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Hardware & Software Recommendations
Hardware & Software Recommendations for Distance Learning Participants
(Updated March 2011)
Following are minimum technical recommendations for participants in Hofstra Distance Learning courses. Certain courses might require additional equipment; please confirm the need for anything additional with your instructors.
Hardware
- Desktop, laptop, or netbook with the following minimum specifications:
- Processor (CPU) with speed of at least 1GHz
- Memory (RAM) of at least 1GB
- Internal or external speakers
Internet Access
- A stable internet connection at broadband speed
Software
- One or more of the following web browsers
- Mozilla Firefox version 3.5 or higher
(http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox) - Microsoft Internet Explorer version 7.0 or 8.0
(http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/internet-explorer/products/ie/home) - Apple Safari version 4.0 or higher
(http://www.apple.com/safari)
- Mozilla Firefox version 3.5 or higher
- Adobe Flash Player version 9.0 or higher
(http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer) - Adobe Reader version 9.0 or higher (or similar PDF reader application)
(http://get.adobe.com/reader ) - Sun Java version 6 or higher (http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads)
- One or more of the following audio/video players:
- VLC Media Player
(http://www.videolan.org/vlc) - Apple QuickTime
(http://www.apple.com/quicktime) - Windows Media Player
(http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/windows-media-player)
- VLC Media Player
- Microsoft Office 2007 for Windows or Office 2008 for Mac or later (specifically, Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
(available for free download by Hofstra students and instructors. Check the “My Apps” section of the Portal: http://my.hofstra.edu) - Antivirus software
(McAfee Antivirus is available for free download by Hofstra students and instructors. Check the “my apps” section of the Portal: http://my.hofstra.edu)
