Browser Check and Tune-up

First, make sure that all pop up killers (small programs that prevent pop up ads) are disabled.  Any pop up killer will prevent you from taking quizzes, participating in discussions or using any number of the course features.  The following list includes some (but not all) of the pop up killers you must disable: 

• Misterpopperstopper
• Stop-the-Pop
• Super Popup Blocker
• Pop Not
• Surf Pal
• Guard-IE Ad Blocking Privacy Suite and Pop-Up Killer

Second, If you are logging on from work, your company's Internet firewall may interfere with the operations of the course if the security level of the firewall is set too high.  Try logging on from outside the company firewall to check if this is the problem.  If you determine this is the problem, either log on from outside the firewall or ask your IT professional to help.

Next, look over this browser compatibility check and tune up your browser if needed.

 Browser Tune Up

The following browser tune-up will help to ensure your browser settings are optimized for taking our courses.  You may want to try the course before making adjustments to the browser.  If you don't have trouble within the course then you will not need to make adjustments.

Supported Browsers: 

Remember to check your browser settings once you've verified that you're using a supported browser.

• Netscape 4.76 and 6.2.1 (PC & Mac) — See Notes
• Internet Explorer 5.0 to 6.0, except 5.5 Service Pack 1 (PC) — See Notes
• Internet Explorer 5.0 (Mac OS 9.x)
• Internet Explorer 5.1 (Mac OS 10.1)
• AOL 7.0 (PC & Mac) — AOL 7.0 does not work with our Chat and Whiteboard.

Notes

• Internet Explorer 5.5 SP1 is not supported. 
• Internet Explorer 6.0 is supported.
• Netscape 4.78 and 4.79 are not supported. 
• Netscape 6.0 and 6.1 are not supported. 
• Netscape 6.2.x may require an updated Java plug-in.
• Netscape 7 is not supported.

Remember to check your browser settings once you've verified that you're using a supported browser.

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Review the following items to optimize your browser for our courses:

1. Use a Supported Browser
   Make sure you are using a supported browser. See a list of supported browsers. Browers that are not listed are not supported.
   
   
   
2. If you use AOL...
   If you are using AOL 7.0 or higher, disregard this section.

   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 supported browser
     
     
     

3. Enable Java
   

   In Internet Explorer 4.0 and higher

   • Test for Java. See if you can load a java applet of this puzzle or this magic cube. We link to two applets because the sites are occasionally not available. If you can't link to one, try the other.
   • If you don't see the cube, you will need to download an updated Java plug-in for Windows (JVM). Download file from Sun.
   • After installation of the Java plug-in, try to load the puzzle or magic cube java applet again.

   
   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"
     
     
     

4. Set Your Browser Cache to Always Reload a Page
   

   In Internet Explorer 4.0 and higher

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

   
   In Netscape Communicator (Navigator 4.5 and higher):
   

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

5. Turn off Anonymous Logon
   

   In Internet Explorer 4.0 and higher:

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

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6. Disable Pop-Up Killers
   These applications 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. Unfortunately, they also inhibit WebCT from performing properly. If you are unable to view Discussion postings, Quiz windows, and download links, then search your hard drive for any software with "pop-up" in the name and disable it.
   

Some popular pop-up killers include:

• Pop-Up Stopper
• Pop-Up Defender
• Pop-Up Zapper

To determine browser version:

• Open your browser
• From the browser menu bar, open the "Help" menu.
• Select the "About" option. If there are several, choose the one about your browser. A screen will appear that shows your browser name and version.

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Some courses use browser 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.

RealPlayer
Streaming video and audio


Download RealPlayer now

Some courses use audio.
To hear the audio within a web page, you should
download RealOne plug-in, which is free.

QuickTime
View QuickTime video

Download Quicktime now

Some remote sites we visit may use Quicktime video.
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

Download Shockwave now

Shockwave is used in some remote websites 
we may visit.  It is not used within the courses.

Flash
Animation and interactive content

Download Flash player now

Flash is used in some remote websites we may visit.  It is not used within the courses.
for interactive quizzes, animations, and activities.

Acrobat Reader
View, navigate, and print Adobe PDF files across
all major computing platforms

Download Adobe Reader now

Adobe PDF documents are used in some
 courses and websites

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