plugins

Plug-ins

NOTE: This document addresses plug-ins for Internet Explorer 5.1.

The Basics

What's a plug-in?
Plug-ins are software programs that extend the capabilities of a Web browser in a specific way - for example, giving you the ability to play audio samples or view video movies from within your browser. Many Web pages are now being developed that require one or more plug-ins for viewing.

Where do I get plug-ins?
You can download plug-ins from the Internet. Most are free.

Which plug-ins do I need?
There are numerous plug-ins available for Netscape and Internet Explorer. However, if you have the following plug-ins installed, you will be able to view/hear content on most Web sites.

Acrobat Reader
Apple QuickTime
Macromedia Shockwave
Macromedia Flash

We will explore what each plug-in does, where you get it, how you install it, and what a page using each plug-in looks like.

How do I prepare Internet Explorer for plug-ins?

Change download settings

1. Create a folder on the desktop of your computer to receive downloads.
(Downloads is a good name.)
2. Launch Internet Explorer 5.1.

2. From the Edit menu, choose Preferences.
3. Under Receiving Files, click Download Options.

4. Make your screen match the following:

NOTE: If you install a plug-in, Microsoft Internet Explorer automatically updates the file helpers that the plug-in can use. If applicable, Internet Explorer also creates a new file helper for the plug-in.

How do I enable plug-ins?
1. In Internet Explorer 5.1, from the Edit menu, choose Preferences.
2. Under Web Browser, click Web Content.
3. In the Active Content area, select the Enable plug-ins check
box.

How do I install a plug-in?
1. Download the plug-in from the Internet, or locate the plug-in
on your hard drive.
2. If the plug-in has an installer, run the installer.
3. Check the Plug-ins folder within the Internet Explorer folder
for the newly installed plug-in.
4. If the plug-in is not there, move or copy the plug-in to the
Plug-ins folder within the Internet Explorer application.
5. If a Norton’s Antivirus message appears during an install, always Allow or Suspend notification.

Do I need anything else to install plug-ins?
Most plug-ins are in a compressed format when you download them from the Internet. You will need Stuffit Expander on your computer to expand these files. If Stuffit Expander is not on your computer, you can download it at the following site:
http://www.stuffit.com/expander/

Be sure you choose the Stuffit Expander for Macintosh. Select the version that matches your operating system. (OS 8.1 - 9.x (.sit) or OS X (.sit))

Make choices as shown in the pictures below.

1.

To install Stuffit STD 7.01, double click on the Stuffit STD 7.01 Classic or OS X installer icon. Choose the affirmative on all questions except the last choice about the aliases on the desktop.

Do I choose the .bin or .hqx file format when downloading?
When downloading Macintosh files, you may be given a choice of two different file formats: ".bin" or ".hqx." The .bin file downloads faster but is less compatible with older systems. The .hqx file takes longer to download but is more compatible with older systems.

To determine whether you can successfully download and open .bin files, download the Compatibility Test for .bin Files (bintest.bin) from Adobe's Web site. If you can run the Compatibility Test successfully, you can download .bin files instead of .hqx files to minimize your download times. The test will download a Read Me file in your designated download folder that will state the test results.

(Modified from Adobe’s Web site: http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/19d12.htm)

Acrobat Reader

What is Acrobat Reader?
Adobe® Portable Document Format (PDF) is the Internet standard for electronic documents. Adobe PDF preserves all the fonts, formatting, graphics, and color of any source document, regardless of the application and platform used to create it. Adobe PDF files are compact and can be shared, viewed, navigated, and printed exactly as intended by anyone with free Adobe Acrobat® Reader® software.
(Modified from Adobe’s Web site: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/adobepdf.html)

Where do I get Acrobat Reader?
Download free: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
Supply the required information as shown below and click on Download.

How do I install Acrobat Reader?
The installer should download to your computer in the designated download folder and automatically be unstuffed with Stuffit Expander. A file entitled Acrobat Reader Installer will be appear in your download folder. Double-click on Acrobat Reader Installer.

Click Continue on the splash screen. Make the installer screen look like the one below and click Continue.

Answer all questions in the affirmative until the installation is complete.
A folder entitled Acrobat Reader 5.0 will be created on your hard drive. To complete the installation, drag the PDFViewer file from the Web Browser Plug-in folder within the Acrobat Reader 5.0 folder into the Plug-ins folder within the Internet Explorer 5.1 folder.

How do I use Acrobat Reader?
The following sites have documents that can be viewed with Acrobat Reader:
http://www.halcyon.com/arborhts/rm12/assign.html
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/

QuickTime

What is QuickTime?
QuickTime is a popular format on the Internet for storing audio and video media. The QuickTime Plug-in allows you to view or hear this media within your browser.

What are the system requirements for QuickTime?
Mac OS System Requirements:
A PowerPC processor–based Macintosh computer
At least 32MB of RAM
Mac OS 7.5.5 or later

Where do I get QuickTime?
Download free: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
Select the appropriate operating system and click Download QuickTime as shown below.

How do I install QuickTime?
Double click on QuickTime Installer in your designated download folder. When the opening screen appears, click on Continue. Read the terms and click on Agree. Choose the recommended installation and click Continue as shown below.

On the Information screen, click Continue to install QuickTime. The installer will automatically install files in the appropriate places. Click Restart to restart your computer.

On restart, the QuickTime Settings Assistant will launch. Click Next. Click Next on the Browser Plug-in screen. And on the Conclusion screen, click Finish.

From the Apple menu, choose Control Panels, Quicktime Settings. From the pop-up menu, choose Connection Speed. Make your screen match the one below.

The QuickTime Plug-in and the QuickTimePlug-in.class files will automatically be copied into the Plug-ins folder within the Internet Explorer 5.1 folder.

How do I use QuickTime Plug-in?
The following Web sites have examples of QuickTime movies.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/wright/glider.html
http://www.worldbank.org/globallinks/english/education.html

Shockwave

What is Shockwave?
Macromedia Shockwave Player displays Web content that has been created by Macromedia Director Shockwave Studio. Shockwave adds spectacular 3D animations and rich interactive content to Web pages.

What are the system requirements for Shockwave?
Mac OS System Requirements:
Mac OS 8.1 or later, 10.1.2 or later for OS X
Macintosh Power PC processor (G3 or higher recommended)
32 MB of installed RAM
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.5 or later OR Netscape 4.0 or later

Where do I get Shockwave?
Download free: http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/alternates/

Scroll down to the appropriate link for your operating system and browser. (Shockwave - Mac OS - PowerPC and Internet Explorer 5.1) On the Download screen, click DOWNLOAD for the appropriate version. Click Download Now on the Download Center screen. The Shockwave Installer will be downloaded to your designated download folder.

How do I install Shockwave?
Double-click on the Shockwave Installer located in your designated download folder. Click on the appropriate browser and click on Install as shown below

Confirm that Shockwave is installing in the correct browser. (Be careful you have selected the right file!) Click on OK to increase the memory allocation for your browser, if prompted to do so. When the installation is complete, click Quit. The installer may open your browser and send you to a Macromedia Web site to confirm the installation. The following files will be installed in the Plug-ins folder within the Internet Explorer 5.1 folder:
NP-PPC-Dir-Shockwave, Shockwave Flash NP-PPC, and ShockwavePlugin.class.

How do I use Shockwave?
The following Web sites use Shockwave:
http://www.scienceyear.com/wired/index.html?page=/planet10/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/dimaggio/sfeature/game_intro.html

Flash

What is Flash?
Macromedia Flash Player displays Web content that has been created by Macromedia Flash MX. Flash adds 3D animations, designs, and unique user interfaces to Web sites.

What are the system requirements for Flash?
Mac OS System Requirements:
Mac OS 8.1 or later, 10.1.2 or later for OS X
Macintosh Power PC processor (G3 or higher recommended)
32 MB of installed RAM
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.5 or later OR Netscape 4.0 or later

Where do I get Flash?
Download free: http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/alternates/

Click on the appropriate link for your operating system and browser. (Mac OS PowerPC and Internet Explorer)
On the Download Center screen, click DOWNLOAD NOW. Choose the desired download from this screen.

Install Flash Player 6 will be downloaded to your designated download folder.

How do I install Flash?
Double-click on Install Flash Player 6 located in your designated download folder.
Click on the appropriate browser and click Install as shown below.

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