Q: Will the programs run on 64-bit operating systems?

A:  While older and legacy versions of our "Tactical Language Training" software may not operate properly on 64-bit Windows systems, versions of PC-based OLCTS Desktop language and culture training software currently accessible via this Support website beginning in January 2010 have been engineered to operate properly on a number of Windows operating systems, including: XP, XP64, Vista and Windows 7, on a wide variety of PC hardware. (Please refer to the System Requirements for specifications.)

We can provide only limited technical support to users who run our courses on Apple Macintosh computers.

However, we have received many reports that the courses run successfully on Mac Pro, iMac and MacBook Pro computers with Intel processors and Windows operating systems running under Apple's free Boot Camp program.

We have not received reports of success running the courses with Windows under Parallels. We have received mixed reviews from some users who ran the courses with Windows under a program called Fusion.

Regular MacBook laptops (not MacBook Pro models) don't run our courses because they use a shared-memory graphics card, even though they have the Intel chip and can run Windows. And, unfortunately, this is also the case with the new MacBook "Air" super-thin laptops: an insufficient graphics card.

Many military units have set up networked language training labs. The computers connected to the network can operate independently of each other or be managed centrally with the Unit Training Manager, a software product that is available separately from the OLCTS Desktop course manager.

The U.S. Army has issued "Certifications of Networthiness" for the legacy "Tactical Language Training" software titles, and the current "OLCTS Desktop" version of the courses is currently under review for a CoN. (Notice of such is expected in late 2011.)

On Windows XP, run the DirectX Diagnostic Tool:

1. Select the Run option from the Windows Start menu.
2. Type dxdiag and click OK.
3. Wait until the program finishes analyzing your computer.
4. Save the results to a file by clicking Save All Information. 

On Windows Vista and 7:

1. Open the Start Menu
2. Type dxdiag in the search box and press Enter.
3. Wait until the program finishes analyzing your computer.
4. Save the results to a file by clicking Save All Information.  

The Army Distributed Learning Program (TADLP) under TRADOC guidance approved that the Tactical Iraqi system can be used as part of the DLS (Defense Learning System).

In 2009, the Army issued a Certificate of Networthiness (CoN) for the legacy versions of Tactical Iraqi v5.2, Tactical Pashto v1.2, Tactical Dari 1.2, Tactical French v2.2 and Indonesian v1.0.

The current "OLCTS Desktop" version of the courses is currently under review for a CoN. (Notice of such is expected in late 2011.)

FOR INDIVIDUAL USERS

Depending on the program version you are installing, the system requirements differ.

• OLCTS Desktop (Operational Language and Culture Training System)

• Indonesian 1.0
• Operational Pashto 1.2
• Tactical Dari 1.2
• Tactical French 2.2
• Tactical Iraqi 5.2

The above software titles operates only on laptop and desktop computers running the Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 operating system and with the following technical specifications:

• Processor: PC computers equipped with an Intel Core Duo (or better) processor; or AMD Athlon (or better) 32 or 64-bit processor. 
  
  
• Operating system: Windows XP (32 or 64-bit) w/Service Pack 3, Vista, Windows 7.
  
  The program(s) will also run on newer Macintosh computers equipped with Intel Core Duo processors and running Windows XP or Windows 7 via Apple's Boot Camp software. Note: only Macintosh computer models equipped with dedicated-memory video controller cards are capable of running Tactical Language Training software (see "Video controller card" below). These models include properly equipped MacBook Pro, iMac & Mac Pro computers, but not regular MacBooks or the MacBook Air.
  
  
• RAM: 1GB running Windows XP. 3 to 4 GB running Vista or Windows 7
  
  
• Available hard disk space: 2GB (per installed language version)
  
  
• Video controller card: Must be compatible with Microsoft DirectX 9 and have dedicated memory. Suitable choices are better NVIDIA® GeForce® 8000 & 9000 series graphics cards, and the ATI Radeon 9800 (or equivalent/better). 512MB video RAM is required on systems using Vista. Some systems running Vista or Windows 7 may operate the software satisfactorily using shared video RAM. However, support for systems without at least 128MB dedicated video memory should not be implied.
  
  
• DirectX 9.0c (or newer, backwards-compatible version.)
  
  
• Headset: Noise-canceling digital/USB headset with microphone. We recommend either the Plantronics Audio™ or GameCon™ USB/analog multimedia stereo noise-cancelling headsets. Other noise-canceling type headsets from Plantronics, Logitech and other manufacturers may work with varying degrees of success. We do not recommend analog headsets for noisy environments.

Software versions introduced and distributed prior to January 1, 2010 were designed to operate on PC computers running the Windows XP operating system (Service Pack 3). These include:

• Tactical Iraqi ADF v4.0
• Tactical Dari ADF v1.0
• Tactical Pashto ADF v1.1
• Tactical Iraqi 3.1
• Tactical Iraqi v4.0.2
• Tactical Iraqi v5.1.1
• Tactical Dari v1.0
• Tactical Pashto v1.0
• Tactical French v1.0
• Tactical French v2.1.1

The above software titles operate only on laptop and desktop computers running the Microsoft Windows XP operating system and with the following technical specifications:

• Processor: PC computers equipped with an Intel Pentium-4 2GHz or Intel Core Duo (or better) processor; or AMD Athlon (or better) 32-bit processor. 
  
  
• Operating system: Windows XP (32-bit) only. Software versions listed above do not perform properly on Vista or Windows 7 equipped computers, nor have they been engineered to operate with 64-bit systems. 
  
  The program(s) will also run on newer Macintosh computers equipped with Intel Core Duo processors and running Windows XP via Apple's Boot Camp software. Note: only Macintosh computer models equipped with dedicated-memory video controller cards are capable of running Tactical Language Training software (see "Video controller card" below). These models include properly equipped MacBook Pro, iMac & Mac Pro computers, but not regular MacBooks or the MacBook Air.
  
  
• RAM: 1GB running Windows XP. The software may operate with less than 1GB using Windows XP, but you will likely not be pleased with the system’s response time.
  
  
• Available hard disk space: 2GB (per installed language version)
  
  
• Video controller card: Must be compatible with Microsoft DirectX 9 and have dedicated memory. Suitable choices are better NVIDIA® GeForce® 8 & 9 series graphics cards, and the ATI Radeon 9800 (or equivalent/better). The software rarely operates correctly with integrated video controllers with shared RAM, like the Intel Accelerator or other GMA cards.
  
  
• DirectX 9.0c (or newer, backwards-compatible version.)
  
  
• Headset: Noise-canceling digital/USB headset with microphone. We recommend either the Plantronics Audio™ or GameCon™ USB/analog multimedia stereo noise-cancelling headsets. Other noise-canceling type headsets from Plantronics, Logitech and other manufacturers may work with varying degrees of success. We do not recommend analog headsets for noisy environments.

FOR TRAINING LAB MANAGERS 

If you are creating a new multi-station training lab, and in particular if you will to run VBS2 at some point, we recommended a higher end hardware spec as follows (this is for laptops in a lab, but a desktop and non-lab would be similar):

• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo (or better) processor, or AMD Athlon dual core (or better).
  
  
• RAM: 2GB to 3GB
  
  
• Hard disk: 160GB (or more)
  
  
• Operating system: See specifications described above.
  
  
• Video controller card: Dedicated Video Card with 256MB to 512MB of dedicated memory or better. We have found the NVIDIA® GeForce® 8000 & 9000 series to be particularly good, but similar ATI cards work as well. Do not attempt to run the program on computers which utilize shared-memory graphics cards!
  
  
• Headset: Noise-canceling digital/USB headset with microphone. We recommend either the Plantronics "gaming" headsets, or other medium to high-end USB Multimedia Stereo Headsets. Other noise-canceling type headsets from Plantronics, Logitech and other manufacturers may work with varying degrees of success. We do not recommend analog headsets for noisy environments.
  
  
• Display: There are no strict requirements, but we have found that 17-inch size is a suitable minimum choice.
  
  
• Wireless card: Depending on the networking plans, we recommend a wireless card that supports at least the 802.11g standard (802.11a or 802.11n would be better).
  
  
• Optical drive: CD/DVD+RW disk drive
  
  
  Configurations like these are usually available as "gaming laptops" from standard providers like Dell, HP, Toshiba, etc.  (There are no specific requirements in terms of manufacturer.)