There are two categories of web utilities:

• Plug-ins
  • Programs that automatically load and operate as part of your browser.
  • Many web sites require plug-ins for users to fully experience web page contents.
  • Some widely used plug-ins are:
    • Shockwave
    • Quicktime
           
• Helper Applications (add-ons)
  • Independent programs that can be executed or launched from your browser.
  • Four types of helper applications are:
    • Off-line browsers
      • automatically connects you to selected web sites
      • downloads HTML documents
      • saves them to your hard disk
      • documents can be read later without connecting to the Internet
      • Example:
        • FlashSite

        

    • Information pushers
      • automatically gathers information on topics areas (channels)
      • sends them to your hard disk
      • information can be read later without being connected to the Internet
      • Examples:
        • PointCast
        • Backweb
            
    • Off-line search utilities
      • automatically submits your search request to several search engines.
      • receives the results, sorts them, eliminate duplicates
      • Examples:
        • Metacrawler
        • Dogpile
            
    • Filters
      • Programs that can allow parents or organizations to block out selected sites.
      • Can monitor usage and generate reports detailing time spent on activities.
      • Examples:
        • Cyber Patrol
        • Cybersitter
        • Net Nanny

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