Reflection and Evaluation of Technologies - Literature review Example

? Reflection and evaluation of technologies Task: Reflection and Evaluation of Technologies The Flash image technology Overview Flash technology can display interactive images over different media especially websites. The features associated with flash image technology combine different graphic technologies when displaying images. According to Enticknap (2005, p.1), flash image incorporates graphics and website, and the technology uses the vector concept when relaying information over the internet. It allows streaming of data content over electronic hardware. The flash image also uses raster graphics when formulating creations that present graphic contents. Additionally, retrieval of content from the internet relies on flash player programs such as adobe. The technology was initially applicable through Smart sketch application because the designers focused on addressing the needs of varied platforms. The flash content files were stored in shock wave format. This allowed the programmers to use Action script language in encoding the graphics in different formats. Additionally, the programmers use flash editor to enrich web content when designing the application. The content can be encoded using java script format, and the extension .swf is used in storage format. Short wave extension makes images appear smaller in the flash player. The format increases flash images capacity to store huge volumes of data (Enticknap, 2005, p.1). The storage codes allow flash images to support different applications making it the preferred technology when disseminating and storing website contents. Evaluation The use of flash technology has led to advances in computer graphics. It has enabled website developers to design interactive websites that stream data at faster speed. The component manipulates graphics and presents them in different version. The use of XML file is dominant in image edition. According to Enticknap (2005, p.34), the template stores the contents of the website before the transformation of the image. The technology manipulates the contents when designing images that are user friendly to the audience. Flash is a suitable technology that can access images online. Software developers use the technology when designing slideshows that enhance interactions with clients online. Computer programmers use flash image technology to encode information in auto script version. This saves storage capacity and time taken to retrieve flash images. Additionally, the technology uses small bandwidth when streaming information. This makes it compatible with various technological components such as Macromedia Flash MX that carries this application. The compatibility of flash image technology allows web views to obtain information from different places. However, it is necessary to obtain a plug in feature when planning to view the web contents. Flash images application demand less from the users in terms of operational skills. Moreover, the applications are affordable and exude high performances. This has lead to the preference of technology in computer applications. Flash images are instrumental when enriching internet application. The technology enhances interactivity by combining graphics technology when coming up with interactive computer programs. Lastly, the feature supports multidirectional display of website content. HTML5 Technology Overview HTML5 is an assortment of web-based applications that are still evolving. The concept of HTML5 began after developers noticed various deficiencies in HTML4 and associated XHTML. These deficiencies ranged from minor syntactic incoherence to insufficient support of media presentations (Meyer, 2010, p.83). Consequently, recent developments within the HTML5 technology have targeted such defects to develop quickest advances that would improve the performance of internet technology. Developers are standardizing the HTML5 technology into simpler and less controversial pieces. The HTML5 is a technology that organizes and presents information of the World Wide Web. The technology’s prime objective is improving the language by supporting modern multimedia while maintaining it in the format that humans can read. Furthermore, the devices consistently understand them (Lowery and Fletcher, 2011 p.34). HTML5 technology is advantageous because its recent syntactical features include video, header, audio and canvas components that allow one to include and run multimedia and graphic information on the web without installing plugins. For example, the canvas component allows the drawing of sophisticated animations and graphics is silently replacing an external Flash player plugin. Furthermore, the user can drop a media file to the page and the browser that supports HTML5 will play the file without external supports because the technology is “built in” to play media. (Lubbers, Albers and Salim, 2010). An additional advantage of the HTML5 includes the availability of the Geolocation tagging that uses the Javascript API technology. After accepting to share his or her location, a web user can benefit from customized local information feed like tracing points of interest within the user‘s area. This includes reviewing the user’s location map, offering navigation assistance, generating local based alerts and allowing the user to develop locations based social media tags. The major disadvantages of the HTML5 technology includes the need of conducting site redesigning and security concerns. The technology is still undergoing developments. The newly introduced features may demand modification of sites. Furthermore, HTML technology is vulnerable to problems such as hacks because the applications lack effective system protection tools (Lubbers, Albers and Salim, 2010). Evaluation This section evaluates the HTML5 technology using compatibility criteria. This is an essential attribute to consider when evaluating the technology because it determines its applicability. The present version of HTML5 can work with diverse systems because it offers scattered file support in browsers. The poor browsers can support the HTML5 technology. There are exceptionally few IE versions that do not support the modern HTML5 standard. The major browsers like Internet Explore and Mozilla are highly compatible with the technology. The HTML5 technology is also compatible with many platforms because the technology can work with various IT systems after straightforward updating versions. This indicates that the technology is highly flexible and can easily adjust to future technological developments (Meyer, 2010, p.25). Furthermore, various enterprise and consumer database applications that do not need specific mobile features and resources to function comprehensively can operate based on HTML5 platform. Zhang (2009, p.34) indicates that the feature expands operations based on its user-friendly nature. The authentication and installation procedure associated with the HTML5 technology is limited and straightforward. Consequently, the HTML5 technology can be synchronized with various systems after a simple set up procedure (Lowery and Fletcher, 2011, p.11). The JQuery Technology JQuery is a coding language that uses similar concepts such as JavaScript. The technology facilitates the interaction and effects of the development code. The technology is imperative in web development. The JQuery technology is primarily a library for JavaScript that considerably simplifies programming with the JavaScript. This offers uncomplicated and condensed syntax that can handle sophisticated tasks. The technology provides a free open source system that provides users with convenient approaches of navigating a document, developing animations, highlighting DOM elements, managing events and creating Ajax applications (Verens, 2009, p.67). The use of JQuery exudes various benefits over other JavaScript libraries. The major advantage of the technology includes simplicity during use because the technology has simpler operation model when compared to standard JavaScript and other libraries. The technology requires minimal lines of code to generate the same feature in comparison with a simple syntax. However, the functionality of the JQuery technology may be limited making it necessary to use JavaScript. Furthermore, the technology demand the JQuery JavaScript file in order to run commands. This is disadvantageous because the file may strain the client computer and the web system (Joshi, 2010, p.50). Evaluation The section evaluates the JQuery technology using the criteria of user friendliness. This attribute has the potential of defining whether individuals are likely to select a technology among the available ones. This is because individuals are likely to opt for technologies that appear convenient. Furthermore, user friendliness may determine the costs of obtaining, operating and managing a technology (Joshi, 2010). Initially, the JQuery is associated with the benefits of SEO because the technology is search engine friendly. Definite tasks can be conducted easily as the user’s experience of website improves. The size of the design elements is convenient for users. Particularly, the file developed in JQuery is significantly small reducing the time taken for loading (Chaffer and Swedberg, 2009, p. 52). Furthermore, users can easily access all the codes from the internet because the JQuery is an open-source technology. Consequently, designers can obtain the code from the internet and apply it in the design. Users of other technologies such as the flash may require expertise assistance in appropriate integration. Furthermore, they may be required to obtain various licenses. However, users of the JQuery technology do not face such challenges because procedural requirements in authenticating the technology are few (Verens, 2009, p.62). According to Chaffer and Swedberg (2009), Flash takes a longer time to load especially when the connectivity is low. However, JQuery technology provides an effective approach especially when executing navigation. This is an essential element for users. For example, the JQuery mobile offers WAI-ARIA convenience for screen readers. Furthermore, JQuery commands are modular, easy to read and understand. This is because the JQuery’s functions are concise than JavaScript. The characteristics of modular and concise make the debugging of JQuery code easier than the one of JavaScript (Verens, 2009, p.31). Consequently, JQuery is a potent development tool that offers rich interactive UI experience for users. Reference List Chaffer, J. and Swedberg, K., 2009. Learning jQuery 1.3: better interaction design and web development with simple JavaScript techniques. Birmingham, UK: Packt Pub. Enticknap, L., 2005. Moving image technology: from zoetrope to digital. London: Wallflower. Joshi, V., 2010. Php jQuery cookbook: over 60 simple but highly effective recipes to create interactive web applications using PHP with jQuery. Birmingham, UK: Packt Pub. Lowery, J. and Fletcher, M., 2011. HTML5 24-hour trainer. Indianapolis, IN: Wiley Pub. Lubbers, P., Albers, B. and Salim, F., 2010. Pro HTML5 programming: powerful APIs for richer Internet application development. New York: Apress. Meyer, J., 2010. The essential guide to HTML5: using games to learn HTML5 and JavaScript. New York: Apress. Verens, K., 2009. jQuery 1.3 with PHP: enhance your PHP applications by increasing their responsiveness through jQuery and its plugins. Birmingham, UK: Packt Pub. Zhang, K., 2009. Embedded memories for nano-scale VLSIs. New York: Springer. Read More