Online Computer Requirements

Computer Requirements
A Mac or PC computer with access to the internet capable of running a most recent and updated web browser is necessary for participation in our online courses. The minimum operating system are Windows XP or higher for PC and MacOS 10.5 or higher for Mac.

Please see the charts below for more information on compatible web browsers.

Certified: fully tested and supported Compatible: partially tested but should function properly Provisional: future technologies considered supported by Blackboard Support. Unsupported: either impossible or not tested.

Microsoft^® Windows^® Operating System

	Internet Explorer 9	Internet Explorer 8	Firefox (Final Release Channel)	Firefox 3.6	Firefox 3.0	Chrome (Stable Channel)
Windows® XP (32-bit)	Unsupported	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible
Windows Vista® (32-bit)	Certified	Compatible	Certified	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible
Windows Vista (64-bit)	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible
Windows 7 (32-bit)	Certified	Compatible	Certified	Compatible	Compatible	Certified
Windows 7 (64-bit)	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible

Apple^® Mac OS^® Operating System

	Safari 5.0	Safari 4.0	Firefox (Final Release Channel)	Firefox 3.6	Chrome (Stable Channel)
MacOS 10.5 "Leopard"	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible
MacOS 10.6 "Snow Leopard"	Certified	Compatible	Certified	Compatible	Certified

You also need to check your browser for those setups:

*	JavaScript must be enabled.
*	Cookies must be enabled.
*	Pop-ups must be allowed for Blackboard.

You will also need to install those programs on your computer:

Java (Oracle) (http://www.java.com/en/)
Adobe Flash (http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer)
Adobe Acrobat Reader (http://get.adobe.com/reader/)
Quicktime Player (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/)

 

**For Mac Users only** - Flip4Mac (http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/flip4macwindowsmediacomponentsforquicktime.html)

It's also highly recommended that you have a webcam for video assignments. You can use your webcam's proprietary software to create video files. If you use a Windows computer, you can also use its Windows Media Movie Maker to create video files. If you use a Mac, you can use iMovie.

When you create the video files, you will need to save them into one of the three supported file types: Windows Media (.wmv), Quicktime (.mov) and Adobe Flash (.flv).

If you use AOL as your internet service provider, please remember to close AOL's proprietary browser and open a stand-alone web browser instead to access your online course. The AOL browser will not be able to display your online course information correctly.

Students are responsible for obtaining their own Internet access and are expected to have basic computer and internet literacy prior to the start of the course.

Currently, Mozilla Firefox is the preferred browser for accessing our online courses.  You should also perform a WindowsUpdate (PC) or a Software Update (Mac) to ensure you have the most recent version and updates.