Browsers & Plug-ins
Browser Recommendations
To take full advantage of all the features in Blackboard, you will need an up-to-date Web browser and appropriate plug-ins.
Supported Browsers for Blackboard 7.2
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or Above
- Mozilla Firefox 1.5 or Above
IMPORTANT NOTE TO AOL USERS: America
Online (AOL) users may not be able access Blackboard properly using the
browser supplied with AOL. The only compatible AOL browsers are version
5.0, 6.0 or 7.0 with Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher also installed on
your computer. Do not use earlier versions of AOL's browser, as you
will have difficulty using many of Blackboard's tools. To access
Blackboard, AOL users must download a standard (or stand-alone) version
of either Netscape Navigator (Communicator) or Internet Explorer. (AOL
sometimes refers to browsers other than their own as "external
browsers.")
Follow these procedures to access Blackboard:
- Download and install a supported browser (see above).
- After you've installed your new browser successfully, restart your computer.
- Sign on to AOL as you normally do, but stay at the AOL Main (Welcome) page.
- Keep AOL running in the background and start your new stand-alone browser (either Netscape or Internet Explorer). The stand-alone browser will use your AOL Internet connection.
- Note: If you have problems getting your new browser to work with AOL, check out the Member Services area of AOL. Click on "Internet and World Wide Web." Double-click "Using other browsers with AOL." for further information.
Other recommendations:
- Download and install Java 1.4.2 (http://www.java.com)
- 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.
- Clear Your Browser's Cache. You may want to clear out the files stored in your cache to free up some space on your computer. This is called clearing the cache.
Clearing the Cache in Internet Explorer
- Click Tools and select Internet Options.
- Click the General tab.
- In the Temporary Internet Files section, click the Delete Files button.
- Click Ok.
- Exit and re-launch the browser.
Clearing the Cache in Firefox
- Click Tools and select Options.
- Click the Privacy Icon.
- Click Clear across from the Cache option.
- Click Ok.
- Exit and relaunch the browser.
Clearing the Cache in Safari
- Select Safari from the top menu.
- Select Empty Cache from the drop down list.
- A confirmation window will appear asking if you are certain you wish to empty your cache. Select Empty.
- Your Safari cache has now been cleared.
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.
Clicking on the plug-in name below will take you to the Web site where you can download the desired plug-in.