If you're reading this page on the Web, you already have everything you need to use TeachersFirst effectively. Some of the sites to which we link use additional "plug-in" programs which let you play sound files, view animations, and use other multimedia resources. For your convenience, we have included links to several of these tools. All of these tools are available from their manufacturers without charge. You may want to download these to enhance your experience with TeachersFirst. The procedure for downloading and installing them is simple. Just follow the directions provided by each manufacturer.

Adobe Acrobat® Reader

Acrobat lets web site operators "publish" files in a format that looks precisely like a printed page. Acrobat is especially useful for sharing instruction manuals, long reports, or files with lots of graphics, tables, or other non-text information. The Acrobat reader is available free from Adobe, and you can configure your browser to open Acrobat files automatically when you get them from the Web. This page also contains a link to download the Adobe e-book reader.

Click on the logo to download.

Cosmo Player

The Cosmo player lets you view and manipulate 3D and virtual reality displays, which are frequently used in sites dealing with art or outer space. If you have Netscape Communicator 4.x, the Cosmo player is already installed.

Live Picture Viewer

This plug-in lets users view panoramic pictures, click on specific areas to get more detailed information, and move from point to point in a "virtual room." Click on the logo to download.

 

Macromedia Flash & Shockwave

Flash/Shockwave has become the dominant standard for animated, interactive web presentations. The Flash player is bundled with many browsers. This link takes you to the most recent versions of the Flash and the Shockwave players for different browsers and operating systems. This is a popular tool for science simulations, games, and similar applications.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

Explorer is Microsoft's web browser. Click on the explorer logo to download.

MrSID Image Viewer

MrSID images are compact, high-resolution images that retain their image quality at any level of magnification.They are used extensively by the Library of Congress and several other museum and archive sites. While most sites have on-line viewers, this off-line viewer will let users manipulate images more extensively for their own use.

Netscape Navigator

Netscape's browser. Click on the Navigator logo to download.

Quick-Time

One of the oldest and most used animation plug-ins, Apple continues to update quicktime, and many sites rely on it for viewing video clips. The Quicktime player will also handle a wide range of other audio and video formats.

Real Player

The media player from Real.com has evolved into a complete streaming audio/video service offering sports events, radio stations, and other services. Educational sites use the system to let students listen to famous speeches, supreme court arguments, and radio from around the world. We've provided a link to the free player; an upgraded version is available for $30.

Windows Media Player

Microsoft's multi-media player is becoming ubiquitous. Click on the logo to download the latest version of the Media Player.