Students taking this course online must be proficient users of the World Wide Web and are responsible for providing their own access to computers with all the minimum requirements listed here.

Computer:

• Pentium-class processor
• Operating System: Windows 95 or later edition
• Communications: 28,800 or faster modem

Web Browser:You must have Netscape Navigator 4.7 or Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 or a later edition of either browser.

Internet Service Provider (ISP): If you do not currently have access to the Internet from home, check your local            telephone directory and ask your friends about Internet Service Providers in your area. As a backup, not as your primary connection, you might also consider a free Internet Service Provider.

Word Processing Software: Microsoft Word 97®, or later edition is required for this course. (Note that Microsoft Works is not compatible with Microsoft Word and is not acceptable for this class.)

Word Processing Experience:You should have minimally proficient word processing skills including the following:

• Basic Keyboarding Skills: You do not have to know how to touch type to succeed in this class; however, if you are a very slow typist, you will have to spend more time typing your papers.
• Basic Formatting and Editing Skills:
  • Edit: copy, cut, paste
  • Format: double spacing, single spacing, set tabs, set margins, insert page break
  • Save and Open Documents

E-mail Access and Experience: Online students must have sufficient e-mail and Internet access to do all class activities on schedule. Students are responsible for finding alternative resources when necessary. You should check the class Web site and your e-mail daily; you must check at least every other day.

You must be able to perform the following e-mail functions:

• Check for and access e-mail through the VCCS Student WebMail
• Save copies of all incoming mail for your records
• Send e-mail and save a copy of all outgoing mail for your records
• Send, receive, read, and save attachments to e-mail.
• Print e-mail messages and file attachments.

Virus Scanning Software: You must have an up-to-date virus scanning software such as Norton Anti-Virus or McAfee on your computer, and you must keep your virus data files current. If you send the instructor a document infected with a computer virus, the instructor will have to delete the document and will be unable to grade your work.