Comments on: Area 51 notes – Jan. 14, 2010

By: Terry Simpkins

Terry Simpkins — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:08:06 +0000

Hi Jeff,
Yes, we are aware of Live@edu. Initially, at least, Google Apps seems to be a richer and more forward-looking experience, but we also know that Skidmore (just to name one nearby institution) recently chose Live@edu over Google Apps. So we do plan on talking with folks there in order to learn more about the factors that went into their decision.

Thank you for raising this,
Terry

By: Jeff Lahaie

Jeff Lahaie — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:27:33 +0000

Will there be an evaluation of Microsoft’s Live@edu product before we go forward with this?

People currently using Microsoft Office may have a lower learning curve. It also offers 25 GB of free online storage, as well as a 10GB mailbox. Last time I checked, the free version of Google Apps supplied a 7.3GB mailbox.

By: Terry Simpkins

Terry Simpkins — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:21:12 +0000

Hi Tom,
It appears that many institutions are rolling out GMail for their entire student, faculty, and staff constituency. If it’s feasible, and if all the relevant issues are worked out satisfactorily (e.g., calendaring), we would be inclined to adopt that approach as well. However, we do need to engage these constituencies in the process and gather their input before adopting a wholesale switch-over. Another factor is that the primary financial benefit from doing this is lost if we migrate some groups to GMail but continue to maintain our Exchange servers for others.

Thanks,
Terry

Terry Simpkins
Director of Collection Management
Music Library/CFA
72 Porter Field Rd.
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT 05753
(802) 443-5045 (o)
(802) 443-2332 (fax)

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:16:57 +0000

If rolled out to all of the community do you envision using Gmail for Faculty and Staff as well or having a choice for those community members?