04. What's a plug-in?
Think of it as an option, sort of like the ones you get to choose from when you buy a new car. Your browser is the base model. It comes with standard equipment, just as your car comes with manual transmission, roll-down windows and AM-FM radio. But if you want to enjoy the Web equivalent of a state-of-the-art car audio system, you may need to add an option, a plug-in. It all depends on how much standard equipment your browser (and your computer) came with. The good news is you probably won't have to fork over any extra money for your plug-ins or for any similar programs called helper applications. And there's no haggling.
Can't I just download pieces of sound and video from Web pages that offer them?
Yes, but there's a chance you won't be able hear them or see them without a plug-in or two. It's true, many Web pages contain hypertext links that let you download sound and video files directly to your computer. All you have to do is click on the link and follow the instructions. But your computer may not be able to play back those sounds and video clips if you haven't stored the proper plug-in or helper application somewhere on your hard drive.
Which plug-ins do I need at wisinfo.com?
The Wisinfo site takes advantage of several plugins necessary to receive features
such as streaming video, streaming audio and 360 degree pictures. Below is a complete
list of the plugins used on the site and links for downloading them.
S T R E A M I N G V I D E O
1) RealPlayer
Platform: Macintosh, Windows 3.1, Windows 95/NT and more
RealPlayer plays live and on-demand RealAudio and RealVideo. This plugin will allow you to listen to or watch Wausau Daily Herald programming as it streams to the player. You don't have to download the entire file to your desktop before using it.
• Download this plug-in from RealNetworks
2) NetShow Player
Platform: Macintosh, Windows 3.1, Windows 95/NT, UNIX
NetShow plays live and on-demand ASF, RealAudio and RealVideo files. This plugin will allow you to listen to or watch Wausau Daily Herald programming as it streams to the player. You don't have to download the entire file to your desktop before using it.
• Download this plug-in from Microsoft NetShow
M O V I E S
Apple Computer Quicktime
Platform: Macintosh, Windows 3.1, Windows 95/NT
QuickTime is the multi-platform industry-standard multimedia
architecture used by software tool vendors and content creators to
create and deliver synchronized graphics, sound, video, text and music.
• Download this plug-in from Apple
S T R E A M I N G A U D I O
1) RealPlayer
Platform: Macintosh, Windows 3.1, Windows 95/NT, UNIX, Solaris and more
RealPlayer plays live and on-demand RealAudio and RealVideo files. This plugin will allow you to listen to or watch Wausau Daily Herald programming as it streams to the player. You don't have to download the entire file to your desktop before using it.
• Download this plug-in from RealNetworks
2) NetShow Player
Platform: Macintosh, Windows 3.1, Windows 95/NT, UNIX
NetShow plays live and on-demand ASF, RealAudio and RealVideo files. This plugin will allow you to listen to or watch Wausau Daily Herald programming as it streams to the player. You don't have to download the entire file to your desktop before using it.
• Download this plug-in from Microsoft NetShow
A N I M A T I O N
Macromedia Shockwave
Platform: Macintosh, Windows 3.1, Windows 95/NT
Macromedia Shockwave gives you fully interactive multimedia clickable and dynamic
animations, graphics, text, and audio from directly within your web browser.
• Download this plug-in from Macromedia
If you have any questions that are not covered in this section
please email the Gannett Wisconsin Online
Department.
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