Blackboard

Using a Mac

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Lisa Marie posted on 31 Aug 2010 8:17 PM

Hello. I'm very confused. I am hoping someone can help me.

MY SCHOOL USES....  Blackboard Learning System - CE Enterprise License (Release CE 8.0.3) [18.0.3.74]
I AM USING.....  Mac OS X Version 10.5.8       AND      Safari Version 5.0.1
IT SAYS....  Browser Check- This browser is either non-validated or unsupported for use with the Learning System. It appears that you are using Safari® Version 533.17.8 browser.

WHEN I USE... Mac OS X Version 10.5.8       AND      Mozilla Firefox Version 3.6.8
IT STILL SAYS....    Browser Check This browser is either non-validated or unsupported for use with the Learning System. It appears that you are using Firefox® Version 3.x browser.

I just want to make sure that everything will work properly for my class this fall semester. I'd prefer to use the Safari but if the Firefox is better then i'll use that. Please let me know what I should do because both say that there is a problem.

Thanks!!!! <3

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Michael Zimmerman replied on 1 Sep 2010 12:24 AM

Lisa,

The reason your school's browser checker returns the "non-validated or unsupported" message is that neither Safari 5 nor Firefox 3.6 had been released when Blackboard CE 8.0.3 came out, so they were not tested and certified to be compatible.  That doesn't necessarily mean that you'll have problems, just that newer browser versions had not been tested when your school's version of Blackboard was installed.

For a list of certified and compatible browsers for CE 8.0.3, see this page:

http://kb.blackboard.com/x/rgKiAg
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Bob Boufford replied on 1 Sep 2010 10:44 AM

Hi Lisa,

In addition to Dr C Mike's comments, many of us are using Safari 5.0.1 with Blackboard Vista/CE 8.0.3 without any problems. We just ignore the message in the Browser Checker. If you do encounter a problem using Safari in a particular area of the course, you can quickly switch to FireFox as an alternative. You may still get the same warning from the browser checker, but it will still likely work for most of your activities.

As Dr C Mike pointed out, the warning often occurs because Blackboard Support has not completed validation of a new browser version. Also, the warning can appear if your school has not updated to the version of Blackboard that supports the newer browser versions. For example, Safari 5.0 has provisional support and FireFox 3.6 has certified support in Blackboard Vista/CE 8.0.4. You may want to ask your school's Blackboard Administrator when they plan to upgrade to Blackboard CE 8.0.4.

Hope this helps...

Cheers,

Bob

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Thank you so much!! I appreciate it.

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