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(Information on this page will be updated regularly.)

Downloading and Installing Helper Applications

The browser can only translate HTML (HyperText Markup Language) files. For all other types for files (graphics, audio, movies, etc.) it must use another program. There are two types of these; 1) plug-ins 2) Applications (Navigator) or File Helpers (Explorer) The difference between the two has to do with whether they are an extension of the HTML program (plug-in) or an external application (sometimes called a Player) playing through the browser. The results for the user are the same. You are able to see graphics, animations, etc.

Your browser probably came equipped with several plugins and helper applications. If there is one missing that you would like to have, getting and installing it is a fairly simple matter.

  1. Locate the plugin/application on the Internet and download it. Navigator and Explorer will allow you to choose the place it will be saved.
  2. Double click the file to install it Usually this is all that is required. You are ready to use your improved browser.
  3. If the file is compressed (and many of them are) you may need to double click to decompress, and double click the new file to install. Often, however, decompression is automatic.

To determine if you have a particular application or plug-in:

Netscape

  1. Plug-in - Go to Help/About Plug-ins.
  2. Helper Application - go to Edit/Preferences/Navigator/Applications

Explorer Because Explorer is integrated with Windows the process is somewhat different.

  1. First, go to the Desktop and open the C: Drive window.
  2. Click menu View/Folder Options then tab File Types. The Plug-ins and Helper Applications are listed in this window.

Following is a list of the most commonly used plug-ins and applications with the URL where they can be found.

Acrobat Reader - http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.htm
QuickTime - http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download
RealPlayer - http://www.real.com/
Shockwave Flash - http://www.macromedia.com/downloads/

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E-mail Communications with a Class

You can easily communicate with members of you classes via e-mail. There are a few steps you need to follow.

  1. Be sure each member of the class has an e-mail account. Most Internet service companies provide a free e-mail account. Many or our students have such an account. If they have none, they can arrange for one through the college and access it in one of the computer labs.
  2. In your e-mail program enter all of the names and addresses into your address book. Next, create a "List" (Navigator) or "Group" (Outlook) that includes the members of the class.
  3. When you want to communicate with or send something to the class, simply e-mail that List/Group. You can send text files, graphic files, movies, and sound via attachments. If there are notes or an article you wish to distribute, scan it as a graphic file and attach it to an e-mail message. Remember, to avoid large headings on the message you can send to message to one person the blind carbon copies (Bcc) to the List/Group.
  

 

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Darnell Chance (dchance@twcnet.edu)
Director of Instructional Technology
URL: ***************
TWC: http://www.twcnet.edu/academics/it.html
Revised: October 2004