Free Computer Software @ Columbia?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I just recently got my first Macbook! It's really nice and sleek looking. Anyway, just wondering, would we by any chance get stuff like matlab, mathematica, word, excel, powerpoint for free from the University? </p>

<p>And in the likely case that they don't give us anything... besides the obvious MSWord+Excel, are other programs such as Mathematica/Matlab + Powerpoint needed? Oh and for those that do have Macs... what programs are a MUST for Columbia and have there been things you can't do on a Mac that is required at Columbia? Mucho thanks~</p>

<p>P.S... I do love my Mac + free ipod + free printer. Now I just needa "obtain" a copy of MS Word and Excel.</p>

2

<p>Urgh... Macs are too heavy (although cool-looking).</p>

3

<p>they dont give you jack (except norton antivirus which you must install to get on the network)</p>

<p>but besides that, you're a freshman. you'll need word+excel like you said but that's really it. wait and see what your major intensely uses before you go dropping 150$+ on software. </p>

<p>for example, most of the majors use matlab but most only use it rarely at best (and dont buy it because of gateway because i used the program once that whole class and still got a 94/100 on the test and it's just not worth it)</p>

4

<p>You get a free iPod and free printer? I thought it was either/or. Is it possible to switch one of those for Office?</p>

5

<p>You should have Word, Excel, and maybe Powerpoint.</p>

<p>Any other program that you'll use (Matlab, Mathematica, graphic arts programs, engineering design programs, etc.) will be provided to you for your use in some computer lab. Some of these programs cost thousands of dollars, so nobody buys them.</p>

6

<p>Powerpoint is a must....dont know what you all are talking about but I had to do tons of presentations that required powerpoint. Its also nice to have a program like matlab on your computer if you're an engineer but as C02 said they are in the computer labs (all of them). </p>

<p>As for the mac....(congrats on the new comp, i actually just bought one too with the discount...its awesome).....def use bootcamp and install a windows/Mac OS dual boot and you won't have to worry about which programs work for which OS. You can find bootcamp on apple's website (for free i think).</p>

7

<p>...you have to install norton antivirus to get on the network? How do they enforce that?</p>

8

<p>I wouldn't buy Microsoft Office, there'll be tons of ppl who have it, so just ask someone if you can use their cd to install it on your Mac. (I can give you my Office)</p>

9

<p>Kind of illegal though unless you get an older version that nobody uses anymore.</p>

10

<p>
[quote]
Kind of illegal though unless you get an older version that nobody uses anymore.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>office for mac comes with 3 cd keys so it's fine</p>

11

<p>or you could just download one with the serial number and authentication code off limewire</p>