Briefly discuss the history and future of multimedia. How might multimedia be used to improve the lives of its users? How might it influence users in negative ways? What might be its shortcomings?

Regarding the history of multimedia, the multimedia term is created in July 1966. According to Wikipedia source, ‘multimedia’ is a media which combine the text, audio, images, animation, video, and interactivity content forms. First of all, the multimedia tools are evolved gradually which start from text, audio, telecommunication devices, video, animation, etc. Due to innovation and creativity of scientists and the development of software, with the computer support, more hi-tech devices and tools of multimedia is created and delivered to users.

Talking about the future of multimedia, it is very important to the many fields especially marketing, education, communication, business, entertainment, medicine, etc. Nowadays, many multimedia tools and application are involved when organising the events or activities such as workshop, talk, open ceremony, functions, etc. Flash animation presentation is used to smooth the talk; multimedia light is used to make people in concert have high spirit, graphic illustration is used to help students more understanding about one particular subject, etc. Therefore, multimedia definitely has significant impact in the future.

Multimedia can improve the lives of users in its applications. The most significant one is improving the lifestyle today. Users can know the latest news that happening around the world without travelling. Moreover, it brings more entertainment to the user. Let take an example of mobile phone. In the past, users only use it to call other people. Currently, mobile phone is like ‘PAT’, Personal Assistant Tool. Many multimedia applications are invented as part of functions of mobile phone. Users can play online games, listening songs or RTM, watching movie or MTV, surfing internet, 3G call, capture photos, read image catalogues, record something, etc. Besides that, some hi-tech mobile phones even provide GPRS MAP (GM) that help users not get lost when travelling or driving at new places. Users can know the location through the graphic simulation on the GM.

Nevertheless, multimedia might influence users in negative ways. Since it is very convenient and easy to use, people may use the multimedia invention and technology in the wrong ways. The most significant is the privacy of the user may be violated. Some users like to use mobile phone or digital camera to record the incident and publish it to ‘you tube’ which actually is violating human being right. In addition, some users may use the advanced multimedia software to edit the picture in order to create the story which can push the sale of magazine especially paparazzi.

Moreover, talking about its shortcomings, multimedia invention might always be misuse by some unmoral organizations when competes to get something. False news was made and spread by someone based on ‘edited picture’ through Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) or other web resources.

In a nutshell, multimedia has contributed a lot to people life today. Thus, users should not misuse it and should appreciate the multimedia application by being a morally good user.