Browser Checklist to navigate in the VLE
The first parameter to check is if you have an updated version of your browser. Most of the browsers have a “Help” menu where you can find the version you are using.
Make sure that your browser has been upgraded at least to the following versions:
| Mozilla Firefox | V. 1.5 |
| Internet Explorer | V. 7 |
| Safari | V. 2 |
| Netscape | V. 6 |
The following instructions have been written for the aforementioned versions of the browsers. They may vary if you are using a different version.
This is probably because you have no installed any player to view interactive animations. The most common free players are Shockwave Player and Flash Player, both from Adobe.
Click here to download Shockwave Player
Click here to download Flash Player
3. Do I need to enable pop-up windows?
Yes, some of the VLE courses use pop-up windows to deliver content in an organised way.
Pop-up windows are web browser windows that open separately, usually because of ad ware or some other action you have taken on a web page.
To check up if pop-windows are enabled in your browser:
| Mozilla Firefox | •From the “Tools” menu, select “Options”
•Select “Contents” •Check that the “Block pop-up windows” option is off |
| Internet Explorer | •Select the “Tools” menu
•Select “Pop up blocker” •Check that it is off |
| Safari | •Select the “Edit” menu
•Select “Preferences” •Check that the “Block pop-up windows” option is off |
| Netscape | •Select the “Edit” menu
•Select “Preferences” •Check that the “Pop-up windows” blocker is off |
4. Do I need to enable cookies?
Although, they are not strictly necessary in order to use the VLE, you may find it useful to enable cookies in your browser, in particular if you own the computer you are using, so that you don’t need to type your details again.
Cookies are small amounts of information (usually passwords, usernames, etc) sent by a web server to store on a web browser, so that they can later be read back from that browser. Although some cookies may contain some malicious code, cookies from secure websites are completely safe.
To enable cookies:
| Mozilla Firefox | •From the “Tools” menu, select “Options”
•Select “Security” •Check that the “Enable cookies” option is on |
| Internet Explorer | •Select the “Tools” menu
•Select “Internet options” •Select “Privacy” •Choose “Medium” zone in the level bar |
| Safari | • •Select the “Edit” menu
•Select “Preferences” and “Security” •Click on the option “Accept cookies only from sites you navigate to” |
| Netscape | •Select the “Edit” menu
•Select “Preferences” and “Security” •Expand the “Advanced” option on the left part of the window •Click on the “Enabled all cookies” setting |
5. Do I need to enable any more additional features?
Yes, you will probably find it useful to enable JavaScript in your browser, not only for the VLE, but to browse many interactive websites.
JavaScript is a scripting language originally developed for Netscape in order to confer interactivity to the WebPages. Without javascript, we wouldn’t have surveys, quizzes or games on the web.
To enable javascript:
| Mozilla Firefox | •Select 'Tools' from the top menu
•Choose 'Options' •Choose 'Content' from the top navigation •Select the checkbox next to 'Enable JavaScript' and click OK |
| Internet Explorer | • Select 'Tools' from the top menu
•Choose 'Internet Options' •Click on the 'Security' tab •Click on 'Custom Level' •Scroll down until you see section labeled 'Scripting' •Under 'Active Scripting', select 'Enable' and click OK |
| Safari | •Select 'Safari' from the top menu
•Choose ‘Edit’ and then 'Preferences' •Choose 'Security' •Select the checkbox next to 'Enable JavaScript' |
| Netscape | •Select 'Edit' from the top menu
•Choose 'Preferences' •Choose 'Advanced' •Choose 'Scripts & Plugins' •Select the 'Enable JavaScript' checkbox and click OK |
6. I have heard of something called "Java ". Do I need to install it to navigate in the VLE?
It is not necessary, but if you install it, you will be able to properly browse some interactive websites.
Java is an object oriented programming language that allows you to play online games, chat with others and view 3D images.
Click here to check if you have the latest version of Java installed in your computer.