<p>I'm going to be using Mac OS and I wanted to hear from those of you in Tech already about the software i need installed already in my laptop. </p>
<p>I'm under the impression that it is only Office for Mac 2008 that I need for now. Is there any other software I need when entering for the first year? And should I wait to buy the office dvd from Tech? (I don't live in the US) Are there any educational discounts available? Can I purchase items from the MSD link (managed software distribution) listed in gatech's OIT site? </p>
<p>Will software like Dreamweaver CS3, Maple 11 and Matlab 7.5 be needed for the first year? Again, should I wait to buy them in Tech because of some educational discounts? Are programs like these, including software needed for mechE (my major) going to be provided by Tech for free in the condition that we uninstall them after we graduate or are we required to buy them? Your answers are greatly appreciated.... OIT</a> Software Distribution</p>
<p>Im not aware of the existence of any discounts targeted towards students and so, from that end, it makes no difference where you buy your software. You may want to get it at the bookstore at Tech, simply so youre confident that its the right thing, but thats all.
Youd only need Office when you come into school; any software that you need for classes will be announced on the first day.
Ive never purchased anything from MSD; just buy it at the bookstore.
As an ME, I can already tell you that youll need MATLAB for your first year. None of those other programs are needed for the first year, as far as I know, but again youd be informed at the time.
Tech does not provide expensive software like you listed; they offer free software, but nothing fancy (stuff like email clients Thunderbird, etc). You have to acquire software by yourself and the things you may need in your ME career (as far as I know) include MATLAB (for your first year, as mentioned above) and AUTOCAD.
Also note that computers in the library, computer lab etc. have all these software freely available for your use. Most of these facilities are accessible 24/7, so some students (but not the majority) rely on those computers.</p>