Apple users had something to celebrate this past semester when they began to see Macintosh computers installed in on-campus computer labs. “I got accustomed to using my Mac when I am at home, so I hated when I had to use a [Personal Computer] in the labs,” said Kyle Jones, accounting junior. There are now a total of 60 Macs located in the University’s computer labs. But software differences between Macs and PCs create compatibility problems for some students and faculty. “The problem is the garden of architecture that exists when you have different software,” said Sheri Thompson, Information Technology communications and planning officer. “Because there is a disparity in technology, Mac and PC have to work together in order to to accommodate the users of both.” One way the University is trying to accommodate students using Mac is by allowing students to download Microsoft software free of charge. “Mac released Microsoft software to its users in an effort to help users who are used to Windows software,” Thompson said. “Many students are now able to download class lectures posted through PAWS.” But University students such as Kim Landry, kinesiology freshman, said some courses still require you have a PC. “I know for ISDS courses, you have to have a PC,” Landry said. “I would always have to go to the library to print out work and complete assignments.” Courses that use Course Compass – an online math program often used by the University – also are not Mac compatible. “With Course Compass, you have to use a PC,” Landry said. “You can’t have a Mac for that.” Thompson said many compatibility issues can be resolved if more students just communicated with their instructors. “Mac users have to communicate with professors if they’re having trouble accessing documents,” Thompson said. “It’s then the professors’ responsibility to make sure everyone can access their class documents.” But some compatibility issues do not have a quick-fix solution. “There are some software limitations which prevent Mac users from using certain course programs,” Thompson said. Despite compatibility issues, some students and faculty still prefer to use Macs over PCs. “Our chemistry professors refuse to use PCs, most of them have Macs,” Thompson said. “My next office computer will be a Mac.” Finance senior Jamie Duke said even though she is using a PC now, she plans to make a change in the future. “They just look better,” Duke said. “And my friends who have Macs say that once you go Mac, you’ll never go back.”
—-Contact Oscar Battle Jr. at obattle@lsureveille.com