To use Manhattan to teach a course, you'll need at the minimum:
A Manhattan classroom on a server. Someone, somewhere, has to set things up for you and your students on a Manhattan server. That someone may be the computer person at your school, or may be the systems administrator at a service that hosts Manhattan classrooms.
A computer. It doesn't matter much whether you use a Macintosh, Windows or Unix computer. If your computer is fast enough for you, then it is fast enough.
An Internet connection. If your connection is fast enough for you, then it's fast enough.
A web browser. Either Netscape (or Mozilla) or Internet Explorer is fine. Do everyone a favor and use a relatively recent version of your web browser.
The America Online (AOL) service has come a long way towards supporting Internet standards since the time when the first versions of Manhattan were available. Version 4 or earlier of the America Online software did not work well with many advanced web sites, including Manhattan. The latest versions seem to work fine. Nevertheless, if you use AOL as your Internet Service Provider consider these recommendations:
DO use a recent version of the America Online Software!
DO NOT use the web browser that is built into the America Online system! Instead, login to AOL as you normally do then 'minimize' the software and start the 'real' version of either Netscape, Mozilla or Internet Explorer.
While the minimum requirements are a web-enabled computer, you will probably want to use other software as well. As you will learn, an important feature of Manhattan is its ability to attach files to the messages you post on the system. You may for example, choose to post the syllabus for the course for your students to read. Most likely you already have your syllabus created in a word processor such as Microsoft Word. One simple way to put your syllabus online is to post the Word file. Similarly, if you use Microsoft's PowerPoint presentation software, you can make those files available to your students.
Another useful program is a spreadsheet, such as Microsoft's Excel, for managing your grades. Within this manual you'll learn how you can take your grade spreadsheet and post it to your Manhattan classroom so each student sees only his or her grades.
Advanced online teachers (or course designers) will make use of specialized software to create web sites and multimedia materials that can be used within a Manhattan classroom.