OK, you are browsing the Internet for the latest information. You open a new web site and suddenly your browser stops and you get a message something like:

The page you're viewing has information that requires a browser "plug-in."

Then you are immediately brought to another website and given the choice to download the necessary additional program. Worse yet, the download begins before you have had a chance to figure out what is going on!  What happened?

What happened was that your Internet browser (Netscape or Internet Explorer) needs an add-on program called a plug-in to view the website in question. No, your browser is not missing something and it is not defective. You did not forget to install it, so don’t blame yourself or your computer guru.

The Internet is always growing and changing. Software developers and website designers are always adding to the features made available on the Internet. These new features may require additional software for you to view a specific page or location on the Internet. Plug-ins are usually free, and you may even be automatically jumped to the correct Internet location in order to start the download of a particular plug-in.

Plug-ins are software programs offered by various manufacturers that you can add to your Internet browser’s capabilities. These mini-programs can stand-alone or more than likely add on and enhance the features of your Internet environment.

Common plug-ins are often installed as standard software with the latest versions of Netscape or Internet Explorer. Plug-ins are often associated with multi-media websites that allow you to view and listen to live radio or TV, view film clips or listen to music clips. The Internet is constantly growing so new plug-ins will always be available.

Even if a plug in is already installed, the specific web page you are viewing may require a more advanced version of the same plug in.

While you should not panic, you should be careful to properly download and install Internet Plug-ins.

Steps to download plug ins

• Bookmark or Favorite Place the web page that told you that you needed a plug-in

• Locate the web page where the plug in can be found. The original page may automatically send you there

• Create a folder to save the plug in installation file

• Bookmark or Favorite Place the plug-in developer site

• Download the plug-in installation file

• Exit your browser and disconnect from the Internet

• Follow the instructions to install the plug in

• Reconnect to the Internet

• Return to the web page that started this procedure and view it.

Common and not so common plug-ins

• Real Audio Player with its various versions and enhancements

• Java

• QuickTime

• Adobe Acrobat Reader

• Shockwave

• Flashplayer

• Net2Phone

If you want to see a list of plug-ins that might exist, point your browser to any of the following sites:

• http://home.netscape.com/plugins/index.html

• http://www.plugins.com/

• http://browserwatch.internet.com/plug-in.html

• http://winfiles.cnet.com/apps/98/plugins.html

.. and as the internet evolves  the list keeps growing