This month I am going to turn my attention to Plug-ins. Plug-ins are helper applications that your browser uses to open certain files on the web. The following is Netscape's definition of Plug-Ins:
"Plug-ins are tiny software programs that add functionality to your web browser. While your browser lets you view the images and text on most web pages, plug-ins add the capability to hear music or other sounds, watch full-motion video, or enjoy multimedia presentations."
Basic plug-ins are downloaded and setup when you install your browser. Usually they work behind the scenes and you have very little contact with them, except for when a new plug-in is born. Most recently, MP3 music players would fit this category.
New plug-ins are constantly being developed for the various media formats. If you come across a page that features a plug-in you don't already have, you'll frequently encounter a screen that looks like the following:
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You might also be confronted with a piece that looks like a jigsaw puzzle:
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Click on the Get the Plug-in button and follow the instructions on the screen.
From time to time companies (such as Shockwave and Real Audio) will release newer versions that you may be asked to install. You'll usually find this out when you go to a page and it tells you that you need the appropriate plug-in. (What a smart browser!)
For those of you who thirst for a little more info on plug-ins, I'd like to introduce you to the best site that I have found for plug-in help. It is named Sympatico and is produced in Canada. Make sure you read their word of caution section before you start downloading and installing the latest & greatest plug-ins on your computer.
Related Links:
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