Distance Learning - Technical Requirements

PC computer:	MAC computer:
Pentium	Mac equivalent (PPC)
Windows 98* 2000, XP, Vista	Mac OS 9.0* or higher
32 megs RAM for 98 and 64 megs for 2000 and higher	32 megs RAM
56K modem or higher*	56K modem or higher*
MS WORD processing****	MS WORD processing****
Reliable Connection to Internet	Reliable Connection to Internet
Email capability (Check on filtering)	Email capability (Check on filtering)
Firefox 2.0 or Internet Explorer 6.0	Firefox 2.0 or Internet Explorer 6.0
CD ROM or DVD drive**	CD ROM or DVD drive**
Audio & video capability***	Audio & video capability***

*Some online courses (GEL 101) utilize videostreaming which requires a broadband
Internet connection (DSL or cable modem). With new technology such as Podcasts and Camtasia films
a connection higher than a 56K modem will make the online experience more accessible and less problematic.
Students have the option to rent the video materials if they are not able to videostream them on their computers.

**One course (MAT 102) requires CD ROM/DVD capability at present. The MAT series during Spring 2008 will
move to a web based courseware and will be accessible with the MAC platform.

***Some online courses utilize audiostreaming (ECO 100, ECO 200, ECO 201, IT 111).
Other online classes may include short video clips. If your computer does not have audio
or video capability, contact the Distance Learning Office or the instructor to check on the sound requirements
of the specific classes in which you are interested.

****Some online courses may require the ability to upload, read and send MS Word document files especially
those courses using the FirstClass courseware please contact your instructor by email before registering. You can
download a Microsoft Word Reader. It is also important if you are using Microsoft Office 2007 that you save your files
in the .doc or . rtf file format, this will allow those users who do not have the new software to read your documents.
For other compatible issues and readers please see Compatibility Support.

*****With upgrades to courseware and course delivery software it is recommended that for optimal experience
Windows 2000 and higher and Mac OS 10 and higher are recommended. Using an operating system less than
Windows 2000 or Mac OS 10 could be problematic for most distance learning courses. Any course using FirstClass
courseware will not work on less than Windows 2000. North Seattle has two on campus computer labs that can be
used by distance learning students. These computers have software and internet connections that will work with
all of our distance learning classes and distance learning students can use these labs.