Page 13 : Setting up Netscape for multimedia WWW sites

Plugins

After surfing the Web for a while you will probably come across some features that your browser is currently unable to make use of (embedded movies, sounds, virtual worlds, etc). Additional software is required in order to implement these features. This software usually comes in the form of a 'plugin'.

About Plugins

A plugin is a mini-application that enhances your Web browser, allowing it to perform functions that it was previously incapable of. Examples include displaying embedded movies, playing embedded sounds, allowing the user to interact with objects and send or receive real-time messages.

It is preferable to use plugins rather than external applications to perform tasks such as those mentioned above for several reasons.

Less system resources are required to run a plugin than an external application.
Plugins give the user 'seamless' Web browsing. There is no flicking between applications.
Plugins have been specifically designed for use with Web documents. Some external applications are not suitable for use with some objects.
As a general rule plugins are free. The same cannot be said for most software applications.

To make full use of plugins it is recommended that Netscape 2.02 or above is used for browsing the Web. Netscape 3.0 is preferable as it is capable of interpreting Java applets, which can further enhance your surfing experience.

How do I get them?

Plugins are available on the Internet for free download. While they are platform specific (some are available only for Windows or Macintosh etc.), there are many that do the same thing. Therefore it is usually possible to find a plugin that does what you require for your platform.

Installation

Each individual plugin has it's own installation instructions, but all have to be installed into a folder/directory called PLUGINS that is situated in the folder/directory where Netscape is located. Plugins are usually downloaded as an executable install file. By running the downloaded file the plugin is set up in the correct location. For the plugin to take effect Netscape must be restarted.

Below is a list of popular plugins for both Macintosh and PC platforms, along with a selection of sites to visit in order to see the plugins at work (you have to install them first!).

PlugIn	File extensions	Platforms	File types
Shockwave	dcr, dir	Mac 68k, PowerMac, Win3.1, 95, NT	Director movies
Real Audio	rpm	Mac 68k, Win3.1, 95, NT	Real Audio sound
Quicktime	mov	Mac 68k, PowerMac, Win3.1, 95, NT	Quicktime movies and sounds
Crescendo	mid, midi	Mac 68k, Win3.1, 95, NT	MIDI music
InterVU	mpeg, mpg	Mac 68k, PowerMac, Win95, NT	MPEG movies
MIDPLUG	mid, midi	PowerMac, Win3.1, 95	MIDI music
Live3D	vrml	PowerMac, Win3.1, 95, NT	Virtual Reality movies

Plug in to these Cool Sites!

The World's Largest Shockwave Gallery
http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/epicenter/
As the name implies, a huge selection of sites that incorporate the Shockwave plugin.
The Rock Shockwave Game
http://www.movies.com/alcatraz/game.html
A fun game based on The Rock which you can play live on the Internet!
Quicktime samples
http://quicktime.apple.com/sam/sam.html
Apple has put together a selection of Quicktime examples and links to sites that make use of embedded Quicktime objects.
Quicktime showcase
http://www.MediaCity.com/~erweb/
An extensive collection of Quicktime samples including sounds, music, movies, animation and virtual reality worlds.
Cool Worlds
http://home.netscape.com/comprod/products/navigator/live3d/cool_worlds.html
Netscape examples that take advantage of the Live3D plugin.
Crescendo Cool Site of the Day
http://www.liveupdate.com/sod.html
Live Update, the producers of the Crescendo plugin, select a cool site each day. This site will make use of the plugin. A list of links to previous cool sites is also available.
1000 Crescendo Sites
http://www.liveupdate.com/1000sites.html
Link to 1000 (that's right, One Thousand) sites with embedded midi music.
Interview Video Guide
http://www.intervu.com/partners/menu.html
A list of sites that include embedded MPEG video for use with the Interview plugin.
Real Audio Showcase
http://www.realaudio.com/hpproducts/ra3.0/index.html
Links to the best examples of using Real Audio on the Web. Access near CD quality music, news and other information, all through your Web browser.

Helper Applications

So what if I don't want to use plugins?

If for whatever reason you don't wish to make use of plugins there is another alternative. Netscape can be set up to use helper applications that will automatically load when particular file types are encountered. Plugins always have precedence over helper applications though.

For example, if you come across a movie file but don't have the Quicktime plugin installed, it is possible to view the movie using an external application (such as MoviePlayer).

Configuring Helper Applications

Netscape can be configured to start up helper applications when particular file types are encountered.

From the Options menu select General Preferences.
Click on the Helpers button.
Assign file types to valid external applications by highlighting them in the list and selecting Edit. If a particular file type does not appear in the list select New and create the file type. Netscape already lists most common file types and extensions.
Press the Apply button then press OK. Netscape will now assign the external applications to open files which cannot be handled by plugins.