Getting Started

We have found that one of the greatest barriers to learning about multimedia development is a lack of basic computer literacy. By computer literacy we mean being able to manage and organize computer files efficiently, and learning to use your computer's operating system and software quickly and easily.

Keep in mind that this is not a computer literacy course. In order to learn multimedia development it is important that you have already mastered basic computer skills so that our time together is not spent tangled up in file management issues.

First, you are expected to know how to work with your computer's operating system. Using a computer's operating system is not to be confused with using the applications on a computer. For example: knowing how to use Microsoft Word does not necessarily mean you know how to use the operating system on your computer to install software, arrange files and folders, find files, save a file to a new directory or folder, copy text from a Word file into an email, move multiple files at once, or the many other everyday tasks associated with managing your computer.

In case you are taking the course here on campus and finding yourself working on an Apple Macintosh operating system instead of Microsoft Windows, here's a wonderful little job aid [1.1MB pdf] put together by EDTEC grad student Antonia Chan to help you translate your understanding of Windows into Mac. Print this out and keep it beside you as you work in the classroom or computer lab.

Second, you must be comfortable with sending email, attaching documents to email, browsing the web, downloading and installing software, and converting files from one format to another.

Here is a more concise list of system operating and file management skills, along with links to resources for getting up to speed. If you're feeling a little shaky on some of this stuff, work on weak areas soon, before the 2nd week of class!

The following three sections provide some additional detail on the skills, knowledge, and system performance you will need as you begin the course. If you require assistance in any of these areas, you can usually obtain the information you need at your local computer store, online, through local computer groups or community colleges, or, in many cases, from knowledgable friends or colleagues.

Knowledge requirements

You should be able to:

Know which applications are currently running on your computer, and how to quickly switch among open applications, save, print, and troubleshoot problems.
Learn the basics of new software programs by exploration and trial and error, as well as with tutorials and manuals.
Understand the differences between "Save" and "Save as…"
Distinguish among files, folders and applications.
Nimbly navigate hierarchies of files and folders with an understanding of the "desktop" and other metaphors that computer operating systems use.

Skill requirements

You should be able to:

Install new applications.
Download and uncompress files.
Change the format of a file using "Save As…"
Use an application to generate a new file, saving it with a descriptive filename, in a file format of your choice, and in a directory/folder where you can easily find it.
Use basic word processing, graphics, e-mail, and Web browsing applications.
Rename folders and move or copy files from one folder to another or to different drives.
Copy and paste text between different applications such as an email address from a browser to an email message.
Back up your work to a separate drive or volume.

Technical requirements

You will need:

A well equipped and reasonably recent Macintosh or Windows PC.
At least 100 MB of free space on your hard drive. This is above and beyond the space you’ll need for software for the class.
Enough RAM to run at least three applications at once, such as a web browser, Dreamweaver, and Microsoft Word.
A removable disk drive or other reliable way of backing up your work. We recommend the use of a Compact Flash or other removable drive for storage and backing up, and perhaps some other high capacity device, such as a CD-R or DVD-R drive, that will let you back up your work in a location separate from your primary computer's hard drive.
A good color monitor supporting at least 1024 x 768 pixels and 16bit color.
On-line students will need an external or built-in microphone and headphones, or, better, a headset mic, to speak in live Webcasts. Otherwise, you may type your responses and questions.

You'll need access to:

A digital camera and a way to get your digital images onto your computer.
If you plan to use video and/or audio in your final project, you'll need hardware and software that can capture video and/or audio from a camera or tape deck to a hard drive.

If you live near the SDSU campus, all the necessary hardware and software required for the course are available in class and/or in the Instructional Media Lab (IML, North Education, room 275).

See Texts and Tools for a list of the texts and software you'll need and Student Resources.