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Browsers et al.

Browser Types

• Text-based: LYNX (e.g., from your Joan account)
• Graphical: Netscape, MS Internet Explorer, etc.
• Device-specialized (e.g., for WebTV, Windows CE, PalmPilot, etc.)

Typical Features

• Direct URL entry and defaults for .com entries
• Bookmarks/Hotlists
• View page or frame source
• View page or frame information
• Save page or frame (as HTML with code, or as text without code)
• Print and Print preview (for identifying which page)
• Revisiting pages (Back, Forward, Go), History, and Cache (delete regularly)
• Reloading pages
• Customization (colours, underlining, etc.)
• Get to know your browser (e.g., right mouse button in NS can open a new window)
• Each also has bells and whistles ("related" pages, and so on)

Helpers and Plug-ins

• Extend browser capabilities
• For sound, graphics, moving images, 3-D, etc.
• Bundled with browser, or acquired via FTP
• Invoked up by file extensions
• Helper applications ("viewers")
  • Launch their own window, and must be closed after use
  • May be independent of the browser or display within browser
  • E.g., Adobe Acrobat
• Plug-ins
  • Are embedded in the browser, and are specific to the browser
  • May open a window temporarily, and close after use, e.g., RealPlayer
  • Or may be completely "seamless", e.g., Shockwave

Web Software Sources

• The browser supplier (e.g. for Netscape)
• Software producers (e.g., Interleaf Panorama Viewer)
• Directories with links (e.g., Stroud's CWSApps List or Virtual Free Stuff)
• Collections with executable files (e.g., ZDNet Software Library)
• Always read and print onsite instructions
• Always read readme files created during installation
• Beginner's Guide to Downloading

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