Chapter 2 Multimedia Software and Hardware

1. Hardware: Windows vs. Macintosh

1.1. Apple Computer produces both the computer and the operating system.

1.2. Many developers believe that multimedia project development is smoother and easier on the Macintosh than in Windows

1.3. The Microsoft Windows operating system can run on assemblages of hardware from countless manufacturers.

1.4. Unlike Microsoft, primarily a software company, Apple is a hardware manufacturing company that developed its own proprietary software to run the hardware.

2. Software: OCR software Makes use of probability and expert system algorithms

2.1. Converts bitmapped characters into electronically recognizable text

2.2. Is very accurate and saves time and effort

3. Software : Image editing tools

3.1. Powerful tools for enhancing retouching, blurring, sharpening, lightening existing bitmapped images. Many painting and drawing programs also serve as image editors. Support third party plug-in.

4. Hardware : ConnectionConnections

4.1. Universal Serial Bus (USB)

4.2. Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE)

4.3. FireWire (IEEE 1394)

5. Hardware : IDE is a standard interface for connecting a motherboard to storage devices such as hard drives and CD-ROM/DVD drives.

6. Types of authoring tools

6.1. Card- and page-based authoring tools Icon- and object-based authoring tools Time-based authoring tools

7. Summary

7.1. Input devices include keyboards, mice touch-screens, scanners, OCR devices, voice recognition software, and digital cameras. Output devices include audio devices, speakers, amplifiers, monitors, video devices, projectors, and printers.

7.2. Word processors and OCR software are used to handle text in multimedia. Painting and drawing tools, 3-D modeling and animation tools, and image editing tools manipulate the graphical content of the project. Sound editing tools manipulate the audio content of the project.

7.3. Choose an authoring tool based on editing, organizing, programming, interactivity, performance tuning, playback, delivery, cross-platform, and Internet playability features.

7.4. Multimedia authoring tools provide the framework needed for organizing and editing multimedia elements in a project. The three types of authoring tools are card- or page-based, icon-based or event-driven, and time-based.