Managing Interactive Media

Managing Interactive Media

Glossary: S (54 entries found)

SACD
Super Audio CD, one of two super-quality digital audio formats designed to supersede compact disc audio (the other is DVD audio).
safe harbor
A principle whereby individual US companies agree to comply with the principles of European data protection so that they can be legitimate recipients of data. See also data protection.
sample rate
The frequency with which an analogue signal is sampled on digitization. For accurate representation the sample rate must be at least twice the highest frequency in the signal.
scalability
The ability of a website (or any other system) to function under very high load.
scan
To convert a flat image such as a photographic print into a digital form by measuring the relevant parameters of sections of the image in an ordered fashion, usually left to right, top to bottom.
scanner
A device that converts a flat image such as a photographic print into a digital form by scanning across it.
screen reader
An accessibility tool that translates computer screen text into speech for visually impaired people.
screen resolution
The number of pixels on a screen.
script writer
A person who writes TV, radio or film scripts for entertainment or documentary programmes.
scripting languages
Computer languages that are designed to be used without detailed knowledge of programming. They are specialized to particular tasks.
seamless branching
in DVD, a technique to allow users to choose different paths through moving video without there being any discontinuity.
search engine
A website designed to help find information available on the World Wide Web. The search engine allows users to ask for content meeting specfic criteria (typically those containing a given word or phrase) and retrieves a list of web pages that match those criteria.
segment
An identifiable part of a market that has enough common needs to influence products being designed for it.
SEO
Search Engine Optimization, a process of promoting websites to the top of online searches through various methods including metatag optimization and payment to search engine companies.
server
In a local area network, a server is effectively the hard disk that is not on your own computer but elsewhere. You can use it to store your files or you can look to it to supply material available to the whole network. In a wide area network or video-on-demand system the server is the centralized repository for data.
server side
A program or programs running on the server to dynamically produce, find and/or format information to be sent to the browser. ASP and PHP are kinds of server side programming.
session fee
A payment for performing in a music recording as a session musician or recording a voice-over. A principal performer would probably take royalties on sales, not a session fee.
set-top box
A computer-based system that is designed to be like a piece of home entertainment hardware (for example, a VCR or CD player), and may actually sit on top of the television set. Satellite receivers and decoders for video-on-demand and digital TV are usually referred to in this way.
severance
In employment, the terms under which the employment is ended.
sibilance
Exaggeration of 's' sounds in a voice, sometimes natural but sometimes caused by poor acoustics or microphone placing.
sign-off
The signature of a person given the authority to agree that a phase of work has been completed satisfactorily. Sign-offs are often linked to milestones in the project, which can coincide with staged payments. See also staged sign-offs.
simulation
A technique used to reproduce a situation as realistically as possible to allow people to develop the skills needed to handle it. This is often used in management training. The easiest computer-based example to quote is that of a flight simulator used to train pilots, and in many ways this kind of simulation is better known as virtual reality.
site map
Graphical or topographical representation of the structure of a website. See also image map.
skyscraper
A form of web page advertising in the form of a tall, thin image.
slippage
The amount of time that has been lost according to the agreed schedule and the present project position.
SMS
Small Message System, a method for sending short text messages, usually between mobile telephones.
SOAP
Initially an acronym from Simple Object Access Protocol, now just a label. SOAP is an XML-based structure for exchanging messages, particularly a request for data with parameters and the reponse to this. Used in some web services to facilitate remote querying of a database.
software
A computer program or computer programs in general. Usually used to differentiate from the equipment or hardware.
source code
The human-readable version of a computer program before it is compiled into object or machine code.
spam
Unwanted and unsolicited emails: junk mail. Named after a song in a Monty Python sketch.
speech recognition
The identification of spoken words by a software tool. The words are identified by being digitized and matched against coded dictionaries.
spider
The agent of a web search engine that automatically surfs the web, following links and indexing pages.
spiral approach
An iterative approach to developing and testing software.
SQL
A standard for database queries. Several database management systems conform to the SQL standard, one of which is MySQL.
staged sign-off
Points across a project that have been planned as a phase completion point where the client needs to agree that the stage is complete and they will approve it by signing it off. These are often linked to payment points as well.
staircasing
Appearance of lines on a screen that are almost, but not quite, horizontal and under some circumstances will appear jaggy. Also referred to as jaggies.
stakeholder
A person that can exert power, authority or influence over a project's development.
standards conversion
In television, conversion of a video signal between the PAL, SECAM and NTSC standards or vice versa. Changing from PAL to/from SECAM and between high and standard definition is usually referred to as transcoding.
standing waves
In sound, self-reinforcement of a sound wave when it is reflected back on itself by a wall or the end of a tube. Between two walls this will reinforce certain frequencies and so colour the sound.
star
A configuration of a cable television network where there is a distinct path from the cable centre to an individual subscriber.
start-up
The preliminary stage in project development according to the Prince2 project management methodology that provides the basis for project initiation. Often referred to as SU.
static web page
A web page that is fixed and stored on the server as a simple text file.
storyboards
A scripting convention that includes mock-up visuals; used in video production originally, and now sometimes used in interactive media projects.
streamer tape
Magnetic tape, usually in cartridges or cassettes, onto which computer data is recorded or streamed for archiving and backup purposes.
streaming
On the web, playing of an audio or video file over the network so that it is heard or seen as soon as it arrives. The audio or video file does not usually remain on the user's computer, and it is possible to stream a live event, rather like a radio or TV broadcast.
style sheet
A document that defines how the parts of a web page are to be displayed based on markup tags in the text. These could be a simple redefinition of the standard HTML tags or they could be completely unique to the page, possibly working in conjunction with XML.
stylus
In computer graphics, a special pen without ink that is moved across a special tablet in order to draw a line or shape on the computer screen. In audio, the tip, usually diamond, on a gramophone pick-up that actually makes contact with the disc groove.
subcarrier
A secondary frequency added to a signal in order to carry extra information, such as colour in a TV signal.
subjective evaluation
Evaluation that is based on observation and analysis of non-quantifiable factors, and is affected by the experience and bias of the evaluator. See also objective evaluation.
summative
Term used to describe evaluation processes used at the end of development. This can include testing but could also include such practices as the end of project review or debriefing procedures. See also formative and evaluation.
sweet spot
Often used in audio monitoring to denote the best place to be to listen, particularly if other positions do not give a true rendition of the sound.
SWOT
A method of analysing a company's position against competitors by defining its Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.
synchronization licence
A licence to take music and juxtapose it with pictures in a film or video.
synchronization pulse
Part of an analogue video or digital signal that identifies a position in the signal, such as where a frame of video or a word of data starts.