To prepare your computer for participation in this online event, complete the following steps:

 Make sure that the computer you will be using during this course has the following:

• Computer with Internet access. Your computer should, at a minimum, be equipped with a 56k modem and or a high-speed Internet connection. If you are on a network, find out from your system’s administrator if there are firewall's in place that will limit your Internet access.

• Computer operating system (O/S) and memory (RAM) that meets the following requirements:
  
  - Microsoft Windows XP users MUST HAVE a minimum of 512MB RAM
  - Microsoft Vista users MUST HAVE a minimum of 1GB of RAM

NOTE: To check which operating system you have on your computer, and how much memory you have , simply right-click on the "My Computer" icon select the "Properties" menu option, then click on the "General tab" (if it is not already selected).

• Computer capability using Microsoft Internet Explorer, version 5.0 or higher.

Note: Netscape or AOL will also provide you with access to this event, but we can not guarantee the formatting or functionality of of the display on your computer screen.

• Web-based e-mail account from your local service provider (e.g., JDoe@comcast.net).

Note: Please use the same e-mail address to register for the online event and all correspondence related to the event.

 Configure your Internet Browser. For this course, we recommend that you
use the Internet browser Microsoft Internet Explorer. To configure your browser,
complete the following steps:

• Open your Internet Explorer browser, click on the Tools menu option, and select Internet Options from the menu.

• Click on the Advanced tab in the upper right-hand corner.

• Place a "" next to these menu items (some of which may already be checked):

        JIT compiler for virtual machine enabled (requires restart)
        Enable Automatic Image Resizing
        Enable Image Toolbar (requires restart)
        Show pictures
        Smart image dithering

• Click the Apply button in the lower right-hand corner of the window, then click OK.

Once you have completed these steps, your computer is ready to go! If you have questions or problems, please call Anina Estrada at 888-332-2355.