System Requirements

Blackboard requires only a Web browser with JavaScript and cookies enabled. Depending on the types of files a user needs to view from Blackboard, various helper applications or plug-ins may be needed. Blackboard version 8.0 is currently used at Duke.

Blackboard, Inc. supports Java versions 1.5.0_12, 1.5.0_15, 1.5.0_16 and 1.6.0.7 through 1.6.0_12.

Blackboard, Inc. has certified that they have fully tested following browser/OS combinations:

Windows XP: Mozilla Firefox 2.0, 3.0

Windows Vista: Internet Explorer 6 and 7, Mozilla Firefox 2.0 and 3.0

Mac 10.4: Mozilla Firefox 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0, Safari 2

Mac 10.5: Safari 2 and 3

Users may not experience problems on other plaftforms, but these have not been fully tested by Blackboard, Inc.

For more specific information about operating system and browser recommendations, visit the Blackboard, Inc. end user software recommendations, or Duke's Office of Information Technology list of supported software.

Availability of Compatible Computers

For locations of publicly available campus computers that can run Blackboard, look for Windows and Macintosh designations in Academic Technology Services' list of Computer Labs.

For recommendations on purchasing a computer, see the Office of Information Technology's Personal Computer Recommendations .