QCT

Quick Computing Topics (QCT) is an electronic Newsletter published by Computer and Telecommunication Services and Media Services/User Support for CSUB Faculty, Staff, and Students. Past issues will be archived on Computer and Telecommunication Services and Media Services/User Support homepages. Please address any comments or suggestions to:  Melanie Butler on First Class, mbutler@csubak.edu, or call extension 2115.

MS Office 98 for the Mac is Now Available!
You now may purchase full version and upgrade licenses for MS Office 98 -- the new Office suite exclusively for the Macintosh -- updating Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Features include:

* quicker loading, especially when using OS 8.1 (included), and super fast on the Mac G3
* quicker reload after quitting Word and Excel
* made-for-the-Mac version, not adapted-from-Windows version (like Word 6 was)
* easy conversion to HTML (Save As...) within PowerPoint or Word and HTML hyperlinking
* super easy Windows/Mac file sharing, no conversion necessary
* automatic grammar and spell checking (while-you-work, but no invasive dialog windows or alert sounds)
 

It is recommended that your computer have at least:

120MHz PowerPC processor or better (although it works on any Power Mac)
System 7.5 or later
16MB RAM (see below for User Support RAM recommendations)
49MB free hard drive space
CD-ROM drive

The cost for an upgrade license (if you already have the old version installed on your computer) is $34.74 plus tax. If you would also like the CD the cost would be an additional $17.00 plus tax (for your own installation; you don't need the CD if you want User Support to load the software). Office 98 must be purchased through the Form 5 procurement process, with a CCP card (if you have one), or as a Direct Pay (with tax, a total of $55.49 for license and CD through Wareforce, Inc.).  If you need the full version (not just the upgrade) the cost for the license is $42.98 plus tax. Documentation is $24.37 plus tax. User Support will install Office 98 on your Macintosh, but they will need proof of your license purchase at the time of installation. Call x2307 to make an appointment. The Wareforce website for CSU prices on software is http://www.wareforce.com/wareforce/clients/csu.htm

Questions you may have about MS Office 98 (MS98)

Q:  If I don't have MS98, can my Mac read MS98 Word files if they're sent to me by my coworkers?

A:  Yes, attached above is an installer for a file converter for Macintosh computers running the previous version of MS Word.  This converter can read MS Word 97/98 for Windows and MS Word 98 for Macintosh files.

Q: What's the recommended amount of RAM needed?

A:  We recommend a workstation with at least 32MBs of RAM to avoid sluggish performance.

Q: Do I really need a PowerPC processor with 120 MHz?

A:  Microsoft recommends a PowerPC processor with 120MHz speed, but it can work with PowerPC processors as low as 90Mhz.

Q: Will I need any special training for this?

A:  No, MS Office 98 for Macintosh works very similar to its predecessor.  To help you learn the new features of Office 98, you may want to use the MS Office Assistant included in the suite.

Q: Can I turn off the MS Assistant (the little animated computer with legs)?

A:  Yes, click on the window's close button to turn it off. Although MS Assistant can be very handy for learning new features, experienced users may find it distracting.

Q: Can I use MS Word to create HTML pages?

A:  Yes, one of the features of MS Word 98 for Macintosh is that it includes HTML tools for creating and editing HTML documents.

Q: How can I turn off the sounds created by MS Office, when I perform certain commands?

A:  Under the Tools Menu, choose the Preferences command.  Switch to the General Tab and deselect the 'Provide feedback with sounds' box.  This will turn off the sounds in all three MS Office applications.
 
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