But shuttling is slow, since the server has to resend data, and high levels of compression are used, so quality is lower. This is a hybrid of methods 1 and 2. The file is downloaded to the computer, and the user must have enough disk space to store it in its entirety. But playback can start as soon as enough data has been downloaded so that the rate at which data is used in playback will not overtake the rate at which the network can deliver it. Distributing sounds through the Web is always dependent on the user's browser having the proper plug-ins or helper applications installed.
Many browsers come complete with the more popular plug-ins.
You can also put links to the download source of a plug-in right on the page. Your Web server must be configured to download files correctly. Most web servers will already be configured to deliver the more popular media files. If you link to a media file and get a web page of seemingly reandom text characters, your server may need to be configured. This can only be done by the web server administrator.