Appendix C

Obtaining Software -- Shareware Archives

Most of the software mentioned in the HTML 4.0 Sourcebook is available over the Internet, and, in many cases, chapters list URLs pointing to sites archiving the executable versions or source code for these programs. However, you may find that a program has moved and is no longer available at the indicated location, or you may be looking for software (such as a Web browser) for which locations were not provided. This appendix is for you--it lists useful sites for locating browsers and freeware and shareware software. Remember, however, that you should always check downloaded software for viruses. Virus issues are discussed at the end of this appendix.

Obtaining Browsers

Most users want to access browser or browser-related software sites on a regular basis, to obtain upgraded versions, new plug-ins, or improved helper applications. In this regard, the most popular browsers are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft's Internet Explorer. The following section gives the URLs needed to obtain software appropriate for these two applications. It conclude with URLs that provide information about other browsers.

Netscape Navigator

http://home.netscape.com/comprod/mirror/index.html
http://home.netscape.com/comprod/products/navigator/version_2.0/plugins/index.html
http://home.netscape.com/assist/helper_apps/index.html

Microsoft Internet Explorer–Related Downloads

http://www.microsoft.com/msdownload/

Information About Other Browser

http://www.yahoo.com/Computers_and_Internet/Software/Internet/World_Wide_Web/Browsers/       (Yahoo list of browsers)
http://www.browsercaps.com/       (Browsecaps -- Browser Capabilities)

Shareware Archive Sites

There are several sites on the Web that house searchable catalogs of Web-accessible freeware and shareware. However, the organization and content of these catalogs varies greatly, so there is unfortunately no one best place for finding everything. If you don't succeed at one site, just try another--the catalogs are quite easy to use.

The following gives some of the popular archive sites, and lists the platforms and operating systems supported in each archive. Many of these archives have mirror sites--for fast service, use the one closest to you.

Shareware.com (DOS, Windows 3.1/95/NT, Macintosh, OS/2, Novell, UNIX)

http://www.shareware.com

TUCOWS--The Ultimate Collection of Windows Shareware (Windows 3.1/95/NT)

http://www.tucows.com

SimTel Archive (DOS, Windows 3.1/95/NT, Macintosh, OS/2)

http://www.coast.net/SimTel/

Info-Mac Macintosh Shareware Sites (Macintosh)

http://www.pht.com/info-mac/

OS/2 Archives (OS/2)

http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/
http://www.teamos2.org/
http://www.leo.org/archiv/os2/

UNIX/Linux Archive

http://www.tvtoday.de/NAVIGATOR/shareware/unix.html

Yahoo Lists of Software Resource Sites

http://www.yahoo.com/Computers_and_Internet/Software/
http://www.yahoo.com/Computers_and_Internet/Software/Shareware/

Virus Protection

Anytime you download programs from the Internet onto your own computer, you run the risk of importing a computer virus. The results can be catastrophic--some viruses can (and will!) destroy the entire contents of your hard disk! To avoid this eventuality, you should install virus detection software, and should use this software to check all downloaded files. You should also keep this software up-to-date, as new computer viruses appear almost as quickly as new Web software packages! Computer viruses are a major problem, and the minimal cost and effort of buying and installing virus protection software are certainly justified by the benefits.