Multimedia

A medium is a way of communicating information, such as speech or text. Multimedia is the use of more than one unique medium at a time. Multimedia programs are described as interactive if they accept input from the user and enable the user to direct the flow of information or action in the program. The term new media is used to describe the combination of multimedia programming and communications technologies that enable multimedia to be distributed in different ways (such as on disk, via the Internet, or over television).

Effective multimedia programming provides information that is layered and multidimensional. In layered multimedia, multiple types of information may be presented simultaneously. In multidimensional programming, the user can approach information in different ways, such as a text-only description or an animated demonstration.

Navigation is the act of moving through electronic information. Multimedia products typically provide the user with a set of navigation tools.

Hypermedia is commonly used in multimedia products. When the user chooses a hypermedia link, the program moves to a different piece of information, possibly represented by a different type of media.

In creating multimedia products, developers must be aware of the capabilities and features of the user's computer. Hardware and software manufacturers have developed sets of standards for computer systems that will be used with multimedia products.

Multimedia programs are used in a wide variety of ways.

Multimedia is commonly used in schools, where students use CD-ROM-based reference materials and tutorials and use the Internet to collaborate with students in other locations. By using multimedia programs and delivery mechanisms like the Internet and television, schools can support distance learning, which allows students to take classes without actually traveling to school. Online courses are typically called virtual universities. In the workplace, companies commonly use multimedia programs to train employees. These training programs (called computer-based training, or CBT) are sometimes done online but can also be provided on disk. Multimedia is frequently used in the home, whether on a PC, television, or the Internet. Home users consume a wide variety of multimedia products for entertainment and learning.

Creating and Distributing New Media Content

The process of creating a multimedia product usually results from the effort of a group of professionals who follow a multistep process. The development process involves defining the audience, designing the product, choosing development tools, creating content, multimedia authoring, and testing. Multimedia developers must gain a detailed understanding of the audience who will use the final product to make sure it will succeed. Using basic tools such as outlines and storyboards, designers lay out and organize the content and flow of the information for their products. Because a multimedia product can use so many types of media, designers use a wide variety of tools to create individual components, ranging from text editors to video editors. After the individual components of a multimedia product are created, the developer uses sophisticated multimedia authoring tools to assemble them into a single working program.