Compute This B

[amerikestrel]

For this event, is there a way to know what we're using, like Apple or Windows, etc? A Mac? A Dell?

It says in the rules that it will be a PC, and if an Apple is used then you will be notified before the competition. I'm not sure what kind of PC though, I don't have the rules right now.

[brobo]

For this event, is there a way to know what we're using, like Apple or Windows, etc? A Mac? A Dell?

The type of computer doesn't matter... a Dell should run just as well as Toshiba, or at least its not that big of a deal. It could very from school to school.
We will be using Windows, most likely XP. If they use a Mac, they are required to tell you prior to the competition, but that most likely won't happen.
I would expect to use XP with windows 2007, but prepare for anything: in one of the invitationals, I had to use Windows 99 with Office 2003. But the operating system shouldn't be that big of a deal, just if its Windows vs. Mac. The version of Office will be a bigger deal, so familiarize your self with both 2003 and 2007.

[amerikestrel]

For this event, is there a way to know what we're using, like Apple or Windows, etc? A Mac? A Dell?

The type of computer doesn't matter... a Dell should run just as well as Toshiba, or at least its not that big of a deal. It could very from school to school.
We will be using Windows, most likely XP. If they use a Mac, they are required to tell you prior to the competition, but that most likely won't happen.
I would expect to use XP with windows 2007, but prepare for anything: in one of the invitationals, I had to use Windows 99 with Office 2003. But the operating system shouldn't be that big of a deal, just if its Windows vs. Mac. The version of Office will be a bigger deal, so familiarize your self with both 2003 and 2007.

Yeah, I don't think it would matter that much... but I don't really know that much about Windows; I like Macs much better. As for the versions of Office, I don't think it would matter that much either, because they're all pretty straightforward if you know the basics.

[robotman]

They are only required to notify you if they are using an OS that is no windows or a different graphical/text program
In general older versions of Office only really change the visual appeal rather than layout of operators Office 2007 is where it changes to a Tab system
I recommend having used both before competition as the change from 2003 to 2007 is somewhat major.

[AlphaTauri]

Yes, the layout changes a lot from Office 2003 to 2007. It can take forever to find stuff if you're not used to it (although it is very nice for formatting and other assorted things). On a slightly different note, has anyone ever encountered OpenOffice at a competition?

[brobo]

No, I doubt they would use it. In the rules they say that they will use Microsoft Office. Even if they use a Mac, I bet Microsoft Office will still be used.

[AlphaTauri]

It's an open source version of Microsoft Office. You can download it for free somewhere online. (How do I know this? Well, my school bought a huge pile of computers last year and we all used OpenOffice instead of Microsoft Office. It was so annoying, though, because we had to go through the setup every single day, since the school has this program called Deep Freeze that erases any changes- like setting something up- we make to the computer. Okay, rant over.)

Edit: Great, now my post is irrelevant. But still, Microsoft Office on a Mac?

[amerikestrel]

Edit: Great, now my post is irrelevant. But still, Microsoft Office on a Mac?

Why not? There's a mac version. It's basically the same thing.

[brobo]

Edit: Great, now my post is irrelevant. But still, Microsoft Office on a Mac?

Why not? There's a mac version. It's basically the same thing.

Yes, there is such a thing as a Mac version of Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office is so widely used that Apple really had no choice but to create one. Its even made by Microsoft, but runs on Apple computers. There's even programs that let you run a VM with Windows on a Mac computer.

[AlphaTauri]

Edit: Great, now my post is irrelevant. But still, Microsoft Office on a Mac?

Why not? There's a mac version. It's basically the same thing.

I don't know, it just sounds...weird.