🚀 go-pugleaf

kpm8447@tesla.njit.edu writes:
: Is IconAuthor for Windows 3.1 the best multimedia program?
: I'm a very lame programmer and need something to make multimedia productions
: as easy as possible.
:  - Any suggestions?
:  - Kirk

I don't have a simple answer to your question, however if 
you can get hold of a copy of the June 29th issue of PC Week,
they have a very good article comparing 6 different multi-media
authoring systems. Their conclusion is that IconAuthor was the
best overall system, but that the choice of an authoring system
is very heavily dependent on the intended use.

The authoring systems surveyed are:

- IconAuthor (Aimtech)
- Multimedia Toolbox (Assymetrix)
- Course Builder for Mac (TeleRobotics)
- Hyperwriter for DOS (Ntergaid)
- Linx Test Factory for Mac (WArren-Forthought)
- Interactive Virtual Video for DOS (V_graph)

However, this is not intended to be an endorsement of IconAuthor -
I haven't personally used it yet.

One authoring system not covered in this review, but which I've heard
good things about, is Authorware Professional from MacroMedia.

The August issue of Datamation, which I haven't read yet, has a
lengthly article on multi-media authoring tools, which a
colleague tells me is excellent. This article has a 2 page
comparison listing of 20+ authoring products.

Hope this helps,

Grainne.

--

=========================================================================

  "For this soul needs to be honoured with a new dress woven
  From blue and green things, and arguments that cannot be proven."

                               Patrick Kavanagh (Canal Bank Walk.)


Grainne Ni Choiligh,		email:	grainne@ilo.dec.com
Digital Equipment Corp.,		grainne@riscet.enet.dec.com
Ballybrit,
Galway,				phone:	+ 353 - 91 - 54702
Ireland.			

In response to recent queries about multi media authoring systems:

I have been using Auithorware Professional for about 12 months and find it a
very good application for my needs. In its favour are the following points:

1       ease of use-the 'drag and drop' icon method is very easy to learn and
        yet modules with quite sophisticated stuctures can be created.

2       the finished product is very professional-looking with buttons,
        pull-down menus etc that comply with the operating environment standards

3       AW runs on macs and in MS-Windows. Indeed modules prepared on the mac
        can be imported to Windows quite simply (except for font and colour
        mapping). The main advantage is that expertise with AW on one platform
        is applicable to ohers. I am advised that a Unix version of AW is soon
        to be released.

4       a variety of student/user interactions are available and can be combined
        as required. Data on student use etc can easily be recorded.

5       AW can launch other apps and can use dynamic link libraries (or mac
        equivalent) to perform tasks that prove difficult within AW-although AW
        does provide an extensive number of maths and graphics functions etc.

The problems I have with AW include the following (some of which may be
addresses in imminant (Oh damn! how do you spell that word) releases)

1       no search/replace facility for icon content

2       no equivalent of word processor "styles". While variable can be used
        for most attributes (display, time etc) font and colour of objects must
        be selected absolutely. I would like to be able to easily manipulate a
        lesson using styles etc.

3       AW creates rather large files. Granted I do use bitmapped graphics but
        usually rather small ones and I do think that the file size is a bit
        excessive.

All in all, a pretty good product. I guess it is early days for this sort of
programming for non-programmers and AW and its competitors are all likely to
improve substantially in the future.

Bye

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ian Roberts (iroberts@pichem.adelaide.edu.au)   Dept of P & I Chemistry
                                                Univesity of Adelaide
                                                Australia