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Tech Support

Need Help Now?

Fill out your request online at:

http://www.ncssm.edu/help

and always let your instructor know if you are having trouble.

 

 

Tech Support Role

NCSSM Online provides timely technology support to it students in the following areas:

  • End-user software training
  •  Hardware/Network/Software Troubleshooting for issues affecting program participation
  • Consultation on equipment purchases (PC’s, headsets, etc.)
  • Collaborating with local school staff regarding access to online tools from the local school

 

Program Technical Requirements

NCSSM Online requires each online student to have a computer. The preferred model would be a laptop, because of its mobility, although a desktop model is acceptable. The student should be able work on assignments at school, at home and anytime away from home. We provide the following guidelines below for you to determine if your existing computer can be used, or to help you in the purchase of a new computer.

 

NCSSM does not offer a discounted computer purchase program. Families should be aware of the North Carolina education tax holiday, held during the summer each year, that allows purchase of computers and computer supplies, among other items, without paying sales tax. Information on the program and its status is available from the Department of Revenue site (http://www.dornc.com/taxes/sales/salestax_holiday.html) and is typically scheduled in early August.

 

These are our tentative guidelines for the current school year. The final guidelines will be discussed at orientation.

Computer (Laptop or Desktop):

  • 2 GB RAM, minimum (1 GB for Windows XP)
  • 80 GB HD, minimum
  • Display resolution of 800x600, minimum
  • USB 2.0 ports
  • Audio output jack for headphones or built-in speakers
  • Ethernet or WiFi to connect to a reliable broadband access (cable or DSL) at multiple locations. Minimum speeds are 512 Kbps download and 128 Kbps upload.

example of a student computer Operating Systems:

 

  • Windows XP or later
  • Mac OS X or later
  • Linux Java Desktop System 2

Office Software:

  • Microsoft Office 2010 for Windows (free from NCSSM)
  • Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac (free from NCSSM)
  • You may elect to use open source office software such as OpenOffice or NeoOffice

Other software:

  • Current antivirus software
  • Mozilla Firefox (free from the web)
  • Java Runtime Environment (free from Java.com)
  • Adobe Flash Player (free from adobe.com)
  • Adobe Shockwave Player (free from adobe.com)
  • Apple QuickTime (free from apple.com)
  • Windows Media Player (free from microsoft.com)

Other recommended hardware:

  • Document scanner or digital camera to capture legible images of handwritten work.
  • Headset with microphone (or noise cancelling table mic and speakers) for web-conferencing.

Connectivity:

Regular access (at home, school, library, or another location) to high-speed broadband internet is needed to download and send large file sizes, use the advanced web resources integrated into the curriculum, and fully participate in weekly web-conferencing.