Thorn Educational Multimedia
Internet technology
potentially provides a very powerful means of information retrieval and communication.
However, telephone and other networks can impose transmission speed and bandwidth
constraints that limit what is achievable within a reasonable
viewing or file download time, especially when using modern multimedia. However, various
techniques exist to help optimise performance in this respect.
The
various web browsers have different capabilities in terms of
their ability to handle web page construction languages such as
HTML, Perl, Javascript, DHTML and XML; and to decode and display
the various different video and audio file formats. As a result,
a web site can unintentionally reduce the size of its potential audience by
designing web pages that can be viewed properly only in a narrow range
of browsing environments. Choices need to be made regarding the
'bells and whistles' which can be used effectively, and the web
page file formats which can be employed. One solution is to
provide a more flexible web page design which includes built-in options to
suit the different browser capabilities.
Beyond simple HTML and
graphics file storage, the various web servers differ in the way
they deal with the more recent language extensions and file
formats. Some Internet Service Providers provide additional
services such as e-commerce. These factors affect the techniques
used to build successful advanced web sites.
Different computers
have different multimedia capabilities depending on the hardware
and software installed. The display resolution, the number of
displayable colours, the sound capabilities and the modem
signalling speed are important factors in the impact a web page
has on the viewer.
In
addition to artistic design, Thorn Educational Multimedia can advise, recommend and
implement practical technical solutions to assist in creating the
desired impression and in getting the required message across to
web-site visitors.