Re: Advice for a University Student
- From: Daiya Mitchell <daiyaNOSPAM@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 08:33:40 -0800
Some quick thoughts--
I'm not sure all chemistry software out there runs on a Mac. Check that before making a decision. The chem program at the university might perhaps have some recommendations or requirements?
Does your incoming university have a Disability Services center or some sort of Student Learning Support, etc? You might see if they recommend anything.
Is a Mac (and having to repurchase software for it) any cheaper than a tablet? I'd run the numbers, taking into account which of your programs are OEM versions that are tied to your current Windows machine and can not be transferred, and that your university may have special deals even cheaper.
Chances are that you can get Windows Office programs at an academic discount even without buying the Student version (although, I can't find a package that includes the basics and OneNote and Project and Outlook)--for example:
http://journeyed.com/home.asp
You have to prove student status, and I don't know if they ship to the UK, but I would expect something similar exists for the UK, as there are 4 or 5 sites like this. Ask around, google.
I would also look for user groups/webpages related to your specific disability, as they might suggest certain programs, etc, that make life easier.
asmodius666@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
(X-posted to Mac software and Office groups).
Hi,
First off, apologies for the long query, it's also quite multifaceted,
so it might be more applicable to other groups, if someone could
advise me where to cross-post to I'd be grateful.
I'm a disabled student, about to transfer to another university in
England. Due to my needs I require electronic solutions to note taking
(OneNote seems to be the best solution so far).
I need a notebook computer, but I'm not sure what would be the best
solution in terms of OS and software.
If I had a Windows solution, I'd want Vista as a clean install, every
PC with an XP upgrade I've seen had a noticeable performance drop.
Ideally I'd use a tablet PC (not a slate), but other here they're hard
to find and ludicrously expensive for the spec(around £1200), plus the
only ones I've seen are XP. I looked at the Samsung ultra-mobile ones,
but I'd need to be able to run subject-specific software too.
My current solution is a Wacom Tablet attached to a PC using OneNote
2003, the only problems I have encountered are the lack of stylus-
inputted date to text on non-tablet PC's, and the lack of keyboard
short cuts to switch pen colours, or from pen to typing quickly.
The new student package for Office has OneNote, but not Outlook, which
I've always used to organise myself (and to a lesser extent Microsoft
Project).
How do calender and Mail in Vista work? I use a Smartphone
activesync'd with Outlook at the moment, and I can't get on with the
Hotmail web app, which I'm guessing Mail is based on.
My other option is a Mac with Office (and Parallels for windows
programs). Entourage sounds like a decent organising package, and the
notetaking features in Word for Mac look helpful, plus I've had no end
of trouble with Windows laptops, I've got a powerful XP rig at home
for tinkering with, I just want something portable to get the job
done, it's only going to be used for Office programs and chemistry
software.
In short:
-I need decent organising software (email/calender/tasks).
-I need a notetaking solution close to OneNote on a tablet.
-I don't have a huge budget.
What would work best? I tried asking in stores around here, but
they'll tell you anything to get a sale.
- References:
- Advice for a University Student
- From: asmodius666
- Advice for a University Student
- Prev by Date: Re: how to enter registration key for mac microsoft office 2004
- Next by Date: Re: Advice for a University Student
- Previous by thread: Re: Advice for a University Student
- Next by thread: Re: Advice for a University Student
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
