Support for Software Compatibility

As most computer users are aware technology advances quickly.  It seems as though every few months there are new software and hardware advances.

This page will provide links to upgrades and support that will help to keep your software in tune with the new technology. If you are having compatibility issues the following links may be of help. Please click on the links for downloads and support for software, security and other tech issues.

• How to use earlier versions of Excel, PowerPoint, and Word to open and save files from 2007 Office programs: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/924074
• Microsoft Readers for various Microsoft office products.  This allows users who do not have Microsoft office software such as Power Point or Word to download and read files:  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/results.aspx?pocId=&freetext=microsoft reader&DisplayLang=en
• Get additional features for Windows 98 Dial-Up Networking that improve the performance, reliability, and security of Windows-based communications. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=279469a6-c3e5-4fd6-8ce0-96dd1db2d09f&DisplayLang=en
• For classes using an online component, we suggest that you download the free version of Internet Explorer or Mozilla's Firefox in addition there is a MAC OS X browser from Mozilla called Camino. Use one of these browsers whether or not AOL is your Internet Service Provider.  Otherwise, if you are using the AOL browser, the built in shortcuts may cause problems with most North Online course tools.
• Internet Explorer 8 may not be downward compatible for some applications - This situation may be rectified by clicking the "Compatibility Icon" to the right of the URL Address button.
• Internet Explorer 9 is available only for Vista or Windows 7 for a free download please go to http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/downloads/ie  It has been found that there may be some compatibility issues with our ANGEL 7.4 courseware so please click the "Compatibility Icon" to the right of the URL Address button.
• ANGEL and Mozilla Firefox: At this time ANGEL users have experienced problems with the newest versions of Firefox 7 and 8.  For ANGEL to work correctly please do not upgrade to any version above 6.0 - Here is a website that provides older versions of Firefox that will work with ANGEL.
• The Windows Vista Application Compatibility Update is a package of software updates that address common application compatibility issues in Windows Vista.  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929427
• If you do not have Microsoft Office software there is a free download of an office suite that is compatible with Microsoft Office and will allow you to create documents that can be read by your instructor.  Please go to http://www.openoffice.org/ for more information and for a download of this free office suite.
• A good resource for freeware and low cost resources for creating multimedia content that you may want to use for class assignments and projects can be found at http://www.shoestringmedia.org/
• Known issues with OS 10.7 Lion and Adobe PDF's go to: http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/905/cpsid_90508.html#main_Acrobat_family
  
  Adobe Reader plug-in and Acrobat plug-in are not compatible with the Safari 5.1 browser, included with Mac OS 10.7 and for 10.6 in July 2011. Adobe Reader and Acrobat will continue to work as standalone applications on Mac OS 10.7 and 10.6, and will render PDF documents outside of the browser. In addition, Safari 5.1 renders PDF documents natively. However, the Adobe Reader and Acrobat plug-ins will not function as expected in LiveCycle and Acrobat workflows that require either plug-in to render PDF documents in Safari 5.1.
  For additional information see Apple Safari 5.1 and Adobe Reader/Acrobat Advisory.

North Seattle's e-Learning office is available to help our learners with tech support. We want our learners to have the best possible experience with their online learning classes. Our office hours are Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.  You can reach us by phone 206.934.3738 or by email north.elearning@seattlecolleges.edu.  Any message left after normal business hours will be answered the next business day.