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Technical Requirements
The following are the technical requirements for WebCT:
Warning: Before installing a new browser, refer to our list of supported browsers to ensure the browser you are installing is validated for use with the version of Blackboard you are using. You can also click here to get a list of plug-ins.
Browser Validation List
Supported Browsers for Windows
Once you have determined your WebCT and browser version, you can then check to see that your browser is supported for use with your version of WebCT. Categories of WebCT browser support:
Validated: These browsers have been tested extensively and have been validated for use with WebCT.
Unsupported: These browsers are known to have significant issues in operation with WebCT and are not supported for use with WebCT.
Browsers not listed: Browsers not shown on this table have not been tested. They may or may not work with WebCT. It is strongly recommended that you use a Validated browser.
To download supported browsers, please follow our browser links.
| WebCT Version |
Browsers |
Browser Versions |
| Validated |
Unsupported |
| Application Pack 2 for CE 6 and Vista 4 |
| Microsoft IE |
6 SP2; 7 see note 2 |
-- |
| Netscape |
-- |
8 |
| AOL |
-- |
-- |
| Mozilla |
-- |
1.5, 1.6 |
| Firefox |
1.5.x (PC only), 2.0.x |
-- |
 |
Notes:
- To see supported browsers for earlier versions of WebCT, visit the Supported Browser Versions Archive.
- Internet Explorer 7, Mozilla 1.6 & 1.7, Firefox, AOL 9 browsers, where listed, may require an up-to-date Hotfix or Service Pack to be installed on the WebCT CE or WebCT Vista server. If you experience issues using these browsers, please contact your system administrator to ensure your WebCT installation has the latest update installed.
- Internet Explorer 5.5 SP1 is not supported. Read more in the WebCT Support Knowledge Base.
- Netscape 4.78 and 4.79 are not supported. Read more in the WebCT Support Knowledge Base.
- Netscape 6.0 and 6.1 are not supported. Read more in the WebCT Support Knowledge Base.
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Supported Browsers for Mac
Once you have determined your WebCT and browser version, you can then check to see that your browser is supported for use with your version of WebCT. Categories of WebCT browser support:
Validated: These browsers have been tested extensively and have been validated for use with WebCT.
Unsupported: These browsers are known to have significant issues in operation with WebCT and are not supported for use with WebCT.
Browsers not listed: Browsers not shown on this table have not been tested. They may or may not work with WebCT. It is strongly recommended that you use a Validated browser.
To download supported browsers, please follow our browser links.
| WebCT Version |
Browsers |
Browser Versions |
| Validated |
Unsupported |
| Application Pack 2 for CE 6 and Vista 4 |
Mozilla |
-- |
Browsers running under Mac OS 9 and earlier; Firefox 1.5, Mozilla 1.5, 1.6, and 1.7 |
| Firefox |
TBD with 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 |
| Safari |
1.3, 2.x; and 2.x for Intel x86 platform |
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Notes:
- To see supported browsers for earlier versions of WebCT, visit the Supported Browser Versions Archive.
- Some versions of the Mozilla, Firefox, and Safari browsers, where listed, require an up-to-date Service Pack to be installed on the WebCT CE or WebCT Vista server. If you experience issues using these browsers, please contact your system administrator to ensure your WebCT installation has the latest Service Pack installed.
- Netscape 4.78 and 4.79 are not supported. Read more in the WebCT Support Knowledge Base.
- Netscape 6.0 and 6.1 are not supported. Read more in the WebCT Support Knowledge Base.
- Netscape 6.2.x may require an updated Java plug-in for use with WebCT 3.7 and higher. Read more in the WebCT Support Knowledge Base.
- Safari 1.3.0 and 2.0.0 are not supported with WebCT Vista 3.0 and earlier. We recommend that users who have upgraded to Mac OS X 10.3.9 or 10.4 use a different supported browser with WebCT Vista. WebCT has logged bug reports with Apple, and we are working to find solutions. WebCT Vista administrators can read more in a WebCT Vista Support Bulletin released May 19, 2005. As of WebCT Vista 3.0 Service Pack 6, Safari 1.3.1 and higher and 2.0.1 and higher are supported.
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Determine Your Blackboard and Browser Version
To determine browser version:
- Open your browser
- From the browser menu bar, select Help
- Select About. If there are several, choose the one about your browser. A screen will appear that shows your browser name and version.
To determine which version of Blackboard you are using:
Blackboard Learning System - Vista and Campus Edition 6 Enterprise Licenses
- Go to the Entry Page of your Blackboard server.
Example: http://webct.myschool.edu/webct/entryPageIns.dowebct
- Click Check Browser. The Browser Check screen appears. In later versions, your version of Blackboard displays at the top of the Browser Check screen.
If your version of Blackboard does not display in the Browser Check screen:
- To return to the Entry Page, click Close this window.
- Edit the web address (URL) and replace everything after the first "/webct/" with "about.jsp".
Example: http://webct.myschool.edu/webct/about.jsp
- Press Enter. The Blackboard screen appears. Your version of Blackboard is shown under the word "Copyright."
Note: If you are unable to follow these instructions, please contact your instructor or the Blackboard support staff for your institution to determine your version of Blackboard.
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Plug-ins
Some Blackboard courses use browser plug-ins. To view portions of these sites, you may need one or more of the plug-ins below. Browsers will generally automatically download any plug-in required by a particular page.
Windows Media Player
Play video and audio
Some Blackboard courses use video or audio that can be played with Windows Media Player.
QuickTime
View QuickTime video
Some Blackboard courses use Quicktime video.
Shockwave
Animation and interactive content
Macromedia Shockwave is used in some Blackboard courses for interactive quizzes, animations, and activities.
Flash
Animation and interactive content
Macromedia Flash is used in some Blackboard courses for interactive quizzes, animations, and activities.
Adobe Reader
View, navigate, and print Adobe PDF files across all major computing platforms
Adobe PDF documents are used in some Blackboard courses and websites.
Java - Sun Microsystems
Run applications and applets that use Java technology
Java is required for some Blackboard components. Some Blackboard courses use Java technology in course content.
To install this software:
- Click Java - Get It Now. The Download Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment page appears.
- Review and accept the License Agreement.
- Select the appropriate download and follow the online instructions.
Note: Alternate links for Macintosh operating systems:
- For Mac OS X, download and install the latest version of Java for Mac OS X.
- For Mac OS 9 and earlier, download and install the MRJ 2.2.5
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