Q&A About Our Microsoft Home Use Program Agreement
An email was sent to campus Monday May 5th to announce the Home Use Program between Boise State University and Microsoft. This program allows faculty and staff to obtain a copy of Microsoft Office for the cost of shipping and duplication.
Following are answers to questions you may have about the Home Use Program:
Q: Can I get Office 2003?
A: The license limits home use to the most current version of Office software (Office 2007 for Windows, Office 2008 for Mac). Note Office 2007 for Windows only ships on DVD media.
Q: Is there a Mac version?
A: Yes, there are two versions available for a limited time Office 2004 and Office 2008. Eventually, Office 2008 will be the only version available for licensed home use.
Q: What about upgrading to Vista?
A: Operating systems are not available as part of the Home Use Program.
Q: Why can’t I just get a copy of the CD or DVD from OIT or my network admin?
A: Microsoft makes the Home Use Program available as a contract between you and Microsoft. Using the campus license is a violation of that agreement
Q: What about students and student employees?
A: Students (including student employees) are not covered at this time.
Q: What if I leave employment of the University?
A: You are required to uninstall the software at that time per terms of the license.
Q: I do not have an @boisestate.edu email address, can I still do this?
A: In order to login you must use your “@boisestate.edu” email address. If you do not have one, and you are a full time employee, please contact your supervisor to obtain a University @boisestate.edu email account.
Q: What if I am an emeritus?
A: The license is purchased for current full time employees.
Q: What about my computer in the office, can the software on it be updated?
A: Yes it can. Work with OIT or your network administrator to determine the timing and the best combination of software for you.
Q: Can my office or department have a copy of the software?
A: To fulfill our obligation of protecting the license, media for campus is restricted to OIT and network administrators.
Q: Where are the instructions on how to get this software?
A: The instructions were emailed to you on Monday May 5, 2008. If you cannot find that email from the Help Desk, please call us at 6-HELP or email HelpDesk@boisestate.edu for a copy.
Q: What applications are included?
A: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Groove, OneNote, Access, Outlook, Publisher and Infopath.
If you have further questions, please contacts us or if you think it is a question that others may have as well, leave a comment and we will post our answer.
