Multimedia
Multimedia, in Dr. Jean Paul Jacob's words, is the
set of technologies that permit computers to store, manipulate
and display any combination of text (alphanumeric
characters), images (still, animated or full-motion) and sound
(music or voice).
The advancement of hardware technology will be central to the
success of multimedia. Combined with easy-to-use authoring tools,
it will integrate multimedia in most of future generations of
applications. The shift from character-based user interface to
the graphical user interface was a first small step towards our
ultimate goal of a multimedia user interface. Windows on your
computer screen will be able to bring animated and full-motion
images, the rigid concept of a file server will be substituted by
"intelligent assistants" who will access and bring
information to you, while maintaining a verbal dialog. As a
marketing tool, multimedia technology will bring dazzling
presentations that will tell your customer all about the product
in 60 seconds of interactive demonstrations. You will be trained,
educated and entertained by your workstation.
