Other recommendations:

• Download and install the latest version of Java (http://www.java.com) 
• For optimum viewing your screen resolution should be set at 1024 x 768 pixels
• Disable any "pop-up blocker" software that you have installed on your computer
• Keep your virus software updated in order to scan for the latest viruses
• If you access from work or have a DSL connection and are running firewall software, you may experience difficulties. You will need to discuss this with your network security employees. They may or may not be able to allow access to the course, depending on their policies.  DSL users will need to disable their firewall while using the chat tool (refer to the documentation in your firewall software for temporarily disabling the firewall).
• If you use a public computer lab or library, you need to exit the browser completely when you are finished. (That is, all windows must be closed and the programs closed or exited.) This clears your username/password. If you do not exit the browser completely, the next user will have access to your course account

You may need to close and restart your browser for the settings to take effect.

RELOAD CACHE EVERY TIME

Firefox:

• Select Tools, then Options
• Select Privacy
• Under Private Data, select Always clear my private data when I close Firefox
• Click on Settings and make sure that the box next to Cache is checked
• Click OK

Internet Explorer:

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

ENABLE JAVA/ JAVASCRIPT

Firefox:

• Select Tools, then Options
• Select Content
• Make sure that the boxes next to Enable Java and Enable JavaScript are checked
• Click OK

Internet Explorer:

• Select Tools, then Internet Options
• Select the Advanced tab
• Locate Microsoft VM
• Make sure the Java console enabled and Java logging enabled boxes are checked
• Click OK
• Restart your computer if you checked the Java console enabled box 

IMPORTANT NOTE TO AOL USERS:

America Online (AOL) users may not be able access Blackboard properly using the browser supplied with AOL. To access Blackboard, AOL users must download a either Firefox or Internet Explorer.

Follow these procedures to access Blackboard:

1. Download and install a supported browser (see above).
2. After you've installed your new browser successfully, restart your computer.
3. Sign on to AOL as you normally do, but stay at the AOL Main (Welcome) page.
4. Keep AOL running in the background and start your new stand-alone browser (either Firefox or Internet Explorer). The stand-alone browser will use your AOL Internet connection.

Plug-ins and Players

Browsers also use plug-ins and other helper applications to help them display Web documents. If you encounter an element (such as video or animation) that requires one of these helpers, you may see a message that your browser isn't equipped for that content type.