Computer Requirements

Students enrolled in online courses will need access to a computer, an Internet connection, and a supported Web browser. Computer access from home is recommended and is the most convenient for online courses. You have the most control over computer settings and required hardware or software on your home computer.

You may also utilize the computer labs on campus in Victoria, Sugar Land, or Cinco Ranch, which are configured to work properly with our online course management systems.

Hardware Requirements
Browser Requirements
Firewalls and Pop-up Blockers
Spyware and Adware
Download Center - Software Plug-ins

Hardware Requirements

Browser Requirements

To access the internet, you must have a designated internet service provider (ISP), providing either dial-up (phone modem) or broadband (DSL, Cable, T1/LAN) services. To access your online courses, you will need a compatible browser and it must be configured properly. For detailed browser information and step-by-step instructions on preparing your browser for use with WebCT, you must complete the WebCT Browser Tune-Up.

If you are having problems accessing your course, please double-check the following three steps:

1. Upgrading to the latest browser versions helps to ensure that you will be able to access all of the available tools in your online courses. It is also important to keep up-to-date on the latest patches for the browser that you use. The following browsers are recommended for use with WebCT.

2. All UHV online courses using WebCT require the Sun Java Virtual Machine (Sun JVM) to be installed on your computer. In order to work properly with WebCT, your Java version should be between 1.4.2_06 - 1.5.0_05.

• For Windows users, check to see if Java is installed on your computer
  • Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel (or Start > Control Panel for XP users)
  • Look for the Java Plug-in (for XP, switch to Classic View first)
  • If it is not listed, download and install the Sun JVM (below)
  • If it is listed, double-click to open it and click the About tab or button
    • If the version listed is older than 1.4.2_06 or newer than 1.5.0_05, uninstall it (using the Add/Remove Programs tool) and then download and install a current Sun JVM (see below)
  • If the version is supported (between 1.4.2_06 and 1.5.0_05), click the Browser tab
  • Select the checkbox next to your browser and click Apply to save the settings
    
• For Macintosh users, click on either one of these java applets to see if Java is installed on your computer
  • Puzzles
  • Magic Cube
  • If you can't see the puzzle or cube, download and install the Sun JVM (below)
  • If you can see them, proceed to your browser settings

Sun Java Virtual Machine (Sun JVM)

You will need to have the Sun Microsystems Java Runtime Environment (JRE) software version between 1.4.2_06 and 1.5.0_04 installed in your browser in order for WebCT to function properly. Note: The latest Sun JRE version 5.0, update 06 (1.5.0_06), is not supported. You must use an older version to be compatible with our version of WebCT Vista. Please follow the Get It Now link above. 1. Click the Java Get It Now icon/link above. 2. Review and accept the License Agreement. 3. Click the "Download the Windows Offline Installation, Multi-language" (15.22 MB) option.

3. Your web browser must be configured properly in order to access and interact successfully in your courses. Click on a link below to double-check the settings for your operating system and browser.

Please contact your Online Support Technician if you have any problems or questions setting up your computer to work properly with WebCT.

Firewalls and Pop-up Blockers

Due to the many security risks on the internet (viruses, hackers, privacy threats, etc.) most companies and many individuals are using firewalls to help protect their systems. These firewall systems can restrict your ability to access certain material or web sites over the internet. Firewalls, however, can be configured to allow access to certain IP addresses or ports. If you are not able to access your online course, you may have a firewall restriction issue. Personal firewalls, such as Zone Alarm, Norton Internet Security, and McAfee Personal Firewall can be configured by the user, so check your software instructions for details on how to configure your personal firewall to grant access to the WebCT server (domain = scholar.uh.edu).

Many companies, however, using firewalls may have policies that prohibit personal use of computers and/or making changes to the firewall configuration. You may contact your company's network support technician to determine what firewall restrictions are set and if they can be modified to enable access to WebCT Vista.

Contact your Online Support Technician for assistance in determining if you are being blocked by a firewall.

Pop-up blockers (also known as pop-up killers, ad blockers, etc.) are programs that help to keep unwanted advertisements from popping up as you browse the internet. Unfortunately, they may also prevent necessary or beneficial windows from opening. WebCT tools, such as announcements, mail, discussion, and quizzes, all use javascript in the same way that these pop-up ads do. So, if you have pop-up blockers installed or activated, you may not be able to access some of your course materials or actively participate in discussions. You can

• Configure the software settings to always allow pop-ups for a specific domain scholar.uh.edu (web address) [recommended]
• Disable the pop-up blocker software each time that you need to access your course (right-click on the icon in the system tray and disable, then re-enable when you have left the course)
• Use the software shortcut to let an individual pop-up through (check your software's documentation for details on how to do this)

Additionally, some search toolbars, e.g., Yahoo!, MSN, or Google, also have pop-up blocking functions built in to the toolbar. You should configure the toolbar to allow pop-ups for the Vista server (domain = scholar.uh.edu).

• Example: Configure Google Toolbar - Go to Vista login page. Click the xxx blocked button on the toolbar (where xxx = number of popups already blocked)
  

Users who have installed Windows XP Service Pack 2 will also notice that Internet Explorer has been updated with built-in security and pop-up blocking functionality. When you log in to Vista, configure your browser (Tools/Pop-up Blocker) to accept pop-ups from domain scholar.uh.edu.

Spyware and Adware

Spyware (also known as adware) is software that enables advertisers or identity thiefs to record or log your movements around the internet. This software is often installed on your computer without your knowledge or approval. It can be downloaded to your computer simply by visiting some web pages, or it can accompany other software that you have requested to download and install. Note that removing some of these advertisement robots can prevent you from using the program they came with--always read the license agreements of your installed software before removing the ad robots.

Spyware can also prevent you from accessing web sites like Vista, by "hijacking" your browser and redirecting you to another web site. They may interfere with downloading other software and installing programs like Java. Some spyware can even record your passwords and keystrokes as you complete forms on the web.

There are numerous screening programs available to help with this problem, but we have found that Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy to be the most successful in ridding your computer of these programs. Click the links below to download either or both..

Ad-Aware (personal version is free) Click the Downloads link in the left navigation and follow the instructions provided.

Spybot Search & Destroy (freeware, but accepts donations) Click the Download link in the toolbar and follow the download instructions.

Note: You have to run these programs manually--they will not automatically detect spyware like your virus protection software does. It is recommended that you run these programs at least once a week and also remember to check for updates each time you launch the program so that it can screen for the newest spyware.

Download Center - Software Plug-ins

The following software plug-ins are available as free downloads. Plug-ins are software programs that add functionality to your web browser (e.g., run movies or view animations) or allow you to view special content (e.g., view PowerPoint or Word files). Your courses may require any or all of the software listed below. Check with your instructor for additional software requirements within your courses.

Click on the icons in the table below to download the corresponding plug-in. Follow the download instructions provided on that web site.

Adobe Reader

View, navigate, and print PDF documents. [.pdf] NOTE: Before downloading, uncheck the "Also Download: Adobe Yahoo! Toolbar" option.

Macromedia Flash

View content, such as graphics and animations, created using Macromedia Flash software. [.swf]

RealPlayer

View streaming content, such as audio, video, animations, and media presentations, created using RealMedia authoring software. [.rm .ra .ram .avi .aif .mpg .mp3 .wav]

Apple QuickTime

View content, such as audio, video, animations, and panoramas, created using Apple QuickTime authoring software. [.mov .avi .aif .mpg .mp3 .wav]

Windows Media Player

View content, such as audio and video created using Windows Media authoring software. [.wmp .wma .asf .asx .avi .aif .mpg .mp3 .wav]

Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer

For users who don't have the full Microsoft PowerPoint or Office application installed on your computer, you can view and print PowerPoint slides and presentations with this viewer. [.ppt .pps]

Microsoft Word Viewer

For users who don't have the full Microsoft Word or Office application installed on your computer, you can view, print, and copy/paste text from Word documents with this viewer. [.doc]

Microsoft Excel Viewer

For users who don't have the full Microsoft Excel or Office application installed on your computer, you can view and print Excel spreadsheets with this viewer. [.xls]

University of Houston - Victoria
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Comments/Questions: iss@uhv.edu