If you're not using a local network (from school, work, etc,) but are using a personal computer from home, you'll need to set your browser to accept "cookies" from the urls that VoiceThread uses to access its features. The urls are:

http://cdn.voicethread.com (for browsing content)

http://media.voicethread.com (for recording audio and video)

http//wildfire.gigya.com (if you want to allow easy embedding)

And here's how to enable cookies in your browser--please look for the operating system (Windows, MacOS) and browser type that you're using to access VoiceThread (FireFox, Internet Explorer, Safari, Netscape) and follow the steps provided. NOTE: VoiceThread is optimized for FireFox, so you'll probably get the best results when you view the site with that browser.

HOW TO ENABLE COOKIES:

Internet Explorer 6 for Windows

1. Within Internet Explorer, click the "Tools" menu and choose "Internet Options."
2. Click the tab labeled "Privacy."
3. Click the button labeled "Advanced."
4. Check the option labeled "Override automatic cookie handling." To enable cookies: Set "First-party Cookies" (and "Third-party Cookies, if you wish) to "Accept." To receive a prompt to accept or decline cookies on a site-by-site basis: Set "First-party Cookies" (and "Third-party Cookies, if you wish) to "Prompt."
5. Click "OK" to save changes and close the dialog box.

Firefox for Windows and Mac OS X

1. Open Options dialog box:

For Windows: Within Firefox, click the “Tools” menu, then click “Options.”

For Mac OS X Click the “Firefox” menu, then click “Preferences.”

1. In the left-hand column, click the icon labeled “Privacy.”
2. Click “Cookies,” then click the option labeled “Allow sites to set cookies.
3. Click “OK” to save changes and close the dialog box.

Safari for Macintosh OS X

1. Within Safari, click the "Safari" menu and choose "Preferences."
2. Click the icon labeled "Security." To enable cookies: Set the option labeled "Accept Cookies" to "Always."
3. Click "OK" to save changes and close the dialog box.

Internet Explorer 5 for Windows

1. Within Internet Explorer, click the "Tools" menu and choose "Internet Options."
2. Click the tab labeled "Security."
3. Click the button labeled "Custom Level."
4. Scroll down to the section labeled "Cookies." To enable cookies: Set "Allow cookie that are stored on your computer" to "Enable." Set "Allow per-session cookies" to "Enable." To receive a prompt to accept or decline cookies on a site-by-site basis: Set "Allow cookie that are stored on your computer" to "Prompt." Set "Allow per-session cookies" to "Prompt."
5. Click "OK" to save changes and close the dialog box.

Internet Explorer 5 for Macintosh

1. Within Internet Explorer, click the "Edit" menu and choose "Preferences." (In OS X, click the "Explorer" menu and choose "Preferences.")
2. In the left-hand column, click "Cookies." It is is listed in the "Receiving Files" group.
3. Click the button labeled "Custom Level." To enable cookies: Set option labeled "When receiving cookies:" to "Never Ask." To receive a prompt to accept or decline cookies on a site-by-site basis: Set option labeled "When receiving cookies:" to "Ask for each site."
4. Click "OK" to save changes and close the dialog box.

Internet Explorer 4 for Windows

1. Within Internet Explorer, click the "View" menu and choose "Internet Options."
2. Click the tab labeled "Security."
3. Select "Custom" and click "Settings."
4. Scroll down to section labeled "Security." To enable cookies: Select "Always accept cookies." To receive a prompt to accept or decline cookies on a site-by-site basis:
5. Select "Prompt before accepting cookies." Click "OK" to save changes and close the dialog box.

Opera 7 for Windows or Macintosh

1. Within Opera, click the "File" menu and choose "Preferences."
2. In the left-hand column, select "Privacy."
3. Select the option labeled "Enable cookies."
4. Click "OK" to save changes and close the dialog box.

Netscape Navigator 6 and Higher for Windows and Macintosh

1. Within Netscape Navigator, click the "Edit" menu and choose "Preferences." (In OS X, click the "Netscape" menu and choose "Preferences.")
2. In the left-hand Category column, click "Cookies." It's listed in the "Privacy and Security" group. To enable cookies: Select "Accept all cookies" or "Accept only cookies that get sent back to the originating server." To receive a prompt to accept or decline cookies on a site-by-site basis: Check the option labeled "Warn me before storing a cookie" and select "Accept all cookies" or "Accept only cookies that get sent back to the originating server."
3. Click "OK" to save changes and close the dialog box.