Software Update
Newsletter from the Santa Fe Information Management Office
Prepared by INSERT YOUR NAME HERE
The Big Switch
In the next month, the City of Santa Fe will make the transition from the Windows 2000 to Windows XP.
After this transition, the software standard in the city government offices will be the latest version of
Microsoft Office, which includes not only Word and Excel but also PowerPoint (a presentation program),
Outlook (an e-mail and contact management program) and Access (a database management program).
This isn't to say that every city employee now must use Microsoft Office, but if you choose to stick with
"nonstandard" software, you're on your own. To receive full support and training, you have to conform to
the standard. Classes on WordPerfect and Lotus 1-2-3 will no longer be available for city employees.
Furthermore, all documents posted on the network must be compatible with Microsoft Office; that is, users
of Microsoft Office must be able to open the documents without significant loss of formatting and with no
loss of information.
Training on MS Office
Computer training courses are free of charge to all city employees. Here is the schedule of courses:
Introduction to Windows XP, June 3, June 5, June 9, or June 11, 3:30-5:00 p.m. (employees should
choose any one of these four sessions.)
Beginning Word, June 18 through July 1, Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Intermediate Word, June 7 through July 21, Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Beginning Excel, June 18 through July 1, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Intermediate Excel, June 7 through July 21, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Q&A on Win XP and MS Office
Here are answers to some of the most common questions by city employees regarding the change to
Windows XP and Microsoft Office.
Why are we switching to Windows XP?
There are several reasons. First is speed. Most software designed for Windows 2000 will run as fast or
faster on Windows XP, particularly those applications that involve frequent disk access and graphics, but
most importantly, software written specifically for Windows XP (such as the latest version of MS Office)
will run faster than it would in Windows 2000.
Why are we standardizing on Microsoft Office?
It has become too inefficient and expensive to provide support for any software city employees happen to
choose on their own. We simply have to standardize. At this point in time, we feel it is good business to
standardize on Microsoft products, because Microsoft is the biggest, most stable software company in the
world.
Can we continue to use non-Microsoft products?
Yes, if your supervisor authorizes it. But if you choose to be different, you're on your own. Your CSR
(Computer Resource Representative) may be able to help you at times--particularly in helping to ensure
that the files you produce are compatible with the standard software products--but the CSR makes no
guarantees in satisfying your specific needs. Furthermore, you'll receive no city-sponsored training on any
non-Microsoft product.
docsity.com