Mediator (software)

Mediator is a multimedia authoring tool for Windows, developed and distributed by MatchWare. The program was designed to create multi-layered interactive CD/DVD applications, dynamic websites and Flash presentations. The first version was released in 1993 and has been in a steady process of development since then. The current version is v9, which was released in the winter 2007-08.
Mediator has been registered and approved to be purchased by Electronic Learning Credits (eLCs) in the United Kingdom, as part of the Curriculum Online program ^[1]. It is also part of a DiDA software suite, along with MatchWare's other programs, OpenMind and ScreenCorder ^[2].

The software is available in English, German, French and Danish, and requires Windows 2000 or newer. A demo version, limiting each project to 5 pages and a 5-day lifespan, is available for free from the publisher's website.

Program features

Mediator foregoes the extreme technological prowess, found in other authoring tools, for an intuitive environment that can be used by anything from experts to computer novices. This, coupled with a multi-user editing feature, makes the software ideal for educational applications. For experienced users, the program offers such features as a scripting engine, ActiveX integration, ODBC, SCORM compatibility, event timelines and an HTML object, among others.
A recurring theme through the program is the use of drag-and-drop elements, as almost all available functions are represented by simple building blocks. While this mode of “programming” has its drawbacks in terms of flexibility compared to competitors such as ActionScript, it does allow new users to create interactive applications without prior programming experience. Advanced projects are still possible, either by nesting functions or using the scripting engine.

Exports

A Mediator-project can be exported to either a stand-alone Windows program, for distribution on a CD or similar, a Flash presentation or a static HTML website. The export mode is directly linked to the selected project mode (“Standard”, “Flash” or “HTML”), since certain objects and methods are only available in certain export modes, so one must create his project based on the intended distribution method. Conversion between the three project modes is easily done, but no checks are made during the conversion as to whether the project contains objects not supported by the new mode.
The “Standard” mode offers the broadest selection of features, and is primarily used for presentations, games, info kiosks and similar. It can run off any type of media as-is, but can also be configured to require installation onto the user's computer before running. The resulting files have the same system requirements as Mediator itself; most important of which is Windows 2000 or newer.
The “Flash” mode has fewer features available, but has the advantage of supporting the SCORM framework instead. It generates a single SWF-file, with an HTML-framework for easier distribution. Finally, the “HTML” mode has the least features, but offers the possibility of running server-side scripts, such as PHP, ASP or similar, inside a frame on the site.
All exported projects, including those using graphics and objects from the Mediator library, are royalty-free.

External links

• Mediator info page

References

1. ^ "Curriculum Online - Mediator info". curriculumonline.gov.uk. Retrieved on 2008-08-28.
2. ^ "MatchWare and DiDA". dida.edexcel.org.uk. Retrieved on 2008-08-28.