New 1999 Duckware CD Gives You a Head Start

By Hervey Allen (hervey@oregon.uoregon.edu)

Once again, the Microcomputer Services group (with help from others) has released a new version of the Duckware CD-ROM.

This disc is available to all current UO students, faculty, and staff at no cost. This year, the disc has some notable changes, including:

• separate versions for Mac and Windows
• new design - the CD's look and interface were redesigned to be cleaner and more functional
• no Windows 3.1/DOS support (i.e., Duckware isn't available for Windows 3.1)

What Can Duckware Do for You?

The Duckware CD-ROM contains software that can help you connect to the Internet from home or on campus. This includes network application installers for the MacOS, Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT. Detailed instructions and troubleshooting tips for getting set up are also included in the Duckware interface. Other notable applications that make the new CD a very useful tool are

• Norton AntiVirus for both Mac and Windows. The UO has a site license for this invaluable software, so you can install it for free.
• Star Office. This productivity suite mimics much of Microsoft's Office product, including the ability to read and write Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Access Database files.
• IP/TV for viewing multicast video on campus
• secure versions of network applications
• numerous web tools, shareware, utilities, drivers, and more.

The Duckware interface includes links to many UO web-based resources, answers to common computing questions, and a detailed reference of computing-related help options at the UO.

System Requirements:

• a PC running Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT 4.0, or
• a Macintosh running System 7.0 or better

If You Don't Have a CD-ROM Drive. . .

Copies of the Network Applications Installer and the Norton Antiviral software from previous years are available in the Computing Center Documents Room (205). You may use the CD-ROM on UO computer lab machines as well. Most of the content can also be found on our UOnet public servers or on the web.

Where Can I Get It?

Students, faculty, and staff may pick up their copy of the 1999 Duckware CD-ROM at one of the following locations:

• Microcomputer Support Center (Computing Center Room 202)
• CC-EMU Microcomputing Lab
• CC-Klamath Lab
• CC-Millrace Lab
• Knight Library Information Technology Center (ITC)
• Science Library Information Technology Center

Students living in campus housing can get Duckware at Residence Hall and Family Housing area desks in the University Inn, Hamilton, Carson, Spencer View, and Westmoreland.

Faculty members can also get copies and assistance at the Faculty Instructional Technology Training Center (Knight Library Room 18), or can contact JQ Johnson at 346-1746.

Reuse and Recycling

If you decide you no longer want the CD-ROM, please don't throw it away! We'll gladly take it back and give it to someone else. Just drop it off at the Microcomputer Support Center, or mail it via Campus Mail to "Microcomputer Services - UO Computing Center." Thanks to the UO Campus Recycling Program, you may also recycle the Duckware CD-ROM in designated bins at any of these locations: the CC-EMU, CC-Klamath, and CC-Millrace labs; and the Knight and Science Library ITCs. You can drop the white paper sleeve in any paper recycling bin on campus.

Questions?

For additional Duckware help or information, contact the Microcomputer Support Center's consulting office in Room 202 Computing Center (microhelp@oregon.uoregon.edu, 346-4412). Or, check out their web site at http://micro.uoregon.edu