Effects of Multimedia
Uploaded by Cambo on Apr 30, 2002
Multimedia technologies have, in recent years, become an essential part of our every day lives. Many aspects of life; business and home alike, have changed as a result of multimedia technologies, such as the ways in which we do business, and the ways in which we get entertained. Our lifestyles have become far more technologically orientated, and multimedia has become a way of communicating, entertaining, learning, doing business and even socializing. This essay will discuss some of the ways in which multimedia has impacted on the global lifestyle, including business and entertainment.
Computer and console games have become one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world. The most recent forms of computer games involve 3D landscapes, developed through the use of digital cameras on real-life places. Players of these games can experience a realistic, but fun representation of what it would be like to really be in that place. These games can even be played over the internet with other, real life people, adding to the realism even more. Videos can then be taken of actors in front of blue screens, and these 3D worlds super imposed behind them, creating a realistic movie as a ‘cut-scene’ to the game. Cutting edge technologies such as these are often first displayed in the gaming industry.
The process of learning has been made infinitely more enjoyable thanks to multimedia ‘infotainment or edutainment’ products. Entire encyclopedias, complete with movies and sound bytes, are available on a single CD. Products such as Macromedia’s Authorware, have allowed educators to create interactive applications for teaching and testing students. For example, the student may be shown a series of ‘slides’, then a video, then listen to a sound byte about African animals. They can then be tested on the subject matter, and their results printed out for them. Edutainment and infotainment are probably the most practical applications of multimedia technologies.
People today are very likely to deal with a computer, through an interactive menu, rather than a real-life worker. Automatic Teller Machines, for example, have all but replaced human tellers for simple tasks such as withdrawals and deposits. Online, banks use interactive flash technology to simplify the process of internet banking for novice users. Flash is a multimedia product, similar to Authorware that is designed for use on the internet. Other places you may use multimedia devices such as interactive menus at an information centre, or tourist...