Subject: [MT35101] 4. TAKE THE FLASH FEATURE TOUR
From: "Aaron E. Walsh" <aaron@gridinstitute.com>
Reply-To: MT35101@yahoogroups.com
Organization: Mantis Development Corp.
To: BC Computer Graphics Class MT35101 <MT35101@yahoogroups.com>
TO STREAM OR NOT TO STREAM, THAT IS THE QUESTION!
Q: What does the term "streaming" mean?
A: Streaming means that the file contents download and
are played over the network incrementally, bit-by-bit,
meaning you can experience the file as it comes across
the Web (similar in concept to the progressive and interlacing
of image data, but streaming refers to audio and/or video
content, not still images).
Because MP3 doesn't stream, you have to *wait* for these
audio files to download completely. Although that's not
a problem if you have a fast network connection, most home
users (approx. 90% of all home users in the United States)
use a dial-up modem, which is very slow. With slow connections,
such as a modem, it'll seem like you're waiting forever for
big MP3 files to download.
Flash, on the other hand, streams -- this makes Flash great
for slow network connections like modems. As the Flash
content downloads you can hear and see it; no need to wait
for the whole enchilada to download!
FLASH STREAMS -- LET'S TAKE A LOOK:
Look at the time your clock, and give yourself exactly 30 minutes (no
more!) to take the Flash feature tour found under this heading:
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Flash Features
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When you are done talking the tour post a message to our group
with the subject "DONE WITH SECTION 4".
NOTE that you have to click on the "Start Tour" icon (link) to begin.
This starts a Flash presentation that tells you about all the major
features in flash -- be careful to keep track of your time; you may have
to revisit the tour later if you don't finish it in 30minutes.
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Aaron E. Walsh http://www.gridinstitute.com/people/aew/
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