Find a plugin your browser version
doesn't haveYou may want to do this on your computer at home if you have a Web browser there, since the computers in a college lab may be limited in the memory or disk space available, and most are regularly restored to standard disk images. Here are some types of plugins you might consider...
- Virtual Reality / 3-D
- Audio
- Speech synthesis
- News/Sports/Weather/Stocks
- Document viewers
- Video
- Multimedia
- Business
- Utilities
- Security/Filters
As you look for plugins, be alert for any restrictions on the software. There are several types of restriction:
Here are some Web sites where you can look for plugins; you can find more by searching!
- Hardware platform (Intel, PowerPC, Motorola, Sun...)
- Operating System (Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, ME; Mac OS 8.x, 9.x, 10.x;Unix/Linux version, etc.)
- Browser (Netscape Navigator, MS Internet Explorer, etc.)
- Legal: License restrictions, fees, royalties...)
- Netscape: http://home.netscape.com/plugins/
- MS Explorer Web Accessories: http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/IE/Web Access/default.asp
- Yahoo! Plugins directory: http://dir.yahoo.com/Computers_and_Internet/Software/Internet/World_Wide_Web/Browsers/Plug_Ins/
- Browser Watch Plug-In Plaza: http://browserwatch.internet.com/plug-in.html
- Plugin Gallery and Demo Links: http://www2.gol.com/users/oyamada/
- Plugins.com / Bloke.com (Aussie...what else?): http://www.plugins.com/
Download and install that pluginWhen you find a plugin you're willing to try, navigate to the Download button and point the downloader to a temporary folder on your computer. The file you get will be a compressed install file, so when the download is completed, you'll need to run the file and let it install itself in the browser.
Confirm that it works by finding
a file of that type and play it.Most plugins are designed to work with one specific type of file, so you'll need to go to a Web site that has that type. The best place to find that type of file is by starting at the site from which you downloaded the plugin itself - there are almost always demo files for you to try,and often links to other sites that offer that type. Try at least two files,and try to get an idea of the range and quality of capabilities offered by your new plugin.
Email your instructor about what
you didAudience: This is for people who understand what a
plugin is, and need practice to make sure they can load and use one.
Objectives: When you successfully complete this lesson,
you will be able to...