The Advancement of Media Technology

The advancement of technology has presented many different media tools. Digital technology has made the resources we use simpler. “Usually, when a computer user refers to digital media, she is referring to the type of audio-visual media” (Bliss, 2011). The invention of compact disc reduced and even eliminated cassette tapes and floppy disk. Now large data files can be stored on cds and retrieved from any computer. Files, like music or videos, can take up a large amount of storage space. By compressing those files, like audio into mp3, users can store even more data. This allows creators to create Power Point and flash presentations on cd or dvd (digital video disk) and present them to their respective audiences.

We have also seen increases in hardware and software capabilities. This has allowed us to view and present greater amounts of information. “Many digital media users use a desktop or laptop computer to manage, edit, and play digital media files” (Bliss, 2011). We can include smartphones like Research In Motion’s Blackberry and Apple’s iPhone as ways of users managing and editing digital media files. Just like dvd presentations, users can create digital media that is sent via internet to users.

Where would we be without the internet? The creation of websites has expanded media resources and the amounts of information available. Likewise, we must be careful of the content when creating websites. “Organizations create tools and websites that no one uses. They tend to think in terms of the features that they can offer rather than in terms of what their users and audiences actually would use” (Social Source Common Blog, 2011) Users search the internet for information. They would decline to return to sites that overburden them with useless information or have difficulties navigating.

One of my all time favorites has been flyers. Flyers give important information that gets directly to the point. Advertisers use flyers to sell a product, promote an event, idea, or service. They also distribute them to the intended audience to attract attention to the information. Users can send flyers by mail to their intended audiences. Some websites post flyers to boost potential customers. Flyers use text and images alike to highlight the service or idea. The most popular software on the market today used to design flyers is Photoshop by Creative Suite. The C5 version of Photoshop allows users to manipulate texts and images to make outstanding flyers.