What are Plug-Ins?

PLUG-INS are small computer bits of software, typically free, that let you view a document, interact with an image, listen to music or watch a video. When you have the right PLUG-IN software application, you can view different information formats in your browser window on your computer, so that you can listen to your favorite song, see animations and videos and read documents that are secured in PDF format. Example: if you want to play a game that uses Shockwave and you don't have it on your computer you'll be prompted to install it. Once installed, you usually have to restart your browser or even your operating system to make a plug-in active. What popular PLUG-INS do:

Real Player - Popular sound and video player

Flash Player - Used for animations and games

Shockwave Player - Used for 3d animations and games

Cortona - Used for viewing and interacting with virtual environments

Acrobat - This is a reader, that is needed to look at PDF files

QuickTime - used for high quality video

Windows Media Player - Microsoft's media player - plays sound and video

iPIX - Used for viewing 3D Picture Bubbles

VLC Media Player - Some say this is the best media player for windows plays sound & video