Computer Upgrade Center
Internet Browsers Having a current internet browser can vastly improve your web experience, as you can take advantage of the recent innovations in web technology.   How can you tell if you need an upgrade? If the version of your browser is below 4.0, or is one of Netscape's highly flawed 4.0-4.4 versions, upgrading is a virtual must. To find out the version number of your browser, simply go to the "Help" menu on the top menubar of your browser and select the "About (Internet Explorer or Netscape)." A window should pop up with the version number listed. Still doubting that you need an upgrade? If you recently got a new computer (and I mean a year or so ago), then you probably do not. However, if you do have an old, decrepit browser, then try to think of it this way: an old browser is like an old, rusty car that only barely gets you where you need to go -- you may be able to drive it, but you can't try anything exciting nor do you want to be seen behind the wheel.   Once you determine if you are in need of an upgrade, download the latest version of your favorite web browser to view the internet the way it was meant to be viewed.  The best part is its free!
	Internet Explorer 5.5  Microsoft's popular web browser and one of the main reason's the government sued the giant corporation for anti-trust violations.  Despite what you may think of the company, we highly recommend this for PC users.
Optional features include: Outlook Express 5 -- a free and extremely popular e-mail client. Front Page Express -- a scaled-down version of their web authoring tool. There are two ways to get this program: Download and install it from the web. This method could take more than an hour, depending on your internet connection. Recommended for single-computer installations and for those with fast internet connections. Purchase the CD. For a small fee, Netscape will send the CD-ROM to your office. Recommended for computers with slow internet connections, people who are in a hurry, or for installation on multiple computers. Download Now for Windows! Download Now for Mac!
	Netscape Navigator/Communicator -- Netscape pioneered the web browser business, and to the chagrin of those who still kick themselves about not getting in on this IPO, they were purchased by America Online.
You can download the browser alone (the Navigator) or choose the more complete suite of internet tools that come with the Communicator. We recommend this for Mac users. Communicator includes: Netscape Navigator Netscape Messenger -- a decent, functional e-mail client. web page editor There are two ways to get this program: Download and install it from the web. This method could take more than an hour, depending on your internet connection. Recommended for single-computer installations with very fast internet connections. Purchase the CD. For a small fee, Netscape will send the CD-ROM to your office. This is by far the easiest way because the installation time is a fraction of what it takes to download and install from the web. Recommended for computers with slow or internet connections, people who are in a hurry, or for installation on multiple computers. Get Netscape Now!
E-mail Clients Take advantage of mail filtering, address book management and a host of other features by upgrading your e-mail software. Its free, so why not make your life a little easier?
	Outlook Express 5.5 Included with the Internet Explorer suite of tools, this is the most popular e-mail program out there. There are several reasons to upgrade to a new version, including enhanced security features that will (hopefully) cut back on the amount of damage done when new e-mail distributed viruses come on the scene.
	A company that has been around as long as e-mail itself, Eudora has an e-mail program with a loyal set of followers who wouldn't dare switch to another program. Widely considered the # 1 e-mail program, its technology is benefitting from the deep pockets of its parent company, Qualcomm.
As with most e-mail clients, there are free versions and professional versions for those who like extra, time-saving features. Download Eudora Now!
Download Pegasus Mail Now!	Pegasus Mail is one of the best e-mail programs for the serious and advanced e-mail user. However, it is probably more robust than the average user really needs. Available for PC users only.
Document Readers To view documents that can be viewed online or downloaded from this site, you must have the following free application, which may already be on your computer:
	Adobe Acrobat Reader is fast becoming the industry standard for sharing documents on the web in a form that is easy to use, and unalterable. It is completely free and a must-have for any professional. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader
Multimedia Viewers Download the latest versions of the following applications for handling video, sound, animation, graphics, text, and music. We recommend that you have all three, industry standard formats to view materials in the DirectorCenter and elsewhere on the web.
	With over 25 million users worldwide, Apple's Quicktime is becoming the most popular distributed media technology for Windows and Mac OS based computers. The latest version is Apple's best yet, handling video, sound, animation, graphics, text, music and 360-degree virtual reality scenes. Download Quicktime for Mac or PC
The Microsoft Windows Media Player is an outstanding media application that is the first all in one player, making it exceptionally efficient and easy to use. Its seven features include a CD player, an audio and video player, a media jukebox, a media guide, an internet radio, a portable device music file transfer and an audio CD burner. Download Windows Media Player for Mac or PC
	More and more companies are employing Macromedia Flash and Shockwave, the professional standards for producing high impact web experiences, to enhance the appearance of their websites. To seamlessly view content created with Flash or Shockwave (including this website), we suggest that you download the free Macromedia Shockwave Flash Player.