SMIL For Dummies [Paperback]

Heather Williamson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764507532 | ISBN-13: 978-0764507533 | Publication Date: February 15, 2001

The Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language is bringing smiles to the faces of Web developers everywhere. A markup language similar to HTML–and just as simple to use–SMIL lets you easily combine and synchronize text, still images, animations, audio, and video to create Web pages with loads of pizzazz. Don’t worry SMIL is fully supported by most Web browsers, including Internet Explorer 5.5 and Netscape Navigator 6. And, SMIL isn’t just for Web pages. You can use it to enhance multimedia presentations on a CD-ROM, to enliven computer-based training sessions, or just for the fun of it, in a RealPlayer, RealNetworks, or QuickTime multimedia presentation.

SMIL For Dummies is for absolutely anybody–regardless of prior experience–who wants to build scintillating multimedia presentations. Using three full-scale, from-the-ground-up SMIL examples, this friendly guide shows you how to:

• Supercharge your Web site with the full range of multimedia effects
• Build classy multimedia presentations for all occasions
• Work with SMIL syntax
• Fine-tune multimedia placement and timing
• Enhance your presentations with link effects
• Create cool animation and transformation effects

Explore the nearly limitless possibilities SMIL offers for creating gorgeous multimedia presentations. From basic to advanced features, expert Heather Williamson covers all the bases with step-by-step coverage of, among other things:

• Getting the hang of SMIL tags, elements ,and attributes
• Positioning your media, setting up regions, setting a sequence, understanding duration and delay
• Customizing your presentation
• Linking to the proper destinations
• Using links, anchors, and image maps
• Building your own radio station
• Producing your own cartoons
• Making your own movies

Just to make your first SMIL that much more fun, SMIL For Dummies comes with a bonus CD-ROM featuring:

• SMIL Composer from Sausage Software – a SMIL editor
• RealSlideShow from RealNetworks – a SMIL authoring environment
• Evaluation versions of Paint Shop Pro
• A trial version of Hot Dog Professional
• All examples and images from the book

Even if you’ve never so much as seen a line of HTML code, SMIL For Dummies can show you how to unleash the awesome power of synchronized multimedia and create eye-popping Web pages and presentations

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

SMIL tools and players on CD-ROM

Get the latest on W3C SMIL 2 standards and recommendations

Unleash the power of synchronized multimedia - no experience required! With SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language), you can turbocharge your site with video and audio - once you get a handle on how it works, that is. Relax! Using three from-the-ground-up SMIL examples, this friendly guide shows you step-by-step how to build well-designed multimedia presentations - without having to read the SMIL specification. all this on the bonus CD-ROM SMIL Composer from Sausage Software, a SMIL editor RealSlideShow from RealNetworks, a SMIL authoring environment Evaluation versions of Paint Shop Pro and trial version of Hot Dog Professional Plus all examples and images from the book System requirements: PC Pentium 120 or faster; PowerPC Macintosh with a 604 processor or faster. See the About the CD Appendix for details and complete system requirements. Plus leading Internet tools

Discover how to: Integrate multimedia content into your Web pages Build well-designed multimedia presentations Work with SMIL syntax Fine-tune multimedia placement and timing Enhance presentations with link effects

Get smart! www.dummies.com

About the Author

Heather Williamson runs a Web development and consulting business and is the author of several books, including HTML Master Reference.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies (February 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764507532
• ISBN-13: 978-0764507533
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,489,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A bit disappointed, February 23, 2001

By 

Steve Criscuoli (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SMIL For Dummies (Paperback)

I've been using SMIL for about a year now and was hoping that this book would give me a good single reference to use in leiu of the W3C documentation which can be a bit dry. I was actually encouraged when I found out this book was being delayed, since I figured that meant that SMIL 2.0 related material was being included. My problems with this book are two-fold:
First,SMIL 1.0 and SMIL 2.0 is intermixed throughout the book and since most players still do not implement SMIL 2.0, most of the examples will not work, leaving a newcomer to SMIL confused. SMIL 2.0 tags are not even specifically identified until you read Appendix E, which is only on the CD. Once you buy the book and print the PDF file in Appendix E, then and only then can you go back through the rest of the book to see what you can do now versus what you'll be able to do shortly. I realize that SMIL 2.0 is 'just around the corner' but if I'm building today, I need to know what I can do today.
My second problem is with the CD. Other than the directory for applications and the Appendices, this is disk was not much help. Most of the examples will not even run on Real Player 8. Many of the chapter examples contain only the SMIL file and none of the media references. Several of the examples reference directory structures not on the CD. What you end up with is a few megabytes worth of documentation which can be printed or

stored on your hard disk and a CD which can act as your drink coaster.