The Evolution of Media

By (author) Michael A. Noll

Publication date:

19 December 2006

Length of book:

214 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Dimensions:

237x156mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9780742554818

A concise introduction to the evolution of communication media, past, present, and future, this book is unique in that it treats both mass media_radio, television, and print_and interpersonal media_telephony, computer communication, and new technologies. The first part of The Evolution of Media describes the history and development of media technology. The second and third parts of the book develop a taxonomy for media and compare their technological requirements, applications, and other significant elements. The fourth part presents a simple methodology to help predict the success of new media products and services, using sample analyses to illustrate the process. The Evolution of Media is a useful supplement for foundational courses in mass communication and communication history, as well as a primer for anyone interested in understanding the big picture of communication media.
No better brief treatment of the subject of communication media exists than what Noll offers in these pages. Noll, a highly regarded expert, provides a sure-footed guide to what the student or concerned citizen needs to know about the technical base and rapidly changing nature of today's media systems. His five-factor model captures the strategic dimensions that need to be considered in evaluations of business choices and regulatory regimes for communication media.