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About Multimedia Resources How multimedia searching works Computers can quickly and easily process text searches for matches. But multimedia searches present much more of a challenge. This is not because of how computers store information, but because of how we search for it. A computer stores a file, whether text, images, or sound, as a series of bits in a computer code. When we search for text in a computer's database, we can exactly recreate the text we want by typing it into a search box and the search software looks for code that matches what we typed. But when looking for an image or a sound file, we can't just type in, draw, paint, hum, or perform part of the painting or photograph or symphony we want. So searching for multimedia files depends on labeling and indexing files with text descriptions. Multimedia search engines typically look at file names and descriptions, image captions, text on a Web page accompanying a file, or other related factors. (Software such as actual image content recognizers based on such factors as pattern recognition which can help in, e.g, finding naked people, are under development but still can use some work.) This means both you and the cataloger of an image or other multimedia file need to be on the same wavelength in describing an image. For example, a description of a photograph of a famous person may not note that the building you are interested in finding photos of is in the background. So you may need to do some creative searching to find what you want, such as thinking of famous people who may have been photographed in front of the building you want pictures of. Software issues (plug-ins, etc) To access the full range of multimedia options, you need a sound and video card in your computer. All newer computers should be appropriately equipped, but if you are using an old computer, you may need to add one. Then, you may need to add plug-ins, or players, which are software programs which play sound and video files of various formats. If your computer already has a particular plug-in, it will automatically be activated when you access a Web site or online file which requires it. If the required plug-in is not on your computer, a dialog box should pop up with an option to download the software, with instructions on how to do so. Some plug-ins are available as freeware, and some require you to purchase the software to use it (often after a free trial period). Some of the more common multimedia plug-ins are: For more on plug-ins, see Netscape's plug-ins page, Plugins.com, or About's Plug-ins page. It is easy to make copies of multimedia files online. But that does not mean that it is necessarily legal. If you plan to use an image, sound, or other electronic file from another source in your own work (such as a web page), get written permission granting you the right to do so. This may be stated in the source (such as on a web page, or in a licensing agreement for a purchased product). If the source does not explicitly grant you the right to use a file in a certain way, you should seek permission of the owner of the file (who may or may not be the creator) to ask for (or pay for) the right to use the file in a certain way. To determine the owner of the file, check the source of the file. A web site often has an email address or other contact information for whomever is responsible for the site. A CD-ROM or other publication should indicate the publisher. If the source of the file does not grant others the right to copy and use the file and you cannot find or contact the owner, it is best not to use the file.
Wesleyan Library subscribes to several online databases which include multimedia resources. We also have many other multimedia resources, such as CD-ROMs, music CDs, video tapes, and DVDs listed in the CTW Online Catalog. In addition, there are many other multimedia sources and indexes to sources such as photographs in Special Collections and Archives, maps in the Science Library, or catalogs of prints in the Art Library. You can use the sources and techniques listed below to find multimedia resources in our collection, but it is often quicker to ask a librarian since we know the collections and may know of a source that would be difficult to find otherwise (to contact a librarian, visit the reference desk, use ReferenceNow's online chat, call x3873, send an email, or ask for a personal research session. Indexes and Databases
The CTW Online Catalog lists videos, sound recordings, computer files, and other multimedia holdings in the library. To search the CTW Catalog for:
Here's a list of search engines and directories for finding audio, visual, etc. files on the Internet. See Finding Information on the Web for tips and strategies on effectively using Internet search engines and directories for finding what you want.
For more multimedia search engines and indexes, see the extensive list on another Searching for Multimedia on the Web page.
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