Beginning with a history of human communication, the author looks at how multimedia in today's technological world can be used to greatest effect. He explores the technical, creative and social aspects of multimedia communication, addressing students from a wide range of disciplines, from computer and information science to journalism and graphic arts. The accompanying CD-ROM illustrates the power of multimedia's creative possibilities.

Table of Contents

Book contents: history and uses of multimedia; light and sound, seeing and listening; hardware that enables multimedia; software that enables multimedia; communication theory and developments underlying the use of multimedia; computer science fundamentals and developments underlying multimedia; design considerations for multimedia; software engineering and management considerations related to multimedia; legal and societal issues related to multimedia; emerging issues in multimedia. CD-ROM contents: extended summaries of chapters 1-10; extended glossary; anatomy of the brain; the eye and sight; the ear; hardware; operating systems; proposed multimedia fair use guidelines; proposed multimedia digital image guidelines; ACM code of ethics; IEEE code of ethics; proposed software engineering code of ethics; sample multimedia pieces for review and discussion.