More about file types
There are only two types of graphic files that are supported by most graphical web browsers: GIF and JPEG. A third type, PNG, is also supported by most current browsers, but not browsers released before mid-1997. Netscape and MSIE support PNG beginning with version 4.0. You can create graphics in other formats, but before posting them, they must be converted to one of these three types.
Photos
Photos can be one of the best ways to illustrate Web site pages and articles. Photos are usually processed for fast loading in GIF and JPEG format. GIF file formats are not as suitable as JPEGs for photos.
Illustrations
Illustrations can be very useful in conveying a concept or data for a Web site. Illustrations may use either GIF or JPEG formats depending on the design. Text and line art is best rendered by GIF files, while gradients and special rendering effects are best rendered by JPEGs.
Animation
Animation can be a tremendous asset to a site when done tastefully, or it can be a toy-like irritating gimmick. There are several file formats which may be used for online animations.
Video
Video may also be used on a business Web site. Of course video can tell a story better than any of the alternatives. There are streaming video technologies and ones that must be downloaded completely before playing can begin. There are several competing formats for video playback including Flash Video, Quick Time, Windows Media Player 10, and MPEG 4.
Interactivity
Interactivity Interfaces, Tools, games, diagrams, presentations, neat features.
While catchy graphics can make your site attractive and get the viewer's interest, some graphics may have a negative effect on your site. For every 10 seconds it takes for your graphics to load before your page contents can be seen, you risk losing 20% of your remaining viewers.
The best advice is that before deciding how many graphics to use on your business Web site, consider your audience and their bandwidth connection to the Internet. Some markets still have 56k modems, while higher end demographics use cable modems and DSL connections.
What is Rich Media?
Rich Media is is... just that... a rich and elaborate mix of whatever medias are most applicable (or handy) for communicating complex idea sets. Rich media "enriches" regular media. For example, the web (a media type) can be enriched by adding additional interactive components that may or may not include lavish video, animation, 3D, motion graphics and/or other elements.
How Does One Utilize Rich Media?
Rich media technologies give businesses the ability - among other things - to utilize the art & craft of 2D & 3D visualization, and present it intelligently & efficiently to an audience to enhance things like entertainment, commerce, marketing, training, education, online gaming, and data-driven visualization for industry solutions. It is a thoroughly proven concept that the human brain comprehends and retains visual input far more accurately and effectively than text input, alone - and if interaction is involved, that much the better.
5 Types of Rich Media
Just a few of the rich media options to integrate into your online ad campaign. Rich media encompasses a wide range of advertising vehicles, with new ones being introduced regularly.
Here are just a few of the options available under the "banner" of rich media:
1. The latest advertising HTML-enhanced banners incorporate interactive features such as drop-down menus with animated GIFs and other HTML elements, providing rich-media benefits without the major expense of streaming.
2. Streaming banners are traditional banners with streaming video content within the banner. The video clip can generally be sized to fit a traditional banner or to fit many rectangular sizes.
3. Streaming video content plays to your captive audience immediately after the user clicks and while the requested content is loading.
4. Java Applets can include animated graphics and forms and can be included in an HTML message. Their major benefit is that they don’t require any additional software or plug-ins. Most operating systems already contain Java(TM) interpreters. (Flash players are also now built into most browsers as well).
5. In-stream ads – also known as gateways, interstitials, or bumpers -- are TV-like spots that pop up between Web pages and are inserted in audio or video streams, either live or on-demand. When placed at the beginning of the stream, this type of gateway or lead-in ad yields the highest CPM.
The standbys - the gifs and jpegs - still provide a critical component to creating a compelling business site experience. |
