Teaching Software: Illinois Compass

Browser Tune-up

Because Illinois Compass uses advanced web technologies, users must have up-to-date web browsers that are configured correctly in order for Illinois Compass to perform properly.

Installing Sun Java

Illinois Compass uses Java technology extensively. In order for Compass to work properly, you need to have the appropriate Java plug-in installed on your computer. To get the most recent version of the Java plug-in for your Windows computer, go to www.java.com, click on the Download Java Software Now button and follow the directions. Macintosh users receive Java updates automatically via their software update control panel.

In certain cases when logging in to Illinois Compass, pop-up Java warnings that say "The application's digital signature has an error. Do you want to run the application?" will cause web browsers for Microsoft Windows to freeze. If you have experienced this on your computer, please see our page Java Certificate Error for instructions on how to correct the issue.

Web Browsers Supported by Illinois Compass

Not all web browsers perform properly with Illinois Compass. Please refer to the table below for the browsers supported by Illinois Compass:

Internet Explorer 7

Microsoft has released a new version of its Internet Explorer web browser (v. 7) for Windows, which it is distributing through the Auto Update system. CITES has tested Internet Explorer 7 with Illinois Compass and we have not discovered any new issues or problems. Users should expect to be able to use all features of the Compass system as long as they have otherwise configured the browser correctly.

Other Browsers

Netscape 4.8, Opera, and other browsers will generally display Illinois Compass content, but may not work properly for all of the features such as quizzing or chat. We suggest that users of these browsers install either the most current version of Internet Explorer to use as a backup if they are having problems using any of Illinois Compass' tools.

Supported Macintosh Browsers have specific issues associated with each product. Please see our Known Issues With Macintosh Browser page for more information.

Checking Your Browser Version

On PCs using Internet Explorer:
Click Help > About Internet Explorer

On PCs using Firefox:
Click Help > About Mozilla Firefox

On Macs using OS X:
Click the Safari or Firefox menu and select About Safari or About Firefox right at the top of the menu.

Configuring Your Browser to Run Java

Because Illinois Compass makes extensive use of Java technology, it is necessary to have your web browser configured to run Java. To configure your browser for Java:

On Windows using Internet Explorer:

1. Select Tools then choose Internet Options.
2. Select the Security tab.
3. Click the Custom Level button.
4. Scroll down to Java Permissions and choose either Low, Medium, or High safety.
5. Click OK.

On Windows using Firefox:

1. Select Tools then choose Options.
2. Select Web Features from the left-hand pane.
3. Make sure the Enable Java and Enable JavaScript boxes are checked.
4. Click OK.

On Macs using Safari:

1. Open the Safari menu and choose Preferences.
2. Select Security from the top menu.
3. Make sure the Enable Java and Enable JavaScript boxes are checked.

On Macs using Firefox:

1. Open the Firefox menu and choose Preferences.
2. Choose Content from the top menu.
3. Make sure the Enable Java and Enable JavaScript boxes are checked.

Enabling Cookies

Illinois compass uses cookies for its authentication system and for some tools such as quizzing. If cookies are disabled, users will not be able to properly access the system or use various tools. To enable cookies:

On Windows using Internet Explorer:

1. Select Tools then choose Internet Options.
2. Select the Privacy tab.
3. Enable Cookies:
• If using a default setting, move the slider to select any of the following privacy settings:
  • Medium High
  • Medium
  • Low
  • Accept all cookies
• If using a custom setting:
  • Click the Advanced button
  • Select Override automatic cookie handling
  • Select Always allow session cookies
  • Click OK to return to the Privacy Tab
4. Click Apply then OK.

On Windows using Firefox:

1. Select Tools then choose Options.
2. Click Privacy in the left-hand pane and then expand Cookies.
3. Select both Allow site to set cookies and for the originating website only.
4. Click OK.

On Macs using Safari:

1. Open the Safari menu and choose Preferences.
2. Select Security from the top menu.
3. Select Accept Cookies: Only from sites you navigate to.

On Macs using Firefox:

1. From the menu bar select Firefox then choose Preferences.
2. Select Privacy from the top menu.
3. Select the Cookies tab.
4. Select both Allow site to set cookies and for the originating website only.

Disabling Pop-up Blockers

On Windows using Internet Explorer:

1. Select Tools and then choose Pop-up Blocker.
2. Open Pop-up Blocker Settings.
3. In the window Address of website to allow enter
   compass.uiuc.edu.
4. Click Add.

On Windows using Firefox:

1. Select Tools then choose Options.
2. Select Web Features from the left-hand pane.
3. Click on the Allowed Sites button next to Block Popup Windows
4. Enter compass.uiuc.edu and click OK.

On Macs using Safari:

1. Open the Safari menu and select Block Pop-up Windows.

On Macs using Firefox

1. Open the Firefox menu and choose Preferences.
2. Select Content from the top menu.
3. Click on the Allowed Sites button next to Block Popup Windows.
4. Enter compass.uiuc.edu and click allow.

Please note: pop-up blocking or ad-blocking functions are included in some anti-virus, internet security, personal firewall, and browser programs. Disable the relevant setting in these programs.

Disabling Search Toolbars

Illinois Compass may not work properly if you have a search toolbar installed in Internet Explorer for Windows. Search toolbars have been associated with Illinois Compass terminating sessions with the error message "another session is already running," and login errors where a user is repeatedly sent to the initial login page.

You may have a search toolbar because you downloaded it or because it came with another software program like Kazaa. You should uninstall the search toolbar if you are experiencing any problems logging in or running Illinois Compass. To uninstall the program, use the following path: Control Panel > Add Remove Programs.

Please Note: Many search toolbars are malware or spyware. Please see the CITES page on Spyware for more information on how to protect your computer from these programs.

Turning off Anonymous Logon (Internet Explorer Only)

On Windows using Internet Explorer:

1. Select Tools then choose Internet Options.
2. Select the Security tab.
3. Click the Custom Level button.
4. Scroll down to the User Authentication settings.
5. Under Logon select the Automatic logon only in Intranet zone radio button.
6. Click OK.

On Macs using Internet Explorer:

1. From the menu bar select Explorer then choose Preferences.
2. Select the arrow next to Web Browser to expand the options.
3. Select Security Zones.
4. Select Custom Security Level and click the Settings button.
5. Under User Authentication select Prompt for username and password.
6. Click OK.