Web Browser Plug-ins

Plug-ins:
Beatnik
QuickTime
RealPlayer
Shockwave
VivoActive Player

Helper Applications:
Adobe Acrobat Reader
QuickTime
RealPlayer

Additional Resources:
BROWSERS.COM's Top Plug-ins
BrowserWatch's Plug-In Plaza!
Netscape Inline Plug-ins

The Web Browser Plug-in section of Web Tools contains direct links to information about the most widely used plug-ins and helper applications. A list of online resources is also provided which contains detailed information on these and other plug-ins and helper applications not specifically addressed in this section.


Plug-ins

Below is a compiled list of the most widely used web browser plug-ins. Each direct link contains detailed information specific to each of the plug-ins. Download information is also provided at these sites. If the plug-in you are seeking is not listed below, please use the additional resources listed on this page.

Beatnik
http://www.headspace.com/beatnik/

Beatnik delivers high-quality interactive music and sound from websites. It is provided by Headspace, Inc. and is available for Netscape Navigator 3.0 and Netscape Communicator on both Macintosh PowerPC and Windows 95/NT. The Headspace website offers detailed information on Beatnik, as well as an array of sites that showcase the plug-in's capabilities.
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QuickTime
http://quicktime.apple.com/

QuickTime, a product of Apple, Inc., is capable of delivering all multimedia such as movies, audio, MIDI soundtracks, 3D animation, and virtual reality. It is available to Macintosh and Windows 3.x/95/NT. The QuickTime package contains plug-ins, a helper application, and system extensions. The QuickTime Plug-in allows QuickTime and QuickTime VR content to be viewed directly within a browser. The MoviePlayer, a helper application, with its system extensions allows all QuickTime multimedia to be created, edited, and played (increased functionality is available through the Authoring and Goodies plug-ins). Finally, there is a QuickTime MPEG extension which allows for control and playback of MPEG movies. Apple's QuickTime site features both an easy install and a component-by-component download option.
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RealPlayer
http://www.realaudio.com/products/player/

RealPlayer is a live and on-demand RealAudio and RealVideo player which functions without download delays. It is provided by Progressive Networks, Inc. and is available for Macintosh, UNIX, and Windows 95/NT as both a plug-in and helper application. To test your RealPlayer plug-in, visit any of the sites listed in the RealVideo Showcase or the RealAudio Showcase. The plug-in is compatible with many popular browsers. For a complete listing visit the RealPlayer System Requirements page.
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Shockwave
http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/shocknews.html

The best way to experience Shockwave is to get the Shockwave Works Package which includes the Shockwave Director, Freehand, Authorware, and Flash plug-ins. These plug-ins allow multimedia files to be viewed directly within your web browser. The plug-ins, provided by Macromedia, Inc., are compatible with Netscape Navigator 2.0 or later and Internet Explorer 2.1 or later on Macintosh and Windows 3.1/95/NT platforms. The Macromedia site also provides detailed information about Shockwave, including a section called Shockzone where users can view Shockwave in action.
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VivoActive Player
http://www.vivo.com/products/playfree/vaplayer.htm

VivoActive Player delivers on-demand video and audio from any website offering VivoActive content. This product, provided by Vivo Software, Inc., is available for Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer browsers on Power Macintosh and Windows 3.1/95/NT platforms. Learn more about the VivoActive Player and test its capabilities at the Vivo Software website.
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Helper Applications

Below is a compiled list of the most widely used web browser helper applications. Each direct link contains detailed information specific to each of these applications. Download information is also provided at these sites.

Adobe Acrobat Reader
http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/

Acrobat Reader allows you to access PDF files on the web. It is provided by Adobe Systems, Inc. and is available for Macintosh, UNIX, and Windows 3.x/95/NT.
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QuickTime
http://quicktime.apple.com/

QuickTime, a product of Apple, Inc., is capable of delivering all multimedia such as movies, audio, MIDI soundtracks, 3D animation, and virtual reality. It is available to Macintosh and Windows 3.x/95/NT. The QuickTime package contains plug-ins, a helper application, and system extensions. The QuickTime Plug-in allows QuickTime and QuickTime VR content to be viewed directly within a browser. The MoviePlayer, a helper application, with its system extensions allows all QuickTime multimedia to be created, edited, and played (increased functionality is available through the Authoring and Goodies plug-ins). Finally there is a QuickTime MPEG extension which allows for control and playback of MPEG movies. Apple's QuickTime site features both an easy install and a component-by-component download option.
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RealPlayer
http://www.realaudio.com/products/player/

RealPlayer is a live and on-demand RealAudio and RealVideo player which functions without download delays. It is provided by Progressive Networks, Inc. and is available for Macintosh, UNIX, and Windows 95/NT as both a plug-in and helper application. To test your RealPlayer helper application, visit any of the sites listed in the RealVideo Showcase or the RealAudio Showcase.
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Additional Resources:

BROWSERS.COM's Top Plug-ins
http://www.browsers.com/

BROWSERS.COM, provided by c|net, Inc., is a great resource that supplies an overview of plug-ins as well as information on browsers. Within this site there is a section devoted to keeping you informed about which plug-ins are "must-haves." A few of the most popular plug-ins are always featured, and a complete listing of plug-ins is also available. As with the browsers, a brief summary of the plug-in and download options are included.
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BrowserWatch's Plug-In Plaza!
http://browserwatch.internet.com/plug-in.html

BrowserWatch's Plug-In Plaza! is an excellent service provided by Internet World. Plug-in information is available via an alphabetical full list of plug-ins, a list organized by platform, and by type of plug-in. Platforms covered include Macintosh, OS/2, Windows, and UNIX. Plug-in types include multimedia, graphic, sound, document viewer, VRML, and productivity.
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Netscape Inline Plug-ins
http://www.netscape.com/comprod/products/navigator/version_2.0/plugins/index.html

For readers looking to download the latest Netscape Navigator or Communicator components, here is a quick link to the Netscape Inline Plug-ins page. This site provides plug-ins and helper applications. The plug-ins are organized into five main catagories: audio/video, business and utilities, image viewers, 3D and animation, and presentations. There is also a What's New and What's Cool section.
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