Electronic+Media+and+Content

= **Chapter 19: Electronic Media and Content** =

The term "Electronic Media" refers to the usage of electronic devices to transmit content. Unlike traditional fixed print media, electronic media contains several //dynamic// types of content. Contemporary electronic media relies on the Internet through four main channels: text, image, video and audio. These dynamic channels can and usually do change while being intercepted by the audience, which could be read, view or listen to consume the information provided.

Since textual content is widely discussed in other chapters of this Wiki, the focus of this particular article will exclude written content and focus on  images, videos and audio contents.

**Table of Contents**

19.1 Images

 *  19.1.1 Introduction **


 * Images are  the simplest form of communication, especially on the Internet. As such, webpage  s  often contain a large number of images.
 * Since image usage on the Internet is extensive, a standard is required. A webpage author should know what images to use, when to use them, how to use them effectively, and how often.
 * Webpage authors also need to know what tools can help them create images that fit the standard. They should be able to use these tools to create and altar images conveniently


 * 19.1.2 Use **


 * 19.1.2.1 File size **

How to keep file sizes small, and thus, most effective for usage on the internet.

** 19.1.2.2 Image Size **

Proportions of the image in pixels. Fixed size of an image vs. relative size (as in the case of thumbnails) and usage of background images for the webpage.

** 19.1.2.3 Color Scheme **

Developing a color scheme that works with the entire website while following other standards for the webpage

**19.1.2.4 Image Effects**

Image effects that can help convey a message clearly (i.e. "pixilating" a certain part of the image to censor out faces, or adding a frame around a part of the image) vs. image effect that should be avoided (shadowing, color effects.)
 * 19.1.3 Examples **
 * [|Google images], a quick tool to find images on the internet. A good example of relative-sized images (thumbnails)
 * [|Paint.net] and [|Picassa] as examples for free, easy-to-learn image editing software.
 * An example of a [|webpage using bad visuals aids] and an example of a webpage [|utilizing good visuals aids>]

19.2.1 Introduction

 * Videos combine audio and moving images. With recent developments, use of videos on the internet have become more wide-spread.
 * Creation of video files require more processing than images and text as well as more tools. Another important aspect of video files is the abundance of storage space required to store them compared to other forms of multimedia.
 * Webpage authors need to know how to standardize videos; certain formats work better on the internet than others, and different choices need to be made according to standard. Dimensions and format types are more important in videos than in images, as not all web browsers are able to run videos without an external program, such as[| Adobe Flash].
 * Webpage authors need to know what tools to use to create videos according to standard.

19.2.2 Use
**19.2.2.1 File size**

Videos consume large portion of space and bandwidth. Even though compression technology has improved with time, video files are still the largest media files available; as such, they should be used with caution. Video hosting sites (such as[| youtube]) are good to store these large video files.

**19.2.2.2 Creation**

Movies can be recorded from mobile devices, such as cell phones, digital cameras and webcams. Usually webpage authors who wish to make video clips do not need to purchase additional devices and use the ones they already have.

**19.2.2.3 Formats**

There are several acceptable and common file formats, such as avi, mov, flv and others. Each file format is usually unique to the software used to create it. Many video-recording devices (such as cell phones) tend to record video clips in a native format which needs to be converted to standard format.


 * 19.2.3 Examples **
 * [|Youtube] is the first and most obvious example of an extensive video library. While Youtube is a services which allows different users to host their video clips, other websites, such as [|Frontline], upload video clips to their respective websites and invite users to watch the clips there.
 * Movies hold up much storage place. In order to compress them to more manageable size, different //codecs// are used, such as [|Divx].
 * [|Camtasia] is a professional program that allows users to record, edit and compress videos.

** 19.3 Audio ** ** 19.3.1 Introduction **
 * Audio files' presence in digital media exploded with two inventions; the mp3 format, which allows compression and storage of digital audio files in high quality, and iTunes, which promoted and publicized these files to mainstream.
 * Today, most of audio files on the internet are still tied with Apple and iTunes.
 * Users need to know what standard audio file formats are. There are not many popular file types, and only few are cross-platform files and can be used by everyone


 * 19.3.2 Use **

**19.3.2.1 Reasons for using**

Conference calls use voice for conferences across the internet in an easy, reliable, and much cheaper way than using traditional phones. Recorded audio has is beneficial for backup, indexing, and broadcasting.

**19.3.2.2 Formats**

The file extension of choice usually remains mp3, as it can work both for Windows PCs and Macs. Its relative small size allows it to be used extensively on the internet. other formats are available, but usually can not be played without additional external software.


 * 19.3.3 Examples **
 * [|iTunes].
 * [|NPR] broadcasts news to its users via podcasts.
 * iTunes,  [|Windows Media player]  , and [|RealPlayer] are  examples of programs that play and create audio files. They are easy to use, free of charge, and format files according to standard.

WORK CITED:

Gurak, Laura J. and Mary E. Hocks. //The Technical Communications Handbook//. New York: Pearson Education, 2009. Print.

Rude, Carolyn D. //Technical Editing//. New York: Pearson Education, Inc., 2006. Print.

"Electronic media" //Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia//. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 22 July 2004. Web