STEP Computer Requirements

Please e-mail us at stepnd@nd.edu or call toll-free at 1-866-425-7837(STEP) if you have any questions.

Verifying browser compatibility with Blackboard Concourse

"Concourse" (formerly called WebCT) is the software used to deliver STEP e-Courses. The version Notre Dame uses is Concourse Vista 4.2, and the Concourse (WebCT) Browser Validation List lists the browsers that are validated for Vista 4.2.

Browser specifications are established by Concourse. Browsers not listed may or may not work satisfactorily.

* Attention AOL users: If you use AOL to connect to the Internet, it is usually better to use a different browser for Concourse Vista than the one AOL provides. Connect to the Internet, minimize your AOL Browsers, then open a new browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Netscape, Mozilla, Firefox) to log into Concourse.

Configuring Your Browser

There are several settings stored in your browser which need to be specifically configured for use with Concourse. A check for whether your browser settings need to be changed, as well was instructions for doing so, are available from the Concourse (WebCT) Browser Tune-Up page. The Orientation period for each course includes time to verify your browser is configured properly for use with Concourse, and we provide assistance (including the ND Help Desk, see below) as needed with the instructions given from the Tune-Up page.

ND Help Desk Technical Support

If STEP refers your case to the ND Help Desk, you may be asked by the ND Help Desk to save and run one of the following tools:

A 56 K modem or faster Internet connection is required to view the streaming video.

You will need Windows Media Player to view the video. If you do not have Windows Media Player installed on your computer, click on the link to the Windows Media Player web site to download the latest version of Windows Media Player for your operating system. If you already have Windows Media Player installed, clicking on the link will assist you in upgrading to the most current version for your operating system.

As with most Microsoft products, Microsoft periodically issues recommended patches for the Windows Media Player. To periodically check for updates, visit the Microsoft Windows Update site. To automatically receive bulletins and/or downloads for updates, PC users can enable this feature from their computer's Control Panel by opening the System folder and selecting the Automatic Updates tab.

*Attention Mac OS X users: Some Windows Media files may not play correctly on Mac OS X computers without downloading the Flip4Mac player (free) from the Microsoft web site. After downloading the free player, the course streaming video plays correctly in the Safari browser.

Viewing the video-based course supplement CD-ROMs and the Catholic Video Lecture Series CD-ROMs

In order to view the CD-ROMs, a Web browser (Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator) is needed.

A media player is also required. While most media players can accommodate the video portion of the CD-ROMs, we recommend Windows Media Player.

*Attention Mac OS X users: Some video files may not play correctly on Mac OS X computers without downloading the free DivX codec from the QuickTime Components page or the DivX web site.

If you have any questions regarding your computer capabilities, please submit an online Problem Report (copy and paste this URL into your web browser: www.nd.edu/%7Estepnd/e-courses/step-problem.html), or call STEP toll-free at 1-866-425-7837(STEP) or e-mail us at stepnd@nd.edu.