Platforms and media

A platform is a combination of computer hardware and an operating system. The hardware is the physical device, and the operating system is the software that runs and manages it. Because platforms run different operating systems, the software available differs between them, so a product built for one platform may not run on another.

Platforms come in two groups. The physical platforms are computers, interactive television, kiosks and mobile devices; online platforms include apps, websites and other multimedia services. Whatever the group, a platform delivers the product to the audience by running it and presenting it.

Media are the items that carry the product, and a single item is a medium. Paper, a disc and a memory stick are media. A smartphone is a platform because it runs the product, while an SD card is media because it stores and carries it. A website is an online platform, but a printed booklet is paper-based media.

Keeping the two apart

Platform and media must not be confused. When naming a platform, give the device or system that runs and presents the product; when naming media, give the tangible item that holds it. A garden centre, for example, could show a plant-care guide on a tablet: the tablet is the platform, and a printed care card is media.

Platforms and media compared