Multimedia and the Web

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Lecture 2

• Multimedia and the Web

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Overview

• This chapter covers
• The elements of multimedia
• Common multimedia applications
• Design principles of multimedia
• Multimedia and Web development

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Multimedia

• Advantages
• Can fit a variety of learning styles
• More interesting and enjoyable experience
• Can be easier to understand
• Disadvantages
• Cost
• Amount of storage space required
• Limitations of Web-based multimedia

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Multimedia ElementsText

• Serif typefaces are typically used for large
  bodies of text sans serif typefaces are more
  commonly used for headings.
• Different typefaces can convey widely different
  feelings and impressions.
• Point size should be selected carefully to make
  sure text is readable while not taking up too
  much of the screen.

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Multimedia Elements Graphics

• Graphics are digital representations of images.
• Clip art and stock photographs are widely
  available on CD and on the Web.
• Graphic file formats include

• BMP
• TIF
• GIF

• JPEG
• PNG

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Multimedia Elements Animation

• Animation involves a series of graphical images
  displayed one after another to simulate movement.
  
• Page transitions, animated GIFs, Java applets,
  Shockwave, and Flash are common types of
  animation.
• Animation can also be added using JavaScript or a
  programming language.

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Multimedia Elements Audio

• Audio is sound, such as music, spoken voice, and
  sound effects.
• Audio can be recorded using a microphone or MIDI
  device, captured from a CD, or downloaded from
  the Internet.
• Common audio formats include

• wav
• mp3
• midi

• aif
• dcr
• swf

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Multimedia Elements Video

• Video usually begins as a continuous stream of
  visual information it is broken down into
  individual frames when recorded.
• Can be recorded using standard video camera and
  then input into computer, or recorded directly
  into PC or onto digital media using digital video
  camera.
• Common formats include avi, mpeg, mov, and rm.

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Non-Web-Based Multimedia Applications

• Business presentations
• Reference materials
• Virtual reality

• Computer-based training
• Entertainment
• Information kiosks

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Web-Based Multimedia Applications

• Web-based training
• Self-paced instruction
• Ability to update material
• Immediate feedback
• Entertainment
• Online games
• Distribution of music
• Virtual reality
• VRML allows Web delivery

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Basic Design Principles

• Applications should be interesting and exciting.
• Web site content should be changed on a regular
  basis.
• Navigation should be clear, consistent, and easy
  to understand.
• Web site pages should load quickly, and CD
  applications should fit on one CD whenever
  possible.

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Basic Design Principles, contd.

• A Web site should work on a variety of PC
  configurations. Consider carefully
• Features that require a specific browser
• Features that require little-used plug-ins
• Content wider than a typical browser window
• High-bandwidth items

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Creating the Multimedia Elements

• Graphics software
• Painting and drawing programs
• Image editing programs
• Audio and video software
• Animation software

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Creating the Application or Web Site

• Multimedia authoring software
• Director, Authorware, Toolbook
• Web site authoring software
• Dreamweaver, HomeSite, GoLive
• Storefront software

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Testing the Site or Application

• Test navigation
• Test usability
• Proofread carefully
• Web site considerations
• Browser and computer incompatibility
• Download time
• Broken links
• Stress test

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The Future of Multimedia

• Broadband
• Merging TV and multimedia Web sites
• Interactive TV and TV on demand
• Multimedia capabilities built into
• Internet access devices
• Game boxes

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Broadband

• A type of data transmission in which a single
  medium (wire) can carry several channels at once.
• For example, Cable TV, uses a broadband
  transmission.
• In contrast, base-band transmission allows only
  one signal at a time.