CSC 186 Digital Meda

 Introduction to the topics

Objectives

Create a new Microsoft Word or text document named YourUserName-PA1; do not use any other filename!

In this practice assignment, use your favorite web search engine, such as www.google.com, to learn about some of the important terminology in digital media. For each question, be sure to put the answer into your own words, and give at least two reference pages by URL address references or page numbers from your text book.

Example Question: What is a MB of data and how big is it?

Example Answer: This is a more complicated question than it looks.  A "bit" is the smallest unit of digital storage.  It is thought of as a "0" or a "1".  A "byte" is 8 bits, and is the amount of storage needed to store one character of data, like "J."  A MB is a "megabyte" of storage is 1 million bytes.  In other words, a MB can store1 million characters.  This is not to be confused with Mb, which stands for megabit.  In addition, because computers are in binary (base 2), there are alternative understandings which use the closest base 2 number instead of base 10. The nearest base 2 number is 220 = 1,048,576. This is still often called "a million bytes."

Resources:



Note that the reference is given and that the given example answer is PARAPHRASED, not copied!  (Note: It is okay for this assignment to use WikiPedia for one but not both of the references.)

Your task is to provide answers and their references to all of the following questions, being sure to number your answers.  This assignment must be completed individually, and you may consult in general terms only with one another.

WARNING: COPIED answers or answers without references will recieve no credit.

  1. Find three definitions of "digital media" on the web.  Compare and contrast them in your own words.
  2. In your own words, what are the differences between "digital" and "analog" media?
  3. What is a "blog" and what are the history and origins of the word "blog" as it is used today?
  4. What is a "podcast" and what are the history and origins of the word "podcast" as it is used today?
  5. What is a "wiki" and what are the history and origins of the word "wiki" as it is used today?
  6. What is a "mashup"?  Give three examples of popular websites which use mashups.
  7. What is "streaming"?  Are there other methods for putting videos on the web?  Explain.
  8. What is "Flash animation" and why has it become controvercial recently?
When you are finished, save the file as YourUserName-PA1 and submit the file to the appropriate location in Moodle.
Back to Digital Media Schedule