Chapter 10

Multimedia and the Web

Learning Objectives Describe what multimedia is and some

advantages and disadvantages of using it.

Explain the difference between the following multimedia elements: text, graphics, animation, audio, and video.

List several Web-based and non-Web-based multimedia applications.

Learning Objectives, cont’d. Briefly describe the basic steps and principles

involved with multimedia and Web site design.

Discuss the various tasks involved with multimedia and Web site development.

Speculate as to the format of multimedia in the future.

Overview This chapter covers:

The elements of multimedia

Common multimedia applications

Design principles of multimedia

Multimedia and Web development

What Is Multimedia? Multimedia refers to any type of application

or presentation that uses more than one type of media.

An application is interactive if the user can control the flow or content by using a touch screen, keyboard, or mouse to select options or turn pages.

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

Multimedia Elements:Text 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.

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

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.

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

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.

Non-Web-Based Multimedia Applications Business

presentations

Reference materials

Virtual reality

Computer-based training

Entertainment

Information kiosks

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

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.

Basic Design Principles, cont’d. 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

Determining the Intended Audience and Objectives

The intended audience will help determine the appearance of the application.

The objectives will help determine the content.

Using Flowcharts, Page Layouts, and Storyboards Flowcharts can be used to describe how pages

of the site or application relate to one another.

Page layouts are commonly used to design the appearance of a Web site.

Storyboards are commonly used with multimedia applications to illustrate the appearance and content of each screen in an application.

Navigational Design Considerations A site should be well organized (use the three-

mouse-clicks rule).

Larger sites can use a site map.

Other navigational tools include: Drop-down menus Search boxes Text- and image-based navigation bars Frames

Access Considerations Modifications should be made for users with

nontraditional PCs, such as: Mobile devices Text-only browsers Screen readers

Federal Web sites need to comply with Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) guidelines.

Multimedia and Web Site Development Development process includes three steps:

Creating the multimedia elements

Creating the application or Web site

Testing the site or application

Creating the Multimedia Elements Graphics software

Painting and drawing programs Image editing programs

Audio and video software

Animation software

Creating the Application or Web Site Multimedia authoring software

Director, Authorware, Toolbook

Web site authoring software Dreamweaver, HomeSite, GoLive

Storefront software

Testing the Site or Application Test navigation Test usability Proofread carefully Web site considerations:

Browser and computer incompatibility Download time Broken links

Stress test

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