Computer Plug-in

Life on theInternet can be enriched if you don't restrict yourself to just written wordsand still pictures.Even if you are a newcomer to the Internet world,you'veprobably

heard aboutmulti-media on-line一listeningto radio,watching animations and videos,even playing in three-dimensionalspace.Sound and movement make information come

alive.

2.In order toexperience that,some special pieces of software called plug-ins are necessary.The term"plug-in"refers to a small,add-on piece of software whichextends the

capabilities of yourweb browser,like Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Explorer,turning your computerinto a radio or TV.

3.When you open a webpage with a file requiring a plug-in which you don't have.you will usuallyreceive a message asking if you want to get it by downloading it and

installing it intoyour computer. Most of the time,the installation will be automatic.

4.Occasionally,youcome across a downloaded file which needs to be decompressed or unzipped beforeinstallation.Once installed,plug-ins run automatically,without you

having to doanything.

5.Many multimediacontrols still need to be obtained from the developer but are installed automatically.

6.Shockwave is atypical example of it. All you need to do is go to the Macromedia site andclick on the link to install the ActiveX control.The rest happensautomatically.The

next time you go toa"Shocked"website,the Shockwave control loads and plays the movie.

7.Most plug-ins andcontrols can be downloaded for free on the Internet,although not all will workwith every system.Some of them,for instance,only work with Windows 95.

Paragraph 1_______

A.Life online can becolorful.

B.How plug-ins areinstalled.

C.Plug-ins shouldnot be absent if you want to enjoy the Internet.

D.How Shockwave isinstalled and used.

E.No money ischarged for the use of plug-ins.