I have Windows XPPro right now(and that is suitable at this moment) I have noted that if you just go with what Windows gives you then you get to view jpegs and gifs(such as what is used in advertising on some web sites).
I discovered when viewing another persons computer - theirs was all different. Much more action was happening on the screen(much more in the way of animated advertising).
I have to use the "advertising example" because I figure it is the most common item out there and attached to many websites as a source of income...or whatever.
So, what was different? [and all this was in the days of Win98] They were viewing on Netscape.
Okay. It sold me right there and then and I looked into it at that time.
Well Netscape was more eye catching on my machine but still not as active as what I saw.
I then discovered Adobe, and Macromedia player(yes, still a separate company at that time; and flash player.
Much more animation to the ads, especially on Netscape. Now I have switched to Firefox and basically do not look through I.E.(which seems like a dead dog run over twice.)
But am I up to speed with the applications.?
To get a "full internet experience" other than Adobe Flashplayer.
I do not know and kind of "lucked into downloading Adobe and using it at the time."
I have Java, Apple QuickTime,MS Powerpoint, Realplayer, WMP
Am I still missing something (to see what is naturally there)?
Appreciate any input(I am not considering Win7 because I got to buy the whole package deal and finances are not there yet or for awhile.)
I am DSL
Also, does this work on I.E.? Not for me, for a bud who is a noobie and has Vista.(lucky $hit >tongue in cheek<)
Appreciate the knowledge you can impart.
hardware
prices 
