Computer Setup for WebCT

Use a Recommended Browser

• 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.

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 applets.

In Internet Explorer (4.0 and higher):

• You may need to download a Java plug-in for Windows(JVM). Note: after September, 2004, Microsoft will no longer support or provide a Java implementation with any of its products.
  
  Microsoft has already discontinued shipping Java technology in its Internet Explorer web browser with the latest versions of its operating systems. Those running applets in the Internet Explorer web browser will need to download and install an alternate VM.
  
  
• Download file from Sun.
  http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/docs/guide/deployment/deployment-guide/upgrade-guide/index.html
  
  
• 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
    

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 for setting Browser Cache to Always Reload a Page

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
  

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
  

Set Active X controls

Internet Explorer:

• Go to Tools > Internet Options. Choose Security tab, and select the Internet icon in the Web content zone window.
• Click on the Custom level button.
• Enable the Run Active-X controls and plugins area, the Script Active-X controls marked safe for scripting area, and all the areas under the Scripting header.
  

Set your Screen to avoid a crowded look

• Change the font display size in your browser
• Turn off or hide the browser menu and toolbars
• Put the mouse over the frame border and move the frames to one side
  

Required set up for Chat sessions

Some instructors do not require chat sessions at present, but you may wish
to use this feature on your own.

• In order to use the Chat features you must have a 32 bit operating system (i.e. Windows95 or higher).
  

If you are using WebCT at work, you need to know about company firewalls

• If you have difficulty logging into your course, contact your IT office at work and discuss the issue with them. The college has no control over the way your company network is configured; it's important to deal directly with the IT staff at your office to resolve problems.

Helpful Links:

WebCT web site http://www.webct.com/

WebCT web site student support page: http://www.webct.com/ask_drc/viewpage?name=ask_drc_student

Aims Call Center (HelpDesk) email: helpdesk@aims.edu or 970.330.8008

Help Notes:

All WebCT classes have a guest student account that can be used by a student who cannot access the course with his/her username and password.

Your instructor may give you the guest student account username and password.

Guests cannot access a course going through Web Services. Instead, students using a guest account should type in the url: http://webct.aims.edu:8900/

This will take you to a WebCT login page where you will type in the guest account username and password. After clicking the Login button, you will reach the MyWebCT Page. The course name appears as a link that, when clicked, will take you to the course homepage.