Required Computer Equipment

You don't need a super-duper fancy computer to take a Distance Calculus course.

The basic requirements are a relatively-new computer (purchased within the last 5-10 years), and a high-speed connection to the internet.

As part of the Distance Calculus courses, you will be instructed in how to use the software. The goal of the course is to LEARN CALCULUS, not to learn your computer (although you will get better at your computer in the process!)

The MINIMUM COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE required is the ability to send/receive email and the basics of using a web browser. If you can do that (and most everyone can!), then you are READY!

Specific Computer Requirements

• Recent Operating System
  
  • Windows: Windows 11, 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP
  • Macintosh:
    Freshman Calculus Courses: LiveMath Software
    
    • MacOSX 10.4 - OSX 10.14 (Mojave) - LiveMath runs great! (Don't upgrade past Mojave if you can!)
    • MacOSX 10.15 (Catalina) or 11 (Ventura) or 12 (Sonoma)
      Running LiveMath requires involving Windows, either with
      • Parallels Virtual Machine + Windows 11
        Works great on Apple Silicon - see this movie:
        LiveMath on Apple Silicon/Intel 64-bit with Parallels + Windows11!
        You do NOT need to activate Windows 11 - they are just being annoying; but you do need to purchase Parallels - the educational price is $50.
      • Whiskey (WINE) Emulator
        More on this soon! (Feb 2024)
    Sophomore Calculus Courses: Mathematica Desktop Software
    The requirements for Mathematica vary, but Mathematica works on all newer Macs older than 2015
  • Linux PCs: Ubuntu (and only for the brave!)

   

• Computer Equipment That DEFINITELY WILL NOT WORK
  
  • Chromebooks
    These aren't real computers, they are just Chrome browsers for the internet
    Parallels does support ChromeOS, so the same solution for Apple Silicon may work for LiveMath courses;
    Mathematica will DEFINITELY NOT work on ChromeOS+Parallels.

   

• Computer Algebra Software
  Freshman Distance Calculus courses use the LiveMath™ software, which you may download and run the free 30-day demo to try it out! (For Mac, Windows, and Linux) [Note: some courses use the Mathematica™ software, which is a bit more "computer intensive" in terms of its minimum requirements.]

• Web Browser: Firefox or Chrome
  Distance Calculus courses rely upon the Firefox web browser. (If you are Windows user, and hooked on using IE/Edge, we will need to gently expand your horizons to Firefox or Chrome) [Mac users: Safari does not work with our system, so you need to move to Firefox or Chrome]

• PDF Software (Acrobat Reader or ...)
  Some files used in the Distance Calculus courses utilize the PDF format. Free software such as Adobe Acrobat Reader is sufficient to viewing the PDF files. [Note: Mac users have built-in PDF with the Preview application.]

• Webcam, Microphone & Speakers
  Nearly all newer computers - especially laptops - have a webcam, microphone, and speakers. In case you are using an older (desktop) computer that does not have these devices attached, you will need to add them to your setup.
  While we do not offer "zoom sessions" for course help, we do use webcams for Skype Video for the proctored final exams.

• Available Hard Drive Space
  Your computer hard drive should have at least 10 GB available on it - many of the Distance Calculus courses include lecture movies that take up some disc space on your hard drive.

• High-Speed Internet
  Nearly everyone has high-speed internet today.