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From: [email protected] (Jamie Siglar)
Newsgroups: comp.multimedia,comp.answers,news.answers
Subject: Multimedia Authoring Systems FAQ 3/3
Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 00:53:24 -0400
Organization: Multimedia Consultant
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Summary: This is the FAQ list for questions about multimedia authoring systems addressed to news:comp.multimedia; it is not a comprehensive FAQ because of the omnibus nature of the newsgroup.
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Archive-name: multimedia/authoring-systems
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Expires: 1998/03/08
Version: 2.15
URL: http://www.tiac.net/users/jasiglar/MMASFAQ.HTML
    http://www.tiac.net/users/jasiglar/MMASFAQ.TXT

UNIX Authoring Systems:

Gain Momentum <http://www.gainsoft.com/momentum.html>:  Gain Software, Inc.
<http://www.gainsoft.com/>;  NT, UNIX

IconAuthor <http://www.asymetrix.com/products/iconauthor/> : Asymetrix
<http://www.asymetrix.com/>;  Windows, NT, UNIX, , WWW (via Windows)
IconAuthor follows the iconic/flow control paradigm.  It is notable for
its SmartObject editor, which tags content files (still graphics, RTF text,
etc.) for interactivity.  It has the option to either embed content files or
leave them external in specified directories.  The biggest strength of this
program is its included data handling, which makes it unparalleled for CBT data
tracking.  The latest version should also provide WWW porting of existing
content.  Avoid its internal "Move Object" path animation feature due to jerky
response -- use a .FLC or .AVI instead.

MetaCard <http://www.metacard.com/>: MetaCard <http://www.metacard.com/> ;
Windows95, NT, UNIX
MetaCard is a card/scripting authoring system, now in version 2.1.  This is one
of the more powerful tools of its paradigm; the scripting language is
especially robust.


WWW-capable Authoring Systems:

Authorware <http://www.macromedia.com/software/authorware/>: Macromedia
<http://www.macromedia.com/>;  Mac, Windows, WWW (via Shockwave)
Currently in version 4.0, this follows the iconic/flow control paradigm with a
limit per individual file of 32,000 icons. Authorware supports jumping between
files (the FAQ maintainer has worked on projects greater than 100 MB in
content), jumping out to apps and even printing from them. This has
unparalleled external media support, and can encapsulate all non-motion media
content into apps and content libraries, or leave media files external for
dynamic access. Authorware supports character-styled text and extensive
navigation structures including hypertext. This tool is optimal for CBT and
rapid prototyping; 4.0's big plus is (Win-32 only) ActiveX support for the
Oracle Video Server.

Dazzler <http://www.dazzlersoft.com/pages/prodcat1.htm> : Intela Media Ltd.
<http://www.dazzlersoft.com/> ; Java, Windows, NT, WWW
Dazzler is a Hierarchical Object paradigm authoring system.

Digital Chisel <http://www2.pierian.com/dc3/dc3main.htm>: Pierian Spring
<http://www.pierian.com/> ; Mac, Windows, NT, WWW
Digital Chisel has been rewritten in Java for delivery to most platforms. It
has moved from its card roots to a frame paradigm.

Director <http://www.macromedia.com/software/director/>: Macromedia
<http://www.macromedia.com/>;  Mac, Windows, WWW (via Shockwave)
Currently in version 6.5, this popular general market product follows the
cast/score/scripting paradigm, which makes it the tool of choice for animation
content.  Its roots as a cel- and sprite-animation program are unmistakable;
and its inclusion of Lingo, its object-based scripting      language, has
made it
the animation-capable program to beat.  The AfterBurner compression Xtra
creates Shockwave files, allowing Web playback.

Docent <http://www.docent.com/docent20.htm> : Docent <http://www.docent.com/> ;
Windows95, NT, WWW
Docent is a HTML Enterprise Training authoring tool; the tool uses both an
outliner metaphor and a tool palette; it can be considered a cross between an
iconic/flow control tool and a Hierarchical Object system.

Emblaze Creator <http://www.emblaze.com/atomic/creator.htm> : Geo International
<http://www.emblaze.com/atomic/home_.htm> ; JavaScript, Mac, Win95, WWW

Flash <http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/> : Macromedia
<http://www.macromedia.com/> ; Mac, Windows, WWW (via Shockwave)
Flash is a cast/score/scripting tool, which primarily uses vector graphics (and
can create vector graphics from imported bitmaps). It is optimized for Web
delivery, and is especially common for banner adds and small interactive web
deliverables.

Formula Graphics Multimedia System <http://www.FormulaGraphics.com/>: Harrow
Software <http://www.FormulaGraphics.com/>; Windows, NT, WWW(via FG), Java (via
FGX)
This is a Hypermedia Linkage authoring system, whose interface is more than
vaguely reminiscent of Visual Basic; has a relatively powerful scripting
language.  Formula Graphics is available as shareware, with only the packaging
functions disabled.

HyperCard <http://hypercard.apple.com/>: Apple Computer
<http://www.apple.com/>;
Mac, WWW (Mac-only via LiveCard!)
HyperCard is a card/scripting authoring system currently in version 2.3. It
runs natively on both 68K and PowerMacintosh machines, and is widely used
because of its easy availability at $99.  Its largest drawback is the lack of
integrated color; current color implementation is via the ColorTools XCMD set
(included) or via third-party XCMDs.

mBed Interactor <http://www.mbed.com/interactor/interactor.html> : mBed
<http://www.mbed.com/> ; Java, Mac, Windows95, WWW
mBed Interactor is a cast/score/scripting authoring system optimized for WWW
delivery; it comes in Lite, Standard and Professional Editions.

Quest <http://www.allencomm.com/p&s/software/quest/>: Allen
Communications <http://www.allencomm.com/>; Windows, WWW (via QuestNet)
Quest 6 for Windows is a frame paradigm authoring system.  Its most notable
feature is its scripting language, which is ANSI C.

Question Mark <http://www.qmark.com/products/qmwin.html>: Question Mark
Computing Ltd <http://www.qmark.com/>; WWW (via Windows), DOS, Mac, Windows
Question Mark is optimized for Electronic Assessment production.

Realimation STE <http://www.realimation.com/overview/ste.htm> : Realimation
<http://www.realimation.com> ; Windows95, NT, WWW
The Realimation Space-Time-Editor is a 3-D Virtual Reality authoring tool.

SuperCard <http://www.incwell.com/SuperCard/SuperCard.html>:  IncWell
<http://www.incwell.com/>;  Mac, WWW (via Roadster)
SuperCard 3.0 shines among the card/scripting authoring systems.  With built-in
support for 24-bit color, hypertext, and external media handling (QuickTime,
PICS, Filmstip, PICT, AIFF), this is the best of its paradigm. This is an
excellent tool for hypermedia implementation.

ThingMaker <http://www.thingworld.com/> : Parable
<http://www.parablecorp.com/> ; Windows, NT, WWW (via ThingPlayer)
ThingMaker is a cast/score/scripting tool, optimized for WWW multimedia
production.   This has one of the fastest-to-learn interfaces for
multimedia-via-the-Web delivery.

Toolbook II <http://www.asymetrix.com/products/toolbook2/>: Asymetrix
<http://www.asymetrix.com/>; Windows, WWW
Toolbook is a card/scripting authoring system  now broken into components:
Instructor, the standard tool; Assistant, the pre-built templates, and
Librarian, a course-management system.  Toolbook includes database linkage, MCI
compliance and many examples (called "Widgets") of interactivity.  This newest
version exports HTML and Java for Web delivery.


Platform-independent (Java, JavaScript) Authoring Systems:

Dazzler <http://www.dazzlersoft.com/pages/prodcat1.htm> : Intela Media Ltd.
<http://www.dazzlersoft.com/> ; Java, Windows, NT, WWW
Dazzler is a Hierarchical Object paradigm authoring system.

Emblaze Creator <http://www.emblaze.com/atomic/creator.htm> : Geo International
<http://www.emblaze.com/atomic/home_.htm> ; JavaScript, Mac, Win95, WWW

Formula Graphics Multimedia System <http://www.FormulaGraphics.com/>: Harrow
Software <http://www.FormulaGraphics.com/>; Windows, NT, WWW(via FG), Java (via
FGX)
This is a Hypermedia Linkage authoring system, whose interface is more than
vaguely reminiscent of Visual Basic; has a relatively powerful scripting
language.  Formula Graphics is available as shareware, with only the packaging
functions disabled.

IconAuthor <http://www.asymetrix.com/products/iconauthor/> : Asymetrix
<http://www.asymetrix.com/>;  Windows, NT, UNIX, , WWW (via Windows)
IconAuthor follows the iconic/flow control paradigm.  It is notable for
its SmartObject editor, which tags content files (still graphics, RTF text,
etc.) for interactivity.  It has the option to either embed content files or
leave them external in specified directories.  The biggest strength of this
program is its included data handling, which makes it unparalleled for CBT data
tracking.  The latest version should also provide WWW porting of existing
content.  Avoid its internal "Move Object" path animation feature due to jerky
response -- use a .FLC or .AVI instead.

mBed Interactor <http://www.mbed.com/interactor/interactor.html> : mBed
<http://www.mbed.com/> ; Java, Mac, Windows95, WWW
mBed Interactor is a cast/score/scripting authoring system optimized for WWW
delivery; it comes in Lite, Standard and Professional Editions.



16. What print magazines deal with authoring systems?

AV Video and Multimedia Producer <http://www.kipinet.com/av_mmp/>
CBT SolutionsMagazine <http://www.cbtsolutions.com/>
EMedia Professional <http://www.onlineinc.com/emedia/>
                             formerly CD-ROM Professional
Interactivity <http://www.interactivitymag.com/>
Lingo User's Journal <http://www.penworks.com/LUJ/index.html>
NewMedia<http://newmedia.com/>



17. What books deal with authoring systems?

Lingo Sorcery by Peter Small.  Includes hybrid Macintosh/Windows CD-ROM.  This
is the best object-oriented Lingo book available; be sure to work your way
through the problems! <http://www.wiley.com/compbooks/catalog/96302-X.htm>

Macromedia Director Lingo Workshop by John Thompson, et.al. Includes
Macintosh CD-ROM.
<http://merchant.superlibrary.com:8000/catalog/mcp/PRODUCT/PAGE/15683/bud/1568302878.html>
Macromedia Director Lingo Workshop by John Thompson, et.al. Includes
Windows CD-ROM.
<http://merchant.superlibrary.com:8000/catalog/mcp/PRODUCT/PAGE/15683/bud/156830269X.html>

Multimedia--Making it Work by Tay Vaughan. Includes hybrid Macintosh/Windows
CD-ROM.  Now out in its 3rd Edition; essential if you're just starting out --
useful if you're breaking out on your own.
<http://www.timestream.com/web/products/tsprod.html>


Additional book pointers are collected at:

Betsy Bruce's Authorware Books site <http://pobox.com/~bbruce/>



18. What software titles deal with authoring systems?

Interactive Multimedia - Getting Started: A CD-ROM Hands on Guide to creating
interactive multimedia by Interactive Media Corporation.  Macintosh CD-ROM.
<http://www.imcinfo.com/MMGettingStartedDataSheet.html>

The Lingo(TM) Timesaver(TM) <http://www.updatestage.com/TLT.html>: UpdateStage
<http://www.updatestage.com/index.html>; Hybrid Macintosh/Windows CD-ROM.

Multimedia, Working it Out! by Tay Vaughan.  Hybrid Macintosh/Windows CD-ROM.
Invaluable resource for independent professional and would-be multimedia
developers. <http://www.timestream.com/web/products/mmcd/mmcdpr01.html>



19. What USENET newsgroups deal with authoring systems?

General Authoring:
    bit.listserv.edtech
    comp.infosystems.kiosks This moderated newsgroup deals with kiosk issues,
         including software development for kiosk delivery.
    comp.multimedia This unmoderated newsgroup is the omnibus multimedia
         forum; issues covered range from sound cards to authoring tools to C++
         libraries.
    comp.os.ms-windows.programmer.multimedia
    comp.os.os2.multimedia
    comp.publish.cdrom.multimedia
    comp.sys.amiga.multimedia
    misc.education.multimedia

Authorware
    alt.authorware  Inundated with spam, this group is mostly oriented to
         newbie questions; more technical questioners tend to be pointed
to the
         AWARE mailing list.
    bit.listserv.authorware  This newsgroup has a uni-directional feed
         from the AWARE mailing list; posts to the newsgroup no longer bounce
         back to the list.  Questions range from newbie to highly technical.

Director
    alt.multimedia.director  Fairly well spammed, this group is mostly
    oriented to newbie questions; more technical questioners are usually
    pointed to DIRECT-L.

HyperCard
    comp.sys.mac.hypercard

ToolBook II
    bit.listserv.toolb-l

Windows Help and Multimedia Viewer
    comp.os.ms-windows.programmer.winhelp



20. What Independent WebSites deal with authoring systems?


General Resources:

Authorbase Cobweb site -- not updated for a couple of years.
<http://wwwetb.nlm.nih.gov/authorb/irx/index.html>

Gamasutra Sponsored by the same crowd that runs the Computer Game Developer's
Conference; in the Production and Programming sections there are threads on
authoring. <http://www.gamasutra.com/>

In-Depth Reviews    Roger Moncrief has written a number of excellent reviews of
various multimedia tools. <http://www.indrev.com/>

Maricopa Authoring Web   Excellent authoring site; regular updates and new
pointers. <http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/authoring/>

MediaBuilder <http://www.mediabuilder.com/>

Multimedia Resources Page.  This is the comprehensive multimedia site.
<http://viswiz.gmd.de/MultimediaInfo/>

News from the Field, by TRIA M EUROPE BV, a webmagazine aimed at authoring
specialists. <http://www.tme.nl/>

Picking a Multimedia Authoring Tool, article by Andy Oeftering, Data-Tech
Institute <http://www.datatech.com/hot/s96_3.htm>


CBT Resources:

CBT Autorensysteme     German (Deutsch) article about CBT Authoring Systems by
Markus Beisser. <http://www.ifs.univie.ac.at/~c9303344/cbe1.htm>


Apple Media Tool Resources:

The Unoffical Apple Media Tool (AMT) Site
<http://ccsmacinfo.ccs.queensu.ca/Mark/AMT2/>


Authorware Resources:

The Authorware Professional (AWARE list) Page.  If you are doing any level of
Authorware development, check out the AWARE mailing list and its USENET mirror
at bit.listserv.authorware. <http://www.hvu.nl/aware>

The Authorware Ring  A linked group of sites belonging to professional
Authorware developers. <http://www.euronet.nl:80/users/ix/authoring.html>

Betsy Bruce's Multimedia page  Includes the current list of Authorware books.
<http://pobox.com/~betsy/>

The Kinte Space  This is Bryan Wilhite's demo space; check it out --
especially the Kinte FAQs! <http://users.aol.com/Wilhite213/kinte.html>

The Media Shoppe  Wade Wells' site, 3rd party Authorware UCDs.
<http://www.themediashoppe.com/>

Whirlwind Multimedia     Tim Miller's site, 3rd party Authorware XCMDs and UCDs
<http://www.whirlwind-media.com/>


Director Resources:

Director FAQ-in-progress.
<http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/director/faq/index.html>

Director Web at Maricopa; Here is the Director resources site.  Excellent!
<http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/director/>

Great Bay Interactive, a New England Director shop <http://www.greatbayint.com/>

LingoLand <http://www.horizon.nl/~gbrok/>

UpdateStage; a fantastic Director site <http://www.updatestage.com/index.html>


HyperCard Resources:

The HyperCard Resource Page, maintained by GlassCat Communications
<http://www.glasscat.com/hypercard>


mTropolis Resources:

mTroposite        iXmedia inc. hosts the mTropo-List mTropolis mailing list and
website listing third-party mTropolis scripts and modifiers.  The mailing list
archives are searchable. <http://mtrop.ixmedia.com/>


Shockwave Resources:

ShockeR     Shockwave Sites Mailing List and Search Engine
<http://www.shocker.com/>


SuperCard Resources:

Australian SuperCard User's Group <http://www.curtin.edu.au/other/supercard/>

Fourth World   Richard Gaskin's site; 3rd-party SuperCard tools
developer/distributor <http://www.fourthworld.com/>


Toolbook Resources:

The Toolbook List <http://www.biocom.arizona.edu/tbook/>

The Toolbook User's Web <http://www.ets.bris.ac.uk/tosolini/tbkwww/>



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