Further examples

Click on the images below to download

Sample images using browser plugin This is a small piece of software downloaded once only (taking about 20 seconds) followed by a short download time for the image.	Sample image using a java applet   Slightly faster download time
(image supplied courtesy of iPix UK & Ireland)	(image supplied courtesy of iPix UK & Ireland)

What is a Plugin and what is an Applet

A plugin is a piece of software that is downloaded once and 'plugged-in' to the browser. It is a one-off operation and effectively extends the functionality of the browser on the users machine (until or if it is uninstalled).

An applet is similar in that it is also a piece of software but written in a specific programming language called java. This is downloaded each time for an image but the download is faster. One particular advantage with the applet approach is that the iPix viewer can optionally display a control panel with up/down/left/right buttons built into the viewer.

The choice lies between slow initial download but faster subsequent downloads (the plugin approach) OR

slightly slower downloads for each image (the applet approach).

The download times are of course very dependant on your connection speed. Broadband users will see an almost instant response whereas ISDN and 56k Modem  users will also see a fairly quick response. Slower modems will have to wait a little longer...