OFFICE of INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

PREPARING YOUR COMPUTER
Prepare Your Computer for your Online Education

Every student has a different computer. Each computer is different in brand, speed, memory size, hard disk size, age, performance, operating system, etc. We HIGHLY recommend that each student follow these steps in order to give your computer the BEST configuration to support your work.

    1. Run Windows Update on your computer to make sure that your Operating System has all known “bugs” patched/fixed. Note, Microsoft releases new updates every month.
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    2. You should now evaluate whether your Antivirus software is both up-to-date and active. The reality is that most of the computers we see do have an antivirus installed, but it is usually expired and certainly not up to date – which is a certainty for trouble. Regardless which Antivirus software you are currently using, we highly recommend that you consider purchasing and installing Webroot SecureAnywhere. After thirty years of experience, Webroot is what our CIO chooses for his personal computers as well as for Luther Rice.
      (Although not our first choice, our CIO also likes MalwareBytes 3.0 – but only the version that you purchase. NOTE: All FREE versions of Antivirus are essentially worthless.)
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    3. Next, consider purchasing and installing PcMatic – this is in addition to Webroot Antivirus. PcMatic is a product that our CIO has used for more than 11 years. It is installed on every computer at Luther Rice. This is optional, but if your computer is running slowly, this can really help you. When you do purchase PcMatic, you can use it on up to five computers (the cost is $50, but a single license is valid for use on up to 5 computers).
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    4. Download and install the latest version of Google Chrome Internet Browser.
      NOTE: It is our strongest recommendation that you do not use Internet Explorer with Blackboard. You WILL have problems with tests, exams, etc. Microsoft’s new EDGE browser may work but we cannot certify that you will not have issues.
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    5. Download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader. (link for Windows only)
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    6. You will need a good word processor to type your class assignments. If you do not already have a word processor, there are two options that we recommend:
      1. We highly recommend Microsoft Office which you can purchase for approximately $80-$150 for a 4-year subscription (Office 365 University edition). Luther Rice does not participate in Microsoft’s promotional programs.
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      2. If spending $80 is not an option, you can download (for free) Open Office. While “FREE” sounds good, we do recommend Microsoft Office as the superior product.

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    7. Be sure to have a webcam suitable for Respondus Lockdown  Browser and Monitor. (Here are a few good tips for setting up Respondus.)
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Prepare Your MAC/Apple Computer for your Online Education

Every student has a different computer and each computer is different in model, speed, memory size, hard disk size, age, performance, and operating system.  Clearly it is impossible for us to customize each student’s computer; therefore, we HIGHLY recommend that each student implement the following recommendations in order to give your computer the best configuration to support your online education.

    1. Be sure your MAC/Apple OS has the most recent updates that are available.
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    2. After fully updating your MAC/Apple Operating System, please restart your computer.
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    3. Yes, MAC users should use Antivirus. Do not fall for the Myth that Macs cannot get a virus.  In fact, there are more reports each day of MAC computers falling prey to viruses – especially the ransomware viruses. Therefore, you should evaluate whether your Antivirus software is both up-to-date and active. The reality is, most of the MAC computers that I see do not have an antivirus solution installed – which is a certainty for trouble. Regardless which antivirus software you might be using, we highly recommend that you consider purchasing and installing, Webroot SecureAnywhere After thirty years of experience, Webroot is what our CIO chooses for his personal computers as well as for Luther Rice. Webroot receives great reviews from 3rd party companies.
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    4. If you do choose to download and install Webroot Antivirus, be sure to UNINSTALL all other antivirus products that may be running on your computer – AFTER you successfully install Webroot.
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    5. Download and install the latest version of Google Chrome Internet Browser.
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    6. Configure Safari Internet browser. By default, Mac/Apple computers and IOS devices come with SAFARI Internet Browser installed. By default, Safari Internet Browser does not allow ALL COOKIES.  In order for you to access our entire online curriculum (including videos), your browser will have to allow (or enable) ALL COOKIES, or ALL 3rd Party Cookies.To do so, you must modify your Safari Browser settings to allow ALL COOKIES.  If you are unsure how to do this, the fastest way to find out how is to Google it:  “How to enable safari cookies.”
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    7. Download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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    8. You will need a good word processor to type your papers, etc.  If you do not already have a word processor, there are two options that we recommend:
      1. We highly recommend Microsoft Office which you can purchase for approximately $79 for a 4-year subscription (Office 365 University edition). Luther Rice does not participate in Microsoft’s promo code program at this time.
      2. If spending $79 is not an option, you can download (for free) Apache Open Office. While “FREE” sounds good, we do recommend Microsoft Office as the best option
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    9. Be sure that you fully update your word processor software (Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, or other if you have a different product).

 

Prepare Your Mobile Device for your Online Education

 

Among our students, there is a myriad of different mobile devices (smart phones, tablets, OS versions, etc…)  We HIGHLY recommend that each student follow the steps below in order to give your mobile device the BEST configuration to support your online education.

Note:

  • Blackboard is only supported within the Bb Student App (a free download from your app/play store).  Blackboard is not supported for use in an internet browser on mobile devices. You must use the Bb Student app while on a mobile device.
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  • Video playback on mobile devices works a bit differently – depending on which Mobile Device you have. The video lecture itself will often play back inside a browser window (not within the Bb Student app) on your mobile device.  For this reason, it is important that the internet browser on your mobile device is configured correctly. So please follow these instructions below.
  1. From your App Store / Play Store, install the Google Chrome browser and Mozilla Firefox browser – yes both.
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  2. If you are using an IOS (Apple) mobile device (iPhone, iPad, etc…), navigate to the Safari Settings on your mobile device and enable ALL COOKIES or 3rd Party Cookies (the terminology changes from device to device).

Luther Rice College & Seminary continues to operate on the cutting edge by offering theologically sound, biblically based, flexible, technologically advanced education to students in the U.S. and around the world.

3038 Evans Mill Road
Lithonia, GA 30038
(800) 442-1577

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