Logging in to Blackboard

• Access Blackboard directly by typing in http://blackboard.louisville.edu or by navigating to http://louisville.edu, click on Current Students and then the Blackboard icon. You will use the same user ID and password you use for email and other network services. If you are having issues/difficulties with your user ID and password or other computer difficulties, contact the IT HelpDesk by phone at 502-852-7997 or email the HelpDesk.  For HelpDesk hours of operation, visit: http://louisville.edu/it/support/helpdesk/.
  

Blackboard Accessibility

• UofL performs weekly maintenance on servers each Friday starting at 10 pm and finishing around 2 am EST and each Sunday starting at 2 am and finishing around 5:30 am EST. During these times Blackboard, ULink, and Email may be unavailable. If you suspect a system is down at another time you may call the HelpDesk at 502-852-7997 for status.

Software requirements for using Blackboard

• Software needs depends on individual requirements of the course. The instructor may require specific programs/formats for document and assignment submission. If you don't have the required programs on your computer, the Microsoft Office Suite and other programs are offered to the University community at reasonable prices through the University of Louisville's IT Store.
  
  To download and read documents, free reader versions of Microsoft applications are available for download. Open Office is a free open source software suite which emulates most of the functions of Microsoft office. If you need to view Office 2007 Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files you will need to download the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack.
  
  Free Downloads:
• Word
• Powerpoint
• Excel
• OpenOffice

Computer requirements for using Blackboard

• You must use a compatible, properly configured browser when working with Blackboard.
  Windows XP
  Vista
  
• Recommended Mac Os:
  10.3 or higher
  
• Compatible Browsers for the PC:
  Internet Explorer 6.x and 7 (Internet Explorer is the browser officially recommended by Blackboard, Inc. for PC access )
  Netscape 7.1x or Higher
  Mozilla Firefox 2.x
  SPECIAL NOTE: Do not use the AOL browser. Log into AOL then use an alternate compatible browser
  
• Compatible Browsers for the Mac:
  Safari 2.x with 10.4 OS
  Safari 1.3 with 10.3 OS
  Mozilla Firefox 3.x
  Netscape 7.1x or Higher

                           For more information on browser compatibilities, visit Blackboard's supported computer configurations.

Plugins required to use Blackboard

• Some courses may require certain plug-ins for your browser to play or utilize materials. You may or may not need the plug-ins, depending on what type of files your instructor shares with you via Blackboard. These plug-ins are free downloads:
• Apple Quick Time 7 - QuickTime Player is an application for playing, interacting with, or viewing any video, audio, VR, or graphics file that is compatible with QuickTime.
• Java - provides a framework on your computer to enjoy internet programs including utilities (such as chat), games, and business applications.
• Shockwave, Flash & Acrobat Reader - Adobe Shockwave and FlashPlayer plug-ins let you experience automation and entertainment in your Web browser. Acrobat Reader lets you view and print PDF files.
• Real Networks RealPlayer - Play online audio and video content.
• Microsoft Media Player - Windows Media Player supports Windows Media (WMA,ASF), MP3, WAV, MIDI, AVI, and other formats.
• Microsoft Silverlight - Microsoft Silverlight is used extensively in video within web pages much like Flash. This program will be necessary when using Tegrity.
  

Blackboard and Firewalls

• You should give this information to your company/school system administrator:
  Outside of the university, companies use firewalls. To use ULink and BlackBoard, traffic on specific TCP/IP port numbers must be allowed.
  Specifically, firewalls must allow traffic to/from:
  
  orionweb1.louisville.edu on ports 8331 and 7991 for ULink
  blackboard.louisville.edu ports 8008, 8010, 8011 for Blackboard Chat rooms
  
  Of course with Internet Explorer 6, the louisville.edu domain must be trusted for the ULink portal to work.
  
  Instructions for that follow:
  1.   Click on the "Tools" menu.
  2. Click on "Internet Options".
  3. Click on the "Privacy" tab.
  4. Click on the "Edit" button.
  5. In the box labeled "Address of Web site" type: louisville.edu
  6. Click on the "Allow button".
  7. Click on the "OK" button.
  8. Click on the "OK" button.
  9. Try to login to ULink.