Web Browser / Operating System Compatibility List for Blackboard

The following table shows the Operating Systems and Web Browsers that are supported by the University's current Blackboard installation.

OS and Browser Compatibility
Browser Windows XP Windows Vista Mac 10.3 Mac 10.4 Mac 10.5
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 Compatible Certified Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 Compatible Certified Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested
Mozilla Firefox 1.5 Compatible Certified Not Tested
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 Certified Certified Not Tested Certified Not Tested
Apple Safari 2 Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested Certified Certified
Apple Safari 3 Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested Compatible Compatible

Key

Certified: fully tested and supported
Compatible: key application areas tested

Any browser versions, browsers, or operating systems not listed in the above table are not supported by the vendor.

Known issues with other browsers:

Firefox 3.0: 

When adding a file to an assignment a "Please submit valid file" error message appears.  Workaround is listed on the student faq.

Internet Explorer 8 (IE8):

Internet Explorer 8 is has not been tested with Blackboard, and is neither officially deemed as compatible nor certified.  Preliminary reports suggest that there is an issue with timed tests where students are not able to submit.  The recommendation from the user community is to set IE8 into compatibility mode:

  1. Launch IE8
  2. Select Tools
  3. Select Compatibility View Settings
  4. Type blackboard.soton.ac.uk in the Add this website text box
  5. Click Add
  6. Click Close
  7. Restart IE8, Blackboard will now always use Compatibility Mode.