mul·ti·me·di·a - (pl. n.)
- Of or relating to the combined use of several media: a multimedia installation at the art gallery.
- Computer Science. Of or relating to an application that can combine text, graphics, full-motion video, and sound into an intergrated package.
Text - In the beginning was the word. (John 1:1)
In
its beginning, the Internet was informational only. Its sole purpose was to
enable the exchange of ideas through onscreen text displayed by text-only
browsers. With the introduction of the World Wide Web, in 1992, the Internet
changed. As new technologies emerged; personal computers became more powerful,
communication bandwidth increased, browsers more capable, the emphasis changed
from delivery of content to include the design and presentation of that information.
Text display aquired greater formatting possibilities, colour and style options.
This section examines some of what is possible to do with text on the Internet
today.
Images - Flash, bang, what a picture!
Whilst
not considered "multimedia" per se, images are an important cornerstone
in the foundation of most Web sites. Through their careful creation and use,
it is possible to include high-impact illustrations and still maintain a small
file size. When combined with multimedia tools it is possible to offer alternatives
to byte-heavy animation or video. This section illustrates why, how and when
images could be used adn offers an insight into the 'camera trickery' that
is possible through digital image manipulation.
Sound - Crash, Bang, Wallop! Yeah, Rock and Roll Baby
Perhaps
the most overlooked multimedia element for Web design, sound has the ability
to engage another sense: hearing. Through the presentation of both sound effects
and of music, the inclusion of digital audio in a Web site can affect the
end user's mood and perception. This section discusses the reasons for, considerations
and mechanics of incorporating sound into a Web page and uses examples to
demonstrate the effectiveness of doing so.
Video - Lights. Camera. Action!
There's no argument that video clips are some of the most entertaining and effective ways to communicate. Because video has the capability to add sound synchronized within the file, it can bring a user even closer to a complete experience than the earlier forms of multimedia. However file size, and consequent download times, must be considered. It is all very well putting your own feature length home movie for everyone to share but how many people are really going to sit and wait for it to download even if they have got the speediest broadband connectiongoing, let alone those on dial-up connections through a modem.
Animation - Now you see it ... Now you don't.
Animation, or moving pictures, has found a new medium of delivery in web sites. Although generally not as bandwidth hungry as video, animation does make greater demands than a 'straight' graphic. This notwithstanding, animation is extremely effective for educating and illustrating and with the improvements in technology and file formats this is less of an issue than in the past. Indeed with the removal of this constraint designers are now able to design their sites using animation techniques.
Interactivity - Give and Take
The techniques and devices discussed above have consolidated the Web as a publishing medium. However the introduction of new technology, such as Java, JavaScript, Shockwave Flash and server side scripting have taken the Web into an entirely new realm, that of the interactive medium. Through the use of these technologies that provide the user with the ability to interact with what they are experiencing has opened up the Web to; games, virtual reality worlds, real-time information, self-help knowledge bases, and much, much more!
