THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1999

Software now in bookstore

By Lot Tan

On-Line Forty-Niner

Microsoft Corp. and the California State University system have agreed to a new four-year, $8-million-deal designed to provide high-quality computer software to students, faculty and staff at very inexpensive prices.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for students to get modern software to help them in their education," said Michael Mahoney, associate vice president of information technology.

Available at the University Bookstore, the computer products offered under the new deal are: Office 97 Professional for Windows, Windows 98 Upgrade, FrontPage 98 for Windows and Office 98. Visual Studio 6.0 Professional will be available later in the year.

Retail prices for these products range from as low as $109 to a staggering $1,079, according to a Microsoft web site.

Students who would like to obtain the discounted software must present University Bookstore employees with a current CSULB student ID card and a picture ID.

To obtain the software, students must sign an agreement form, pay a $25 deposit fee and pay an additional $20 for the service. The deposit is refunded provided the students return the installation disc to the Bookstore within five days.

Because it requires more memory, the Visual Studio 6.0 Professional will cost students $40.

"This is a really great deal for students and I hope they take advantage of this," said Steve Zimmerly, University Bookstore computer manager.

"Wow, it's only $20," CSULB sophomore Vedan Meas said, when she heard of the newly implemented deal. "I'm surprised because those programs cost a lot more in stores."

One hundred-fifty copies of the software have been rented since the deal was instituted two months ago, Zimmerly said. Out of the 150 rented, only one has not been returned.

"I encourage people to respect the computer software licensing [agreement]," Zimmerly said.

According to university officials, the agreement gives the CSU system a competitive advantage in recruiting and retaining students because the software tools they need are now available to them at a minimal cost.

"This is a legal license copy," Mahoney said. "We really want people to use the software to do better in school."

For more information one may log on at http://msadmin.cal state.edu.