Java update to 7u51 breaks collaboration tools and multiple file upload

[Calvin Bishop]

The Java client update, version 7 update 51, has a security enhancement that has a negative impact within Blackboard.  

Areas affected:

• Upload of multiple files.
  
• Use the single file upload instead.
• Chat.
  
• No workaround available.
• Virtual classroom.
  
• No workaround available.

Ways to work around the update.

• If you have not already updated your Java client, please wait until Blackboard is able to fix the problem.
• Add a security exception to Java.
• Instructions for this are available here.
• Wait for Blackboard to create a patch for the problem.
• Blackboard is expected to release the patch on January 21, 2014.
• We will install the patch on our environment the Sunday following the release of the patch from Blackboard.