In 1997 the Internet saw a great deal of expansion and improvement. Utilizing the latest advances of the Internet requires the latest software upgrades.

This week The Internet Tutor ranks the best Internet-related software of 1997. Some favorites are repeats of last year (the best keep getting better) and some are new.

I have included the latest version numbers of the Windows 95 editions so you can compare your version with the current one and decide if you may need to upgrade. Release numbers for other operating systems may be different and some programs are not available for Macintosh. You can usually check under your help menu to find the version number of your current software.

ACDSee32 version 2.22 starts this years list of best software. If you download graphics for later viewing and there is nothing faster or more feature-laden. You can quickly view individual graphic files or create instant "slide shows."

Often you may run across sites that have long documents for you to read or print out. Almost all require Adobe Acrobat Reader to read them. Get version 3.01 and you can also search the text within.

If you want to keep tabs when your friends get online so you can chat or send them files, you need ICQ 98a. A twisted acronym for "I seek you," this program allows quick one-on-one or group chat and you can drag files directly to your intended recipients.

RealPlayer 5.0 is the 1997 top choice for streaming audio and video viewing. Most news sites use RealVideo and RealAudio clips to enhance their site. You can listen to live radio stations or watch live events across the world as they happen. The 5.0 version also includes support for Macromedia Flash files, which are becoming increasingly popular.

While RealVideo is king of streaming video, Macromedia Shockwave (in a variety of versions) is still the "Top Dog" for short video clips and animations. You have probably visited sites already that could have been enhanced by Showckwave.

QuickTime 2.1.2 by Apple Computer, Inc. is the long-time favorite for longer videos. Version 3.0 is in preview or "Beta" mode right now, which means you can get the fully operational version soon.

For Web browsing, you need Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 and Netscape Communicator 4.04. Both can view most any created Web page, allow your to read electronic mail, newsgroups or create your own Web pages. I keep current versions of both because I inevitably run across Web pages that can only function or view completely under one or the other, but not both.

While both have e-mail packages that will work well for most anyone, if you have multiple e-mail accounts to manage (as I do) and want the very best, buy Eudora Pro 4.0.

To keep the Internet safe and clean for kids, consider getting Cyber Patrol 4.0. This Web, chat, newsgroup and file filtering software helps you control what your kids experience on the Internet.

For virus checking programs, the simple ones are still some of the best. F-PROT 2.28 for DOS will run under Windows or Windows 95 and is updated every three months with the latest protections. Disinfectant 3.7.1 for Macintosh can be searched for at Mac Download and is one of the first programs to eradicate Mac viruses.

If you want to maximize your Internet experience in 1998, download these programs and find out what you have been missing.