Describes how multimedia products start as ideas and go through the stages of design, production, manufacturing, and marketing. Highlights include corporate consolidation, market distribution in 1997, encyclopedias and the growing Internet trend, direct marketers and sales, CD-ROM and DVD (digital video disk), costs, and future directions. (AEF)

Reports on the results of a survey of software publishers and market researchers for educators that was conducted to determine development, purchasing, and upgrading plans for educational computer technology. Highlights include operating systems, including Macintosh, DOS, and Windows; equipment needs, including memory, monitors, and special…

Tom Corddry, Microsoft Corporation's Creative Director for the Consumer Division, is interviewed about the Microsoft Home line of products and the development of related CD-ROM and multimedia products. Reasons for Microsoft's entry into the content market and its challenges, the market's future, and the company's interest in developing online…

Discusses issues to consider in selecting a CD-ROM network solution, including throughput (speed of data delivery), security, access, servers, key features, training, jukebox support, documentation, and licenses. Reviews software products offered by Novell, Around Technology, Micro Design, Smart Storage, Microtest, Meridian, CD-Connection,…

Provides an overview of developments in computer-based training (CBT) authoring software and reviews the following products: Macromedia's Authorware, Aimtech's CBT Express, Iprax CourseWorks, Intersystem Concepts' Everest, Aimtech's IconAuthor, Innovus Multimedia, Allen Communication's QuestNet+, and Asymetrix's ToolBook II Instructor. A sidebar…

Provides an overview of developments in CD-ROM networking technology and describes products offered by Axis, Banyan (VINES--network operating environment), CD Connection, Celerity, Data/Ware, Document Imaging Systems Corporation (DISC), Imagery, Jodian, Meridian, Micro Design International, Microsoft, Microtest, Novell, OnLine Computer Systems,…

Discusses issues that students from a high school and an elementary/middle school identified as important for reviewing multimedia software programs, and includes suggestions for evaluation criteria: entertainment/educational value; skill development; measurement; speed/time; variety; and user interface. Also describes developers' use of student…

Highlights trends in educational technology usage in India. Discussion includes software exports; available jobs and salaries; the establishment by IBM of a research center; doctoral programs; the state of education; CD-ROM prices; and future plans for multimedia centers. (AEF)