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Introduction
There are two versions of CommuniCoach. This page describes both versions, the advantages of each version, and the computer requirements needed to run each version. This technology description is geared toward an audience with a strong technical background. If you don't have a lot of experience with computer technology or have additional questions, please give us a call at 630-737-0964 and we can answer any questions you may have.
Requirements for CommuniCoach® for Local Area Networks
CommuniCoach for Local Area Networks is a client-server application. The server will host the evaluation database where all the text and data associated with evaluations are stored. No CommuniCoach software runs on the server, just the database. The server must be Windows 2000 Server or above.
A database management system called MSDE (Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine) is provided with CommuniCoach and can be loaded onto the server to support between 20 to 30 concurrent users. If more concurrent users are expected, then we recommend that the CommuniCoach database be loaded onto Microsoft’s SQL Server (2000 or above) which must be purchased separately from Microsoft. The database transaction load is very light for CommuniCoach so a Pentium 3 processor with 512meg of memory and 20 gig of disk space is more than adequate to support the database.
Videos can be stored anywhere on the network that can be accessed by all users of CommuniCoach. Some institutions store the videos on the same server that hosts the CommuniCoach database but this is not required. The videos are not stored in the database itself. Each evaluation refers to the file name of the associated video which, again, can be stored in a location accessible by all users of CommuniCoach.
CommuniCoach supports any video format that can be viewed by Windows Media Player. We have found that Microsoft’s Windows Media Video format (.WMV) is an excellent format for CommuniCoach since it provides good quality with a small amount of disk required. Typically WMV files will take 2 to 3 meg of disk space per minute of video. While we recommend WMV format, CommuniCoach supports AVI, MPEG, and any other format support by Windows Media Player. Regardless of the video format, the institution must ensure that there is a location identified to store the videos and that adequate disk space is available at that location.
Instructors and student will use client computers to access CommuniCoach. The software must be installed on any computer that will be used by CommuniCoach users. Institutions have successfully used deployment tools such as ZENworks to automatically distribute CommuniCoach to computers where it will be needed.
The minimum requirements for client computers are as follows:
- Windows 2000 or XP
- Windows Media Player 8 or above
- Sound card
- Pentium 3
- 256 MB memory
- Monitor set at 1024x768 or above
- High-speed network connection
No CommuniCoach data is stored on the client computer.
Requirements for CommuniCoach® for The Web
CommuniCoach for the Web is a web-server based application that is accessed through certain web browsers.
SERVER
A web-server is required to host CommuniCoach and should have the following configuration:
- Minimum 550 MHz or faster processor (recommend 2.0 GHz)
- Minimum 256 MB RAM (recommend 512 MB)
- Hard Drive space requirements will vary depending on usage
- Windows Server 2003 Standard, Enterprise, or Datacenter Edition with IIS and Windows Media Services
- Very fast network connection to handle multiple videos streaming simultaneously
A database management system called MSDE (Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine) is provided with CommuniCoach and can be loaded onto the server to support between 20 to 30 concurrent users. If more concurrent users are expected, then we recommend that the CommuniCoach database be loaded onto Microsoft’s SQL Server (2000 or above) which must be purchased separately from Microsoft.
Videos are uploaded by instructors and student onto the web-server using CommuniCoach. Some institutions store the videos on the same server that hosts the CommuniCoach database but this is not required. The videos are not stored in the database itself. Each evaluation refers to the file name of the uploaded video which is known to only to CommuniCoach.
VIDEOS
CommuniCoach supports any video format that can be viewed by Windows Media Player. We have found that Microsoft’s Windows Media Video format (WMV) is an excellent format for CommuniCoach since it provides good quality with a small amount of disk required. Typically WMV files will take 2 to 3 meg of disk space per minute of video. In addition, the WMV format is required if CommuniCoach will be used via a Mac PC.
While we recommend WMV format, CommuniCoach supports AVI, MPEG, and any other format support by Windows Media Player. This is only the case if CommuniCoach will not be accessed via a Mac PC. Otherwise, the videos must be in the WMV format. Regardless of the video format, the institution must ensure that there is a location identified to store the videos and that adequate disk space is available at that location.
Instructors and student will use the Internet or an intranet to access CommuniCoach.
WINDOWS PC
The minimum requirements for computers accessing CommuniCoach for the Web on a Microsoft PC are as follows:
- Windows 2000 or XP
- Windows Media Player 8 or above
- Internet Explorer 6.0 or above
- Sound card
- Pentium 3
- 256 MB memory
- Monitor set at 1024x768 or above
- Adobe Acrobat reader
- High-speed Internet connection (non-dialup)
No other web browsers, including Firefox, are supported on the Windows PC.
MAC PC
Students and instructors will need the following minimum configuration in order to use CommuniCoach on their Mac PCs:
- Mac OS X Version 10.3.9 or later
- QuickTime version 7.0 or later (7.1.6 or higher recommended)
- Safari Web Browser
- Screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768
- Adobe Acrobat reader
- Flip4Mac (Windows Media® Components for QuickTime)
- High-Speed (non-dialup) Internet Connection
No other web browsers, including Firefox, are supported on the Mac PC.
As noted above, only videos uploaded into CommuniCoach in the Microsoft WMV format can be used in a CommuniCoach evaluation on the Mac. In order to use videos in this format, the Mac user will need to download and install a tool called Flip4Mac from Microsoft.
Please note that no native Mac video formats, including QuickTime (MOV) are supported by CommuniCoach and again, only the Microsoft WMV format is supported for Mac users of CommuniCoach.
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