windows Vista environment for the following reasons:
- Windows 7 and Windows Vista have the same kernel and therefore,
most software applications running on the Windows Vista environment
can also run smoothly on Windows 7.
- Windows 7 outperforms Windows Vista in terms of boot up time,
security, user friendliness, and others.
- Due to limitation of hardware resources and manpower, it is
undesirable to support more than two operating environments.
The computing environments for teaching and learning
in Semester B
For PCs in the CSC Teaching Studios, Library’s Information Space
and Learning Commons:
For PCs in LT and Classrooms
-
Windows XP environment connecting the LT LAN
(IE7 browser)
-
Windows 7 environment connecting the LT LAN
(IE8 browser)
-
Local XP environment (only for local presentation,
no network connection)
Applications available in Windows 7
Existing software applications installed on the CSC Student LAN
for Windows Vista will be made available for Windows 7. For details,
please visit http://www.cityu.edu.hk/csc/deptweb/facilities/terminal-area/software.htm
Getting familiar with Windows 7
While the user interface of Windows 7 looks familiar and is easy
to use, its default web browser is Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) instead
of IE7. As such, staff members are still recommended to gain some
experience in using Windows 7 and IE8 before conducting their
classes. They can either use computers mentioned in the above
areas according to the completion dates or set up testing machines
in their computer labs by using the Windows 7 software media recently
distributed to the departments. Staff may also exercise the “Work
at Home Rights (WAH)” to upgrade their home computers to Windows
7 to have a taste of it. For terms and conditions of WAH, please
visit http://www.cityu.edu.hk/csc/stafflan/ms-license.htm
.
2. Staff LAN
There are two approaches to implement Windows 7: direct upgrade
and fresh install. The upgrade approach has distinct advantages
that the installation of Windows 7 will not destroy user’s existing
applications, settings, customizations and data. Microsoft provides
the upgrade option for machines running Windows Vista. The time
required for direct upgrade varies, depending mainly on hardware
performance. However, there is no upgrade option for machines
running Windows XP and therefore, all Windows XP machines must
perform a fresh install. Users are required to backup applications,
drivers and data on Windows XP before doing so.
The CSC is going to finalize the upgrade prototype for Windows
Vista machines. It will be tested and fine tuned in January. If
everything goes smoothly, an option will be put up on the Work
Desk menu for staff to perform the upgrade in March. To help users
get familiar with Windows 7, we have scheduled some training classes
which can be applied through the University e-Portal. More classes
will be added if necessary.
Events |
Tentative
Schedule |
Preparation
- Upgrading McAfee to 8.7i campus-wide |
Semester
Break |
Prototyping
- Upgrading to Windows 7 from Windows Vista |
December
2009
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Pilot
run - Upgrading CSC staff machines |
January
2010 |
Formal
support of Windows 7 |
March
2010 |
Training |
22/1,
19/2, 19/3, 23/4, 4/6 |
3. Summary
As some university software (including in-house developed applications,
the e-learning system and administration systems) are known to
be incompatible with Windows 7, the CSC cannot formally support
and widely deploy Windows 7 in campus until support units have
resolved these compatibility issues with the respective software
developers. Nevertheless, Windows 7 will surely be available for
teaching and learning in Semester B while its implementation for
staff use will probably be in March 2010.
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