Software and Hardware Recommendations

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Is your browser compatible with Blackboard? See the following tables regarding system / browser compatibility and support as defined by Blackboard, Inc. for version 9.1 SP8 (9.1.82223.0)

Certified	fully tested and supported
Compatible	key application areas tested
Provisional	future technologies considered supported by Blackboard Support
Unsupported	specified browser is not supported for the operating system

Windows Systems

	Internet Explorer 10	Internet Explorer 9	Internet Explorer 8	Firefox (Final Release Channel)*	Firefox 3.6	Google Chrome (Stable Channel)**
Windows XP (32-bit)	Unsupported	Unsupported	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible
Windows Vista (32-bit)	Unsupported	Certified	Compatible	Certified	Compatible	Compatible
Windows Vista (64-bit)	Unsupported	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible
Windows 7 (32-bit)	Unsupported	Certified	Compatible	Certified	Compatible	Certified
Windows 7 (64-bit)	Unsupported	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible

*The Firefox Release Channel is the fully tested version by Mozilla and intended to be the most stable. This channel is updated roughly every 6 weeks. For further detail on Firefox, please review the material available at http://blog.mozilla.com/blog/2011/04/13/new-channels-for-firefox-rapid-releases/.

**The Chrome Stable Channel is the fully tested version by Google and intended to be the most stable as the name implies. This channel is updated roughly every 2-3 weeks for minor releases and 6 weeks for major releases. For further detail on Chrome, please review the material available at www.chromium.org.

Mac OSX Systems

	Safari 5.1	Safari 5.0	Safari 4.0	Firefox¹ (Final Release Channel)*	Firefox 3.6	Google Chrome (Stable Channel)**
Mac OSX 10.5 "Leopard"	Unsupported by vendor	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible ***	Compatible	Compatible ****
Mac OSX 10.6 "Snow Leopard"	Compatible	Certified	Compatible	Certified	Compatible	Certified
Mac OSX 10.7 "Lion"	Compatible	Unsupported by vendor	Unsupported by vendor	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible

1 Firefox 8 and Mac OS are not compatible with the drag and drop functions on Blackboard Learn.

***Mozilla will conclude its support of the Firefox browser on the Mac OSX 10.5 system with the release of Firefox 16, currently scheduled for release on October 9, 2012. Bb will not be compatible with version 17 or later of the Firefox browser on the Mac OSX 10.5 system.

****Google has concluded its support of the Chrome browser on the Mac OSX 10.5 system as of July 31 with the release of Chrome version 21. Bb will not be compatible with version 22 or later of the Chrome browser on the Mac OSX 10.5 system.

Notes:

Blackboard’s support of Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox differs from the other supported browsers. Chrome and Firefox are following a rapid release strategy and releasing updates every 6 or so weeks. Chrome requires an automatic upgrade for end users, whereas Firefox offers the option to turn off the automatic upgrade. Blackboard has decided to support Chrome and Firefox in the broad sense meaning Blackboard will accept issues on both browsers and strive to resolve issues on Blackboard Learn as appropriate. Issues should be reported to COD's helpdesk.

Blackboard has conducted testing using the Stable Channel of Chrome (Chrome 16) and the Final Release Channel of Firefox (Firefox 9) during testing of this release. Blackboard resolved browser related issues at the time of releases, but cannot guarantee the compatibility of future versions. Blackboard will conduct testing on the latest browsers and Blackboard Learn releases to provide timely information on browser compatibility.
Internet Explorer 6 & 7 and Firefox 3.5 (and earlier versions) are NOT supported and should not be used with Blackboard.
Safari is not supported on Windows platforms.
Mac OSX 10.3 and 10.4 "Tiger" platforms are no longer supported by Blackboard. users should consider using an alternative personal computer that meets recommended software and hardware requirements when performing important tasks such as taking exams or submitting homework.
Blackboard Learn requires the latest version of Sun Java™ Runtime Environment 6 (JRE™6).
Note: Sun Java Runtime Environment 7 (JRE™7) is now available; however, the Blackboard system has not been fully evaluated with this latest update. It is recommended that users remain with (JRE™6) until Blackboard approves the use of JRE™7.
Blackboard strives to make all its products as accessible as possible. JAWS for Windows 11 and 12 were used during accessibility testing for SP8.

Pop-Up/Spam Blockers

All popup blockers on your computer should be turned off before logging into Blackboard. If they aren't you may experience difficulties when using Blackboard. For more information on how to turn off pop-up blocker (using Internet Explorer), see the following tutorial. If you continue to have difficulties, please contact the Help Desk.

JavaScript and Cookies

Javascript and Cookies must be set to "enabled' or "true." Also, Java must be enabled. Alternatively, selecting the "Medium Security Level" (on the "Privacy" tab of the "Internet Options" panel) will provide the necessary settings.

Browser Plug-ins

For some courses, you may be required to have one or more of these plug-in application programs. Each course should specify which plug-ins are required. Generally, plug-in software should already be present on your computer when you purchase it. However, we recommend that you verify that (1) you have these plug-ins installed & configured on your web browser, and (2) you have at least the minimum required version for each plug-in.

Adobe Reader
Apple Quicktime
Adobe Flash Player
Microsoft Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player Plugin for Firefox browsers
Windows Media Player Plugin for Macs (Flip4Mac)
RealNetworks RealOne Player
Sun Java SE Runtime Environment 6 [Look for the Java SE6 Update 32 download button (JRE Download)]

Remember, all these plug-in software applications are free downloads from the vendors. For installation assistance with these plug-ins, please contact the technical support of the respective vendors.

What are the system hardware requirements for Blackboard?

See the following table regarding hardware system requirements.

	Microsoft Windows			Apple Macintosh
Operating System	XP	Vista	Windows 7	Mac 10.5	Mac 10.6
Processor Speed/Type	300 MHz recommended; Intel Pentium/ Celeron family, or AMD K6/Athlon/ Duron family, or compatible processor recommended	1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor	1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor	Intel, Power PC G5, or Power PC G4 (867 MHz or faster) processor	Intel processor
CPU Memory (minimum***)	128 MB of RAM	1 GB of RAM	1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)	512 MB of RAM	1 GB of RAM
Monitor Resolution	1024 x 768	1024 x 768	DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver	1024 x 768
Free Hard Disk Space (minimum***)	1.5 gigabytes (GB) of free disk space	40 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of free space	16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)	9 GB of free disk space	5 GB of free disk space
Internet Connection	Minimum: 56 kbps Dial-up Modem Recommended: Any high-speed connection (e.g. Cable Broadband or DSL) Note: Wireless PCs/laptops and ISP providers using satellite connection may create some problems during a session when taking exams. Refer to the Exam Tips web page, http://www.cod.edu/it/blackboard/TipsforExams.html.

References for hardware system requirements:

Microsoft Windows XP: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sysreqs/pro.mspx
Microsoft Windows Vista: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/get/system-requirements.aspx
Microsoft Windows 7: http://windows.microsoft.com/systemrequirements
Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard): http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3759
Mac OS 10.6 (Lion): http://www.apple.com/macosx/specs.html

*** Note: Minimum requirements do not insure optimal performance nor do they take into account any background tasks or programs (i.e. anti-virus) which may be using memory.

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