Computer / Software issues before the class begins. Last updated 1/4/10

Internet access: Reliable Internet access is required.

• This course requires that, whenever you are studying, you have Internet access so that you can use StatsPortal. StatsPortal includes the full answers to the odd-numbered problems, applets (which are required for some explanations and homework problems) and StatTutor, all of which must be used online. It also has various other resources (such as the Study Guide and the MINITAB Manual) which can be downloaded (and printed if you wish) for use offline.
• If you choose not to buy a physical copy of the textbook, but just use the e-book, then, of course, you'll need Internet access at all times you are working on anything in the course.
• You are also required to use the Discussion Board in ACC's Blackboard. Students who are working seriously on the course usually use it several times a week to get answers to their questions.
• You are required to submit quizzes twice each week in StatsPortal. Any quiz can be submitted early. Each of these is individually a very small part of your overall grade and there is an allowance for missing several of them and still have a chance to earn a perfect grade in this portion of the course.
  If you have connection problems at the last minute before a quiz is due, you can call my office phone number and briefly give your answers to the quiz problems to prove you had done it by the deadline, and then submit it electronically later.
  

Money: It will be much more convenient if you can simply purchase the software you need before the course begins. But, if you can't, read these below.

• You can download and install a 30-day free demo copy of MINITAB 15 to use. Use this for TWO WEEKS and then start the process to rent your own copy. Renting a copy online at student prices takes most students several days to accomplish. If you wait until the end of the 30 days, you will probably get zeros on some important assignments in the course because you won't be able to use Minitab at a crucial time.
• There is a refund policy for StatsPortal online. So you can have this resource from the first day of class. Read the entire set of materials from "Refund Policy" at the end of the StatsPortal page, including the button "Check Refund Eligibility" if you are thinking that you might need to get a refund. (For instance, if you intend to later purchase the complete package of materials from the bookstore, which includes StatsPortal access, then you will want to get a refund for this previous purchase of StatsPortal separately online. Make sure that you follow the rules here to be eligible for that refund. I recommend that you buy your full set of materials before the course begins and avoid these difficulties.)

MINITAB:

• Runs on the Windows operating system.
• Must be installed, so you must have permission to install programs on the computer.
• If you have a Mac that won't run Windows programs using PC emulation software or if you are using a computer on which you don't have permission to install programs, so you won't be able to run MINITAB at home, ask me about this.
• If you have a Mac that does run Windows programs, then you can do this. Here are a few things I have learned about this from dealing with other students.
  
• It it necessary that you install this before the course begins. With the 30-day free demo copy available, everyone can do this.

StatsPortal: Make sure that your computer is set up to do these things.

• Run a browser that is Firefox v1.0 or above, Internet Explorer v6.0 or above, or Mozilla v1.6 or later.
  
  
• Read Adobe Acrobat files, like this one. If you can't open this, then download and install the free Adobe Acrobat Reader and try again.
  
  
• Have Javascript enabled in your browser to run StatTutor and the applets in StatsPortal.
  ( You can set this up even before you buy the materials by choosing to Preview the materials at StatsPortal )
• Choose "Preview StatsPortal as a student " (top line of the choices) and that will give you acceess to the materials for Chapter 5, including the e-book.
  • Choose the first section, called "Regression lines." On the right is a column called "e-book Tools." One of the first icons is for StatTutor. Click on that. Figure out if you can view and hear StatTutor. After you have found out, then close the window with StatTutor.
  • Choose the second section, called "The least-squares regression line." On the right is a column called e-book Tools. One of the first icons is for Applets. Make sure that the window that StatTutor ran in is closed. Then click on the applet icon. It will take awhile to start the first time you use it on your computer. When it works, you should see a list of datasets and some options on tabs that includes "Scatterplot." Choose one of the datasets and do a scatterplot. (You don't need to know what this means yet - you're just checking to be sure the applet works.)
  • If you can't make those work, email me and tell me what problem you're having. I can't help you fix everything, but at least I can point you in the right direction to get help.
    
    

Last updated January 4, 2010 . Mary Parker