Text in Multimedia

Text is a fundamental source of information for human civilizations. As such it is an important component of multimedia and is found in almost all multimedia applications.

The simplest file type for text is the "txt" file type. This is a direct ASCII representation of textual information and contains no formatting information, like typeface, font information or page layout. More information about ASCII may be »found here. The file format "txt" can be opened by using simple "text editors" like "Edit" (DOS) "Notepad" (Windows) or "pico" (unix). Wordprocessors like Microsoft Word will also open "txt" files, though they must be specifically instructed to save a file in this format. %

Word processors allow the user to format their text with respect to fonts, typeface and page layout. The instructions for this formatting is usually proprietary and is different for each different word processor. For example, Microsoft's default file format is "doc", which includes, not only the textual information, but also information relating to how the text should appear on the screen and printed page. For this reason it is usually not possible to open a document created in Microsoft Word with Word Perfect - unless some form of conversion takes place. The use of differing operating systems like Windows, Macintosh or unix further complicates the matter. To avoid this problem RTF (Rich Text Format) may be used. This is a "universal" format that can be read by many different word processors and operating systems. Learn more about RTF here.

Early multimedia applications were computerised versions of encyclopaedias - mostly text and pictures with a few wounds and/or animations. These were basically copies of the original paper based encyclopaedias, with little advantage to the user, except for the computer's search capabilities (replacing the index of the book version).

An important addition to these early multimedia applications is the use of hypertext. You are familiar with hypertext links used in applications like the world wide web (a small part of which you are using now). Hyperlinks are text which is highlighted like this. Such text allows the user to be "transported" to another location by clicking (with the mouse) on the text. A more consise definition of hypertext may be found here.

Effective use of hypertext allows the information to be presented in a "non-linear" form. Most books re read in a "linear" form from beginning to end. Hypertext, being "non-linear", allows the user to jump from place to place and access the information in a way that may be more meaningful for the individual.

Today the most common form of hypertext is found in the format called HTML - Hypertext Markup Language. This is the language of the World Wide Web, and is the language this document is written in. HTML requires a special piece of software called a browser to be read. This browser converts the HTML into a form which is pleasing to the eye. For example the following HTML :

<i><b>This text is bold italics</b></i>

looks like this :

This text is bold italics

HTML can be written in any text editor - for example notepad and saved with the file extension htm or html. As the HTML can be confusing for the uninitiated many programs have been written which allow the user to write in a fashion similar to a word processor. These programs will convert the WYSIWYG text into correct HTML

(WYSIWYG = What You See Is What You Get)

A common example is Microsoft Frontpage -though many other programs will save in the HTML file format - eg MS Word and Corel Draw.

Exercises

Create a heading in your notes called Text.
Copy the notes below into your book under the heading Text

Text is an important element of multimedia. Text is made up of letters and numbers, formatted into words, sentences and paragraphs. Text may be formatted using headings, italics, bold face and other features. At the level of the computer, text is a series of binary digits formatted according to the ASCII code - a code which translates numbers into characters on the keyboard. An important advancement on traditional text is called hypertext. Hypertext allows computerised text documents to be linked to other computerised documents through special links embedded into the text called hyperlinks.

The picture below shows a typical toolbar from a word processor.

Copy the picture into a word processor document. Create a table like the one below and describe the purpose of each button.

The information on »this page should help.

Button Label Button Name Button Function

a. Show\hide formatting Toggles between showing and hiding formatting marks like new line.

b. Styles and formatting Applies a style and\or formatting to the document

c. Heading Applies heading format to selected text

d

Button Label	Button Name	Button Function
a.	Show\hide formatting	Toggles between showing and hiding formatting marks like new line.
b.	Styles and formatting	Applies a style and\or formatting to the document
c.	Heading	Applies heading format to selected text
d

The ability to create web pages is an important skill. Although most html is coded using a high level program like Microsoft Frontpage, an understanding of the underlying concepts behind HTML will help you develop better pages. Follow the instructions in »this tutorial and learn to create html with nothing more than notepad. You may need to to print »this booklet and read a paper version of the tutorial. Work though the booklet and answer the questions in your booklet. Show you teacher your work as you complete each part of the booklet.