Tutorial 1

Question 1
Briefly discuss the history and future of multimedia. How might multimedia be used to improve the lives of its users ? How might it influence users in negative ways ? What might be its shortcomings ?

 Answer:
In the strictest sense of the word, multimedia simply means "more than one medium." In other words,
television programs, movies, even illustrated books are all examples of multimedia – they all use
combinations of text, images, sounds, and movement.
Multimedia has come a long way from its humble roots to today's cutting-edge modern animation
and interactivity.

Where Did It All Begin?  That is hard to say. However, the revolution of multimedia can clearly be seen from it once started till today. It started with Apple Company introducing Apple II , the first computer to use graphic colours in the universe; follows by IBM with his first PC, then Apple first Macintosh that uses Graphic User Interface (GUI) and then Microsoft released the first version of it's Windows operating system.   Due to creative innovation from scientists and software developers, it paved the way for the lightning-fast 

developments in multimedia that were to come. Each new development of each passing year is absorbed into next year's technology, making the multimedia experience, better, faster, and more interesting. 

The future of multimedia is crucial because it has a high impact to everyone that will be using it. The future of multimedia is not too far away. In fact, it's happening now and everyday.it helps to improve personal communications, education and training efforts. Everyone is moving into electronic. Students no longer need to hold a books around. E-learning is available with just few clicks and all information and knowledge will be right in front of your eyes. For companies who focus on promotions and advertising, they can now move into environmental friendly status. All advertisements can be done on kiosk and mobile apps can even be created for your own company. Users can just download the apps to know more about your company rather than reading through a flyers. Multimedia has made life more convenient and it changes the flow of information, they way of interaction, the presentation of animation and many more.

Multimedia can improve the lives of users in its applications. The most significant one is improving the lifestyle today. Users can know the latest news that happening around the world without travelling. Moreover, it brings more entertainment to the user. Let take an example of mobile phone. In the past, users only use it to call other people. Currently, mobile phone is like ‘PAT’, Personal Assistant Tool. Many multimedia applications are invented as part of functions of mobile phone. Users can play online games, listening songs or RTM, watching movie or MTV, surfing internet, 3G call, capture photos, read image catalogues, record something, etc. Besides that, some hi-tech mobile phones even provide GPRS MAP (GM) that help users not get lost when travelling or driving at new places. Users can know the location through the graphic simulation on the GM.

Nevertheless, multimedia might influence users in negative ways. Since it is very convenient and easy to use, people may use the multimedia invention and technology in the wrong ways.The most significant is the privacy of the user may be violated. Some users like to use mobile phone or digital camera to record the incident and publish it to ‘you tube’ which actually is violating human being right. Besides that, over usage of multimedia is impractical. For instance, during a powerpoint presentation, large files like video and audio has an effect of the time it takes for your presentation to load. Adding too much can mean that you will have to use a larger computer to store the files.

Everything in the world comes in both advantage and disadvantage. Multimedia as well has it's shortcomings. The shortcomings of multimedia include technology updates and compatibility issues. It is not always easy to configure and it requires special hardware to get things done. Therefore, it will lead to a very high cost in order to catch up with the latest innovation in the multimedia technology. 

Question 2 

Multimedia is shifting from being localized (contained in a CD-ROM) to being distributed (available on World Wide Web). What are some of the implications of this ? Who will have access to the presentation? How will you keep it secure? How will you distribute it ?

Answer:

For CD-ROM, it can only be viewed by those who have it and it can be viewed with a desktop or a laptop. It is limited (CD-ROM) and costly. By shifting to the World Wide Web, life becomes so much easier. Users can now view it anywhere and anytime with just a tablet or even a mobile phone. Users do not have to worry  whether the data is kept safely in the CD-ROM. Besides that, multimedia data can be uploaded in the website, people from around the world can view it.It connects more people together. 

To keep it secure, as an owner of the website we can create a log-in information so that we will have users information database in case of anything happened. ]Furthermore, with the existence of 2.0 technology which allow the communication among the people and its more secure. To keep it secure put password in the website and firewall to maintain the security and safety of the website(give the password to the certain group of people to ensure the safety of the data).

Distribution of information in World Wide Web is not something difficult. It's fast and cheap . We can distribute information through advertisements or even sending emails promoting our products. On the other hand, we can use SEO (Search Engine Optiomization) to increase our exposure. When any key words related to our products, links will appeared directly. Users can save time typing on the full URL.