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Manuals

Please check the course description and syllabus for each course, which will list the required text (if any).

For the Adobe courses, you can access the course manuals online through Safari Bookshelf (manuals available through this service are noted in the Syllabus of each course). Different levels of subscriptions are available through Safari Bookshelf, starting at about $25 USD per month.

Software Requirements

Please check the course description and syllabus for each course, which will list the required software (if any).

You will not need to purchase any specialized software for most of this program. The majority of courses have been structured to use free, downloadable trial versions of the software studied. Electives Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop do have specific software requirements. The Technical Writing Tools course also requires access to a PC with MS Office 2003 or higher. The Adobe RoboHelp and Adobe FrameMaker courses require access to a PC.

You also need to be aware of the computer and system requirements outlined below.

Technical Requirements

Required Computer Skills

You must have basic computer skills in order to participate in these classes. Take this self-assessment quiz to help you determine your skill level. The Application for Admission requires you to outline your computer background and skills, which will be considered when determining whether you meet entrance requirements for the certificate program.

Computer & System Requirements

Please check the course description and syllabus for each course, which will list specific hardware requirements, if they differ from those below.

  • Access to computer (PC or Mac)
  • Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 or higher
  • RAM: at least 1 GB (higher recommended)
  • Hard drive: 5 GB free space
  • Display Settings: 1024 x 768 resolution with 16-bit video card
  • Display Colour Quality: Highest possible
  • Operating System: Windows® XP® SP2 or higher, Macintosh® OS X (v10.4.8+ - Leopard)
  • Internet Service Provider; email access
  • Modem: Cable or ADSL
  • Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 7.0
  • Microsoft® Word® 2003 or later (MS Word v.X or later for Mac)
  • Some courses have specific system requirements. Click on the course you're interested in at left to view any special system requirements for that course.
  • Check your system

Learn about our Online Learning Environment

  1. For anyone not already familiar with Moodle® technology (the software used for your online courses), it is recommended that you access the Free OnLine Learners Course (instructions for access here). This will help you learn how to use the online classroom and will ensure that you don't fall behind--making your online experience a happier one! You can also access this orientation and learn about our online learning environment free of charge, without registering for a course.

  2. To access your course on the listed start date:

    • Link to the course site (http://ce.viuonline.ca) and login as:

      Username: firstname+lastname (no spaces, no '+', eg. JaneSmith)
      Password: firstname+lastname (no spaces, no '+', eg. JaneSmith)

    • Click on the name of the course for which you are registered
  3. Please make sure to change your password after logging in the first time to ensure a secure login.

Software for Students