Computer Requirements  

Most online courses at Rio Hondo College use a program called Blackboard to provide password-protected access to online courses via the Internet. Online courses at Rio Hondo require an Internet connection.  Blackboard courses require modern computer hardware and a supported web browser. While courses are designed to accommodate slow dial-up modems, broadband (DSL and Cable) Internet connection speeds are recommended. 

Computers for Rio Hondo College student use are available at the Rio Hondo College District Computer Lab.

Computers for Rio Hondo College student use are available at the Rio Hondo College District Computer Lab and at various other sites on campus. Go to http://library.riohondo.edu/ and click on “ON CAMPUS COMPUTERS” for more information.

If you are taking a course using Blackboard system, please read on to ensure that your computer is ready to access your course before the term begins.

For all browsers you will need to have JavaScript, Java, Cascading Style Sheets, and Cookies enabled and pop-up blockers turned off when using Blackboard. Please make sure to run the Browser Diagnostic Test to make sure your computer is configured correctly to run Blackboard.

In order to participate in an online class from home, your system will need to meet the following operating system and browser requirements.  Computer hardware capable of running these operating systems should have no problems accessing Blackboard.

Blackboard Compatible Browsers
Minimum Computer Requirements
Suggested Software Packages

 

Blackboard Compatible Browsers

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Minimum Computer Requirements

These requirements refer specifically to your computer hardware. Remember, it is OK if you satisfy or exceed the "Recommended" settings. "Minimum requirements" are meant for basic use of Blackboard. If you require any additional plug-in software applications, always check with the appropriate vendors as the "minimum requirements" may change.

You should also check with your instructor for any other hardware/software requirements specific to your course.

	PC/Windows	Macintosh
Operating System	Windows 98, 2000, XP, NT, ME or VISTA	MacOS 10.3 or MacOS 10.4
Processor	400 MHz Intel Pentium II processor, or equivalent	300 MHz PowerPC G3 processor
RAM	64MB	64MB
Free Disk Space	150MB	50MB
Internet Connection	56 kbps Dialup Modem	56 kbps Dialup Modem
Monitor Resolution	800 x 600	800 x 600
Audio (Sound) Card	16-bit sound card	16-bit sound card
Video Card	16 MB VRAM with 65,000 colors or 16-bit	Virtual memory turned on and allocated to at least 64 MB

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Suggested Software Packages

	PC/Windows	Macintosh
Internet Browser	Windows 2000 Internet Explorer 5.0, 5.5, 6.0 Firefox 1.5 or higher Netscape 4.77, 7.0 Windows XP Internet Explorer 6.0, 7.0 Firefox 1.5 and higher Netscape 7.2 and earlier versions Mozilla 1.7 and higher  Windows Vista  Internet Explorer 7.0	Mac OS X Safari 1.5 and higher Firefox 1.5 and higher
Video Player	Windows Media Player 11 Real Player 10 Basic Player	Windows Media Player 9 Real Player 10 Basic Player
PDF file Reader	Acrobat Reader 8.0	Acrobat Reader 8.0
Word Processing, Spreadsheet, and PowerPoint	Microsoft Office Recommended or any that allows you to save documents in rich text format	Microsoft Office Recommended or any that allows you to save documents in rich text format
PowerPoint Viewer	If you don't have PowerPoint. It allows you to view and print PowerPoint slides. - Freeware	If you don't have PowerPoint. It allows you to view and print PowerPoint slides. - Freeware
Antivirus	If you are enrolled in an online class, you should maintain current anti-virus protection. When you send a file, or when you open a file sent by someone else, a virus may be present without your knowledge. Several reasonably priced anti-virus software packages are available. Two good antivirus protection software are Symantec and McAfee. You can also use AVG, a free and reliable antivirus software	If you are enrolled in an online class, you should maintain current anti-virus protection. When you send a file, or when you open a file sent by someone else, a virus may be present without your knowledge. Several reasonably priced anti-virus software packages are available. Two good antivirus protection software are Symantec and McAfee.
Spyware	Anti-spyware and anti-adware packages are highly recommended. A suggested freeware package is Ad-Aware SE. It is designed to provide advanced protection from known Data-mining, aggressive advertising, Parasites, Scumware, selected traditional Trojans, Dialers, Malware, Browser hijackers, and tracking components.	Anti-spyware and anti-adware packages are highly recommended. A suggested anti-spyware package is MacScan.
Firewall	A firewall is essential for DSL and cable modem users. It increases security for any computer connected to the Internet, including dial-up connections.	A firewall is essential for DSL and cable modem users. It increases security for any computer connected to the Internet, including dial-up connections.

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