Hardware Requirements

• An audio card
• A video card
• At least 32 MB RAM
• Mac users need OS 7.0 or later
• PC users need Windows 95 or later

Software Requirements

WebCT

1. What is WebCT?

WebCT is a web-based course tool used for all of our asynchronous web courses. It is used to list the class syllabus, for online quizzes, and to access content for the course.

2. How will you use WebCT?

Students will use WebCT to access the course syllabus through its calendar feature, view movies and presentations off the web from WebCT, and to take online quizzes for your course. You will also be able to view articles and readings for their particular course. Since WebCT is through the web and works just as a website, you will simply click on links to access content and fill out forms for quiz submissions.

3. What you need to run WebCT.

WebCT will work on any operating system as long as it can run a web browser. We recommend either a PC running Windows 95 or later, or Mac OS system 7.1 or later. We also recommend that students use Netscape 4.7 or higher with at least a 56k Internet connection. A minimum of 32 MB of RAM is also required.

4. Where do you get WebCT?

Since WebCT is accessed over the Internet, no installation is necessary aside from the installation of Netscape.

Visit http://webct.umaine.edu/webct/public/show_courses and choose your course from the list of courses available. Once you find your course in the list, click on the house icon to visit the course welcome page.

Netscape

1. What is Netscape?

Netscape is a web browser available for Macintosh and Windows computers used to access web pages over the Internet. This is the web browser that works best with WebCT, and is therefore the recommended browser for our Internet courses.

2. How will you use Netscape?

Netscape is used by students of our asynchronous Internet courses to access their course websites by visiting http://webct.umaine.edu/webct/public/show_courses and choosing their course from the list. Netscape will also be used to view any additional web pages the instructor asks students to visit.

3. What do you need to run Netscape?

For Windows, you will need Windows 95 or higher, an Internet connection (56k recommended), 14 MB of hard drive space for a complete install, and 16 MB of RAM minimum. On the Mac OS, you will need a Macintosh PowerPC with Mac OS system 7.6.1 or higher, an Internet connection (at least 56k recommended), 14 MB of free hard drive space for a complete installation, and a minimum of 16 MB of RAM.

4. Where do you get Netscape?

You may download the FREE Netscape 4.7 browser by visiting http://home.netscape.com/download/1113100/10000-en----_qual.html and choosing the proper version for your computer. There is also a link to download older versions of Netscape if you don±t meet the necessary requirements for Netscape 4.7.

FirstClass

1. What is FirstClass?

FirstClass is a conferencing and email system used by the University of Maine used to deliver course material, submit course assignments, converse with professors and other students, and participate in course lectures and discussions.

2. How will you use FirstClass?

FirstClass is used by several of our courses for class participation, homework submissions, and to submit grades and progress reports to students. Many of our Internet courses require FirstClass conferencing as a means of participating in class discussion with other students. Some courses also have homework assignments submitted to special homework folders.

3. What you need to run FirstClass.

For Windows, you need an Pentium class processor or equivalent, Windows 95 or higher, Windows for Workgroups, Windows NT Workstation, or Windows NT Server, an internet connection, 4 MB available RAM and 4 MB of hard drive space for a full installation. For Mac OS, you need a PowerPC processor or better, Macintosh System 7.1 or later, Color QuickDraw, an Internet connection, and a minimum of 3 MB available RAM (4 MB for Power Macintosh with Virtual Memory off). You will also need a minimum of 6 MB free disk space.

4. Where do you get FirstClass?

The FirstClass client software may be downloaded for FREE from http://dll.umaine.edu/firstclass/

or from http://www.centrinity.com/downloads/client.html

QuickTime

1. What is QuickTime?

QuickTime is a multi-platform multimedia player used to create and deliver synchronized graphics, sound, video, text, and music.

2. How will you use QuickTime?

QuickTime is used in The University of Maine Internet courses to view lectures.Professors combine PowerPoint presentations and their audio to create viewable movies that combine these two formats to create a movie that students use to listen to and view lectures.

3. What you need to run QuickTime.

For Mac OS, QuickTime is implemented as a set of system extensions that run under system 7.0 or later.

For Windows 95 or later, QuickTime is implemented as a dynamic-link library (DLL).

A test movie has been created so that you will be able to see if you can view the movie.We recommend selecting the version that is appropriate for the speed of your modem (56k if you live off campus or T1 if you live on campus). If you are unable to see or hear the movie in either of these formats it is suggested that you not take the class. This is suggested because the majority of the information is presented through viewing the lectures.

4. Where do you get QuickTime?

You will need to download a FREE version of QuickTime

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download

There is a box in the lower left corner of the page you need to fill out to receive your free version.

RealPlayer

1. What is RealPlayer?

RealPlayer is used in the Internet courses like QuickTime, in that it is used to deliver sound, video, and music. It is a streaming media player through which you can listen to audio and view video content on the Web.

2. How will you use it?

RealPlayer is used in the Internet classes in the same manner that QuickTime is used, to listen to and view lectures.

3. What you need to run RealPlayer 8.

• 32 MB RAM
• 120Hz Pentium processor, or equivalent
• 56K modem
• Windows 95 or later / Mac OS 8.1 or later
• IE 4.0.1 or later / Netscape 4.0.5 or later

Older versions are available if you don±t meet the necessary requirements.

A test movie has been created so that you will be able to see if you can view the movie.We recommend selecting the version that is appropriate for the speed of your modem (56k if you live off campus or T1 if you live on campus). If you are unable see or hear the movie in either of these formats it is suggested that you not take the class. This is suggested because the majority of the information is presented through viewing the lectures.

4. Where do you get RealPlayer?

You will need to download a FREE version of RealPlayer

http://scopes.real.com/real/player/player.html?src=001121realhome
_2,001121rpchoice_h2&dc=112911281127

There is a link near the bottom of that page where you can download older versions of RealPlayer.

Macromedia Flash Player

1. What is Macromedia Flash Player?

The Macromedia Flash Player is a plug-in for your Internet browser that allows you to view animated content over the web. Macromedia Flash Player displays Web application front-ends, high-impact Web site user interfaces, interactive online advertising, and short-form to long-form animation.

2. How will you use Flash?

Many of our web courses use Flash animation for their user interface. In order to view the course site and to navigate it properly, these courses require that you have the latest Flash plug-in installed.

3. What you need to run Macromedia Flash Player.

For Windows, you will need Windows 95 or later, a Pentium-class processor, 32 MB of RAM, and Netscape 3 or later. For the Mac OS, you will need Mac OS System 8.1 or later, 32 MB of RAM, and Netscape 3 or later, or Internet Explorer 3.0 or later.

4. Where do you get Macromedia Flash Player?

You may download the Flash plug-in for FREE at

http://sdc.shockwave.com/shockwave/download/frameset.fhtml? And click on the Autoinstall Now button. It will then download and begin the installation. Follow any instructions that may show up on your screen.

Additional Websites to Visit for Assistance

The following is a listing of additional websites you may visit for any additional information on the programs listed above:

WebCT:

WebCT±s Academic Support site:

http://www.webct.com/academic/

Netscape:

Netscape±s Help Site:

http://help.netscape.com/

FirstClass:

University of Maine±s FirstClass FAQ:

http://dll.umaine.edu/firstclass/faq.html

QuickTime:

QuickTime Support:

http://www.info.apple.com/info.apple.com/support/pages.taf?product=
quicktime

RealPlayer:

RealPlayer Support:

¤http://service.real.com/rpoptions.html

Macromedia Flash Player:

Shockwave and Flash Player Support:

http://www.macromedia.com/support/shockwave/