| Tools |
Pros |
Cons |
| Authorware |
• Plug-in auto-installs itself
• Efficient streaming capabilities
• Cross-platform support
• Learner-tracking capabilities
• Can use Flash assets
• Free plug-in. |
• Not originally designed for Web delivery
• Uses other tools to convert to Web format. |
| Director |
• Programming capabilities
• Tracking capabilities
• Small file size
• Can take advantage of vector images to decrease file size
• Uses Shockwave Audio--very small files
• Can use Flash assets in movies
• Save as JavaScript option for use without plug-in
• Can use many file types as assets
• Cross-platform support
• Free plug-in. |
• Needs plug-in
• Some functions cannot be used when exporting as Shockwave movie. |
| DreamWeaver |
• Works well with Flash and Director
• Handles imbedded Quicktime movies
• Timeline animation
• Handles most basic programming for you
• Works well in Netscape and IE
• Drag-and-drop operation. |
• Creates unnecessary code
• Not easy to make changes with the original file
• Requires patience. |
| Flash |
• Easy to use
• Streaming capabilities
• Vector images keeping file size small
• MP3 audio compression keeps file sizes small
• Fast, smooth animation
• Can resize to any window size or screen resolution
• Cross-platform capabilities
• Graphics are fully scalable
• Free plug-in. |
• Limited tracking capabilities
• Limited programming capabilities, say some users
• Needs plug-in. |
| Java applets |
• Most browsers have Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to run applets
• Usually fairly small
• Cannot run outside the browser environment and so are fairly secure unless authenticated
• Support for any browser that has JVM on any platform. |
• Different JVMs in browser cause incompatibility problems with some applets depending on the classes that are contained within them
• Seems that the applets are downloaded every time they are started up in a new browser session. |
| MetaCard |
• Runs on many platforms
• Extensible through scripting language
• No plug-in
• Uses a stand-alone player that is downloaded but not run through a browser. Has its own built-in HTTP client. |
• Does not run in browser
• Does not have any built-in streaming capabilities. |
| Quest |
• Free plug-in
• Nice drag-and-drop graphical user interface for project creation
• Programming capabilities extensible by C. |
• Fairly steep learning curve for authors
• No streaming capabilities
• Support for Win 95, 98, NT only
• Large plug-in download: 4000+ KB
• Animation sometimes choppy
• Poor support. |