Page 160 - DCAP104_EXPOSURE_TO_COMPUTER_DISCPLINES

Unit 7: Graphics and Multimedia

Postscript is a complete page description language that encompasses all elements of a printed Notes
page including high-resolution graphics. Postscript was created by Adobe in the mid 1980s and,
combined with the introduction of the Macintosh and the Apple LaserWriter printer, created an
industry called desktop publishing.
The second standard is called TrueType. TrueType fonts use a variant of postscript technology.
To use a TrueType font only one file must be installed on the host computer. This file is used by
the printer and by the screen to produce attractive text at any point size. TrueType technology,
however, is limited to text. For high-resolution graphics, Postscript is the standard to use. TrueType
was created in the early 1990s by Microsoft in cooperation with Apple Computer and others.
Both Macintosh and Windows laptop and desktop computers commonly use TrueType fonts.
Postscript technology, however, is much more commonly available on the Macintosh platform
because of its dominance in the desktop publishing and multimedia production industries.

7.5.1.5 Styles and Sizes
Styles such as Bold, Underlined, and Italics can be applied to most fonts.

The size of the font also can be altered through software commands.
7.5.1.6 File Formats
Text created on a computer is stored as a file on a hard disk or floppy disk. The ASCII file
format, aka plain text, is universally understood by all computer systems. A more complex
standard called Rich Text Format (RTF) was developed by Microsoft to allow for the exchange
of word processing files that include formatting such as text alignment, font styles, and font
sizes. Although RTF is proprietary technology, it has become a defacto standard for exchanging
formatted text documents. A quickly-emerging replacement for RTF, however, is HTML
(HyperText Markup Language) which is used for creating Web pages. HTML files are really
just ASCII text files. The content of HTML files, however, contains a standard set of markings to
indicate text styles, alignments, hypertext links, graphics, and other formatting essentials. HTML
files can be read by Web browser software like Netscape Navigator. Many word processors
today are also equipped to interpret HTML. Other file formats such as the native file formats
used by Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, and AppleWorks are proprietary and not universally
understood. When preparing electronic documents for a wide audience, therefore, it is best to
use ASCII, RTF, or HTML.
7.5.2 Video and Sound

Sound is used to set the rhythm or a mood in a package. Speech gives an effect of a language
(pronunciation) for instance.
Sound files in various Sound File Formats like the MP3 can be easily transmitted through the NET.
Voice over IP VOIP is an upcoming field with a great future. Sound can be recorded into a mic
or from any other medium like tape or cassette player onto the PC. Some of the factors effecting
the size of sound files are:

The method of storage used, whether the format any kind of compression, resolution i.e bit rate,
whether the sound is mono or stereo, the quality of sound desired. If pictures can paint a thousand
words than motion pictures can paint a million. Digital video is usually produced from analog
video as it is much easier to transmit digital data and the advantages of digital over analog are
quite pronounced.

7.5.3 What is Sound?
If a tree falls in the forest and no living creature is there to hear it, does it make a sound? The answer
is no. Sound is a perceptual phenomenon only. When a tree falls, a person speaks, or a violin string

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