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George Fox Technical Requirements

The technology requirements listed below have been established to ensure success in navigating digital systems.  See program specific requirements at the bottom of this page.

Hardware: Computer Required

(The screen display)

(Hardware that is not essential to process data, but can be added to a computer)

Office Suite(Collection of software programs that enable computer to process word documents, spreadsheets, media presentations, e-mail communication, etc.)

• Required: Must be compatible with MS Office 2007/2008, specifically able to open and save MS Word (.docx), MS Excel (.xlsx), and MS PowerPoint (.pptx) files. 
  
  • Note:  Specific programs may have specific requirements.

Browser(Program that allows computer to connect to the Internet)

• Required: Firefox plus one other browser (such as Google Chrome, Internet Explorer for Windows and Safari for Mac)
• Firefox is the recommended browser for George Fox University.

Anti-Virus (Software designed to protect your computer from viruses, malware, and other malicious programs.)

• Required:  Sophos for Mac computers, free for home users
  Today's threat has evolved to attack not just Windows-based computers but also Macs.  Because of the threat, Macs must also be protected.
• Required:  Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows-based computers, free for home users
  Microsoft's free antivirus/anti-malware solution provides superb protection against viruses and malware and is compatible with Windows XP through 7.

Plug Ins(auxiliary software programs that are based on a main program, like an Acrobat reader that enables computer to use a pdf file produced by Adobe Acrobat)

• Required:
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • QuickTime  (If you install iTunes, QuickTime is automatically installed.)
  • Adobe Flash Player
  • PDFCreator for Windows
  • Other plug ins may be required for specific courses.
  • Java (http://java.com/en/)
• Optional:
  • iTunes (http://www.apple.com/itunes/)

You can purchase Microsoft, Adobe, and other software through the vendor Techhead.org, where you will receive an educational discount when you select George Fox University (OR) in the Higher Ed dropdown menu on the home page.

• All important files need to be backed up to a second location such as another computer, an external hard drive, a network storage location (FoxFiles, etc.), or burned to an optical disk (CD or DVD). 
  You should be able to protect your important documents in the event something happens to your computer.
• USB drives ("jump drives," etc.) are only for transporting documents; they are not a valid backup location.

Speed (The speed at which data is transferred between the Internet and the local network/computer)

• Recommended: Broadband (DSL, Cable, Ethernet)
  • Note: Broadband speeds of 786 Kbps and/or a 3G connection may be adequate for basic email correspondence and basic Internet usage, but you may not be able to participate in course activities involving media and/or web conferencing.

We highly recommend portable computers for classroom use.

If you have questions or concerns, contact the IT Service Desk at servicedesk@georgefox.edu or 503.554.2569.

Program Specific Requirements 

• Request Service
• MyGFU
• E-mail
• Password
• WiFi
• New to George Fox
• FoxTALE
• Google Apps
• About IT
• iGFU Mobile Portal

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