Computer Hardware, Software, and Plug-in Needs

For Online Courses

Basic Computer Needs

Recommendations: PC (Windows 2000, XP, or newer recommended) or Mac, Modem (>=28K, 56K recommended), Printer, Internet Service.

Browser Check for WebCT Vista ("Westernonline")

Goto https://westernonline.wiu.edu/ use:

• WebCT Browser Check
• Browser Tune-up Page (if your browser doesn't check out)

Java

To install Java use (the WebCT Browser Check will tell you if you have Java installed) http://www.java.com/en/.

Plug-ins Needed

Three Notes:

• There are 5 basic plug-ins. Most newer computers already have these (you need not re-download them).
• All of these are free, choose the free version and don't pay anything!
• After downloading, use can use the [BACK] button on your browser to get back here.

Test to See If You Have These

1. Shockwave Player - Go to this page to test it: http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/welcome/
2. Macromedia Flash Player - Go to this page to test it: http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/welcome/
3. Adobe Acrobat Reader- Go to this page to test it: http://www.wiu.edu/users/mfjro1/wiu/stu/generic/SamplePDF.pdf. To download the Reader go to http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
   (if you don’t have Microsoft Word, then you need the Microsoft Word viewer)

If you are running Windows XP or newer, you probably already have these

4. Un-zipper
   1. WinZip (for Windows) at http://download.com.com/3405-20-871449.html?part=50220&subj=dlfpp&tag=button
   2. Go to download.com and search for "unzip." A number of options come up, WinZip, ExtractNow, CoffeeCup Free Zip Wizard.
5. Media Player
   Download some type of media player. One option is RealPlayer (get the basic one) http://www.real.com/realoneplayer.html?pp=home&src=011403realhome_1

If You Do Not Have Word or PowerPoint

Get the Word Viewer at
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=95E24C87-8732-48D5-8689-AB826E7B8FDF&displaylang=en

Get the PowerPoint Viewer at
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=428D5727-43AB-4F24-90B7-A94784AF71A4&displaylang=en

Other Options

**You can also go to http://download.cnet.com/ to get any plug-in. Use the search feature to find your plug-in.

See also the Plug-in Gallary at http://www.medtrng.com/plugins.htm

More Software and Technological Skills needs

Go to the following page http://www.wiu.edu/users/mfjro1/wiu/tea/m503/whatis.htm#computerneeds