Technology Requirements for this Course

Before you begin work in this course, you need to be aware of a few technology issues. Please read the following carefully. These issues must be addressed before you begin the coursework. If you need help with any of the following, see the Vista Help information below. If you have a techno-savvy friend, you might ask them for assistance.

Browser

Your browser (Internet Explorer, Netscape, Firefox, etc., needs to be a certain version. Please see the "Check your browser" information below. Update your browser as needed.

Java

Vista and the audio/video lectures in this course use Java (a programming language) to function. Java will need to be enabled in your browser for this course to function properly. Even if you have Java enabled in your browser, you might need to update to the recommended version. See the Java link below.

Pop-up Blockers

Browsers have a function that prevents "pop-ups" form happening when you visit certain sites. Vista uses pop-ups to display certain information. You will need to have pop-up blockers disabled (turn off the blocker) in your browser. You will need to determine how to do this in your browser. See the Vista Help Desk information if you have problems.

Audio/Video Lectures

This course uses audio/video lectures. The lectures also require you to have Java enabled in your browser. In additon, to optimally view the lectures, you will need to check your screen resolution settings.

Screen Resolution Settings

See Me, Hear Me (audio/video test)

You need to determine if you can see and hear the audio lectures in this course. Below are two links to help you acertain whether or not you can see and hear the audio lectures. The first link is a handout called "See Me - Hear Me," which is a "pdf" document. (You'll need a plug-in called Adobe Acrobat Reader.) It is the visual transcript of the audio/video lecture. The second link is the actual audio/video lecture. When you click the lecture link, it should start playing almost immediately. If you do not see or hear anything, you might have a problem. See the Internet Connection information below. If you cannot resolve the problem, contact the Vista Help Desk at Georgia Southern University (link below).

Plug-ins

I will distribute documents in several formats. You will need "plug-ins" to view the documents on your computer. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, Windows Media Player, Flash Player, and Quicktime. If you do not have these installed, please go to the Plug-ins" section below.

Vista Help Desk

If you have a problem with any of the above, please contact the Vista help desk.

Vista Tutorials

This course is taught through Vista (Web Course Tools). If you are not familiar with Vista, please watch the movies in the "Vista Tutorials" section below. You will need the Flash plug-in to see and hear the movies.

Internet Connection

Your Internet connection needs to be faster than 56 KB in order to participate in this course. This course uses audio/video for some of the content. In order to hear audio or view movies over the Web, you need to have a fast Internet connection such as DSL or cable. 56 KB modems do not work well with audio and video. If you have to listen to audio or video in a public place like the library, please use headphones to avoid disturbing others around you.

The Documents You Submit

I use Microsoft Word and PowerPoint for this course. You will need to have Microsoft Office installed on your machine, or you will need access to a machine that has it. The work you submit should be in Word or PowerPoint. Microsoft Works is not the same as Microsoft Word, so please do not use Microsoft Works. If you would like to buy Microsoft Office, you can get an educational discount as a student. Academic Super Store online is one place where you can find educational discounts for software.

Issue Resource
Check your browser. Perform a browser check.
Plug-ins (downloads) Read about plug-ins here.
Java Read about Java here.
Vista Tutorials Learn about Vista.
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vista Help Desk 		Seek help from the Vista Help Desk