According to Manovich, scalability is one of the most basic cases of the variability principle in which different versions of the same media object can be generated at various sizes or levels of detail. The best way to think of scalability is by thinking of an icon that is used to show an image file saved onto your computer. If it is not designated as something else, the computer automatically creates a small image (to scale) of the larger image that was saved. If you look at the icon it will look like a smaller but exact representation of the larger image. Sacalability not only includes software, but also hardware. When hardware is considered to be “scalable” that means it is capable of running newer software than what was originally made for the technology. This serves the purpose of not having to buy new hardware every time new software is released for a particular piece of hardware.

Works Cited:

Manovich, Lev. “Principles of New Media.” The Language of New Media. Cambridge, MA: MIT, 2002. 63. Web.