Technical Requirements


Computer System Requirements
Operating System:  Windows 98, 2000, XP, NT, or ME; 
                                     MacOS X
Processor:  350 MHz or higher
Memory:  64 MB of RAM
Hard Drive Space:  1GB free disk space
Java 1.4 or greater:  http://www.java.com/en/download
Anti-virus Software:  Make sure that you have a reliable anti-virus program and that its virus definitions are kept up-to-date.


Which Internet browsers can I use?
You will need a current, Java-Script enabled Internet browser to access your Blackboard course.  Please make sure that you have one of the following:

    Windows Operating System
    • Internet Explorer 5 or higher
    • Netscape 6.2 or higher

    Mac Operating System
    • Apple Safari

Internet Explorer provides more features for Blackboard's text editor, so Internet Explorer is the preferred browser and it is the one used for the purposes of this tutorial.

Note:  If your Internet Service Provider, (ISP), comes with its own web browser, (i.e. AOL, Comcast, PeoplePC, etc.), that browser will not work completely with Blackboard.  You can still use that provider to connect to the Internet, but do not use the provider's web browser to access Blackboard.  Once you are connected to the Internet, minimize the provider's browser, (don't close it or you might be disconnected from the Internet), and then open one of the browsers mentioned above.


How can I tell which version I am using?
To see which version of Internet Explorer or Netscape you have, click "Help" on the browser's menu bar, then "About [Program Name]".  If you are using Internet Explorer, the version number should begin with a 5 or a 6; for Netscape it should be version 6.2 or higher.


What if I don't have one of the required browsers?
If you do not have one of the above browsers, you should download one before accessing Blackboard.  You can download one for free by clicking on one of the following links.  (These links will open in a new browser window. To return to this page, either close or minimize the new window.)


Once I have ensured that I have one of the required browser, is there anything else that I need to check?
Yes.  You also need to make sure that the Internet browser is JavaScript-enabled and that it accepts cookies, (information that is saved to your computer for future use).  Blackboard will let you know if your browser does not meet either of these requirements and you will be given step-by-step instructions to resolve the issue.  If you would like to check now, please click the links below.  (These links will open in a new browser window. To return to this page, either close or minimize the new window.)


Which plug-ins will I need?
While each course is different and therefore has different requirements, we have found that the following plug-ins, (programs that help an Internet browser display various types of files), are most often needed.  Even if you don't need the plug-in for your class, you will most likely need it to view other online sites.  You may already have some of these plug-ins, but if you think you might need one, it would be wise to get the program now.  If you wait, you might have trouble downloading a certain plug-in when you need it. Depending upon your Internet connection, each of these plug-ins could take 5 minutes to over an hour to download. Don't wait until the last minute to get them!

First, make sure that you are using one of the preferred Internet browsers mentioned above. You should view this page in the browser you intend to use for your course before you attempt to download any of the plug-ins.  If you plan to use more than one computer, you might want to download the plug-ins on each computer you will be using.  If you are using a computer on campus, it will already have these programs, so you don't need to download them.  (These links will open in a new browser window. To return to this page, either close or minimize the new window.)

  • Microsoft Word 2003 Viewer  -- This plug-in will allow you to view Microsoft Word documents.  If you have a Word-compatible word processor, you don't need this viewer.

  • PowerPoint 2003 Viewer -- This plug-in will allow you to view PowerPoint documents. If you have PowerPoint, you don't need this viewer.

  • RealPlayer -- Click the link to download the free RealPlayer.  This plug-in allows your browser to display audio and video files.

  • Shockwave Player -- Allows you to view certain multimedia files.  

  • Flash Player -- Allows you to view certain multimedia files.

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader -- This plug-in allows you to view Adobe Acrobat files.

  • Windows Media Player -- Windows Media Player will allow you to view audio and video files.


Will I need an email account?
All students in the VCCS have been given a VCCS email address.  Your email address will begin with the same username as your Blackboard account and end with "@email.vccs.edu", (i.e. jtyler9999@email.vccs.edu). (The next page of the tutorial will explain how to locate your account information.)  Your VCCS email address will be listed in Bb and it is is the address that your instructor and classmates will use to communicate with you.  You can check your VCCS email account by either visiting the webmail site, (https://email.vccs.edu).