we can digitise the data, we can also store it on a CD-ROM just as any other type of digital file.Many applications in the MS-DOS environment that employ multiple media in this way usually use them as discrete elements or as complements to each other just as magnetic disks do. Philips and Dupont Optical Company (PDO) refer to this as “mixed mode”. It defines a mixed mode CD-ROM as one, which contains computer readable data on track 1 and CD-quality audio on the remaining tracks, 2 through 99 (Multimedia in Practice 1995, p. 23).1.1.2Compound ModeOthers understand “multimedia” to mean the integration of several media within the same application. Philips, Microsoft, and Sony refer to this as “compound mode” in the introduction to CD-ROM. These types of discs present special problems, which we plan to discuss later on.Since CD-ROM essentially consists of one long linear medium, it stores data only sequentially, even though it permits random access. In addition, files vary in length and playback requirements. For example, digital images require much more storage space than text. One type of medium may play in a “static” mode at the same time as another might play in “dynamic” mode, such as an image displayed on the screen accompanied by audio (music and/or narration) or text accompanied by graphics and audio (Welcome to Multimedia 1992, p. 67).1.2Multimedia PlatformThe basic Macintosh computer comes equipped for multimedia. It has high-resolution graphics monitor and built-in audio capabilities. Newer models have colour monitors and faster processors – two features that add to the Macintosh’s ability to handle new graphics-intensive applications that have animation and video; they just require the addition of a CD_ROM or videodisc player. New hardware add-ons, such as video processors, have the potential to improve the Mac’s ability to handle multimedia ...
