Tag: technology
There are a lot of file extensions to wade through out there. Here’s a run down to help you better navigate the production waters
To the uninitiated, the wide variety of graphics files out there can seem like an incomprehensible alphabet soup – and new file formats seem to pop up all the time. If you don’t know your PDFs from your PSDs, here’s an overview of some of the most common formats.
Video/Animation files
FLA (.fla)
Native Flash documents – these are files that can be created, opened and edited in the Adobe Flash application. They can include animation, video, and interactive elements. An FLA file would never appear on the web or in a digital publication: It is not the final product, but rather the working file that can be opened and edited again and again. It can only be opened in the Flash application.
FLV (.flv)
Flash Video. FLV files contain video content, which can be played back by Adobe Flash Player on the web. Many websites, including YouTube, use the Flash Video format. FLV files can be played back on their own, or embedded within a SWF (see below).
SWF (.swf)
Stands for Shockwave Flash, or alternatively Small Web Format. SWF files contain a finished animation created in Flash. They are designed to be small enough in file size to be published on the web. A SWF file is not fully editable the way a FLA file would be, but rather is the final product that appears on the web. SWF files originally contained only vector animation, but can now contain Flash video (FLV) elements and interactivity.
AVI (.avi)
Audio Video Interleave. AVI is a format that contains audio and video. One of the earliest multimedia formats, it is still in use, though less common.
Other image files
PDF (.pdf)
Portable Document Format. PDFs are files that can contain many different types of data – text, images, and more – in a single compressed file. They can be viewed in many different programs, as well as on the web.
EPS (.eps)
Encapsulated PostScript. EPS files are image files that can contain either vector or raster image data, or both. They are the most common format for vector graphics, such as logos.
TIFF (.tif)
Tagged Image File Format. TIFFs are bitmap (raster) image files, typically used in print, not on the web.
JPEG (.jpg)
Joint Photographic Experts Group. JPEGs are bitmap (raster) image files that are often used on the web. They are compressed for smaller file size – some information is actually thrown away in order to reduce the amount of data contained in the file. The compression used in JPEGs works best with photographs, rather than images with areas of flat color.
GIF (.gif)
Graphics Interchange Format. GIFs are bitmap (raster) image files that are often used on the web. They can support animation by displaying a series of images within one GIF file. GIFs can also be static. (To view the animation in an animated GIF, you need to view it in a web browser.) Because of limitations on the number of colors they can use, GIFs are better suited to simple images with areas of flat color (such as logos) than to complicated photographic images.
Other native files
“Native” files are files that are specific to one application or program, and are designed to be opened and worked with in that application only. Typically, in order to open a native file, you must use the application in which it was created (usually, even the same version or newer of the application is required).
PSD (.psd)
Photoshop Document. Must be opened in Adobe Photoshop. PSDs can contain many layers and effects that remain editable.
INDD (.indd)
InDesign Document. Must be opened in Adobe InDesign. InDesign documents are the main layout file for many print pieces (and occasionally digital pieces as well) and often are linked to separate image files and fonts that must go along with the INDD.
AI (.ai)
Adobe Illustrator document. Must be opened in (you guessed it) Adobe Illustrator. AIso can contain many layers and effects that remain editable.
QXD (.qxd)
QuarkXPress Document. Must be opened in QuarkXPress. QXD files are layout files, similar to INDDs.
Note: File formats are typically referred to by their acronym (all caps: JPEG) but sometimes instead are referred to by their extension (dot + lowercase: .jpg). The extension is what you see at the end of the filename. Either one is OK as long as you’re consistent, but it’s probably better to use the acronym.
There are many more file types, but these are among the most commonly used in the design and publishing worlds. If you’re a non-designer, familiarity with these terms will make it easier to communicate with the designers you encounter in your work. They’ll appreciate it!
–Austin Stahl, Art Manager, Network Media Partners, Inc.
For his next act, Austin will uncover the mystery of raster versus vector…
April 27, 2010
Underneath technology of a virtual event, attendees must find value in participation
As associations look to incorporate the social connectivity of Web 2.0 in their events, it’s easy to see why a virtual event would be a logical next step in online community building. Virtual conferences, webinars and online sessions offer a new level of interactivity and attract a wider range of attendees, while keeping their roots in the tried and true best practices of a traditional in-person event.
The projector’s down
If a glitch happens during an in-person session, the show will likely go on. But the success of your virtual conference depends greatly on the technology you use to serve your event. Make sure users can easily connect and participate in the session by choosing technology that is user-friendly and easily accessible.
Find a technology that requires a system check before a user can register, recommends Anthony Allen, Director, Digital Media for American Society for Training & Development. There is nothing worse than registering for—and paying for—an event only to find you cannot attend because of your browser’s capabilities.
Speaker, Prepare Thyself
When it comes to content, your audience will benefit from a presenter who is prepared to speak to a virtual group. Allen recommends giving your presenters a speaker orientation that helps them with some of the finer points of speaking to a virtual audience. As Allen pointed out during a recent webinar, “Producing Virtual Sessions,” a speaker should consider the shelf life of an online session that is recorded and say hello to the “audience of the future.” A simple greeting akin to “Good morning or good afternoon to those of you viewing this recorded session” will suffice.
Know your competition
Allow attendees to revisit sessions (or perhaps view them for the first time) after your live event has passed. Often virtual attendees can commit only the time for one or two sessions of a day-long conference. Remember, when attendees are in front of their computers, your session is in competition with email, calendar reminders and anything else that, literally, pops up.
After attending a recent virtual conference, Event and Marketing Manager Bridget Feeley says, “The sessions offered some great content, but attending all of them in one day was an information overload. That’s not much different from a physical event.”
Exhibitors and Sponsors
The best way to include exhibitors or sponsors depends on whether your online event is paired with a live event or stands alone. Some virtual-only events include a virtual exhibit hall, where attendees browse exhibitors’ information, enter their “booth” and chat with the exhibitor.
“The exhibit hall was the most interesting aspect,” Feeley says. “Each booth was set up differently and as you entered, a representative from the company chatted to see if you had any questions. You could download brochures, see demonstrations, link to the exhibitors’ web site, and chat with other attendees or with the company reps.”
If your virtual event is paired with a concurrent live one, consider allowing virtual attendees to ask questions of a live exhibitor via a web chat and live video stream.
As host, also consider what your exhibitors and sponsors can gain from being in front of your audience. Feeley says, “As an exhibitor, you have access to instant leads, can measure your results, and have the ability to communicate with your audience before, during and after a physical event.”
Million dollar question: How can you generate revenue from a virtual event?
Perhaps the best way to generate revenue from an online event is to incorporate sponsorships that are valuable to both attendees and the supplier or vendor who is your sponsor.
Sponsored content and education materials, live Q and A sessions or product demonstrations during the virtual event allow the sponsor access to its prospective customers while giving attendees meaningful information and ideas to take away with them.
April 20, 2010
Networker Bridget Feeley provides her take on attending a virtual event
It seemed like everywhere you turned in 2009, someone was talking about social media… and I decided to join in on the conversation. I created LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter accounts and recently attended my first virtual conference and tradeshow. A virtual tradeshow seems like a logical step to help association professionals communicate and gain knowledge in a social media driven world.
I had read several articles about virtual events, but I still didn’t really know what to expect before I attended. I wanted to try to evaluate the event from every perspective. From the comfort of my own office, I sat back, logged in and got started.
Similar to a physical event, there were several sessions available to attend throughout the day, an exhibit hall, chat rooms and a library where you could download articles. The sessions offered some great content, but attending all of them in one day was an information overload. (Again, not much different from a physical event.) I should mention that you could come back and attend the sessions 90 days after the event date, but I chose to knock it out in one day.
Exhibit Hall
The exhibit hall was the most interesting aspect in my opinion. Each booth was set up differently and as you entered, a representative from the company chatted to see if you had any questions. You could download brochures, see demonstrations, link to the exhibitor’s website, and chat with other attendees in the booth or with the company reps. You also had the ability to be invisible if you didn’t want to chat with anyone and just browse around the booth.
Networking
Outside of the exhibit hall, the chat rooms provided a forum to interact with other attendees and the library had some great articles available to download. After a day spent in the virtual world, I was ready for some face-to-face interaction.
Education Sessions
The sessions ran from 8:30 am – 6:00 pm and were about 45 minutes each. The keynotes were interesting because it was video feed from a live presentation, so you felt like you were actually sitting in the audience. The sessions were similar to webinars, where you viewed a slideshow presentation with audio. This could have become a bit monotonous, but the speakers were very energetic and the 45 minutes seemed to fly by.
If you are considering hosting a virtual event, there are several things to think about. Virtual events seem to attract a wider audience. Attendees who could not make the physical event can easily attend a virtual event with little to no cost (no travel, hotel or shipping fees), and they can attend in the comfort of their own home or office. As a host of a virtual event, it can be time-consuming and difficult to get internal teams and external participants on board, as well as costly, but if done correctly, this is another revenue builder and will keep you visible in your marketplace. As an exhibitor, you have access to instant leads, can measure your results, and have the ability to communicate with your audience before, during and after a physical event. One of the major negative sides of a virtual event is the lack of face-to-face interaction. I enjoy going to an event and meeting people, asking questions, and feeling the energy that a room full of people contains.
Future of virtual conferences
Can a virtual event replace an in-person event? Not likely… but a combination of the two is something everyone will be talking about in 2010. Keep your ears open about the “hybrid” event – a mix of a physical event with a virtual aspect. This not only allows for pre-conference interaction, but is also a great way for those who may not have been able to attend the physical event to get involved after an event, and to continue communication in the online world.
–Bridget Feeley, Event and Marketing Manager, Network Media Partners
Coming in April: American Society for Training & Development’s month-long virtual event.
This post is a follow-up to an article published in the quarterly Connect newsletter. Not getting the newsletter? E-mail Jen Smith to request a copy.
April 6, 2010
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