Chapter 2 Multimedia Hardware and Software

1. Intangible

1.1. creativity >implies knowledge of hardware n software

1.2. organization >organized skill, time, budget, tools, resource

1.3. communication >communication between workgroup and client is essential

2. Multimedia skills

2.1. project manager >leader, oversee the entire project, responsible for overall

2.2. multimedia designer >design overall content of project, design element to support the structure

2.3. interface designer >design interface, let user access or modify the content

2.4. writer >create character and actor narrations >write text screen to deliver message

2.5. video/audio specialist >focus on audio and video

2.6. multimedia programmers  >integrate all the elements of the project

3. Hardware

3.1. Windows vs Macintosh >Win can run on assemblages of hardware >Apple develop its own proprietary software to run the hardware >Apple produce both computer and operating system >smoother and easier on Mac than Win

3.2. IDE(integrated drive electronics) >interface for connecting a motherboard to storage device

3.3. USB(universal serial bus) >popular connection used to connect a computer to device >plug-and-play interface

3.4. FireWire >intro by Apple in 1980s >connecting device to personal computer >plug-and-socket

3.5. Memory and Storage device >Random access memory (RAM) >Read-only memory (ROM) >hard disk >pendrive

3.6. Input device >barcode reader >microphone >camera

3.7. Output device >monitor >printer

4. 4 basic stages of a multimedia project

4.1. planning and costing >objective - what is the purpose? >how much time to develop/knowledge and skill needed >to whom the project is created for? >content or information will determine the size >prepare time estimate/budget/prototype

4.2. design and producing >perform each of the planned task to create a finished product

4.3. testing *alpha >users within the organization >missing part of content/functionality >review concept,format,user interface,layout *beta >evaluated before final release >fully functioning product/bug free >find bug/content error >real users, not people who been involed

4.4. delivering >final stage >package and deliver >follow up with upgrade/repair

5. Software

5.1. texting editing and word processing tools >eg=Microsoft Word, Word Perfect

5.2. OCR software >make use of probability and expert system algorithms >convert bitmapped character into electronically recognizable text >very accurate, save time

5.3. Painting tools >create and modify bitmap image >eg=Photoshop

5.4. Drawing tools >create and modify vector image >eg=Corel Draw, Illustrator

5.5. 3-D modelling tools >rendering of object in a three-dimensional perspective >eg=Vector Works, Auto Desk

5.6. Image editing tools >enhancing retouching, bluring bitmapped image

5.7. Sound editing tools >cut, copy, paste, edit segment of music

6. Authoring System

6.1. An authoring tool allow developers to: >organize/edit multimedia element >design screen layout >create interactivity >assembling diverse multimedia element

6.2. Type of  >card- and page-based authoring tool >icon- and object-based authoring tool >time-based authoring tool

6.3. choosing an authoring tool >editing and organizing feature >programming feature  >interactivity feature >performance tuning and playback feature >delivery, cross-platform and internet playability feature