Mount Ida College

From Potential to Achievement

Windows - Firefox 1.0x, 1.5x

Follow the ten quick steps below to make sure that your computer and browser are set up properly. You only need to do the first eight steps ONCE for each computer you are using. We recommend repeating steps 9 and 10 before starting every ANGEL session!

If you have any problems with these steps, please call 617-928-7375 and we will be happy to walk you through these steps!

Steps 1-8 only needs to be performed or checked ONCE for EVERY COMPUTER you are using.
1
Install Java (Be sure your Java software is not out of date - download a recent version!)
2
 Enable Java
3
 Switch to the Sun Java Runtime Environment
4
 Enable Javascript
5

Set your Browser Cache (this step is not needed for Firefox browsers! Proceed to step 6.)

6
 Enable Cookies
7
 Install all the recommended plug-ins
8
 Remove additional toolbars such as Yahoo! and Google toolbars
Steps 9 and 10 should be done just before using ANGEL, each and every time.
9
 Speed up your Browser! Clear your Browser Cache
10
 Disable ALL Pop-Up Blockers

1. Install Java
a.
b.
Click on Download Now.
c.
Click on Begin Download. (Note that it may also ask you to download ActiveX Controls. If it does, click yes or okay to download Active X in order to bring your computer up-to-date. But if it asks you if you want the Google Toolbar installed, JUST SAY NO!)
d.
Java will automatically download the software to your computer. When it has finished, it will ask you to verify the installation.
e.
Click Verify Installation.
f.
When you are finished, you may need to restart your computer for the new settings to take place.
NOTE: If the procedure above appears different for your browser, please try the manual download site: http://java.com/en/download/manual.jsp and click "Download" next to Windows Online Installation. The download will begin. A dialog box will open. Click RUN.


2. Enable Java
a.
From the Tools menu, select Options.
b.
In the left-hand pane, click Web Features.
c.
Make sure the Enable Java checkbox is selected.
d.
Click OK.

3. Switch to the Sun Java Runtime Environment
a.
Open the Windows Control Panel by clicking Start > Settings > Control Panel. The Control Panel appears.
b.
Locate and double-click Java or Java Plug-in. The Java Control Panel appears.
c.
Look for the Browser tab.
d.
If the Browser tab does not exist, skip the rest of this section.
e.
If the Browser tab exists, click the Browser tab.
f.
Under Settings, select the checkbox next to your browser.
g.
Click Apply to save your settings.
h.
Restart the browser.

4. Enable Javascript
a.
From the Tools menu, select Options.
b.
In the left-hand pane, click Web Features.
c.
Make sure the Enable Javascript checkbox is selected.
d.

Click the Advanced button.

  • Move or resize existing windows
  • Hide the status bar
  • Change the status bar text
  • Change images
e.
Click OK, then click OK again.

5. Set your Browser Cache
The browser cache in the Mozilla browser is already set up for WebCT. Proceed to step 6!

6. Enable Cookies
a.
 From the Tools menu, select Options.
b.
 In the left-hand pane, click Privacy.
c.

Select Enable cookies for the originating website only.

d.
To expand the Cookies section, click the plus sign (+) next to Cookies.
e.

Make sure one or both of the following checkboxes are selected:

  • Allow sites to set cookies
  • for the originating website only
f.

Click OK.


7. Install all the required plug-ins
Your instructor may use various file formats or tools in their course site that require special free software to examine. You may be required to read a pdf file, examine a PowerPoint slide show, or watch an animation. All plug-ins are free.
REQUIRED PLUG-INS (all free!)
Adobe Acrobat Reader - Handouts and readings often appear in pdf form, requiring this software. Visit the website to download and follow the installation instructions.
Adobe Flash Player - The Adobe Flash Player is required to view the tutorials on WebCT tools. Some professors also use animated tutorials for in their course materials.
RECOMMENDED DOWNLOADS (all free!)
Adobe Shockwave Player - As well as Flash, many online textbook materials your instructor may use depend on Adobe Shockwave Player to operate. If your animations are not work, this may be why.
Media Players - If you have video or audio files in your course, you may need one or all of the players below:
Apple Quicktime
RealPlayer
Windows Media Player
PowerPoint Viewer - Some instructors place their PowerPoints online for students to download, view, and study from.

8. Remove additional toolbars such as Yahoo! and Google toolbars
The browser toolbars from companies such as Yahoo!, Google, Norton and others can interfere with the operation of ANGEL. The pop-up blockers can prevent certain ANGEL tools from working properly and the toolbars themselves can cause problems with logging in. Removing these toolbars will prevent these problems while using ANGEL.
To remove the Google toolbar, visit the Google Toolbar site and follow the uninstall instructions.
To remove the Yahoo! toolbar, visit the Yahoo! Toolbar site and follow the uninstall instructions.
For all other toolbars, please call 617-928-7375 or email elearning@mountida.edu and we will provide you with instructions.

9. Clear your browser cache to speed up your browser
Browsers will store files from webpages on your computer so that they quickly load the next time you visit the site. They also store text files called cookies that contain information about your computer, usernames, and other information so that websites remember information about your visit and make logging in faster.

Over time, your browser saves so many temporary files and occasionally saves a corrupted cookie that it begins to slow down your surfing or prevent log-in to secure sites. Clearing your browser cache (deleting these temporary files) will help speed up your ANGEL experience and prevent log-in problems.
a.
Select the Tools menu, and choose Clear Private Data.
b.

Place a check mark next to all items to be cleared, including Cookies, Cache, Browing History, and Authenticated Sessions, then click Clear Private Data Now.


10. Disable all pop-up blockers
ANGEL uses pop-up windows for quizzes, emails, discussions, and uploading files. You will need to turn off pop-up blockers in order for these tools to function.
TIP: You can set your pop-up blocker to allow pop-ups from WebCT but block them from other sites. Set mountida.angellearning.com, Mount Ida College's ANGEL server, as an allowed site if you don't want to disable it completely.
a
You can find instructions to turn off or adjust the Firefox pop-up blocker at Mozilla.org.
b
To disable other pop-up blockers, follow the directions below.
c

Search your hard drive for any software with "pop-up" in the name. Disable it or set mountida.angellearning.com, Mount Ida College's ANGEL server, as an allowed site. Examples of popular pop-up blocking applications include:

  • Pop-Up Stopper
  • Pop-Up Defender
  • Pop-Up Zapper
d

Pop-up blocking functions are included in some anti-virus, internet security, personal firewall, and browser programs. Disable the relevant setting in the program or set mountida.angellearning.com, Mount Ida College's ANGEL server, as an allowed site.

Examples of programs that include pop-up blocking functions include the following (click the link for instructions on how to disable the pop-up blockers).
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