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Issue date: 10/6/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Cameron Gee Senior Robbie Greer uses his Mac. Macintosh use has been rising steadily over the years, leading the University to take steps to becomes more friendly toward mutliple types of software platforms.

As Apple Macintosh (Mac) computers become more popular on a campus dominated by personal computer (PC) users, Trinity is working to help Mac users fit in with more ease.

Since Mac and PC computers use different operating systems, most software and hardware is designed to run specifically on one platform or the other, according to Jonathon Echols, assistant director of communication.

"People often refer to this generically by saying something like that software is for the Mac platform or vice-versa.  Most major software these days is released in a different version for both the Windows and Mac platforms," Echols said.

With the introduction of the new Intel chip for Apple computers, Trinity's tech support is more familiar with the Apple operating system and is more willing to integrate Mac computers into the network than in the past, said Vice President for Information Resources and Administrative Affairs Chuck White.

"With the new Macs and the new competitive pricing strategy and more of a range of computer choices, we felt that they were worth exploring for our environment," White said.

According to White, when the Center for Learning and Technology on the First Floor of the Elizabeth Huth Coates Library was recently redone, Apple platforms (operating systems) were incorporated into the area. Now, approximately two-thirds of the computers are Macs.

The new Dicke Art Building also boasts a digital art lab complete with Apple equipment. White said that people assume Apple computers handle graphics and videos better than PCs, so they naturally prefer them when working with art.

"I think students who are taking a course in art and computer art expect to see Mac computers, so they would probably be surprised to find PCs," White said. "There is nothing that either platform can't do that the other doesn't do, but it comes back to the issue of general ease when navigating the interface."

Students with Macs on campus agree that Apple users tend to experience less problems in general with regard to Trinity's network and operating system.

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