Technical Information

What Equipment Do You Need?
You probably already know that Internet technology is rapidly changing.  Because of the constant evolution of the Web, it is important that you alert yourself to various software upgrades, including Web browser improvements (such as Internet Explorer and Netscape) and operating system enhancements and upgrades for Windows 98, 2000, XP or Macintosh Operating Systems.  Your two or three-year old computer, with the right modem (preferably 56 K) or other Internet access (such as cable or DSL), will still serve you well, as long as your software application programs are reasonably current and compatible with the Blackboard system.
Technical Requirements
PC Minimum

• Windows 98, NT, 2000 or XP
• MHz Pentium Processor
• 128 MB of RAM
• 56k Modem, DSL or Cable
• 18-bit or better Sound Card & Speakers      
• 65,000-color or better video display card

Required Software

• Word Processor Program:  MicrosoftÒ Office 2000, XP.  For software information, visit ww.msn.com.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader:  This free software is necessary to view portable document format   files (.pdf) that will be posted throughout the course. This is available at the following URL:   

www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

• Anti-Virus protection software of your choice  (e.g., Norton, McAfee)

Internet Access
All nursing students will need the Internet to access materials for their classroom (live) and online classes.  California State University, Dominguez Hills has fully implemented the Blackboard 6.2 system. This has a number of features that allow students to obtain their course information, including syllabi, readings, assignments, exercises, and various modes of communication with the instructor and other students enrolled in the course. 
Standard “web browsers” such as Internet Explorer and Netscape Communicator are available for free download from various Internet sites. Obtain the most recent edition compatible with your computer and operating system. Frequently, they come pre-installed on new computers at the time of purchase. 
All students are also required to have an email account. These can be obtained from an Internet Service Provider (ISP), (i.e., AOL, Earthlink, MSN, etc).  You may also use free e-mail services such as “Yahoo!” and “Hotmail”.  However, free services limit the amount of disk storage and may prohibit transfer of larger files.   All CSUDH may obtain a Luminis (CP) e-mail account. Student e-mail via luminis is the primary means of communicating to all CSUDH students by the Offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, Records & Registration and Student Financial Services.  Messages regarding important deadlines, missing documents, billing statements and other correspondence previously sent to you will be sent to your official CSUDH e-mail account.  For more information on this, go to the following website for details: http://luminis.csudh.edu/cp/home/login

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