| In order for WebCT to function properly, you'll
need to spend a few minutes setting up your computer:
1. Use a Recommended Browser
2. Enable Java
3. Set Your Browser Cache to Always Reload a Page
4. Disable Popup Killers
5. Turn off Anonymous Login
6. Enable Cookies
1. Use Recommended Browsers
• Internet Explorer 5.0 through 6.0, except 5.5 Service Pack 1 (PC)
• Internet Explorer 5.0 and 5.5 (Mac OS 9.x)
• Internet Explorer 5.1 (Mac OS 10.1)
• AOL 7.0 or higher (PC & Mac)
• Netscape 4.76, 6.2.1, 6.2.2, and 6.2.3 (PC & Mac)
Do Not Use MSN Explorer. If you connect to the Internet using MSN, minimize
the MSN Explorer window and open one of the above listed versions of regular
Internet Explorer to link to the course site.
Important Note for AOL users: If you use a version of AOL before version
7.0, the best thing to do is upgrade to 8.0. If you can’t do that,
minimize the AOL Browser and open Internet Explorer. If you try this and
AOL logs you off frequently, try opening a chat session in AOL with only
you as the member before opening the Internet Explorer browser.
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2. Enable Java
In order for certain features in WebCT to work properly (including email,
discussions, and quizzes), you must allow your browser to read Java.
In Internet Explorer (4.0 and higher):
• Test for Java. See if you can load a java applet of this puzzle
or this magic cube. We link to two applets because the sites are occasionally
not available. If you can't link to one, try the other.
• If you don't see the cube, you will need to download an updated
Java plug-in for Windows (JVM). Download file from Sun.
• After installation of the Java plug-in, try to load the puzzle
or magic cube java applet again.
In Netscape Communicator (Navigator 4.5 and higher):
• Select "Edit Preferences"
• Select "Advanced"
• Make sure the "Enable Java" and "Enable JavaScript"
boxes are checked
• Click "OK"
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3. Set Your Browser Cache to Always Reload a Page
Most web browsers store copies of the web pages you view on your computer's
hard drive. When you go back to see the same page again, the browser looks
up the page on your hard drive instead of the web. That saves time, but
means that if the page has changed, you don't see the changes.
Because you will be constantly changing web pages while working with
WebCT, you will want to set your browser to constantly check the web to
update the pages you view. Instructions are below.
Internet Explorer 4.0 and higher
• Select "Tools" then choose "Internet Options"
• Select the "General" tab
• Select "Settings" from Temporary Internet Files
• Select the "Every Visit to the Page" radio button
• Click "OK"
Netscape Communicator (Navigator 4.5 and higher):
• Select "Edit" then choose "Preferences
• Click the + sign next to "Advanced" to see more options
• Select "Cache"
• Select the "Every Time" radio button at the bottom
• Click "OK"
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4. Disable Pop-Up Killers
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
WebCT 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. Or, if your
pop-up blocker supports custom lists, include the address of your institution's
WebCT server as a valid site.
Some popular pop-up killers include:
• Pop-Up Stopper
• Pop-Up Defender
• Pop-Up Zapper
• Ad Blocker in Norton Utilities
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5. Turn off Anonymous Logon
IE 4.0 and higher 1. Select Tools then choose
Internet Options
2. Select the Security tab
3. Click the Custom Level button
4. Scroll down to the User Authentication settings
5. Under Logon select the Automatic logon only in Intranet zone radio
button.
6. Click OK
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6. Enable Cookies
You may need to enable cookies in order to log in to WebCT.
IE 4.x
1. Select View then choose Internet Options
2. Select the Advanced tab
3. Scroll down to the Security section and then find Cookies
4. Select Always accept cookies
IE 5.x
1. Select Tools then choose Internet Options
2. Select the Security tab
3. Click the Custom Level button
4. Scroll down to the Cookies section
5. Set Allow cookies that are stored on your computer to Enable
6. Set Allow per-session cookies to Enable
7. Click OK
IE 6.x
1. Select Tools then choose Internet Options
2. Select the Privacy tab
3. Enable Cookies:
If using a default setting, move the slider to select any of the following
privacy settings:
Medium High
Medium
Low
Accept all cookies
If using a custom setting:
Click the Advanced button
Select Override automatic cookie handling
Select Always allow session cookies
Click OK to return to the Privacy Tab
4. Click Apply then OK
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