Details

Using Animated GIFs

Using Frames

Using Image Maps

Adding Multimedia

1	Details
2	Resources
3	Step-by-Step

Using Tables

1 2 3

Adding Multimedia - Details

Adding Sound:

Adding sound is great way to add variety and fun to your school web site. There are a variety of methods to add sound to your page, methods which usually depend on which format (.wav or .aiff or .mid etc.) you are using for your sound. Some "sound" web page scenarios are outlined below.

A link which plays a .wav (or .aiff) file when clicked
Music which plays automatically when your page loads
Music which plays when you click a play button
Sound effects which play when you click an object
Streaming Audio

A link which plays a .wav (or .aiff) file when clicked

This is achieved by using the .wav (or .aiff if you use Apple Macs) file as a link. For example, add this HTML code to your web page:

<A HREF="myfile.wav"> Click here to hear my recording </A>

Warning: Remember to have the file "myfile.wav" uploaded to your web site for this to work, and be prepared for a really long wait while the .wav file downloads.

Music which plays automatically when your page loads

Here, we’ll use a different type of music (called MIDI) as it is more economical in size and characteristics than .wav files. Once you have the music you wish to include, save this file as "bgmusic.mid", and "cut and paste" the following pieces of HTML code.

Note: You will notice that instructions below vary between browsers. Unfortunately, there is no 100% agreed standard between the browser-makers (notably Microsoft and Netscape). This results in a situation where it is best to put in BOTH the Internet Explorer-style code as well as the Netscape-style code. I feel it's better to add superfluous code rather than risk the sound not working at all for some viewers.

For Internet Explorer browsers, use:

<bgsound src="bgmusic.mid" loop="2">

(Add this code between the <head> </head> tags above your <body> tag. Change "bgmusic.mid" and loop="2" according to your music file name and preference respectively.)

For Netscape background browsers, use:

<EMBED SRC=bgmusic.mid AUTOSTART=true HIDDEN=true LOOP=1>

(Add this code after your <body> tag. Notice that AUTOSTART=true HIDDEN=true guarantee that you see no console on the page. Use AUTOSTART=false WIDTH=144 HEIGHT=60 to offer a visible and playable console.

Tip: You can download samples of music in digital format called MIDI from a range of web sites (c.f. Resources below). Alternatively, if you are feeling really creative, you can obtain software that will record directly from your keyboard into the computer, thus creating your own backing tracks (for example the Shareware program Noteworthy – http://www.ntworthy.com )

Music which plays when you click a play button

Netscape and recent Internet Explorer browsers can use the <EMBED> method outlined above (specifying AUTOSTART=false so that the sound doesn’t run in the background). This creates a console, which offers control of the music to the listener.

Warning: Older browsers may produce an error message when you view the page. This should not be a serious problem; simply click on the OK button to continue.

Example:

<EMBED SRC=mymusicfile.mid AUTOSTART=true WIDTH=144 HEIGHT=60 LOOP=1>

Sound effects which play when you click an object

Increasingly, web design software is enabling integration of sound without the need to delve into HTML code. One package introduced here in Ireland in 1999 specifically for schools is "WebArtist", published by Sierra and available here from www.diskovery.ie.

I have seen pupils having great fun simply "dragging" a clip-art-type sound effect onto a picture. This makes the picture a "link" which, when clicked, runs the sound file. It operates by a Java Applet in the background that does all the hard work for you. Simply upload your page and automatically, the related music and Java files are uploaded alongside.

Streaming Audio

Streaming Audio is one of the most under-utilised Internet technologies at this time. Streaming Audio enables listening to live world-wide radio (even T.V.) as well as any audio material over the Internet, and is particularly suitable to sound files which are lengthy and thus have a large file size.

Note: Before "streaming" audio, listeners had to wait until the complete sound file had downloaded before they could start to listen (and this could take 15 minutes for say a 2 minute clip). This is analogous to waiting for a barrel to fill fully with water before drinking. Now, with "streaming" audio, you can start to listen as the beginning of the file reaches your PC (analogous to drinking directly from the tap!).

Adding "streaming audio" to your web site is quite straightforward. There is a choice of technologies, but for simplicity, we will examine one popular streaming audio solution from the company "Real" called "RealAudio".