Web Technology Information: A Primer
Would you like to use Web innovations such as podcasts and wikis, but aren't sure how? Find out with the Web Technology Information Web Guide. You'll discover that the Web is filled with instruction manuals to get you going with plug-ins, RSS, mpegs, mp3s, Web 2.0, YouTube and more. For a Spanish-language version of the Guide, click here.
Expand All Guide SectionsWeb Technology Basics
Before you explore all the wonderful media and tools on the Web, it's important to get acquainted ... read more »
News Aggregators and RSS Feeds
Keeping up to date with your favorite Web sites doesn't need to be an exercise in persistence. ... read more »
Wikis
A wiki is a community-produced and edited document. Wikis are collaborative ... read more »
File-Sharing
Though it's most famous for its illegal uses, there is nothing inherently illegal about ... read more »
Online Media Players
Audio and video can be delivered in numerous formats using many different online media players.
Insights for Online Media Players
- The type of portable digital media player you have, such as an iPod, determines the file format you need.This article from The New York Times illustrates the dilemma facing many digital media consumers.
- Most media players function as plug-ins, meaning that they work with your Web browser to seamlessly display video from other Web sites. Most Web browsers automatically seek out and download the correct player for a file if you don't already have it. Nevertheless, it's a good idea to get familiar with the different formats and players.
Top Sites for Online Media Players
To understand the different file formats ...
ExtremeTech
covers the major audio formats, their usages and some drawbacks and advantages of each.
For the major online media players ...
Microsoft
offers Windows Media Player for the Windows operating system (although there are versions for Macs as well). WMP and its accompanying file formats are one of the industry standards.
QuickTime
is the Mac's native media player, and a basic version of it is available here.
iTunes
sits on the throne beside its royal spouse, the iPod. This media player is available for Macs and PCs and is primarily used for audio and video that resides on your actual computer. Some Web sites and users play online content directly through iTunes as well.
RealPlayer
is typically used by many Web sites to deliver streaming audio and video, such as live broadcasts and Internet radio. A small pointer file is downloaded by your computer, which directs the player to the streaming content.
Adobe's
Flash and Shockwave players are the industry standard for Web animation.
For inline/online/embedded ...
YouTube
is one of the leading sources of embedded video on the Web. Browse or search the massive user-generated library of videos, or register with the site to post your own video.
Podcasts and Vodcasts
Podcasts and vodcasts are delivery methods for Internet radio and TV programs. ... read more »
Web 2.0
You may hear the term Web 2.0 bandied around quite a bit today. Dismissed by some ... read more »
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