Lesson 1

Multimedia at its simplest are applications that merge multiple types of media to reach a user's senses, 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 are appropriate. Multimedia embraces various forms, especially on the Web. 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

In the next lesson, you will learn about some file formats that can be downloaded.