A developers words (text) alone provide just one source of information. Yet, text is good at providing basic information. It is the simplest, and often the most effective way to get one's message across.
Graphics are especially useful when there is a need to illustrate something or compare information. At these times graphs, charts or simple line art are useful in communicating your intended message.
Sound helps provide an additional element. There are times when it is important to let users hear the actual sound or sounds from a person or event.
Moving images are useful for the "experience" they allow the end user to have. Just as television is better than newspapers in providing a first-person, experiential account of an event, multimedia that effectively incorporates moving images takes users to the scene and allows them to experience an event for themselves. Even simple "talking heads" at least help put a personality on a statement.
But, it is the combination of these communication modes (words, pictures, sound) which brings a sense of excitement and vibrancy to a multimedia project. All together, the text, pictures and sounds allow users to learn and experience something for themselves. The most powerful and compelling multimedia projects manage to weave together just the right amounts of text, sounds, graphics and moving images in just the right places.
Advantages of Multimedia
Multimedia Delivery Methods
Section 5A: Using "Text" in Multimedia
Section 5B: Using "Graphics" in Multimedia
Section 5C: Using "Audio" in Multimedia
Section 5D: Using "Video" in Multimedia
Index to Multimedia Information Sources
UP to the "Multimedia on the Internet" Class Home Page
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