Technical Requirements
Students should have Internet access and the necessary computer hardware and software to view course lectures throughout the summer and to complete course assignments. Download and install current versions of one of the supported video players before trying to view the lectures. There are versions of the software available for Mac and PC platforms and some versions of Unix/Linux. We recommend that students use the free version of the video players. At minimum a reliable 56 kbps dial-in modem is required to view the lectures, but cable modem, DSL, or T1 access to the Internet is recommended for optimal performance. A sound card and a minimum screen resolution of 1024 x 768 are also required.
| Platform | Internet Explorer | Netscape | Mozilla | Firefox | RealPlayer Version | Installation Recommendations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mac OS X (10.2)+ |
native mode | no IE support; use Safari or Firefox | 7.1 or higher | 1.7 or higher | 1.0 or higher | RealPlayer 10 | Install RealPlayer 10 for Mac OS X |
| Mac OS 9.2.2(+) (not supported) |
Mac OS 9.2 or earlier no longer supported | ||||||
| Windows XP/Vista | 6.0 or higher | 7.1 or higher avoid 6.x series |
1.7 or higher | 1.0 or higher | RealPlayer 10 | Install RealPlayer 10 | |
| Win2000 | 5.5, 6.0 or higher | 7.1 or higher | 1.7 or higher | 1.0 or higher | RealPlayer 10 | Install RealPlayer 10 with recommended browsers —Netscape 4.7x has worked but is no longer supported |
|
| Linux (RedHat 9.0+ or RedHat Fedora) | n/a | n/a | current version | current version | current version | Please see Linux Support below |
Note: Harvard does not provide dial-up Internet access to students. Students must subscribe to an Internet service provider (ISP) or have other Internet access.
Linux Support
There is limited support available for Linux. Distance education lectures have only been successfully tested with video using Redhat and Ubuntu installations. However, there is limited functionality for the synchronization of slide materials accompanying the video, which might not work in some configurations. Therefore, students are encouraged to download and print their course materials before viewing the lectures so they can follow the material as the lecture is presented.