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Course
Technology
Computer Hardware.
SFA has established the following minimum hardware requirements
for enrolling in a web-based distance education class. To be successful
in your graduate studies and to enjoy your master degree experience,
please ensure that your computer system meets these minimum requirements:
Operating
System
Windows '95, '98, 200, NT, XP or a Macintosh with System 8.1 or
higher
Processor
600 MHz or higher
Memory
64 MB of RAM
Hard Drive Space
100 MB free disk space
Modem
56 kbps or higher speed
CD-ROM
Required
Sound Card/Microphone
Required
Monitor
15" monitor (800 x 600 resolution)
Computer
Software.
SFA has also established minimum software requirements for enrolling
in a web-based distance education class. Please adhere to these
minimum requirements:
Internet Access
Any Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Browser
Internet Explorer 5.01 to 6.0, except 5.5 Service Pack 1 (PC)
Internet Explorer 5.0 (Mac OS 9.x)
Internet Explorer 5.1 (Mac OS 10.1)
Netscape Communicator 4.76, 6.2.1, 6.2.2, 6.2.3, 7.02 (PC and Mac)
(All other versions of Netscape 6.0 are NOT supported. Note: Mac
users have experienced some problems with Netscape Communicator
7.02).
E-Mail Client
SFA e-mail account (mySFA), Hotmail, Yahoo, or any other e-mail
service (Web-based recommended but not required).
Webpage Editor (for developing HTML documents)
Netscape Composer (included free with Netscape browsers).
Macromedia Dreamweaver (available at low cost with an educational
discount).
Miscellaneous
Software Requirements.
Streaming Audio
and Video
Download the latest free version of RealPlayer.
Download the latest free version of RealProducer.
Download the latest free version of Apple
Quick Time.
PDF Reader
Download the latest free version of Adobe
Reader.
PowerPoint Viewer
Download a free PowerPoint
viewer.
Pop-Up Blocker
Please Note: If ad or pop-up blocker software (Pop-Up
Stopper, Pop-Up Defender, Pop-Up Zapper, etc.) is activated, it
will hinder the use of WebCT's quiz survey and chat tools. Each
time you start your computer you must disable the blocker program
before working in WebCT with the quiz/survey and/or chat tools.
Personal firewalls must be disabled when working in WebCT as they
will hinder the transfer of "cookies" (i.e., info transferred
from server to server).
WebCT, the distance education software used at Stephen F. Austin
State University, operates on an internet-based system. WebCT only
recognizes three types of files: HTML, JPEG, and GIF. Therefore,
students must use HTML (or webpage) software for all their assignments.
Netscape Composer (included free with Netscape browsers) or Macromedia
Dreamweaver are recommended. Both software programs provide a "what
you see is what you get" environment for developing HTML documents.
They also make extensive use of buttons and pull-down menus much
like standard word processing programs. Finally, they have a much
quicker learning curve since they do not require knowledge of HTML
code.
Note:
Do NOT use the "Save As HTML" feature in word processing
programs like Microsoft WORD to create HTML documents for this course.
These programs produce excessive amounts of coding to accomplish
very simple HTML tasks. This lead to excessive file sizes and makes
it extremely difficult to edit the HTML code in finished documents.
After installing
either Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer, you MUST ensure
that Java and JavaScript have been enables for your browser and
that your cache is set to reload every time. Failure to enable Java
and JavaScript will cause problems with logging on and with chatting.
Failure to set cache to reload every time will result in not being
able to see items (i.e., assignments, discussion board postings)
as they are posted to the course. For more information, please refer
to the WebCT User Guide prepared by SFA's
Office of Instructional Technology.
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