Software and Hardware Recommendations

[Helpdesk]

Is your browser compatible with Blackboard? See the following table regarding browser compatibility and support as defined by Blackboard, Inc. for version 9.1 SP3

Certified - fully tested and supported Compatible - key application areas tested Provisional - future technologies considered supported by Blackboard Support Not tested - specified browser is not supported for the operating system

Microsoft Windows Apple Macintosh

Vista Vista Windows 7 Windows 7 XP 10.5 10.6 (32-bit) (64-bit) (32 bit) (64 bit)

Microsoft 7.0 Compatible Compatible Compatible Not tested Not tested Not tested Not tested Internet

Explorer 8.0 Compatible Certified Compatible Certified Compatible Not tested Not tested

Mozilla 3.5 Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Firefox 3.6 Compatible Certified Compatible Certified Compatible Compatible Certified

4 Not tested Not tested Not tested Not tested Not tested Compatible Compatible Apple Safari

5 Not tested Not tested Not tested Not tested Not tested Compatible Certified

Notes:

 IE6, Firefox 3.0, and Google Chrome are NOT supported and should not be used with Blackboard.  Internet Explorer 8 is supported in Standards Mode only. Some known issues can be resolved by using Compatibility Mode (emulates IE7 behavior).  Blackboard Learn requires the latest version of Sun Java™ Runtime Environment 6 (JRE™6).  Blackboard strives to make all its products as accessible as possible. JAWS 9 and 10 are used during accessibility testing.

Pop-Up/Spam Blockers

All popup blockers on your computer should be turned off before logging into Blackboard. If they aren't you may experience difficulties when using Blackboard

JavaScript and Cookies

Javascript and Cookies must be set to "enabled' or "true". Also, Java must be enabled. Alternatively, selecting the "Medium Security Level" (on the "Privacy" tab of the "Internet Options" panel) will provide the necessary settings. Browser Plug-ins

For some courses, you may be required to have one or more of these plug-in application programs. Each course should specify which plug-ins are required. Generally, plug-in software should already be present on your computer when you purchase it. However, we recommend that you verify that (1) you have these plug-ins installed & configured on your web browser, and (2) you have at least the minimum required version for each plug-in.

 Adobe Reader  Apple Quicktime  Adobe Flash Player  Microsoft Windows Media Player  Windows Media Player Plugin for Firefox browsers  Windows Media Player Plugin for Macs (Flip4Mac)  RealNetworks RealOne Player  Sun Java SE Runtime Environment 6

Remember, all these plug-in software applications are free downloads from the vendors. For installation assistance with these plug-ins, please contact the technical support of the respective vendors.

What are the system hardware requirements for Blackboard? See the following table regarding hardware system requirements.

Microsoft Windows Apple Macintosh

Operating XP Vista Windows 7 Mac 10.5 Mac 10.6 System

300 MHz 1 GHz 32-bit 1 gigahertz Intel, Power Intel recommended; (x86) or 64- (GHz) or PC G5, or processor Intel Pentium/ bit (x64) faster 32-bit Power PC G4 Celeron family, processor (x86) or 64- (867 MHz or Processor or AMD bit (x64) faster) Speed/Type K6/Athlon/ processor processor Duron family, or compatible processor recommended

1 gigabyte CPU (GB) RAM 128 MB of 512 MB of Memory 1 GB of RAM (32-bit) or 2 1 GB of RAM RAM RAM (minimum*) GB RAM (64- bit)

Monitor 1024 x 768 1024 x 768 DirectX 9 1024 x 768 Resolution graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

1.5 gigabytes 40 GB hard 16 GB 9 GB of free 5 GB of free (GB) of free drive with at available disk space disk space Free Hard disk space least 15 GB hard disk Disk Space of free space space (32- (minimum*) bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)

Minimum: 56 kbps Dial-up Modem Internet Recommended: Any high-speed connection (e.g. Cable Broadband or DSL) Connection

References for hardware system requirements:

1. Microsoft Windows XP: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sysreqs/pro.mspx 2. Microsoft Windows Vista: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows- vista/get/system-requirements.aspx 3. Microsoft Windows 7: http://windows.microsoft.com/systemrequirements 4. Mac OS 10.5: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3759 5. Mac OS 10.6: http://www.apple.com/macosx/specs.html

*Note: Minimum requirements do not insure optimal performance nor do they take into account any background tasks or programs (i.e. anti-virus) which may be using memory.