Helper Applications and Plug-ins

This lesson will feature a few of the Internet's more interesting tools: helper applications and plug-ins.

Helper Applications: A Little Help From My Friends

You can use web browsers to view many images and text from WWW sites, but they may not be able to play movies or sounds on their own. Neither can web browsers expand files which have been compressed (file archives on the Internet are often compressed to save space and to speed transmission). Because of these limitations, we need to discuss helper applications and plug-ins--extra software that makes these additional capabilities available.

Here are some of the above-mentioned file types and their associated file extensions (special 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-letter codes appended to the end of file name) so you'll know when you might need a helper:

Here are the file types again, this time with some of the most popular helper applications listed:

Web browsers come pre-set to look for helper applications when they encounter files or servers with which they need help. Sometimes this is called registering. If you already have a copy of the needed helper application on your hard drive, it will probably be opened automatically--if you have enough memory. This seamless switching between one program and another is so smooth, some users don't even know it's happening. Even if you don't have the helper on your hard drive, don't throw away the (apparently) non-operative file you've downloaded--you should save the file and then view it later when you have access to that particular helper application.

What's the difference between a plug-in and a helper application? Basically, a plug-in is a piece of software that expands the capability of another program (such as a web browser). A plug-in cannot run on its own. A helper application is a separate piece of software that works in tandem with another program. A helper application can run on its own if the need arises.

Both web browsers use helper applications and plug-ins. But there's another related web-based technology about which you should know.

Java: Not Just For Drinking Anymore

Java is a flexible programming language which is very popular on the Web because it can be configured to run on any computer platform (actually it's the other way around--the computers are configured to run Java--but you techies knew that already!). With Java, a web page designer can develop a small custom application (called an applet) to perform a very specific function such as retrieving stock quotes or playing a game. The key is that any computer (Mac, PC, Unix) can run Java applets, making Java perfect for the technologically heterogeneous Internet.

How does it work? The applet is downloaded from the web site to your computer when you need it. It is then available to your computer to perform the operation you seek. When you leave the web site, it is discharged (flushed, if you will). It's the essence of economy--there when you need it, gone when you don't need it.

Both of the major web browsers, the Mac OS, and the newest versions of Windows come Java-ready. Java applets are taking over some of the functions formerly performed by helper applications and plug-ins. If Larry Ellison at Oracle can be believed, Java will someday replace operating systems (like Windows and Mac OS). We'll see. In any case, Java is a technology worth noting.

Not counting Java applets, there are over 150 plug-ins or helper applications available--and this number is growing every day. They play movies and music, render complex virtual reality images, and many other operations. You don't need all, or even most, of these helpers to surf the Web, but some such as StuffIt, PKZip, Flash, Shockwave and QuickTime are becoming ubiquitous.

Web browsers allow you to view and change their lists of helper applications and plug-ins. This can be viewed in Internet Explorer and Netscape by choosing the "Helper Applications" window within the "Preferences..." option found under the Edit (for Internet Explorer) or Options (for Netscape Navigator) menus. Most of the helper applications discussed here are freeware or shareware. Copies of many of the helper applications and plug-ins can be downloaded from sites on the Internet.

So, there you have it--more buzzwords to add to your ever growing list of "techie" terms! Amaze your friends and see if you can drop "Java," "StuffIt," and "JPEG" into your next conversation. Have fun!

Internet Lessons version 1.8. Copyright of lessons (C) 2007 by Joseph A. Erickson, All Rights Reserved. Permission Granted for Individual Usage.

If you plan to distribute multiple copies of this work, please contact the author.

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