To enjoy the full dynamic experience of interactive web sites brought into reality by broadband, it's necessary to install a number of bolt-on programs for your internet browser, known as plug-ins. Microsoft have decided to call them Add-ons and you can view, enable and disable them via the Tools menu of Internet Explorer. This page covers all the main plug-ins and all are free.

All the links below are to each plug-in's proprietary web site, ensuring a safe download. But do beware... some try to force other freebies upon you, such as toolbars and photo albums, by including them with your download unless you request it not to be. By all means have the freebies but don't cry when you finish up with more toolbars than screen area to view your web pages.

Where and Why...

 Adobe Reader - Previously called Acrobat Reader, the latest is version 8. Lets you view the very popular PDF file format. Adobe Reader 8 requires Windows XP or Vista but previous versions are readily available for older operating systems. More» or Download»
CAUTION... when downlaoding untick the Yahoo! Toolbar and the Photoshop Album.

Adobe Flash Player - Previously called Macromedia Flash Player, the latest is version 9. Lets you view web pages containing Flash content such as streaming video, audio and animation. More» or Download»
CAUTION... when downloading untick the Google Toolbar.

A great way to get the latest Flash version is to visit the Adobe website and visit one of their demo pages where they show off some amazing Flash menus. They check your version and install the latest if you haven't already got it.

Adobe Shockwave Player - Previously called Macromedia Shockwave, the latest being version 10. Lets you view web pages containing Shockwave content such as streaming video, audio and animation. More» or Download»
CAUTION... None (which is refreshing).

Java - From Sun Microsystems, the latest being version 6. Lets you view web content such as e-commerce that are written in the Java programing language. Not to be confused with JavaScript which is very common on web pages and does not require any plug-in. More» or Download»
CAUTION... when downloading untick the Google Toolbar.

Windows Media Player - From Microsoft and has been part of the Windows operating system since Windows 98, the latest being Windows Media Player 10. Lets you view video files and listen to audio files. More» or Download»

RealPlayer - From RealNetworks, the latest for Windows being version 10.5. Lets you view video files and listen to audio files and is an alternative to the Windows Media Player. You'll need this one installed if you enjoy the rich content found on the huge BBC web site.. More» or Download»
CAUTION... when registering untick the free Toolbar download and after installation you'll start getting pop-up ads bottom right of your desktop... right-click the Ad and choose Preferences, untick all the options and save and the pop-ups will stop.

QuickTime - From Apple, the latest for Windows being version 7. Lets you view video files and listen to audio files and is an alternative to the Windows Media Player. You'll need this one installed if you have a iPod and you're into iTunes. More» or Download»
CAUTION... Doesn't seem to like Windows Vista yet. When downloading make sure you don't choose the QuickTime 7 with iTunes, unless you require iTunes. Untick all the weekly and bi-weekly mail shots.