System Requirements

Blackboard does not support the America Online web browser.  If you are using AOL as your Internet service provider, you will need to:

  1. Download and install Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) (5.x) or higher or Netscape.
  2. You should use IE to access the Blackboard course site after connecting to the Internet via AOL.
  3. Once you are connected to the Internet, minimize the AOL browser window and click on the Internet Explorer icon to open Internet Explorer as your new browser.

NOTE: To download Internet Explorer go to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads, and then, select the latest version of IE and specify which operating system you are using, for example, Windows XP, Windows 2000 Professional, or Windows Vista.

Minimum Technical Requirements

Macintosh PC 
Macintosh OS Pentium II or faster
MacOS 8.1 or higher Windows 95/98/2000/Me/NT/XP
32 MB RAM (64 Recommended) 64 MB RAM or higher
28.8 kbps modem (56K Recommended) (DSL or high speed cable connection would be ideal) 28.8 kbps modem (56K Recommended)
(DSL or high speed cable connection would be ideal)
16 bit(High Color) Video Display - 800 x 600 or greater 16 bit(High Color) Video Display -
 800 x 600 or greater
Sound Card & Speakers Sound Card & Speakers

         Suggested Software Packages

Macintosh PC 
Internet Explorer 4.5, 5.0, 5.01 Internet Explorer 5.5, 6.0
Netscape Communicator 4.77, 4.78, 4.79 Netscape Communicator 
Windows Media Player 7.1 Windows Media Player 7.1
RealPlayer 8 Basic Player RealPlayer 8 Basic Player
Acrobat Reader Acrobat Reader
Word Processing, Spreadsheet, and PowerPoint (Microsoft Office Recommended or any that allows you to save documents in rich text format) Word Processing, Spreadsheet, and PowerPoint (Microsoft Office Recommended or any that allows you to save documents in rich text format)
PowerPoint Viewer (If you don't have PowerPoint.  It allows you to view and print PowerPoint slides.) - Freeware PowerPoint Viewer (If you don't have PowerPoint.  It allows you to view and print PowerPoint slides.) - Freeware
All students enrolled in classes that use Blackboard should maintain current anti-virus protection. When you send a file, or when you open a file sent by someone else, a virus may be present without your knowledge. Several reasonably priced anti-virus software packages are available. Two good vendors are Symantec and McAfee All students enrolled in classes that use Blackboard should maintain current anti-virus protection. When you send a file, or when you open a file sent by someone else, a virus may be present without your knowledge. Several reasonably priced anti-virus software packages are available. Two good vendors are Symantec and McAfee
Anti-spyware and anti-adware packages are highly recommended. A suggested freeware package is Ad-Aware SE. It is designed to provide advanced protection from known Data-mining, aggressive advertising, Parasites, Scumware, selected traditional Trojans, Dialers, Malware, Browser hijackers, and tracking components. Popup blockers are also highly recommended. Some good examples include Google Toolbar and MSN Toolbar. Both are freeware. And Windows XP, Service Pack 2, has a popup blocker feature. Anti-spyware and anti-adware packages are highly recommended. A suggested freeware package is Ad-Aware SE. It is designed to provide advanced protection from known Data-mining, aggressive advertising, Parasites, Scumware, selected traditional Trojans, Dialers, Malware, Browser hijackers, and tracking components. Popup blockers are also highly recommended. Some good examples include Google Toolbar and MSN Toolbar. Both are freeware. And Windows XP, Service Pack 2, has a popup blocker feature.
A firewall is essential for DSL and cable modem users. It increases security for any computer connected to the Internet, including dial-up connections. A firewall is essential for DSL and cable modem users. It increases security for any computer connected to the Internet, including dial-up connections.