Software Compatibility Requirements and Tips

• Basic Requirements
• Compatible Browsers
• Bookmarking
• Site Access
• Cache and Cookies

1. A computer with Windows XP or better (for Windows-based computers) or Mac OS 9.2 or later (for Apple computers)
2. Internet access with 56k dial-up or better (broadband cable or DSL provide for optimal performance)
3. A Web browser to access the internet. (Mozilla Firefox works the best and can be downloaded for free from www.mozilla.com)
4. A personal e-mail address (Free accounts are available from Yahoo!, Hotmail, or Gmail)
5. A computer monitor (suggested size: 15 inches or larger)
6. Photo-editing software to format images yourself (such as Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, etc.)
   
   Please note: Printers are not necessary but can be useful for printing receipts and applications for your records or other use.

• Personal computers are available for public use at community colleges, libraries, and Internet cafes. You may also ask a friend or family member to assist you. We strongly advise that you have a personal e-mail account through which ZAPP™ and show administrators can contact you.

• Proper monitor calibration is important to ensure that you are seeing your images correctly.There are a variety of different ways you can calibrate your monitor that will affect brightness, contrast, color, and print reproduction. You can use Google or another search engine to search for the keywords "calibrating monitors," which will provide results for many online tutorials for calibration. In addition to free online tutorial, you can also buy specific color calibrating software for your monitors. Some Web sites that we have found helpful are:
  
  WikiHow: http://www.wikihow.com/Calibrate-Your-Monitor
  PhotographerUSA: http://photographerusa.com/screencheck/
  PhotoFriday: http://www.photofriday.com/calibrate.php

• Use the most recent versions of Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Safari, and Camino. If you are using AOL, Earthlink, Juno, or a similar Internet service provider, please minimize your welcome screen and open one of the browsers listed in the previous sentence.
• For optimal performance:
• If you are using a Windows-based computer, use Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox
• If you are using an Apple computer, use Safari, Camino, or Mozilla Firefox.
• In our experience, Mozilla Firefox is the most compatible browser with ZAPP™. Firefox is a free browser that can be downloaded from http://www.mozilla.com/firefox.

• You can only bookmark the public home page (http://www.ZAPPlication.org), not internal pages. Select the Favorite/Bookmark drop-down menu from your tool bar and click on Bookmark This Page or Add Bookmark.

• Listed below are multiple variables that can cause this type of error. Computer settings are different for each individual computer. Please refer to your software, browser options, and computer manuals for details on how to change your settings.
  
  

  AOL or similar internet provider	Minimize AOL and open an alternate browser to access the site.
  Cookies disabled	The site requires cookies to be enabled.
  Firewall enabled	A firewall can block access to the site. Please disable your firewall.
  Pop-up blockers enabled	Disable all pop-up blockers, they can prevent the site from performing properly.
  Content Adviser enabled	Your content advisor will limit the site's functionality. Please disable.
  Disrupted Internet Connection	Make sure you are still connected to the Internet.
  Security Settings	Lower your security settings to Medium or below
  Anti-Virus Software	Turn off your Anti-Virus Software for the duration of your time spent on ZAPP™.

At times, you may need to refresh your browser by clearing your cache. Also, you must enable your system's cookies in order to view certain Web pages correctly. Especially when it comes to multiple-page online applications, the settings for your cache and cookies can affect the performance of your Web browser as it interacts with the ZAPP™ application and Web site.

Cache
The cache is a function within modern Web browsers (FireFox, Internet Explorer, Netscape, etc.) that sets aside a section of your computer's hard disk to store representations of pages that you've seen, just for you. The browser cache works according to fairly simple rules. It will check to make sure that the page representations are fresh, usually once during a session in which you're using a particular browser. This cache is especially useful when you hit the Back button or click a link to see a page you have just visited. Simply stated, the cache can be understood as a function of your Web browser that takes a snapshot of a page you are viewing so that it will load more quickly when you return to it again in the same session. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to clear your cache so that previously saved pages of your ZAPP™ application, for example, aren't used instead of newer versions of such pages.

Cookies
Cookies are data files written to your hard drive by a Web server that identifies you to a site. Cookies helps a Web site "remember" who you are and set preferences accordingly when you return. They eliminate the need to repeatedly fill out order forms or re-register on Web sites. Cookies help your computer remember what is in your application so that your complete information will be transmitted to the event when you complete the checkout process.