Prerequisites and Selection Criteria of Multimedia Authoring Tools (MAT)

Abstract

The integration of audio, video, graphics and text on the desktop promises to fundamentally challenge the centuries old printed document as the basis of information exchange. Before this potential can be realized, however, systems must be devised that enable the production and presentation of complex, inter-related media objects. These systems are generically called multimedia-authoring tools. This article will discuss about different aspects of Multimedia Authoring Tools (MAT), its categorization, most common features and prerequisites. A special attention has been given to discuss the most common features of MAT and the best possible evaluation criteria of authoring packages. Lastly, three most popular MAT with their brief features are presented.