Introduction

Multimedia Web sites are all around you. Society depends on information and the Web is an effective way to present it.

1. By providing a consistent, user-friendly

interface, the Web browser makes information easily accessible to the multitudes. 2. Adding multimedia to Web sites makes the content accessible, as well as interactive and fun.

Multimedia-based Web sites are more interactive and more fun than static sites.

Evolution of Multimedia for the Web

The Internet grew out of a project called ARPANET in the 1960s Internet became a network of networks that connects millions of computers and people around the globe The WWW (or Web) permits the distribution and sharing of information around the globe in 1991 The first graphical-user interface Web browser called Mosaic was released in 1993

Browsers enable the distribution and sharing of information around the world.

Multimedia

In generic sense, multimedia is simply the use of more than one media element.
Music clips from an online music store Interactive games on the Web

Products & services offered at an e-commerce

Web site

Web-based Multimedia

Web-based multimedia is defined as an online, interactive experience that incorporates two or media elements including text, graphics, sound, animation, and video.

Any online system that integrates text with other elements

graphics

audio

virtual reality

text

animation

video

Interactivity
A fundamental feature of most Web-based

multimedia is interactivity, which gives the user some control over the content.

Integration
Integration is achieved by digitizing different

media elements and then manipulating them with computer software.

Interactive multimedia enables the user to directly respond to and control any or all of the media elements at the Web site.

Using forms to add interactivity

Interactivity is created within the form when users

are given choices Intuitive, user-friendly stimuli are important Use of hyperlinks, buttons and icons, menus, keyboard commands, text boxes, check boxes, radio or option buttons, drop-down list boxes, and drag-and-drop functionality

Working with media elements that have been digitized means that the media elements have been captured in a code the computer can understand.

Integrating digitized elements

Digitized --- the media elements have been

captured in a code the computer can understand People can send and receive media elements across networks Developers can create and modify elements using a number of ways Users can interact and control these media elements for greater personalization

Linear vs. Nonlinear Multimedia

Linear users start at the beginning and progress through a set sequence of events until they reach the end
active content progresses without any navigational

control for the viewer such as a cinema presentation

Nonlinear users have more control over what they are interested in pursuing, as well as what point they enter and exit a Web site
there is no established or predefined order; offers user

interactivity via a navigation system to control progress as used with a computer game or used in self-paced computer based training

Benefits of Using Web-based Multimedia

Addresses multiple learning styles (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic) Provides an excellent way to convey content Uses a variety of media elements to reinforce one idea Activates multiple senses creating rich experiences Gives life to flat information Enhances user enjoyment Improves retention Enables users to control Web experiences

Multimedia Categories

Multimedia Web sites offer a variety of applications to a range of industries.

1. E-commerce The Web caused a revolution in the way most

companies do business. E-commerce involves using the Web to serve clients and customers and is one way to provide solutions for companies, small or large, that wish to sell products or services online. It is about using technology to streamline business, increase efficiency and improve sales.

Setting up your business on the Web

Giving potential customers access to your Web site

Allowing them to pursue a virtual catalog of your products or services

Allowing them to add the products to their virtual shopping cart

Calculating the customers total

Securing the information securely

2. Web-based Training & Distance Learning

The Web offers many options for delivering and

receiving education over a distance. Businesses around the globe are using Webbased training programs to prepare workers effectively and efficiency. It is about using technology to deliver training or instruction delivered over the Internet using a Web browser.

Freedom of location

Open entry/open exit

Self-paced instruction

Immediate feedback & assessment

Simulated experiences

Varied learning environments

3. Research and Reference

Today, newsletters, newspapers, magazines,

books, encyclopedias, and other reference materials are being offered online via the Web. These represent electronic versions of existing research and reference materials. The main consideration is to make it easy for the user to find the desired information as well as to use other multimedia elements.

Making it easy for users to find the desired information

Providing the users a wealth of information

Enhancing the user experience multimedia elements effectively

Crossreferencing

Expanded search capabilities

Multisensory experiences

4. Entertainment and Games

Web-based multimedia makes a significant

impact on Web game and entertainment sites. These sites offer multilevel, multiplayer entertainment that simulates real or imaginary worlds in which characters are controlled, obstacles are encountered, and goals are achieved. Many of these Web sites are designed to educate as well as entertain.

Puzzles

Cards

Trivia

Action

Tutorial

Careers in Web-based Multimedia

As more industries are discovering the value of and creative uses for the Web, consumers are demanding a wider variety of interactive Web-based multimedia products and services.

Industries must employ people who can help them deliver the Web presence consumers want, thus more opportunities for individuals with these skills are varied.

1. Management-related positions --- Management

skills, high-level communication skills, the ability to see the big picture, understanding of Webbased multimedia tools, knowledge of copyright and other laws, negotiation skills, human resource skills Executive Producer Project Manager

2. Production-related positions --- Skills in

markup, scripting, programming languages, and Web-based multimedia authoring programs; excellent graphic and typography skills; artistic talent and a good understanding of design; good communication skills; expertise with Web-based multimedia programs and creation tools Computer programmer Audio specialist Video specialist Web designer, Web developer, Web master

3. Art-related positions --- Good graphic editing

skills; a talent for layout and design; expertise in working with various drawing and paint programs; a basic knowledge of Web authoring tools Animation specialist Art director Graphic artist/designer Interface designer Photographer Videographer

4. Content-related positions --- Excellent writing,

editing, and planning skills; research skills; attention to details Content specialist Instructional specialist Writers/editors

5. Support-related positions --- Communication

skills; attention to detail; excellent human relations skills Production positions Quality assurance (tester) Sales/marketing personnel Customer support personnel

Web-based Multimedia is Multidisciplinary

Computer networks, operating system

Image, audio, speech processing

Multimedia computing

Computer vision, pattern recognition

Human computer interaction

Computer graphics

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Lab. Session #1

Exercise 1

http://www.alpineinnhillcity.com/index.html

Exercise 2

http://www.multimediacreative.com.au/

Exercise 3

http://jobsearch.monster.com/

Multimedia Concepts (James Shuman) Multimedia for the Web Revealed (Coorough & Shuman)