Plug-Ins

We provide information on our website in a variety of file formats. Most of these are readily handled by standard, up-to-date web browsers. If you have difficulty using the file formats described below, you may want to consider updating your browser or downloading and installing one of the free add-on programs, called "plug-ins", listed below.

Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF Files)

This plug-in allows users to view PDF files.

Flash Player (SWF files)

This plug-in allows users to access Flash animations, movies, etc.

Windows Media Player (various file formats)

This plug-in allows users to access streaming audio and video content.

Real Player (various file formats)

This plug-in allows users to access streaming audio and video content.

RSS Feed Readers or Aggregators (RSS and XML feeds)

RSS feed readers or aggregators are available, often for free, from a number of sources. Wikipedia provides a fairly detailed overview of RSS feeds and readers, as does c|net. SourceForge provides a selection of freeware readers (search for "RSS reader").

The folks at c|net provide a simple tutorial that should help you get you up to speed with feed readers. BBC News provides a similarly useful primer.

Podcast Aggregators (MP3 podcasts)

Podcast aggregators are available, often for free, from a number of sources. Wikipedia provides a fairly detailed overview of podcasting and podcast aggregators. SourceForge provides a selection of freeware readers (search for "podcast aggregator "). Apple's iTunes software is also available as a free download.

The BBC Radio website provides a simple tutorial that should help you get you up to speed with downloading and consuming podcasts.