Chapter 2: Multimedia Hardware and Software

1. Four basic stages in a multimedia project

1.1. Planning and costing

1.1.1. Prepare time estimate and a budget.

1.1.2. Set the contents

1.1.3. Target User

1.1.4. Prepare a short prototype or proof-of-concept.

1.1.5. Define the objectives and scope

1.2. Designing and Producing

1.2.1. Perform each of the planned tasks

1.3. Testing

1.3.1. Beta Testing

1.3.2. Alpha Testing

1.4. Delivering

1.4.1. Package and deliver the project to the end user.

2. The Intangible

2.1. Communication

2.2. Organization

2.3. Creativity

3. Multimedia Skills

3.1. Multimedia Programmer

3.2. Multimedia Designer

3.3. Interface Designer

3.4. Writer

3.5. Audio/Video Specialist

3.6. Project Manager

4. Hardware

4.1. Output devices

4.2. Input devices

4.3. Connections

4.4. Production platforms

4.5. Memory and storage devices

5. Software

5.1. Text editing and word processing tools

5.2. OCR software

5.3. Painting tools

5.4. Drawing tools

5.5. 3-D Modeling tools

5.6. Image editing tools

5.7. Sound editing tools

6. Authoring System

6.1. -Organize and edit the multimedia elements of multimedia project -Design screen layouts -Create interactivity -assembling diverse multimedia elements into a single, cohesive product

6.2. Authoring Tools

6.2.1. Card- and page-based authoring tools

6.2.2. Icon- and object-based authoring tools

6.2.3. Time-based authoring tools

6.3. How to choose

6.3.1. Editing and organizing features

6.3.2. Programming features

6.3.3. Interactivity features

6.3.4. Performance tuning and playback features

6.3.5. Delivery, cross-platform, and Internet playability features