Big changes coming!

[Dan Brosemer <odin@svartalfheim.net>]

Due in large part to Josh's work creating an unattended install system, we
are just about ready to make our upgrade to the client machines.

Without boring you with the details, here are things that will change:

1.  Moving from Windows 2000 to Windows XP
    We bought XP licenses back in the day, but used 2000 because it was
    easier on our systems.  Now we have beefier systems, and 2000 is hard to
    support.  It's time to upgrade.
2.  Switch from Mozilla suite to Firefox
    Most of the Mozilla Foundation's work these days is on Firefox, so we
    will switch and benefit from the added attention.  Your bookmarks will
    carry over.
3.  Switch from Mulberry to Thunderbird
    This is the big one!  If you had complicated Mulberry settings, you can
    still make complicated Thunderbird settings.  But I can't migrate these.
    For everyone's CN Email, Thunderbird will just work when you launch it,
    but it will not know about other accounts or figure out your address
    book.

To migrate your address book, you're going to need a little help from me.
See me when it's time, and I'll give assistance (there are only two of you
who used Mulberry address books, so it won't be a big issue).

4.  OpenOffice is upgraded to 2.2.  This adds many things like better
    DOC/XLS support, full WPD support, etc.  I think you'll be pleased.
5.  PDFWriter, new software to print to PDFs without the extra step
    in-between.
6.  Open Workbench, new software for project management.  Gantt charts and
    the like.  If you don't know what a Gantt chart is, you'll never launch
    it.  Don't worry.

What doesn't work:

1.  Simply accounting will not automatically install.  Ever.  No matter what
    I do.  That means that whenever someone reinstalls that system, it will
    go away until we remember to add it again.  Just prod
    techies@lists.cleannorth.org if it goes away.
2.  PageMaker doesn't autmatically install *yet*.  I've had this one
    auto-installing before, though, so once I get my hands on the CD, I
    should be able to fix this one.  For now, after re-installing Wedge,
    pagemaker will go away.
3.  Dual monitor support on wedge will not automatically be set up.  I
    haven't yet investigated if this is possible to do or not.  For now,
    after a re-install, one monitor will work.
4.  Internet Explorer and Outlook Express (this is by design).

Here's a screenshot of our new desktop using XP's Luna theme.  Of course you
can change the theme and it will change for only you and follow you around.

http://cleannorth.org/~odin/screenshotxp.png

The changes will happen on Sunday just before the BOYD meeting (I'll start
about 6pm, it should take about an hour) so if you show up to that, you will
be exposed to the changes while I'm there and can offer some assistance.

This has been a long time coming, and we're getting there because of Josh.
Thanks!

-Dan

-- 
"Burnished gallows set with red
 Caress the fevered, empty mind
 Of man who hangs bloodied and blind
 To reach for wisdom, not for bread."  -- Deoridhe Grimsdaughter