Set Up your Computer to work well with the Moodle Program

Recommended Browsers

For Moodle courses, the recommended Internet browser is Mozilla Firefox Version 2.

• Firefox is recommended for both platforms (PC and MAC).

  Free download: http://www.mozilla.com/firefox

• Internet Explorer can potentially cause running errors
• Opera and Safari will not show build-in html editor in Moodle- not recommended

Using AOL:

• Connect to the Internet using AOL version 4.0 or higher
• Open a private chat within AOL (this allows the AOL client to remain open, without asking if you wish to disconnect while minimized)
• Minimize AOL - you will not use the AOL browser
• Launch a recommended browser (ie Firefox)

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Recommended Hardware

• Windows: Windows 98, ME, NT, 4.0, 2000, or XP and a 56k V.90 modem or better Internet connection.
• Macintosh: Mac OS X and a 56k V.90 modem or better Internet connection.
• Depending on the use of streaming media, interactive multimedia, or other content in the individual courses, you might need additional hardware/software or browser plug-ins.

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Pop-up configuration

Some of the Moodle courses use pop-up windows, therefore you will need to disable pop-up blockers in your browser. Some blockers may be turned off on Windows by right clicking an icon on the system tray, next to where the clock resides.

Firefox

1. Go to Tools > Options.
2. Click Content tab.
3. If Block pop-up windows is checked, then click Exceptions button near it.
4. Type moodle.umn.edu.
5. Click Allow, click Close, click OK.

Internet Explorer’s Built-In Popup Blocker

1. Go to Tools: Popup Blocker. At this point you can either just turn the pop-up blocker off, or continue with the settings below.
2. Select Popup Blocker Settings.
3. For Address of Web site to allow, type "https://*.umn.edu."
4. Click the Add button.
5. Click the Close button.
6. Close and restart Internet Explorer.

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Cookies

Cookies are files often set by websites in your browser to record certain information about your visit to a website. For example, cookies can be used on to remember your username the next time you visit, or to keep track of if you are logged in or not.

Cookies need to be enabled in your browser to use Blackboard and Moodle.

How to enable cookies in your browser:

Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer.

2. Click on the 'Tools' menu.

3. Select 'Internet options'.

4. Select the 'Privacy' tab.

5. Move the slider to Medium.

6. Click 'OK'.

7. Close Internet Explorer to save changes.

Firefox:

1. Click on the 'Tools' menu.

2. Select 'Options'.

3. Click on 'Privacy'.

4. Click on 'Cookies'.

5. Make sure the box marked 'Allow sites to set Cookies' is checked.

6. Click 'OK' to save changes.

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Browser Cache

Browser caching is when your internet browser saves copies of web pages you visit onto your computer. Caching occurs in order to help you access regularly visited web pages more quickly as your computer 'remembers' that you have been to that web page already.

Browser caching can cause problems in Blackboard or Moodle as the browser will display older versions of the pages you access. Some students have been able to resolve login and other issues by clearing their browser cache.

How to clear your browser cache

Internet Explorer:

1. Click on the 'Tools' menu.

2. Select 'Internet options'.

3. Click on 'Delete Files' under 'Temporary Internet Files'.

4. Click on 'Clear History' under 'History'.

5. Click 'OK'.

6. Close down Internet Explorer to save changes.

Firefox:

1. Click on the 'Tools' menu.

2. Select 'Options'.

3. Click on 'Privacy'.

4. Click on 'Cache'.

5. Click on 'Clear Cache Now'.

6. Click 'OK'

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JavaScript

JavaScript must be enabled in order to use Moodle.

How to enable JavaScript

Internet Explorer

1. Open Internet Explorer.

2. Click 'Tools'.

3. Select 'Internet options'.

4. Select the 'Security' tab.

5. Click the 'Custom level' button.

6. Scroll down and enable all 3 Scripting options.

7. Click 'OK'.

8. Close down Internet Explorer to save changes.

Firefox:

1. Click on the 'Tools' menu.

2. Select 'Options'.

3. Click on 'Content'.

4. Make sure the box marked 'Enable JavaScript' is checked.

5. Click 'OK' to save changes.

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Free downloads

Set up Your Computer

Adobe Reader is a free software you can download and install on your computer so you can read files which might be in your online class in the PDF format.

Cookie Management in the most popular web browsers, including Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Netscape. Includes directions for both recent and older versions of the software.

Java Scripting must be enabled for Moodle to function optimally on your computer. While this is a default setting on most computers so you should not have to worry about it, this tutorial will show you how to allow Java Scripting on most of the popular browsers available today. If you are not sure if your computer has Java installed, go to the CCC Confer Technical Help page and test it and/or install Java using these three links:

• Determine if Java is Installed on Your Computer
• Java Sun Installation
• Enable Java Script

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Microsoft PowerPoint Reader is Free and allows you to read any PowerPoint files your instructor might provide for you to download. You do not need to purchase PowerPoint to read files, only to create or make changes to them. Another PowerPoint Reader for both Mac and PC is available from TonicPoint.

Microsoft Word Reader is free and allows you to read any MS Word documents your instructor places in your virtual classroom for downloading. You do not need to purchase MS Word to read the documents, only to make changes or to original new documents. If you are using Mac OS you can search the Microsoft site for a reader for your computer. Another Microsoft Word Reader for Mac, PC and other platforms is available from Antiword.

Pop-up Blocker tutorial - shows how to set the Pop-up blocker on the most popular web browsers. You will need to allow pop-ups in order to use course management software.

Setting Cooking in Internet Explorer provides directions on how to access and manage cookies in the most recent versions of Internet Explorer.

http://tuneup.pbwiki.com/First+set+up+your+computer+settings