Plug-ins are extra bits of software that jazz up your Web browser by helping it play videos and sound bites, getting it to talk back and interact with you. With plug-ins you can listen to music; watch animations or video clips; even play arcade-style games - all right in your Web browser.

A word of caution to our members ...

Sympatico Member Services doesn't offer technical support for any browser plug-ins. If you get into plug-in trouble, we won't be able to help! (Though you may well find the answer in our plug-ins forum.)

Plug-ins 101

What they are, how they work and how to get them.

The Major Players

The lowdown on the most popular plug-ins and where you can get them. These include:

Plug-ins Unplugged

Do you really need them? Why are they free? Will they slow things down? Are they worth the trouble? What all can go wrong? The details on the up and down sides of using plug-ins.

Built-Ins

Netscape and Microsoft are including more and more plug-ins as standard options that have been built right in.

The Future

We get Canadian Internet expert Jim Carroll's views on the future of browser plug-ins on the World Wide Web.

Plug-in Forum

Plug in to our discussion forum and share your own thoughts and experiences. This is the place to get (and give) expert (and sometimes not-so-expert) advice and information on all plug-in issues.

Once you have read these pages, please vote in our poll!

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