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EasyWriter Resources / Working Online / Advice for Using Audio, Video, and Visuals AUDIO There are two ways to include an audio file on a Web page: as an embedded file, also known as background sound, or as a linked file. Background sound can be distracting and generally has no function, but a linked sound file, such as a radio interview or a clip of music, can give readers important information beyond what you could offer in an essay. As with any multimedia feature, consider whether the audio link you are adding is essential to your content, keeping in mind that large files will slow down the loading of your page. Also remember that audio files are not accessible to everyone, either because of hearing difficulties or because of limitations of individual computers. Whenever possible, offer the information from an audio file in an alternative format; for example, if your page has a radio interview, include a written transcript of it as well. The following links provide information on accessing, recording, and coding audio files. MY DESIGN PRIMER: AUDIO http://www.mydesignprimer.com/web/60018.html This page from the My Design Primer site suggests ways to use audio effectively and explains the different audio formats available. back to top VIDEO There are many different reasons for adding video files to a Web page, so you should consider different formats and methods before incorporating them into your page. Ask yourself the following questions:
The following links will help you with the technical aspects of recording and installing video files on your page. MULTIMEDIA: VIDEO http://www.webmonkey.com/webmonkey/multimedia/video/ Webmonkey's How-To Library contains tips on embedding video in Web sites and information on various digital video programs. WEB STYLE GUIDE: MULTIMEDIA http://www.webstyleguide.com/multimedia The Web Style Guide, Second Edition, offers advice on avoiding the pitfalls of multimedia features while maintaining a balance between gratuitous and appropriate uses of video, audio, and graphics. back to top VISUALS Well-placed graphics and a smart design are an easy way to break up text and make your site more readable, but, as in all areas of Web design, keeping it simple is the best rule. Keep in mind that an overabundance of graphics can slow the loading of your site and cause your users to lose interest. Jakob Nielsen, whose site discusses usable information technology, explains why his own site avoids graphics almost altogether: Download times rule the Web, and since most users have access speeds on the order of 28.8 kbps, Web pages can be no more than 3 KB if they are to download in one second which is the required response time for hypertext navigation. Users do not keep their attention on the page if downloading exceeds 10 seconds, corresponding to 30 KB at modem speed. Keeping below these size limits rules out most graphics. (Jakob Nielsen, "Why This Site Has Almost No Graphics," http://www.useit.com/about/nographics.html) The following links discuss the basics of color, visuals, and HTML coding for graphics. WEB STYLE GUIDE: GRAPHICS http://www.webstyleguide.com/graphics/ A primer from the Web Style Guide for increasing the effectiveness of your Web pages' graphics. LEARNING TO USE COLOR ON YOUR WEBSITE http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/6858.html This article from CreativePro covers the basics in color: primary, secondary, and tertiary colors and using the color wheel to find complementary and analogous color combinations. GRAPHICS 101: WEB DESIGN LIBRARY http://builder.cnet.com/webbuilding/0-3883-8-4892140-1.html This introduction covers the fundamentals of how to use graphics on the Web, discussing color depth, color matching and gamma correction, Web image formats, true image formats, how to scale an image, how to take a screenshot, and how to resave a JPEG. back to top |
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