Web Helper Software

When using the web, you will sometimes come across a location that you cannot access without the assistance of a "helper" applications. These applications (pieces of software) will allow you to look at, hear or use applications that are not the plain "html" that makes up most of the web (the class web pages are all plain html). There are free versions of many of these that you can download if you are browsing the web on your computer at home.

Clicking on the links below will take you to a site that will let you download (transfer to your computer's hard disk) the appropriate version of each piece of software. Which version is appropriate depends on the type of computer or operating system that you have. Common operating systems are: Windows 95, Windows 3.11, MacIntosh, and OS/2. When you start your computer it will probably tell you what operating system you have.

You may have gotten some applications, helpers, and plug-ins when you got your browser.

• First
  Almost all of the applications below come in zipped (compressed) format which makes it faster to sent them across the internet. You need to be able to unzip them to use them. There are many utilities available to do this. Some work through your browser and others you use after you download the applications. If you go to Download.com's list of Zip programs you can see a number of choices. Of the ones for working through your browser eZip Wizard looks good for anyone with Windows. AutoZip 98 is free and looks good for Windows 95.
  
  
• Applications
  After downloading these you need to tell your browser where you have put them on your computer (that is the complete filename and the directory that you "save to" when you download them). In Netscape you go to Options, then select General Preferences, then Applications. Put the telnet application and the tn3270 application in the appropriate spots.
  

  
  
  TN3270 is the software you need to access CUNY+.
  

  TN3270 for Windows 3.11
  TN3270 for MacIntosh
  TN3270 for Windows95
  
  

  
  Telnet is what you need to be able to telnet to alpha so that you can read your email. You can also get FTP (for transfering files) at the first site below. This is very useful for when you are sending files to people (such as homework!).
  This site will also let you get telnet.
  If you have installed telnet correctly, clicking alpha should take you to the login screen for the alpha computer.
  If you have installed tn3270 correctly, clicking cuny+ whould take you to the login screen for cuny+.

  
  
• Helpers and plug ins
  

  These are just some of the possibilities. One thing you can also do is to click on the "more information" button that Netscape pops up with when you try to read a file type that requires a plug-in.

  To install these in Netscape, go to the options menu, select general prefrences, then go into helpers. Click on help to get instructions pon how to install. Of follow the instructions that come with them.

  Adobe Acrobat is what you need to be able to LOOK AT files that end with .pdf.
  

  QuickTime lets you watch many "movies" on the internet.
  

  RealPlayer lets you hear many sound files on the internet.
  
  
  

  Browsers
  

  Netscape will let you get an up to date version of Netscape. On most Internet Service Providers you can substitute Netscape or another browser such as Internet Explorer for the browser that they give you. Ask for the plug ins and for Java if it gives you a choice.

  Internet Explorer is the other major browser.

• Other

  There are thousands of other plug-ins and helpers; often you when you come to a web page that requires (or encourages) the use of a specific application it will have a link to a place that will let you download it. Download.com is one source for lots of them.

  Once you have downloaded an application to your computer you need to tell your browser (Netscape, Internet Explorer, AOL Browser for example) that you want to use it.

  Virus Protection

  Another thing that you should consider if you have a computer at home is virus protection. There are many special software packages that you can buy that will help you to protect yourself. However, if you are currently using no protection. it may be worth your while to at least some of the free protection available over the web. F-Prot and Virstop are two tried and true programs.These are shareware, which means that if you like them and use them you should send a payment to the authors. Instructions for this come with the package.


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