Blackboard Computer and Software Requirements

Operating System

Your computer's operating system should have Microsoft Windows (XP, Vista, or 7) or Macintosh OS 10.5 or above. NOTE: If you are taking a Computer Science course, please check with your instructor for the appropriate operating system and software requirements.

Processor speed

• For PC users: 2GHz
• For Mac users:  G4 1.25GHz

Of course, the faster your processor speed, the better the performance.

RAM

• For PC users: 768 MB
• For Mac users: 768 MB

Web browser

We suggest that you have more than one browser installed on your computer. If you experience an issue with Blackboard while using one browser, try using Blackboard in another browser.

• Mozilla Firefox (both PC and Mac). We recommend using Mozilla Firefox before using other browsers. Click here to download Mozilla Firefox (free download).
  
• Google Chrome. Although not yet fully certified by Blackboard, it is compatible (partially tested but should function properly). Click here to download Google Chrome.
  
• We no longer recommend using the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser with Blackboard due to reported errors. However, if you choose to use Internet Explorer, version 7 or 8 should be the most compatible. If you are using Internet Explorer 9, be sure to enable Compatibility View by clicking its icon on the right side of the address bar.

If you are using a mobile device such as an iPad, iPhone, etc. to access Blackboard, you can use the Blackboard Mobile App (over a Wi-Fi connection).

AOL Users: Blackboard does not support the AOL browser, so to access Blackboard you must use an alternate browser.

Java Script

JavaScript must be enabled. Java Runtime Environment must be enabled. Please make sure you have the latest version of Java SE.

Cookies

Blackboard requires that your browser allows cookies. Cookies are small text files that are stored in your computer and contain information from web sites, such as your preferences when visiting those sites. To enable cookies in Firefox:

• From the Tools menu, click Options.
• Click Privacy.
• Click the Cookies tab.
• Check the box next to Allow sites to set Cookies.

Pop-up Windows

You must allow pop-up windows in order to use all of Blackboard's features. To allow pop-up windows in Firefox:

• From the Tools menu, click Options.
• Select the Content panel.
• Uncheck Block pop-up windows.

Browser Updates

If you are having problems viewing the latest version of Firefox, clear your cache.

• From the menu bar, select Tools.
• Select Options.
• Select the Privacy icon.
• Click the Cache tab.
• Click the Clear Cache Now button.
• Click OK.

PowerPoint (you can get PowerPoint Viewers here):

For 2003 - http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/CD010798701033.aspx

For 2007 - http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/CD102070641033.aspx

Plugins

In order to view certain multimedia elements and documents on the Web, you need specific plugins. Your instructor will tell you exactly which plugins you need for your course. The most popular are QuickTime, RealPlayer, Flash, Shockwave, and Acrobat Reader, and they are all freely downloadable.

• Get the QuickTime player (Test Movie - 6 seconds)
• Get RealPlayer. Look for the free player, not a free trial version. The free player is hard to find, but it's there.(Test here)
• Get Flash player (Test here)
• Get Shockwave Player (Test here)
• Get Acrobat Reader (Test PDF)

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Your ISP is the company that provides your Internet service, such as Comcast, AT&T, etc. It doesn't matter which ISP you use; just make sure it's reliable. If you use AOL, minimize it after launching, then open the Firefox browser to use Blackboard.

Modem speed

Blackboard works fine at 56k, but a cable modem or DSL is preferred in order to get the best experience with multimedia content.

Multimedia

You will need a high-speed CD-ROM drive (24x or better) or DVD-ROM drive with speakers. (If you have a Mac, your speakers are built in.)

Software

It's always best to have a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word, on your computer. This way, prior to submitting assignments, you can check your work for spelling and grammar errors before copying and pasting it into Blackboard (for example, into a Discussion Board forum).

Saving files

If your instructor requires you to submit specifically formatted documents either through the Assignments tool in Blackboard or via email, we recommend you submit a Word document (.doc) or a Rich Text Format (.rtf) file. By doing so, you are ensuring that your instructor will be able to open your assignment on her or his computer.

Saving files--for Mac Users

If you are using Blackboard with a Mac, be sure to add the extensions (.doc, .xls, .ppt) to the name of your files when sending an assignment to your instructor in the Digital Drop Box via the Assignments feature, attaching files to the Discussion Board, and/or attaching files to email messages.