Web Browsers and Plug-ins

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To ensure the most successful Web experience, we recommendversion 7 of Microsoft Internet Explorer (version 8 coming soon), version 3 of Firefox, or Safari 3.0 (for both Mac and Windows).

We do not recommend Web TV or the AOL browser, though they will probably work with most Web pages. If you've used the same browser for more than a year or so, consider downloading newer software (just follow the links below).

As technology improves, many Web pages use techniques that require the latest browsers to view them. Sites that displayed fine last year with an older browser may not even load this year. But browsers alone aren't responsible for today's amazing Web pages. To enhance the Web experience, authors embed interactive, multimedia components to provide you with audio, video, and motion (animation).

If you ever visit one of these pages and nothing happens, or if you get an error about a missing "plug-in" or "extension" then you probably don't have the necessary software components. Hopefully, you'll receive some sort of instruction or well-written erorr message that explains how to download and install that plug-in (most are free).

The most popular plug-ins today are the Adobe Acrobat Reader, the Adobe Flash media player, the QuickTime media player, and RealOne players (formerly RealPlayer and before that, Real Audio).

Click on the links below to download the latest version of these useful Internet tools (plug-ins include Acrobat, Flash and Real Player).

		Adobe Acrobat is commonly used to view a variety of documents in their native formats, without the need for you to own that software. Note: if you have an old version, you may not be able to view newer files (including MU e-reserves). If you're not sure which version you have, download the latest version.
		Flash is used for animated or interactive Web content. It's fairly fast and compact, and displays almost the same on any type of computer or browser.
		Microsoft's Internet Explorer is the world's most popular Web browser (though most prone to hacker attacks). No longer supported by Macs (use Firefox or Safari instead).
		Many experts consider Firefox the best browser on the planet. Available for all types of computers, Firefox was created by the non-profit Mozilla Organization. But note that Firefox does not support specialized Microsoft content (though there is now an awesome Firefox extension called IE-Tab that can emulate IE7, even for accessing Windows updates).
		The preferred browser for Mac (Apple) users, version 3 is a respected browser and now available for PCs, though it's still unproven. Note: version 1 was problematic and version 2-3 requires Mac OS X v10.4.9 or later.
[No longer supported]		Once the predominant Web browser, Netscape now accounts for only about 5% of all web browsers. After many years of neglect versions 8-9 were quite impressive, but then in 2007 they threw in the towel and ended development. They now recommend users switch to Firefox.
		QuickTime is another popular media player from Apple that provides stunning video and crisp audio. It is compatible with both Macs and PCs.
		RealOne (formerly RealPlayer) was one of the first major plug-ins to provide enhanced multimedia content to Web users. Today it is still one of the most widely used players to experience audio and video over the Internet. (requires external speakers)
		Shockwave is simply Flash on steroids. Typical uses include games, music videos, and very intricate learning environments.

• 56 Kpbs modem and Internet account
  (high-speed Cable or DSL recommended)

• 16-bit sound card and speakers

• 65,000-color video display card set at 800x600 resolution or higher

• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 (recommend upgrade), Firefox 2, Safari 2
  (do NOT use the AOL Browser; Safari users should use version 3)

• Anti-Virus Software (e.g. Norton or McAfee)

• Free Plug-ins: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Flash Player, RealOne (RealPlayer)

• 1.3 GHz Pentium 4, Celeron, Core Duo, or AMD Athlon processor

• 512 MB of RAM (at least 1 Gb for Vista or any new computer)

• Windows XP or Vista operating system (2000 ok, but upgrade recommended)

• Microsoft Office Standard Edition, version 2000 or higher (2007 latest)

• Power Mac G4 (1.25 GHz or better)

• Mac OS X (OS 9 suggests very old hardware)

• 512 MB RAM (1 Gb or more recommended)

• Office 2004 (Office 2008 released Jan 08)