System Requirements and Software Plug-ins
Internet Requirements
To participate in Web-based courses, you must have access to the Internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
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Dial-up Modems use traditional phone lines to provide Internet access. You must gain access through an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The connection speed depends on the quality of the phone lines and the speed of the modem. The fastest modems are 56K modems. For dial-up service you will need a modem and phone service.
DSL and Cable provide high-bandwidth (approximately 25 times faster than a 56k Dial-up Modem), and an always-on connection to the Internet. Both DSL and Cable provide Internet connections.
A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) provides Internet access via special phone lines. The ISP is usually a telephone company. The connection speed depends on the type of DSL service you have (in order from slowest to fastest: IDSL, ADSL, SDSL). For DSL service you will need a DSL modem connected to an Ethernet network interface card (NIC) in your computer.
Cable Internet access is provided via cable television wiring. The ISP is usually a cable television company. Connection speeds may be faster than DSL but your cable line is shared with others and the speed could vary depending on the number of users. For Cable service you will need a Cable modem connected to an Ethernet network interface card (NIC) in your computer.
Hardware Requirements
PC Minimum configuration:
- CPU: 600MHz Intel Celeron processor
- Memory: 64MB RAM
- Hard drive: 6.4GB hard drive
- Floppy drive: 3.5", 1.44MB
- CD-ROM drive
- Monitor: 15" Color SVGA .26mm Dot-pitch (minimum) required for imaging LAN application.
- Network Interface Card: 3COM or Intel 10/100 Ethernet card
- Operating System: Windows NT Workstation/Windows 2000 (preferred), Windows XP or Windows 98/Millennium Edition w/Y2K Compliant Service packs installed.
PC Recommended configuration:
- CPU: 733MHz or better Intel Pentium III processor
- Memory: 128MB RAM
- Hard drive: 10GB hard drive
- Floppy drive: 3.5", 1.44MB
- CD-ROM drive
- Monitor: 15" Color SVGA .26mm Dot-pitch
- Network Interface Card: 3COM or Intel 10/100 Ethernet card
- Operating System: Windows NT Workstation/Windows 2000 (preferred), Windows XP or Windows 98/Millennium Edition w/Y2K Compliant Service packs installed.
Macintosh Minimum configuration:
- CPU: 500MHz Power PC processor (Power Macintosh G3)
- Memory: 64MB RAM
- Hard drive: 20GB Hard drive
- CD-ROM drive
- Monitor: 17" Color SVGA .26mm Dot-pitch (minimum) required for imaging LAN application.
- Network Interface Card: Built-in Ethernet
- Operating System: Macintosh OS, current versions (OS 9.2.2/10.1.3)
Macintosh Recommended configuration:
- CPU: 500MHz or better Power PC processor (Power Macintosh G4)
- Memory: 128MB RAM
- Hard drive: 30GB hard drive
- CD-ROM drive
- Monitor: 17" Color SVGA .26mm Dot-pitch
- Keyboard and mouse
- Network Interface Card: Built-in Ethernet
- Operating System: Macintosh OS, current versions (OS 9.2.2/10.1.3)
| Software Plug-Ins |
Some online courses use specific applications and/or plug-ins. You may need one or more of the plug-ins below. Internet Explorer will generally automatically download any plug-in required by a particular page. |
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| Internet Explorer |
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| Firefox |
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| Safari |
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| Browser Plug-ins
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| Windows Media Player . Some online courses may stream video in Windows Format. |
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| Windows Media Player Components for Quicktime Some online courses may stream video in Windows Format this will let you play those files directly in Quicktime Player |
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RealPlayer. Some courses use streaming video. To view the video within a web page, you should download RealOne plug-in, which is free. |
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QuickTime. Some courses use Quicktime video to deliver multimedia content.
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Shockwave. Shockwave is used in some online courses for interactive quizzes, animations, and activities. |
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Flash. Flash is used in some online courses for interactive quizzes, animations, and activities. |
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Acrobat Reader. Adobe PDF documents are used in some online courses and websites at Valencia College. |
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Microsoft Word Viewer
View, navigate, and print Microsoft Word Documents. |
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| Software Commonly Used in Online Courses |
| Microsoft Office Professional 2007 (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access) |
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| Open Office (Free Office Productivity Suite) |
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Sometimes, you may need additional software to view and listen to instructional content within your course. For instance, your instructor may upload an audio file for you to listen to, or a video clip for you to watch. The browser you currently use to access Blackboard may not always have the required software, or "plug-in", to properly play such audio and video files.
This list contains the most commonly used plug-ins, and they are free to download. Click the links to access the plug-ins. Before downloading any of the plug-ins provided, please check with your instructor or your institution's technology coordinator to see which plug-ins they may recommend.
Adobe Acrobat Reader allows you to view and print PDF (Portable Document Format) files.Click on the link to begin the download and install process. A new browser window will open. Be sure to uncheck any unwanted tool bars or other add-ons before you download the plug-in.
Adobe Shockwave Player for Windows or Mac OS allows you to view dynamic and animated content on the Internet through your browser. Click on the link to begin the download and install process. A new browser window will open.
Adobe Flash Player for Windows or Mac OS allows you to view video or interactive content through your browser. Click on the link to begin the download and install process. A new browser window will open
Apple QuickTime Player for Windows allows you to play audio and video files online through your browser. Click the link to begin the download and install process. A new browser window will open. Be sure to select the player you want. The default selection includes iTunes. Make sure to uncheck any unwanted email sign-up lists.
Microsoft Windows Media Player for Windows allows you to play audio and video files online through your browser. Click the link to begin the download and install process. A new browser window will open.
Real Networks RealPlayer for Windows allows you to play audio and video files online through your browser. Click the link to begin the download and install process. A new browser window will open.
Real Networks RealPlayer for Mac OS allows you to play audio and video files online through your browser. Click the link to begin the download and install process. A new browser window will open.
Sun Java Runtime Environment (all platforms) is required for the use of Blackboard's Web Equation Editor as well as the Virtual Classroom and Text Chat. Click the link to choose the appropriate plug-in for your computer and to begin the download and install process. A new browser window will open. |
