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Which Internet Browser to Use When Taking an Online Course
Internet Explorer or Netscape?
Most online courses are best used with Internet Explorer 4.0 to 5.5. This is the preferred browser.
In Course Compass any version of Internet Explorer will work.
If you want to use Netscape, use version 4.7 only. Many students taking online courses have experienced problems with Netscape 6.0, or AOL (America Online). If you try to use AOL, it is important to minimize your window (click on the upper left hand corner to make the window small) before you use open your Internet Explorer or Netscape browser. Also, some problems have occurred when using Internet Explorer 5.5 with SP1 (service pack 1).
If you do not have Internet Explorer, you can download a free version from Microsoft at the following URL:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/searchdl.asp?
Go to the "Search for Downloads" section. and use the "Product Name" window to select either Internet Explorer 5.0 for the Macintosh or Internet Explorer 5.5 SP2 version for Windows. Select the operating system you are using on your computer in the "Operating System" window and click on the "Search" button. The resulting link provided will allow you to download the appropriate version of Explorer to your computer.
If you are already using Internet Explorer, you may still want to download this version in order to verify that your program is updated.
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 Internet Explorer version 4.0 or higher.
Configuration
You may also want to check the configuration of your browser. To enable Java, from your browser window, click "Edit" and select "Preferences" from the drop-down menu. Select "Java" from the list in the left-hand margin. Make sure that Java is enabled and click "Ok." To set your cache settings, from your browser window, click "Edit" and choose "Preferences." When the "Preferences" window opens, choose "Advanced." Make sure the button next to "Always" is chosen, then click OK.
Once you make these changes, please feel free to email the instructor if you are still having problems.
Operating Systems
Most onine courses require the use of at least one of the following operating systems:
Windows 95
Windows 98
Windows 2000
Windows NT
Windows ME
Macintosh OS 8.6
Macintosh OS 9.0
Macintosh OSX
Thank you for your patience.