Distance Education Help

Getting Started

If you are taking a Distance Education class, you will be accessing your online course materials through Blackboard Vista, the district Course Management System. The following information will help you prepare your computer to ensure the best experience in Blackboard Vista.

System Requirements

* Different types of MAC computers have different browser requirements.

Plug-ins & Downloads

All plug-ins listed here are free and safe. If you do not already have these plug-ins, click the links below, and follow the instructions to to download and install them on your computer. Depending up the content in your courses, you may need some or all of the following downloads.

Required

• Java (For PC Users)
  Allows you to fully utilize the features of Blackboard Vista. Click the above link to make sure you have the recommended version for your system.
  
  Note: If you have trouble installing the recommended version, you may need to uninstall earlier versions.
• Java (For Mac Users)
  Use the Software Update feature (available through the Apple menu) to make sure you have the recommended Java version for your computer. Make sure Java is enabled in your web browser.

Strongly Recommended

• Windows Update (For PC Users - Note: You must be using Internet Explorer to run this service.)
  Regularly update your computer with the latest software from Microsoft to boost the security and reliability of your Windows PC.
• Software Update (For Mac Users - From the Apple menu, select Software Update)
• Adobe Reader
  Allows you to view PDF files.
• Adobe Flash Player
  Allows you to view various multimedia activities and web animation.

• Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack (For PC Users)
  Allows you to open Office 2007 files if you are using an earlier version of Office.

If Needed

• OpenOffice.org
  If you do not have Microsoft Office, you can download this free, open source alternative.
  Note: If you choose to use Open Office, please consult with your instructor regarding the file types they can accept. You can use the Save As function of Open Office, and choose Save As Type to save your files in a format that is compatible with Microsoft Office, for example.
• Quicktime
  Allows you to view various online video formats.
• Flip4Mac (For Mac Users)
  Allows Mac users to view WMV videos using the Quicktime player.
• Windows Media Player (For PC Users)
  Allows you to view WMV videos.

Browser Settings

Trusted Sites

If you are using Internet Explorer as your browser, you will need to set bbvista.vcccd.edu as a trusted site. Mozilla Firefox and Safari do not have a Trusted Sites setting.

Internet Explorer

1. Click Tools > Internet Options.
2. Clic the Security tab.
3. Click the Trusted Sites button.
4. Click the Sites button.
5. In the Add this web site to the zone area, type bbvista.vcccd.edu, and click Add.
6. Make sure the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone box is unchecked.
7. Click Close to close the Trusted Sites window.
8. Click OK to to close the Internet Options window.

View a video demonstration on adding a trusted site in Internet Explorer. (38 sec)

Pop-up Blockers

You will need to configure your browser's pop-up blockers to allow pop-ups from Blackboard Vista.

Internet Explorer

1. Click Tools > Pop-up Blocker > Pop-up Blocker Settings.
2. In the Address of web site to allow area, type bbvista.vcccd.edu
3. Click Add. Then click Close.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Click Tools > Options.
2. Click the Content button.
3. Click the Exceptions button next to the Block Pop-up Windows option.
4. In the Address of web site area, type bbvista.vcccd.edu
5. Click Allow. Then click Close.
6. Click OK.

Safari

1. Click Safari > Preferences.
2. Click the Security button.
3. Uncheck the option to Block Pop-up Windows.
4. You may wish to check this option again when you are not using Blackboard Vista.

Toolbars

In additon to your browser's pop-up blockers, you may have installed toolbars such as Google, Yahoo!, AOL, MSN, etc. which include their own pop-up blockers. These blockers will need to either be disabled or configured to allow pop-ups from bbvista.vcccd.edu.

File Downloads

You will probably be required to download a number of files via Blackboard Vista. You can change some browser settings to determine how your browser handles file downloads.

Internet Explorer

1. Click Tools > Internet Options.
2. Click the Security tab.
3. Click the Custom Level button.
4. In the Settings area, scroll down to the Downloads section.
5. Under Automatic prompting for file downloads, choose Enable.
6. Under File Download, choose Enable.
7. Click OK to close the Security Settings window.
8. Click OK to close the Internet Options window.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Click Tools > Optons.
2. Click the Main button.
3. In the Downloads section, set the options for how you would like your browser to handle file downloads.
4. Click OK.

Safari

1. Click Safari > Preferences.
2. Click the General button.
3. Set the options in the Save downloaded files to section.
4. Close the General window.