Distance Learning

Plug-Ins and Helper Applications

Plug-Ins and Helper Applications are programs that can play types of files found on the WWW that would otherwise not play through the web browser. They can be found on the WWW and are almost always FREE.

Plug-Ins are pieces of software that "plug-in" to your web browser. In other words, they have no use other than to work inside the web-browser to display certain kinds of files. Common plug-ins are Flash, Shockwave (for Director), and Authorware Player, all produced by Macromedia. These programs play interactive multimedia files through the web browser. They are considered plug-ins because after you install them, you view the files they play through the web browser itself.

Helper Applications are actual stand-alone pieces of software that, when installed, will automatically start when needed by your web browser. For example, let's say you are trying to view a movie that is being "streamed" over the Internet. If you clicked on a link for the movie on a web page and had the right Helper Application installed (say Real Player, for example), the browser would look for that software, start it, and play the video through it. Some Helper Applications work like plug-ins in that they can show the files in the same window the browser uses. However, a helper application can also run without the browser, and some of them can actually download files off the WWW and Internet without a web browser at all (but you have to know where those files are). Some of the most well-known helper applications are video ones: Real Player, Windows Media Player, and QuickTime Movie Player. Another well known helper application is Adobe Acrobat Reader which shows documents in versions that will remain the same no matter what computer they're on. (The federal and state governments use Acrobat to publish forms on the WWW).

Below is a list of some of the most common plug-ins and helper applications, some of which are used in our online courses. Each title is a link to the web page where you can find a free download version of the software. Be sure and make sure the version you're downloading is the free one, as many sites put that link right next to their "Pro" versions, which are NOT free. Most of the pages have instructions as to how to download the files. Once you download them, you will have to install them on your machine - usually a very simple process.

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Reads .pdf files. These files are document files and can be everything from government forms to glossy brochures and catalogues to class handouts.

Adobe Authorware Player (or Shockwave for Authorware)

Plays Authorware files, which are interactive multimedia files primarily designed for educational/instructional use.

Adobe Flash

Plays Flash content. Flash is one of the most popular and common kinds of multimedia file on the WWW, due to the small size of files and easy and reliable downloading and performance. This player plays Flash files only.

Adobe Shockwave (for Director)

Plays Director files, which are usually interactive/animated multimedia files. This player will actually play Director and Flash files.

Microsoft Office 2007 Compatibility Pack

This free download from Microsoft will allow earlier versions of Microsoft Office to open, read, and edit Office 2007 file types (.docx, .xlsx, etc.)

Microsoft Office Update File Converters and Viewers

A list of downloadable converters and viewers for Microsoft Office products, including Word and PowerPoint. Includes files for Windows 95, 98, 2000 and Macintosh.

Quicktime

Plays video and audio files. Now supports Quicktime streaming media. Quicktime also does 3D virtual media.

Real Player

Plays streaming multimedia. These files (video and audio) are played as they download, meaning you don't have to completely download the file to your machine before you can see and hear it. Be sure and choose the FREE download.

Windows Media Player

Plays streaming multimedia. Similar to Real Player only Windows Media files won't play on Real Player and vice versa.

For questions/comments on this content, please contact the Distance Learning Department.

This page was last updated on: