It’s a new year, and it’s software updating time again, so that you can get to Library and other services from on and off-campus.
It’s not always easy to do this with a dial-up connection from home, however, so the Boreham Library has just issued the latest edition of our answer for you.
The Library Software CD contains the most important large downloads so you can get your system up to date with what you need at the Library, without the frustration of trying to download over a dial-up connection to the Internet.
A copy of the 2008.8.21.b edition is available by just asking at the Library’s Circulation Desk, and you can check it out overnight, copy the files to your own computer, and get ready to use Library services.
The CD currently contains:
Microsoft Windows XP’s Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 2 updates, so if you already have Windows XP but need the Service Packs, they’re on here. (Sorry, Windows XP itself is not included.)
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, so you will be up-to-date with the latest version of this browser. You will need this version with many of our databases.
Firefox 2, so you have an alternate browser when IE7 has a problem with a web site.
Java, which is vital for any browser to properly use all the pages and services of the Library and many Blackboard services.
PDF-Xchange Viewer, for looking at PDF files like those used in the Library’s Electronic Reserves.
Links to other plugins you might need for Blackboard and other classes.
The full (huge!) file for OxygenOffice Professional Suite. This is an enhanced freeware group of programs based on OpenOffice, which looks much like Microsoft Office 2003, but it can handle the new XML formats (the docx, pptx, etc. formats), WordPerfect, Microsoft Works, and has extra graphics and templates. If you’re concerned about buying Microsoft Office, consider trying this first — for free.
There are also links to other useful programs you can download yourself.
Complete instructions are included with the CD.
