BROWSER and Computer Tune-up (including computer requirements)

Which Browser to Use

Most online courses at West Valley College use Angel as their course management program. The browser that you use to access these courses is very important as some browsers may cause problems with certain computers.

Using a Windows PC computer:

If you are using a Windows PC computer, our online courses will best display using Internet Explorer version version 8.0. If Internet Explorer does not work for you use Firefox. Firefox is available as a free download as explained above under "Using a Macintosh computer." You can download a free version of Internet Explorer from Microsoft using the following URL.

http://www.microsoft.com/

• Run your cursor over the link on the top called "Downloads & Trials"
   
• Click the link for Internet Explorer
   
• Click the link at the top of the page that says "Download Internet Explorer"
   
• Check to make sure that your computer's operating system complies with the Internet Explorer system requirements, then click Download to start the download process.
   

If you are already using Internet Explorer, you should download version 7.0 or 8.0 in order to verify that your program is optimized for online course use.

Using a Macintosh computer:

If you are using a Macintosh computer, our online courses will best display using a browser called Firefox. This is a free download from a site called Mozilla. You must use version 3.6. To access the free download site, click on the URL below:

http://www.mozilla.com/

Then click on the Download Firefox link to begin the downloading process.

Firefox may also be used on a Windows PC computer system.

Note: When using a Macintosh computer, some older browsers do not provide support for the LiveConnect module that is required for ANGEL LIVE functionality (like live office hours and live chat). This may even be a problem with some newer versions of various web browsers on a Mac like the Firefox. If you experience problems with any live service within Angel like live office hours, download the LiveConnect module from http://javaplugin.sourceforge.net/. If this does not work, you may have to use Safari during those times you are participating in these live functions on Angel. But remember, you can't use Safari all of the time because certain items like assignments or quizzes may not show up at all.

You may also experience Powerpoint problems on Angel when using a Macintosh, where the presentation does not load when viewing in Firefox. If you click on a Powerpoint presentation and it does not load, try logging out and logging back in using Safari. Many times, the presentation will show up in Safari when it did not show up earlier while using Firefox. We know this is an issue and the folks at Angel are working on it. But remember, you can't use Safari all of the time because certain items like assignments or quizzes may not show up at all.

Problem Solving

• Be sure you are using the right browser to access your online course as explained above.
  
• Enable Java - Java is necessary for most online courses. Your browser may have Java turned off. It must be turned on or "enabled" by going into the Preferences menu within your browser.
  
• Turn off "Block Pop-up Windows" - Many of the linked pages within online courses (like Assignment #1, etc), have been created to open in a new browser window so you will always have the course window open in the background and not have to log back into the course, even if the new linked page sends you out elsewhere to the World Wide Web. If your computer is set to block pop-up windows, these new linked pages may not show up. Within the browser program you must either use the Tools pull down menu to turn on pop-up windows, or it may be in the Preferences menu. You may also have installed a separate pop-up disabling program like Norton. You must disable it when accessing your online course. You will be unable to access all of the windows and quizzes while your pop-up disabling program is enabled. These applications work in the background while you browse the Internet. When they detect a pop-up window that may be an unwanted advertisement, they automatically close the window. Unfortunately, they also inhibit your online course from performing properly. If you are unable to view Discussion postings, Quiz windows, and download links, then search your hard drive for any software with "pop-up" in the name and disable it.
  Note: Norton Internet Security 2003 has an automatic ad-blocking setting that must be disabled for Angel to perform properly. Please disable this function within Norton.
  Some other popular pop-up killers include:
  :: Pop-Up Stopper
  :: Pop-Up Defender
  :: Pop-Up Zapper
  
• Automatic refresh of cache - If you find that your computer is not displaying new information or links, your computer may be keeping a "cached" copy of the page in its memory in an attempt to decrease download time. It is important, with the constant changes being made to online course pages, that your browser always display the most recent version of the page.
  To change the setting in Explorer, do the following (or perform the equivalent steps in your browser):
  1. Open the browser
  2. Click on the Preferences menu
  3. Under "Web Browser", select Advanced
  4. Under Cache, select "Always", meeting update pages always and never use an old cached version of a page
  5. Click OK
  

• Update your supporting computer software including several types of plug-ins before you attempt to log-in to an online course. Before you log into the course, use the following link to check whether or not your individual computer needs an update. Downloading any needed updates can be done within this "Browser Update" link below:
  
  http://browsertuneup.pearsoncmg.com/browser_tuneup.html

• For best results with AOL, connect to the Internet using AOL version 4.0 or higher and open a private chat within AOL (this allows the AOL client to remain open, without asking if you wish to disconnect while minimized).
   
• You can then minimize AOL and start your Explorer or Firefox browser
   

Hardware and Application Requirements

1. Computer - Pentium-class or Macintosh with system 9 or above
    
2. Operating System - at least Windows 95 or Mac OS 9 or above
    
3. Hard Drive with at least 150 megabytes of free space
    
4. 64 MB of RAM or above
    
5. Recent video & sound card
    
6. Speakers
    
7. Internet Service Provider - e.g. MSN, AT&T, Earthlink, AOL, Comcast, etc.
    
8. 56K speed modem or higher (DSL or Cable Modem is best)
    
9. CD/ROM drive
    
10. Internet Browser (AOL is NOT recommended, but can be used - some functions may not work with our online courses)
     
11. Email Account