U. slow to accept new Windows

Although Windows 95 is the fastest-selling software package ever, the University isn't buying into it just yet. At stores across the country, new computer systems are sold with Windows 95 already installed. But the University is assuming a use-at-your-own-risk policy for the new software, which was released to the public August 24. According to Dan Updegrove, associate vice provost of information systems and computing, there is no need for the University to adopt the latest version of Microsoft's popular operating system. Therefore, the University is providing only limited assistance to students who buy the program and need help with it. "We're advising people not to use Windows 95 unless they are self-sufficient," said Updegrove, who is also the executive director of Data Communications and Computing Service. "There are no features of Windows 95 that I'm aware of that add critical value to current University information services." Students who arrived at the University with Windows 95 installed on their computers were surprised to discover that they had virtually no technical support. To make matters worse, several pieces of University software -- such as ResNet basic applications, which connect dormitory computers to the University's network -- are incompatible with the new Windows. "The University's software never worked on my computer," Engineering sophomore Scott Levine said. "Penn never informed me that they weren't going to support Windows 95." According to Updegrove, the problem is with a system that automatically assigns an "IP address," or an identification number, to each user. This system will not work with Windows 95. However, DCCS can help with student this particular problem. "If the student calls the help line, we will manually assign them an IP address," Updegrove said. In addition, a guide should be made available this week that will help students configure Windows 95 for ResNet, according to Noam Arzt, director of information technology architecture for the office of Information Systems and Technology. But the guide will help only those students with a standard Ethernet card, the piece of hardware which allows access to the network. Other students are having problems with new applications that were released by Microsoft to work on Windows 95. Engineering sophomore Jennifer Barten said her professor would not accept an assignment she completed on Excel 7.0. Excel is the spreadsheet used in University classes, but the new version 7.0 packaged with Microsoft Office 95 is significantly different from versions used by the University. "I couldn't directly hand in my homework done on Excel 7.0 because the University uses an older version of Excel," she said. "I have to save it, convert it in a lab, and hope it still works." Barten added she was disappointed with DCCS. "This is a $27,000 University," she said. "They should be able to upgrade the system to keep up with the commercial world." Updegrove said it would be difficult for the University to upgrade so quickly. "We were never sure when Windows 95 would be available," he said. "And many computers on campus aren't powerful enough for Windows 95." There is also the issue of the quality of the new Windows. Arzt said he wants to wait for Microsoft to remove all the bugs from the program before he considers installing it on University computers. "No large organization is looking to support the current version of Windows 95," he said. "We're advising to wait until the first major bug fix release in early 1996." Meanwhile, DCCS is attempting to beef up the technical support staff. Updegrove said he hopes to have a competent staff available to answer students' questions about Windows 95 by January.