For WebCT courses using WebCT version 3.7, we recommend that you use the following browsers:

Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/NT

Netscape 4.76 and 6.2.1
Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher and 6.0, excluding IE 5.5 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
AOL 7.0 - Note: AOL 7.0 does not function with Chat/Whiteboard

Mac OS 9.x

Netscape 4.76 and 6.2.1
Internet Explorer 5.0
AOL 7.0- Note: AOL 7.0 does not function with Chat/Whiteboard

Mac OS X 10.1

Netscape 4.76 and 6.2.1
Internet Explorer 5.1
AOL 7.0 - Note: AOL 7.0 does not function with Chat/Whiteboard

Important Information:

• For all browsers, JavaScript must be enabled. You may need to check your browser cache and java settings.
• To access Chat and Whiteboard using Netscape 6.2.1, you may require an updated java plug-in.
• Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 1 (SP1) is not supported.

Preparing Your Computer Settings for WebCT

Your WebCT online course reside on a WebCT server, a central host computer usually kept on campus. You access your WebCT courses through a Web browser such as Netscape or Internet Explorer. While using WebCT you will also use other applications that reside on your own computer, such as word processing programs, audio and video players, or HTML editors. You will want to be sure that your computer's settings are optimized for running a WebCT course.

Check the following to optimize your browser for WebCT:

Be sure you're using one of the supported Web browsers listed at the top of this page. Browsers that are not listed are not supported.

If you use America Online (AOL) for Web access, you will need the AOL version 4.0 or higher client and the Internet Explorer 5.0 browser. Do not use earlier versions of the AOL client with earlier versions of Internet Explorer, as you will have difficulty accessing many of WebCT's features. For best results with AOL:

• Connect to the Internet using AOL version 4.0 or higher
• Open a private chat within AOL, which allows the AOL client to remain open without asking if you wish to disconnect while minimized
• Minimize AOL
• Launch a recommended browser

In Netscape Communicator (Navigator 4.5 and higher):

• Select Edit Preferences
• Select Advanced
• Make sure the Enable Java and Enable JavaScript boxes are checked
• Click OK

• Test for Java -- see if you can load an applet of this magic cube.
• If you don't see the cube, you will need to download an updated Microsoft Virtual Machine for the Windows Operating Systems (JVM).
• After installation of the JVM, try to load the magic cube applet again.

To access Chat and Whiteboard in WebCT 3.7 using Netscape 6.2.x, you may require an updated java plug-in.

To obtain an updated java plug-in for Netscape 6.2.x:

For Windows:
1. Go to the Netscape Java Plug-in page at
http://wp.netscape.com/plugins/get_java.html
2. Follow the online instructions to download and install the plug-in.

For Mac OS:
1. Go to the MRJ Plug-in page at
http://homepage.mac.com/pcbeard/MRJPlugin/
2. Download and install the appropriate plug-in for the Mac OS you are using.

In Netscape Communicator (Navigator 4.5 and higher):

• Select Edit a Preferences
• Click the + sign next to Advanced to see more options
• Select Cache
• Select the Every Time radio button at the bottom
• Click OK

• Select Tools a Internet Options
• Select the General tab
• Select Settings from Temporary Internet Files
• Select the Every Visit to the Page radio button
• Click OK

In Internet Explorer 4.0 and higher

• Select Tools a Internet Options
  
• Select the Secuity tab
  
• Select Custom level
  
• Scroll down to User Authentication settings
  
• Logon options
  
• Select the Automatic logon only in Intranet zone radio button
  
• Click OK

Using Plug-ins with WebCT

Some WebCT courses use browser plug-ins. To view these portions of the sites, you may need one or more of the plug-ins below. Internet Explorer will generally automatically download any plug-ins required by a particular page.

• RealPlayer - streaming video and audio

Some WebCT courses use streaming video. To view the video within a web page, you should download RealOne plug-in, which is US$9.95.

• QuickTime - View QuickTime video in the browser window

Some WebCT courses use Quicktime video. To view the video within a web page, you should download Quicktime 5.0 from Apple.

Please note: You must also download an Active X plug-in to have Quicktime work properly. Apple used to make this plug-in available as part of the main Quicktime download but no longer does.

• Shockwave - animation and interactive content

Shockwave is used in some WebCT courses for interactive quizzes, animations, and activities.

• Flash - animation and interactive content

Flash is used in some WebCT courses for interactive quizzes, animations, and activities.

• Acrobat Reader - view, navigate, and print PDF files across all major computing platforms

Adobe PDF documents are used in some WebCT courses.