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What Is It?

Adobe Shockwave Player is a multimedia playback software application that allows users to view interactive Web content from a Web browser. According to the Macromedia Web site, over 480 million Web users have installed the Shockwave Player. Shockwave Player displays Web content that has been created by Adobe (Macromedia) Director.

Shockwave Player version 10.1 is the latest update of the Player. This version provides fixes for issues identified since the release of the previous 10.0 version. These include, but are not limited to, signed components for Microsoft Windows XP SP2 compatibility, changes to the installation process, which includes an offer to install the Yahoo Companion Toolbar for Windows Internet Explorer users, and an updated Flash Asset Xtra to support the use of Flash 8 authored SWF files.

Who Is it For?

The Shockwave Player is free, easy to download and operate, and is available to everyone with a computer and a personal Internet connection. Users are invited to produce Shockwave content with Macromedia Director.

Features

Some users may confuse Macromedia’s Flash with Shockwave Player, but each tool has a distinct purpose. Flash Player delivers fast loading front-end web applications, high-impact Web site user interaction, interactive online advertising, and short to medium form animation. Shockwave Player, on the other hand, displays destination Web content such as interactive multimedia product demos and training, e-merchandising applications, and rich-media multi-user games. Through “Xtras,” Shockwave Player is also extendable to playback custom-built applications such as games, business presentations, entertainment and advertisements.

In addition to a download offered through the Macromedia site and other download sites, Adobe has entered into a distribution agreement with Google. As part of that agreement, customers can choose the option of installing the free Google Toolbar as part of the Shockwave Player installation process.

Compatibility

Shockwave Player is adaptable for all versions of Windows from Win 98 to Netscape 7.1. However, Netscape Navigator 6.0 does not support the Shockwave Player. Netscape Navigator 6.0 users can find more documentation about this issue on the site. Macintosh Classic and Mac OS X users also have access to the Player, but some known issues exist. These issues are addressed at the Macromedia Shockwave site.

Many other browsers provide support for Netscape and Internet Explorer plug-ins and ActiveX controls. Usually, the Shockwave Player can be installed in these browsers in the same manner as with Netscape and Internet Explorer. Although support for functionality depends on the browser, users can usually successfully install Macromedia Shockwave Player directly from Adobe’s Shockwave Player Download Center.

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