The University has begun the process of changing the name of the WebCT Vista course management system to WebVista due to these major factors:
- Blackboard Inc. purchased WebCT, Inc. in 2006;
- Blackboard Inc. has changed the name of "WebCT Vista 4" to "Blackboard Learning System — Vista Enterprise License"; and
- Microsoft publicly released Microsoft Windows Vista in January 2007.
The new name of the University of Minnesota WebCT Vista system is "WebVista" as of May 1, 2007. We chose the name to avoid using vendor names such as WebCT or Blackboard, while retaining something recognizable to all users.
This name change applies only to the online course management system we know as WebCT Vista, but will affect many existing applications, such as the myU Portal and this, the system's support site. For example, the support e-mail address webct@umn.edu will continue to work, but messages will be forwarded to the new WebVista Support e-mail address, webvista@umn.edu.
This change involves many documentation and systems updates, and will not happen all at once. For a time, the two names will be synonymous. One of the first places the name will change is in the myU Portal. Support site updates will follow in the coming weeks. We encourage you to adopt the name "WebVista" in your own publications as soon as possible.
Thank you very much for your patience and understanding during this transition process. Please let us know at webvista@umn.edu or webct@umn.edu if you have any questions.
Thank you!
OIT WebVista (formerly WebCT Vista) Support Team