What Web Browser Should I Use?

In general it seems like people run into trouble the least often when accessing Canvas using the Chrome web browser and have trouble most often when using the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser.  Firefox and Safari are also compatible with Canvas.  Whatever browser you choose to use, I recommend that you update to the most recent version.

Due to changes within all three major browsers, Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer some of the link viewers within Canvas are blank or not loading correctly. This is not a Canvas issue.

When content does not load please get in the habit of looking for the little shield in the URL address bar of the browser. It is located on the right side in Chrome and the left in Firefox. Click on the Shield and then the link that says "Load unsafe script" 

For Internet Explorer, look for a message to flash across the screen at the bottom of the page. If you miss it simply click the back arrow and then the forward arrow so it will reappear and click on Show all content.

Internet Explorer

If you do use Internet Explorer while working in this class, you might consider changing your browser settings to allow for the display of mixed content.  If you don't change the default settings, Internet Explorer will continually give you pop-up messages, asking whether it should block non-secure content.  This is because many of the Canvas guide articles linked into the course are from an open website.  While this does not constitute a security risk, Internet Explorer will continue to prompt you about it.

To change the default, follow these steps:

  1. Open Internet Explorer.
  2. Click on the Tools icon and select Internet Options.
  3. Click on the Security tab and click on Custom level.
  4. Under Settings go to Miscellaneous and Enable Display Mixed Content.
  5. Then click OK
  6. Restart Internet Explorer and check if it displays the pop-up.

Chrome & Firefox information

If you use either of these two browsers they have recently implemented changes that can cause pages to load as blanks or not at all. These new security measures within the browsers can be overridden. If a page does not load correctly look at the URL address bar for the browser. If you see a small shield click it and accept content. Press F5 to refresh your screen and the page should load correctly. 

 

Consider reading more in the Canvas Guides: