ITS Advises Waiting to Install Windows 2000

Microsoft Corp. released the latest version of the Windows operating system, Windows 2000, on Feb. 17. Saint Louis University's Microsoft Campus Agreement entitles the University to distribute the new software to faculty and staff for both desktop computers and servers.

But before scheduling widespread installation of the software at SLU, the University needs to fully evaluate the functionality and support implications of the new software in SLU's environment. Thus it will be several months before ITS is ready to distribute the new version.

At this point it appears that the new desktop version, called "Windows 2000 Professional," provides only modest advantages for most users over the current standard SLU desktop operating system (Windows 98 Release 2).

Also, because of the heavy integration of directory services provided by Windows 2000, it should not be installed on SLU servers until all the implications for the server and network environment can be assessed.

"ITS will be working closely with the University community and local IT support staff to test and implement the product," said Thomas Moberg, vice president and chief information officer.

For more information about Windows 2000, see the following World Wide Web site: http://www.slu.edu/services/ ITS/news.html.

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