Technical Requirements

Note: Minimum technical requirements are subject to change. Current information about technical requirements is available at WebTycho Help Web site.

Technical requirements for using WebTycho for graduate courses include

• A computer running a compatible Web browser
• A connection to the Internet
• An e-mail account
• A sound card with speakers or headphones
• Sun Java VM (can be downloaded for free)
• Virus protection software (updated regularly)

Some academic programs have additional technical requirements. Students should consult the section on the degree program they are considering.

Browsers

Netscape Navigator is available free at home.netscape.com/download. Internet Explorer can be downloaded from the Web free at www.microsoft.com/ie/download.

WebTycho requires that browser settings be turned on to enable Java, JavaScript, and style sheets and to accept all cookies. These functions enable such interactive activities as logging in, turning in assignments, editing documents, and chatting. Students using Netscape as their browser should also enable the smart update feature.

Note: WebTycho uses cookies (text files saved in the browser's directory or folder and stored in memory while the browser is running) to permit information retrieval and to record the user's progress through the class. All cookies used during a session are deleted each time the user exits the browser. Cookies cannot infect a computer with viruses.

In order to use WebTycho's e-mail features, students must properly indicate their mail settings in their Web browser.

Instructions on enabling Java, JavaScript, and style sheets and accepting cookies, indicating mail settings, and clearing caches, as well as information on all concerns related to WebTycho use, are available at tychousa.umuc.edu/help.nsf.

Internet Access

Students are responsible for their own phone line and Internet access costs. Information about selecting an Internet service provider (ISP) is available at UMUC's Information Technology.

For use with WebTycho, an ISP must provide

• Access to ports 80, 1533, and 8082
• Telnet and FTP service
• Access to run graphical Web browsers (e.g., Netscape)
• An e-mail account

Note: WebTycho does not currently support WebTV or hand-held Internet devices (i.e., mobile phones or PDAs). Also, some users who access WebTycho via a LAN at work may be unable to access certain secure Internet sites via WebTycho because of security firewalls within the business computer system network.

E-Mail Account

All graduate students are required to have an active e-mail account. Students may obtain an e-mail account from their ISP, their workplace (unless e-mail firewalls are in place for security purposes), or an Internet company that offers free e-mail services.

Students are required to update their e-mail address in WebTycho, either via the Login Wizard on the WebTycho Login page or via the Options menu in the online WebTycho classroom. When an e-mail address is updated in WebTycho, it is automatically updated in ISIS, too. Likewise, when an e-mail address is updated in ISIS, it is automatically updated in WebTycho. ISIS is available at www.umuc.edu/myumuc/transition_services.html.