Lesson 1

Multimedia at its simplest are applications that merge multiple types of media to reach a user's senses including aural, visual, or tactile and enhance his or her learning experience. Think of it as a kiosk at a mall, or as a computer game. Both forms of multimedia embrace various forms of communication, especially on the internet. Here we will focus on the Web.

This module presents the fundamentals of how to create the pictures, photos, and animation you see on Web sites. It will show you how to use particular file formats, which form the underpinning of multimedia Web sites, to get the images, sounds, or graphics you want. Web pages are made up of numerous text, graphics, and multimedia elements that are saved in different file formats. Choosing the right file format depends on the user's platform, file sizes, and the type of element. If you want to know about the contents of a file or how to use a particular file type, you need to know about the file format (or structure). This module is about the various file formats in use on the Web.

Multimedia refers to content that uses a combination of different content forms. This contrasts with media that use only rudimentary computer displays such as text-only or traditional forms of printed or hand-produced material. Multimedia includes a combination of text, audio, images, animation, video, and interactive forms. Multimedia can be recorded and played with by information content processing devices, such as computerized and electronic devices. Multimedia devices are electronic media devices used to store and experience multimedia content. Furthermore, multimedia is distinguished from mixed media in fine art; by including audio and web audio. The term rich media is synonymous for interactive multimedia. Hypermedia scales up the amount of media content in multimedia application.
After completing this module, you will be able to:

1. Describe file formats that can be downloaded from a Web site
2. Describe common file formats used for inline graphics
3. Describe common file formats used for audio and video elements in a Web site
4. Explain common file formats used for compressing files
5. Explain the purpose of plug-ins and extensions

The evolution of multimedia publishing on the World Wide Web from the dot-com era to 2022 is a fascinating journey marked by technological advancements, changes in user behavior, and the emergence of new digital platforms.

1. Dot-Com Era (Late 1990s to Early 2000s): The dot-com era was a period of rapid growth and innovation in the field of internet technologies. During this time, the World Wide Web was still in its infancy, and multimedia publishing was largely limited by the technology available.
   • Limited Bandwidth and Technology: The internet speeds were relatively slow, and technologies like Flash and Java applets were used to add multimedia elements to web pages. These technologies, while innovative for their time, were often clunky and not very user-friendly.
   • Web 1.0 Characteristics: The web was mostly static, with web pages acting as one-way sources of information. Interaction and user-generated content were minimal. Websites were primarily informational and lacked the dynamic, interactive elements we see today.
   • Early Forms of E-commerce: The dot-com boom saw the rise of early e-commerce sites. However, these were fairly basic in design and functionality compared to modern standards.
2. Evolution to 2022: Over the years, there has been a monumental shift in multimedia publishing, influenced by advancements in technology, the rise of social media, and changes in consumer behavior.
   • Rise of Broadband and Mobile Internet: The widespread adoption of broadband and later, mobile internet, revolutionized how content was consumed and shared. It allowed for richer multimedia content, including high-quality video and interactive features.
   • Social Media and User-Generated Content: Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok transformed the landscape of multimedia publishing. These platforms enabled users to create and share their own content, leading to an explosion of diverse, user-generated multimedia content.
   • Interactive and Dynamic Web (Web 2.0 and Beyond): The evolution of Web 2.0 and beyond brought about interactive websites, where users could not only consume content but also interact with it and contribute to it. This era saw the rise of blogs, wikis, and other platforms that emphasized user participation and social networking.
   • Advanced Technologies and Trends: Technologies like HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript frameworks have made web pages more interactive and visually appealing. The integration of AI and VR/AR technologies in recent years is further shaping the future of multimedia publishing, offering more immersive and personalized experiences.
   • E-commerce Evolution: Modern e-commerce platforms are highly sophisticated, offering personalized shopping experiences, integrating with social media, and using AI for better user engagement.

In summary, the evolution from the dot-com era to 2022 in multimedia publishing on the World Wide Web is a story of technological innovation, changing user expectations, and the continuous adaptation of digital platforms to meet these new demands. This evolution has transformed the internet from a static information repository into a dynamic, interactive, and personalized medium that continues to shape how we consume and interact with digital content.