Software
Software configuration of Department of Sociology PCs is done by IT staff to meet the needs of individual users or groups of users, in the case of shared machines. All configuration is done in accordance with licensing requirements. We use a combination of commercial and Open Source software. Please consult IT staff members with questions about software to ensure that you are getting the best price on purchases and are in license compliance.
On the desktop we are primarily a Microsoft Windows shop. We currently use Windows XP and have not transitioned to Windows Vista on departmental PCs. We anticipate testing and adoption of Windows 7 in some cases.
University Software Sources
When setting up a personal machine, always consult the following two Duke sources for free and academically priced software:
OIT Site-Licensed Software page - provides many applications at greatly reduced academic pricing plus free downloads, authenticated by NetID. The following are important free Windows applications:
McAfee Anti-virus - key for Windows PC protection and configurable for daily updates
Secure shell products - for Linux logins to Sociology and OIT systems and file transfers (F-Secure recommended)
EndNote - bibiographic software
ePrint - print management software for use of OIT printers
Adobe Acrobat - standard PDF reader
VPN (Virtual Private Network) client - configured for Duke network access
WinZip - archive management utility
X-Win32 - PC X-Windows server software used in accessing graphical Linux applications
as a convenience, the above applications and a few other open source packages are available through an authenticated departmental link.
Duke Computer Store - sells a variety of shrink-wrapped software under volume licensing agreements with software producers. Consult the downloadable PDF listings for current pricing.
Microsoft Campus Licensing Agreement
In summer of 2009 the university entered into a Microsoft Campus Licensing Agreement under which Duke University faculty, staff and students are covered.
The terms allow installation of any version of the Microsoft operating system or Microsoft Office for on-campus use by persons covered under the agreement. The contract includes a provision that extends the right to install these products for home use if they are installed by IT staff.
For more details on downloads of specific Microsoft products, see the OIT Site-Licensed Software page.