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Authorware was originally a company founded in 1987 by Michael Allen as well as the multimedia product produced by Authorware, Inc. Allen originally helped in the development of the PLATO Learning Management System (PLM) collaborative learning system during the 1970s. Authorware is an interpreted, flowchart based, graphical programming language. Authorware is used for creating interactive programs that can integrate sound, text, graphics, simple animation, and digital movies.
Authorware programs start by creating a flowline, which is a flowchart showing the structure of the user's program. The user can add and manage text, graphics, animation, sound and video; develop interactivity and add navigational elements such as links, buttons, and menus. Macromedia Director movies can also be integrated into an Authorware project. Xtras, or add-ins, can also be used to extend the functionality of Authorware, which is similar to HyperCard's XCMDs. Authorware's power can be even better utilized with the use of variables, functions and expressions.
Authorware, Inc. merged with MacroMind-Paracomp in 1992 to form Macromedia.
Today, one of the most widely used Authorware development applications is Macromedia Authorware. Authorware programs like Macromedia Authorware are mainly used for producing instructional interactive guides such as explaining how to replace a tire, or other forms of instruction. Because there is very little programming involved, although there is some, this makes it appealing to businesses and schools that want to make training tools, but don't want to spend more money training their staff to use a complicated program.
As you can see from the screenshot, although it may appear confusing if you are unfamiliar with it, the program is much easier than writing code. Macromedia Authorware replaces code with simple dialog boxesDialog boxes are special windows which are used by computer programs or by the operating system to display information to the user, or to get a response if needed. They are so-called because they form a dialog between the computer and the user either info and explains what everything does.