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SOUPING UP YOUR WEB BROWSER
The standard versions of the Internet Explorer and Navigator Web browsers are a bit like cars with no option packages: they’ll get you where you want to go, but that’s about it.

If you want to take full advantage of all the resources available on the Internet, you’ll need to outfit your Web browser with some specialized software. A simple Internet search for browser utilities and add-ons will return literally thousands of options.

Where do you start? How about with these basic necessities?

File compression software. File compression is used extensively on the Internet to shrink large files for easier downloading over slow modem connections. Windows users will recognize the ".zip" file extension used to indicate a file compressed in the zip format, while Macintosh users often send "stuffed" files with a ".sit" extension. Both of these types of files must be decompressed before they can be used.

There are many compression software packages available on the Web. Look for a package that features a graphical interface and "drag-and-drop" compressing and decompressing. For an extensive list of compression utilities, including links for downloading, visit the ZDNet Downloads Directory at "www.zdnet.com/downloads" and look for compression tools under the "Utilities & Tools" menu.

Acrobat Reader. Many Web sites, including ADA.org, offer downloadable publications as PDF, or Portable Document Format, files. A PDF file is a compact, digital "snapshot," generally of a document created for traditional print publishing, that can be easily downloaded, viewed and printed. PDF files offer an easy way for organizations to post information online with the guarantee that users will see a faithful reproduction of the original. All that is needed to view and print PDF files is Adobe Systems’ Acrobat Reader software, which can be downloaded free of charge at "www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html".

Download manager. Although both the Windows and Macintosh platforms include utilities for downloading files from the Internet, there are numerous software programs, many of them available for free, that offer an extended set of features to make file downloading easier, faster and more convenient.

Among the options found in many download managers are a scheduling utility that will connect to the Internet and download a file at a predetermined time, an auto-reconnect feature to resume downloading if your modem connection is lost during a file transfer and advanced management features to choose the fastest download site. Consult the ZDNet Downloads Directory under "Internet" to see what is available.

Strong encryption. As discussed in the June CyberNews column, 128-bit—or strong—encryption is usually recommended for conducting e-commerce transactions over the Internet. In fact, many Web sites that specialize in financial transactions, such as banks and financial services providers, now require strong encryption to conduct business online.

Upgrading your browser to strong encryption is fairly easy. Internet Explorer users can download a small piece of software to upgrade their current browser to 128-bit encryption. Netscape users, however, must download a full version of the company’s strong encryption browser to make the upgrade. America Online users will have to download Internet Explorer or Navigator to use 128-bit encryption.

Joe Hoyle, electronic media editor, ADA Publishing, a division of ADA Business Enterprises, Inc., "hoylej{at}ada.org".

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