Multimedia is the ability to communicate in more than one way. For example, the computer you are using to view this material is capable of flashing text and beeping when there is a problem. If your computer is equipped with multimedia capabilities then it can handle sound, video, and graphics in a better manner. Originally, the term multimedia was used by institutions which run distance learning courses wherein they deliver content via a combination of text, TV, telephone, audio cassette and the radio, The advent of high resolution screens and sound and video playback facilities for computers has resulted in the increased use of multimedia application for education. A typical multimedia application is characterized by the following features:

The different media it possesses and makes use of

The use of digital technology

The interaction it demands of the user

The integration of sound, images, text and data into seamless application

VRML is an acronym for virtual Reality Modeling Language. Very early on, in its history, when VRML was just an idea without an implementation, the M stood for? markup?, paralleling HTML A VRML file resides on a just like an HTML file currently, a VRML file is a plain text file or a compressed text file, and its name generally ends in??, wrl. Gz??, or??.wrz?? The contents of a VRML file including the files that it may load through the inline nodes are called a ??word ??. These doses not mean that the builder of a VRML word needs to model the whole planet. Many VRML worlds are single objects. VRML is a scene description language, which describes 3D environments over the internet. When you access a URL containing a VRML word, a file is downloaded onto your browser

VRML is a file format that defines the layout and content of a 3D world with links to more information. VRML world are spacious and inherently interactive with objects that react to the user and to each other. VRML is scalable across latforms ranging from PCs to high-end workstations, and soon, the Mac. VRML is also bandwidth efficient in size to HTML pages. Often, when VRML files are large, it is because of motion capture data. Animation, sound, or video, all of which will be reduced as ?? streaming media ?? becomes a reality. Straight VRML files are actually very small, especially if special optimization steps are taken. The web authoring Tools are the most used HTML editors and site management tools.

Streaming

Streaming is the term given to a continuous supply of data. Streaming media is audio and video data that is supplied continuously to the end user from the website they are viewing. Streaming media files over the internet has the distinct advantage that user can start viewing them almost instantly without having to download the full file. In contrast, with more traditional files, the whole file needs to be download before anything can be viewed The player software on the user's computer decodes the compressed stream as it arrives through the user's modem or network So you can be viewing one part of the file while the rest is still being downloaded. Leading players include Real player, windows media player and Quick Time