Shockwave, Instant Messenger, and Other Browser Add-Ons

[Donna Schumann]

We do not install Shockwave, Real Audio, Instant Messenger, or other
browser add-ons for our public access workstations. Our reasoning is that
the cumulative effect of the animation and sounds would eat up too much of
our precious bandwidth. We also don't do this because it's hard enough
keeping up with installing new software and upgrades and new computers
without trying to keep up with browser plug ins. So at this time, we limit
ourselves to Adobe Acrobat, a telnet client, and a mail client.

I need a reality check. I know that many libraries do install the latest
plug-ins for IE or Netscape. Are our concerns about plug-ins using more
bandwidth unfounded? I'm pretty confident that Real Audio and Real Video
would eat up bandwidth, but I'm not at all sure about Shockwave. 

I'd appreciate any wisdom on this. Thanks!

Donna


--------------------------------------------------------------
Donna Schumann                  Application System Specialist 
Timberland Regional Library     360-704-4542 FAX: 360-586-6838 
Olympia, Washington             schumann at timberland.lib.wa.us