RECOMMENDED BROWSERS
The ALPA website has been optimized for use with Internet Explorer browsers, versions 8 and above, as well as Mozilla Firefox, version 7 and above.  Users of other browsers like Chrome or Safari should not experience difficulty using the site althought there may be some technical elements that require additional research and configuration as browsers and their versions evolve. Earlier versions of these browsers may not support frames, Java, and/or cookies, all of which are used on the members-only portion of ALPA’s site. To determine the version of the Internet browser you are using, please choose Help:About from your browser's menu and include that on any issue you report.

PLUG-INS
Web browser plug-ins are necessary for full use of all areas on the ALPA site. A plug-in is a small, free program that helps you view Internet content. Downloaded and installed plug-ins allow you to expand compressed files, play and copy CDs, view .pdf files, play sound and multimedia clips, and view Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel files, even if you don’t have Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, or Excel software loaded on your computer. Important note: You may download the following free plug-ins from the manufacturers’ websites. In each case, follow the download and installation directions posted on the site.

COMPRESSED FILE EXPANSION SOFTWARE
Zipped or compressed files have had their file sizes reduced in order to save space and to simplify matters for file storage, transport, and copying. File expansion software expands and decodes compressed files downloaded from the Web or received as e-mail file attachments. Many newer computers already come equipped with the capability to read and create these files.  If you need additional resources, WinZip and StuffIt Expander are two popular file expansion programs that are available for from the following websites. Download the evaluation version of WinZip or Aladdin Systems’s StuffIt Expander for your Windows or Macintosh system

ACROBAT READER
Adobe Acrobat Reader software lets you view and print PDF files. Download the current version of Adobe Acrobat Reader for your Windows or Macintosh system Download an earlier version of Adobe Acrobat Reader for your Windows or Macintosh system

REAL MEDIA PLAYER
If you want to listen to and view Real Media clips, especially VARS (Code-A-Phone) messages, you may want to download the Real Media Player.

WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER
Installing Microsoft Windows Media Player will let you play streaming and downloadable digital, audio and video files, and other Internet content, as well as play CDs and copy them to your PC. Media Player supports a wide variety of audio and video formats and bandwidths. Go to the Microsoft Download Center to search for the correct Microsoft Windows Media Player for your system.

MICROSOFT VIEWERS
Viewers for Microsoft products such as Microsoft Office viewers (i.e., Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) let you view documents presented in these formats without having the software loaded on your computer. Go to the Microsoft Download Center to search for the appropriate viewer. Downloads are available for both Windows and Macintosh operating systems. Search for the product and version you would like to download to your computer. For example, from their Product/Technology dropdown box, choose Word, then click the Go button.