There is much confusion about the new emerging technology called multimedia. Some experts call it the next revolution in computing. Still others in the computer field feel that this technology is just a lot of hype with new buzz words that will fade away in time. This paper reviews the origins of multimedia technology and provides a clear definition of what multimedia is. Computer platforms and the necessary peripherals used for multimedia are discussed. In addition, interactive multimedia authoring tools are reviewed, and the future of this emerging technology is explored. The future will depend on the operating system environment that developers choose. Anyone who wants to experiment with this technology should stay with the Windows environment. It is hoped that the Multimedia PC Marketing Council will set standards for full motion video. (Contains 14 references.) (SLD)