9.3. Distribution and access issues It may be that your negotiated copyright agreements require you to restrict access to the digitised audio. If the resource is distributed via CD-ROM only, this is easy as distribution can be controlled. However if the resource is delivered via the web, then it will be accessible to anyone. In fact this could dictate the way you deliver your resource. However there are ways to implement access control on websites. For instance, software can be used which prompts users for passwords. Users would need to apply to the resource owner, who can supply a password for that user. In this way, the number of users can be controlled. There are also ways to monitor web-resource usage, by counting the number of downloads of a particular soundfile for example. This could be used to determine what level of fee should be paid to rights holders in order to secure future use of that sound. Implementation of such systems will require specialist expertise in web technologies, though with such expertise they are perfectly feasible. 9.4. Design considerations The decision about how to deliver audio content to users is essentially a technical one: whether to use streaming, compressed audio files, or uncompressed files is largely determined by your own technical resources and those of the potential user. But it's important to consider visual impact too, even if the resource is mainly functional (such as a database or collection of research materials). A resource that is useful and interestingly put together has added value. Be aware of good design practice and bad design practice. For instance, there are web resources that present audio perfectly well technically speaking, but do so within the context of a fairly bland and/or poorly designed visual environment. There are some, however, which present audio in an innovative way, or in a visually exciting context, and there are plenty of software tools available to assist in the design and creation of web sites. For examples of web sites that present audio materials in a variety of ways, refer to the PADS site at http://www.pads.ahds.ac.uk. Top of Page
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