Multimedia: The Complete Guide

An up-to-date, fully illustrated guide to multimedia technology traces the origins and history of multimedia, explains how it works, discusses its many applications, and assesses its impact in all aspects of our lives.

This ambitious topical guide attempts to examine and categorize the many multimedia devices and software applications that have found their way into homes and offices worldwide. Incorporating the numerous exceptional photographs and diagrams that one has come to expect from the publisher, Multimedia is as accessible as they come. Included are chapters on multimedia computers, video game consoles, CD-ROMs, virtual reality devices, interactive television, and the Internet. Unfortunately, given the industry's rapid rate of change, much of the information is already out of date. For instance, there is no coverage of the emergence of the first generation of 3-D accelerators for the PC-one of the industry's hottest topics and a boon to multimedia; the reshuffling of the home console market due to Atari's recent withdrawal and 3DO's decision to abandon the "open standard" happened too recently to incorporate in the book and thus consigns the chapter on home consoles to a history of the industry; and the hoopla surrounding Java, the new programming language that promises to bring multimedia to the World Wide Web, isn't mentioned. Yet this guide has value in odd ways. A seemingly out-of-place section on the art of producing multimedia software is truly fascinating, as are several chapters that examine the potential of multimedia education. All in all, smaller libraries may pass, but this is a good bet for large collections.
Mark Annichiarico, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A wide range of CD-ROM and other compact disc technologies are described in text, photographs, and drawings. After an introduction to applications (reference, classroom, and entertainment), various platforms and the digitization of text, sound, graphics, and video that make up a disc are explained. Virtual reality and interactive TV are also treated. A brief final chapter on the Internet and other online services seems like an afterthought. The glossary defines buzzwords such as digital, interactivity, and GUI. This profusely illustrated book will attract adults and teens who may be turned off by the many other texts on this topic. Sandy Whiteley