Preparing your Computer to Use WebCT

Mac

PC

Step 1: What your Computer Needs to Have

 Internet Access

 Your computer must be able to connect to the Internet and allow you to browse the World Wide Web.You can do this via the connection in your residence hall room, via a computer lab on campus, via a dial-up connection, or via another computer that is connected to the Internet.

 Recommended Hardware:

 PC: Pentium-90 with at least 32 megabytes of memory, a minimum 2 gigabyte hard drive, monitor, sound card and speakers

 Apple Macintosh: Power-PC based machine with at least 32 Megabytes of memory and a minimum 2 Gigabyte hard-drive

Operating System:

PC: Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows me, Windows 2000, Windows XP.

 Apple Macintosh: System 8 or better

Step 2: Disable Pop-Up Blockers

While using WebCT, if you are unable to view discussion postings, quiz windows, and download links, then you need to disable pop-up blocking for your WebCT server.

Depending on the pop-up blocking software you are using, you may be able to set your WebCT server as an allowed site, or you may need to disable the pop-up blocker while using WebCT.

Pop-up blockers work in the background while you browse the internet. When they detect a pop-up window that may be an unwanted advertisement, they automatically close the window. This can prevent WebCT from performing properly.

To disable pop-up blockers:

(a) If the Safari browser, use the Command+k key combo to toggle the pop-up blocker on or off.

(b) In Firefox, OS X users should add the URL for their WebCT entry page to the list of allowed sites. You can do that by selecting Preferences in the Firefox menu, selecting the Content tab, selecting the Allowed Sites button and pasting in the URL of the course entry page.

(c) Search your hard drive for any software with "pop-up" in the name. Disable it or set your WebCT server as an allowed site. Examples of popular pop-up blocking applications include:

  • Pop-Up Stopper (not for Mac)
  • Pop-Up Defender (not for Mac)
  • Pop-Up Zapper
  • Popup Eliminator

(d) Pop-up blocking functions are included in some anti-virus, internet security, personal firewall, and browser programs. Disable the relevant setting in the program or set your WebCT server as an allowed site. Examples of programs that include pop-up blocking functions include the following.

Step 3: Web Browser Requirements & Options

A web browser is the tool that lets your computer "read" the pages on the World Wide Web. Netscape Navigator, Mozilla Firefox, and Internet Explorer are some of the most popular browsers; others are also available. To see if your web browser is supported, you can go to WebCT's Browser Tuneup page. WebCT also checks your browser automatically to determine if you are using a supported web browser.

You can use Netscape 6.2.x, 7.0, and 7.1. Mozilla Firefox 1.5 and 1.6 are also supported for both Mac and PC.

The most recent versions of Internet Explorer (5.0, 5.5, 6.0) will also work. Internet Explorer 5 with Service Pack 1 causes problems with file downloads from WebCT, so if you have SP1, we recommend that you update to Service Pack 2, or upgrade to Internet Explorer 6 with the latest Service Pack.

You can also use AOL 7.0 or 8.0.

For updated information about new browsers, you can visit WebCT's Browser Tuneup page.

Setting your Computer Preferences on a PC

 Cache is the place in the computer’s memory where  your computer stores information about every Web site you have visited. Then, when you return to the same URL, the computer first reads this memory, instead of going out for a fresh look at the site. This can cause some problems when you're looking at a site repeatedly, as you will with your WebCT course. Changes made to the pages won't show up if your browser is looking at old information stored in the cache on your computer. If you're not receiving updated information, make sure the cache is clearing by checking the settings described below.

 There are preference settings for your browser that are important to your success with WebCT. Each browser uses a slightly different route to get to and set the preferences; the following instructions will guide you to the correct preference settings in your browser. It is crucial to set preferences having to do with your Cache and with the browser's Java and JavaScript capabilities.

 Internet Explorer:

  1. Go to the Tools pull-down menu
  2. Choose Internet Options.
  3. Click the General tab. The middle of the page refers to Temporary Internet Files.
  4. Click the Settings button. In the top, where it says “Check for newer versions of stored pages,” click the Every Visit to the Page radio button. Click the OK button.
  5. Click the Advanced tab.
  6. Check the boxes next to  JIT Compiler, Java Console, and Java Logging. Click  the OK button.
  7. Click the Security tab.
  8. Click the Custom Level command button.
  9. Click the Enable radio button for all cookies.
  10. Click the OK button.
  11. Click the OK command button.
  12. Restart your computer if you changed the Java settings.

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Setting your Computer Preferences for a Mac

Cache is the place in the computer’s memory where  your computer stores information about every Web site you have visited. Then, when you return to the same URL, the computer first reads this memory, instead of going out for a fresh look at the site. This can cause some problems when you're looking at a site repeatedly, as you will with your WebCT course. Changes made to the pages won't show up if your browser is looking at old information stored in the cache. If you're not receiving updated information, make sure the cache is clearing by checking the settings described below.

 There are preference settings for your browser that are important to your success with WebCT. Each browser uses a slightly different route to get to and set the preferences; the following instructions will guide you to the correct preference settings in your browser. It is crucial to set preferences having to do with your Cache and with the browser's Java and JavaScript capabilities.

  Internet Explorer:

  1. Go to the Edit pull-down menu.
  2. Select Preferences….
  3. Click the down arrow next to Web Browser.
  4.     Make sure the checkboxes labeled Enable Java (Apple MRJ), Log Java output, and Log Java exceptions are checked.
  5. Click Advanced.
  6.    In the middle section labeled Cache, click the radio button next to Always.
  7.   Click OK.

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