Empowerment Technologies and Multimedia

Empowerment Technologies: Multimedia and ICT

• Empowerment technologies encompass multimedia and ICT, enabling communication and collaboration using the internet.
• Online collaborative tools facilitate communication among organizations and groups.
• Example tools include Facebook Live, YouTube editor, and other specialized video platforms like Magisto and Wideo.

Comparing Facebook Platform Versions

• The images show a comparison of older and more recent versions of the Facebook platform.
• The older version is less visually appealing and less organized than the newer one.
• Simple yet functional usability in digital tools is a key aspect.

Rich Content and User Experience

• Rich user experience allows for various forms of interaction, sharing, and access to web content.
• The web delivers full-scale GUI style applications, making it easier for users to interact.
• Rich user interface enhances how data is presented, manipulated, and used.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

• A GUI is a computer program allowing users to interact with a computer using a mouse.
• This simplifies interaction by allowing the use of small pictures and other elements on the screen to control functions.

Multimedia Definition

• Multimedia integrates text, sound, graphics, animation, and video into a single unit.
• The interactive feature allows users to control the program or presentation.

Web Evolution (Web 1.0, 2.0, 3.0)

• Web 1.0: Primarily read-only, focused on companies and home pages, with 45 million global users in 1996.
• Web 2.0: Read-write, emphasizing communities (1 billion+ global users in 2016). Features include blogs, sharing content, and Wikipedia.
• Web 3.0: Focused on the individual, consolidating content and building a semantic web. It emphasizes use behavior, user engagement, and advertisment.

Web 2.0 User Participation

• Web 2.0 allows users to interact with and influence content of web-based communities.
• Users can contribute and modify existing online content through features like video sharing, wikis, blogs, and mashups.

Web 2.0 Features

• Users can modify content.
• Web pages can be used to connect users.
• Content sharing is more efficient.
• Information obtained through web page RSS feeds.
• The internet can be accessed from various devices (computers, mobiles, TVs).

Web 2.0 Syndication (RSS)

• RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a family of web feed formats.
• It publishes frequently updated content (blogs, news, audio, video).
• Its standardized format enables easy real-time information updates.
• Subscribers receive updates on any web page development.

Types of Rich and Multimedia Content

• Videos: embedded videos, on-demand video hosting.
• Sound: an alternative to video, e.g., SoundCloud.
• Online Games, Tests, and Courseware

Online Games

• Online games are played via internet or computer networks.
• Game developers create browser-based games, which run in most updated web browsers.
• Example games include AdventureQuest, Farmville, Candy Crush, DOTA 2, etc.

Online Tests

• Online assessment (e-assessment/online test) employs IT for assessment.
• This form of assessment includes educational, health, and psychological testing.
• Web-based surveys, including quizzes, and tests (e.g., Online IQ, Personality Tests) automatically display results.

Online Courseware

• Courseware is educational material for teachers, trainers, and students.
• It's usually packaged for computer use.
• Courseware encompasses various knowledge areas, including IT-related subjects.
• Interactive tutorials and materials are part of online courseware and coordinate distance learning.

Webcasting (D. Web)

• Webcasting is a media method using streaming media technology to distribute media files on the internet.
• It can be broadcasted live or on demand, distributing content to multiple listeners or viewers, similar to traditional radio/television.

Gamecast

• Gamecast is an upcoming feature that allows users to send play-by-play game data from devices like iPhones or iPod Touches directly to a web server.
• It allows other users interested in the game to also access the data in real-time.

Podcast

• A podcast is an episodic series of audio or video files that users can download and listen to.
• They are often available by subscription, allowing for automatic downloading of new episodes through web syndication.
• Users can listen/view on their computer/mobile device/media player.

Vodcast

• Vodcast is similar to a TV program but is available on demand and downloaded when needed. 
• Episodes are stored on servers allowing on-demand access.
• It is an episodic series of video streamed online.

Benefits of Vodcasting

• Videos on demand.
• Cheaper and easier than TV production.
• Allows for skills and delivery convergence.
• Flexible and easy mass distribution.
• Little to no cost for creators and consumers.

Further Investigation Points (likely questions)

• Defining 'rich user experience' in web content.
• Distinguishing Web 2.0 from Web 3.0.
• Identifying rich and multimedia content types.
• Combining elements to create interactive digital content.

This quiz explores the impact of empowerment technologies, particularly multimedia and ICT, on communication and collaboration. It also examines the evolution of user interfaces, focusing on the comparison between older and newer Facebook platform versions. Engage with concepts that enhance user experience and interface functionality.