The plug-in revolution began in the graphics world when third- parties enhanced Photoshop and other programs with specialized filters and add-ons that users loved. It should come as no surprise that Netscape 2.0's support for plug-ins ushered in a new era of multimedia Web browsing.
While helper applications can decode and open almost anything you find on the World Wide Web, they also require you to switch awkwardly between viewers, players, and your browser. It's a little like having to make a lane change every time you come across a movie or sound. Plug-ins alter the picture by allowing many formats to be experienced inline, played or viewed without leaving the page. The result is a smoother ride, but at a cost in memory. Documentation for several plug-ins suggests you start with 10 megabytes of RAM devoted to Netscape and work up from there.
Whether you're looking for long-distance telephony over the internet, a live rock concert, or artistic worlds in 3 dimensions, a plug-in or two will satisfy your browsing desires. Select one of the topic areas below, and open your browser up to some new possibilities.
