Software

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Software Comparison
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Prototype Development
Users can be involved in testing design ideas by
developing packages known as prototypes.
Developing prototypes is an integral part of the
iterative user-centred design process It is an
integral aspect of HCI development. There are
many software development packages available on
the market. Knowing which to use is the problem!
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Needs

• Choosing the right package for the job is related
  to the requirements of the job, and needs to
  address-
• A variety of file formats (graphics, sound and
  video)
• Interaction with the media
• Ease of use but allowing complex constructs
• Integrated management of media
• The ability to print media and text (within the
  package
• and within the developed software)

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Application of Multimedia

• CBT
• Point of sale material
• Product demos
• Information kiosks
• Games
• Edutainment
• Resource development
• Internet
• Interactive TV

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Requirements

• Standalone, runtime executable
• Internet Support
• Import wide range of file formats
• Media manipulation
• Animation controls
• Standard user interface controls
• Useable interface to handle complexity

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Measures

• The software needs flexibility and power to
  enable it to meet varying development needs.
• Usability
• Productivity
• The speed at which it can be developed
• Intuitiveness
• ? Need for manuals or help facilities
• Satisfaction
• Features of product

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Measures
Prototyping enables the system developer to test
their ideas within a flexible framework. That
framework is only as flexible as the method
utilised to develop it The right development
software must be chosen for the project. This
means that the developer may have to assess
several development systems to find the right one.
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Methods and tools
DTI guidelines for prototyping
Method 1 Rapid (throw-away)
Tool Representational requirements and design can
be quickly created using screen painters, forms
systems, report generators, and menu systems,
Hypermedia and VHLL (very high level
languages) HyperCard, SuperCard,
HyperStudio Multimedia Builder.
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Methods and tools
DTI guidelines for prototyping
Method 2 Evolutionary
Tool Utilisation of the same software that will
be used to implement the system. All changes are
progressed on the model following
evaluation. VisualC, RealBasic,
VisualBasic, Director, Prograph CPX etc
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Methods and tools
DTI guidelines for prototyping
Method 3 Incremental
Tool Re-usable software and highly modular
languages can be more useful as pieces are
Bolted-on to gradually produce the
system. Scripting languages, Xtensions etc.
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Factors influencing

• What is the intention?
• How interactive will it be?
• What user responses do you want?
• Will it have sound?
• Will it have animation?
• Will it have video or DVD?
• Will it have live peripherals midi etc?
• How flexible does it need to be?

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Card/Page based

• Can have 1,000s cards or pages
• Development window and thumbnails
• Drag drop elements
• Cannot create fine control needed for animation
• Allows jumps, interactivity, navigation
• Above relies on simple scripting
• Poor visual guide to structure of application
  except linear structures

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Card/Page based Multimedia Builder
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Card/Page based HyperStudio - SuperCard
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Flow-chart Authorware

• b Lacks versatile animation tools
• Provides good control over interactivity
• Uses icons which represent tools.
• Uses few windows with interrelated dialog boxes
  for interactivity and simple animation.
• Two Main Windows
• b Design window flow chart icon driven
  to show structure
• b Presentation window to preview

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Flow-chart based Authorware
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Timebased Director

• Application created is a Projector.exe which
  plays
• Director Film files. ( Shockwave format for
  web)
• Visual logic display good for producing complex
• stand-alone applications.
• Can create complex applications without the need
  for
• scripting, but does have scripting capability.
• i Can be quick and easy to create basic
  structures.
• Can be difficult to learn because of multiple
  windows,
• but windows interconnected.

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Timebased Director
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Timebased Flash

• File needs related flash player on host platform
• Visual logic display good for producing complex
  interactivity and animation.
• Can be quick and easy to create basic structures.
• Can be difficult to learn because of multiple
  windows, but windows interconnected.

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Timebased Flash
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OOPs Visual Basic RealBasic VisualC

• Integrated development environments based on
  Object Orientated Programming (OOPs).
• Highly visual graphic interface
• Basic language easily understood
• Structure based on drag drop objects
  buttons,
• text fields, picture boxes, windows etc.
• Object have basic scripting embedded into them.
• Programmes create self running .exe
  applications.

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OOPs Visual Basic RealBasic VisualC
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OOPs Visual Basic RealBasic VisualC
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OOPs VIPC Prograph CPX

• Visual Programming Languages based on Object
  Orientated Programming (OOPs).
• Highly visual graphic interface
• Supports dataflow specification
• Supports inheritance of classes (Animal (class)
  
• Bird (subclass) with linked inheritance of
  attributes.
• Object have scripting embedded into them. You
  simply define parameters.
• Programmes create self running .exe
  applications.

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OOPs VIPC Prograph CPX
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OOPs VIPC Prograph CPX
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Web-based (html)
Much of web based design is highly interactive.
Web site development software can also be used
for multimedia software design The CD package
Encyclopaedia Britannica is browser
driven. Applications such as Dreamweaver, Flash,
Fireworks, Netscape and Explorer can be used to
develop multimedia packages.
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Web-based (html)

• Highly Visual drag drop development
  environment
• Do not need to use languages for intricate
  object control
• Ability to use JavaScript, Jscript if wanted
• Easy navigation control point-click
• Can be confusing in pathway control for
  navigation
• Finished item could be viewed on web or stand
  alone
• browser.

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Web-based (html) Dreamweaver
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Options -
There are a multitude of potential development
environment packages available for the design of
multimedia software. Dazzler Deluxe a highly
visual object orientated package which requires
no scripting to develop packages. Toolbook
Instructor Creates highly interactive content
based on e-learning and can be exported to Web
formats HTML, DHTML, JavaScript etc.
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Conclusion

• Choice will be influenced by
• Knowledge of software
• Specific requirements of job
• Budget
• Time constraints
• Intended distribution media