Windows Media Author can used to build several multimedia files into a single .asf file.

The .asf file can be played locally or streamed from Windows Media Services over any type of network from a local area network (LAN) to the Internet.

Network bandwidth create limitations for .asf files. The user should know the target network bandwidth when creating an .asf file. Once he/she know this target bandwidth, Windows Media Author makes it easy to build an .asf file.

Windows Media Author supplies predefined bit rates of 28.8 Kbps and 56 Kbps. It can also compress image and audio files, making it easier to condense various media files so they fit in the target bandwidth.

Once a user build the .asf file, using Microsoft Media Author, he/she can publish it on the web and test it easily.

The best thing is it is free. It is included in the package of Microsoft Windows Media Tools 4.1 which can be downloaded in:

http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windowsmedia/en/technologies/tools.asp

The file size is about About 4.2 Mb.