| Assessing the Quality of Hypertext Documents | | BIBAK | 1-12 | |
| P. J. Brown | |||
| The greatest need in hypertext today is not for further technical wizardry,
but for authors who can exploit the medium successfully.
The paper discusses how we can help novices to become effective hypertext authors. Being effective not only means producing a hyperdocument of immediate appeal to readers; it also means ensuring that hyperdocuments have a potentially long lifetime, and can be maintained and enhanced by other authors over the years. Furthermore it means ensuring that the structure of a hyperdocument is 'correct' according to certain rules. In discussing these issues, the paper tries to draw lessons not only for authors but also for hypertext developers and researchers. Keywords: Hypertext authorship, Hypertext refereeing, Virus, Testing, Integration,
Maintenance | |||
| Building Hypertext on a Multimedia Toolkit: An Overview of Andrew Toolkit Hypermedia Facilities | | BIBAK | 13-24 | |
| Mark Sherman; Wilfred J. Hansen; Michael McInerny; Tom Neuendorffer | |||
| This paper discusses several hypermedia facilities built on top of the
Andrew Toolkit (ATK) and their use in ATK applications. As a general-purpose,
multimedia, application-development system, ATK permits many kinds of links,
references and other connections to be made within pieces of content and
between pieces of content, regardless of the content's medium. We argue that
starting with a multimedia architecture facilitates the construction of all
forms of hypermedia. Four specific hypermedia facilities implemented with ATK
are discussed: an integrated web and indexing system (Help), a simple
multimedia link facility (Link), a cross reference (Textref) capability, and a
link-supporting embedded object language (Ness). As a toolkit, ATK is used to
build other applications which inherit ATK's hypermedia facilities. Therefore
we consider briefly the way that hypermedia facilities are used in conventional
applications, such as mail systems. Keywords: Hypertext, Implementation, Multimedia | |||
| The Toolkit Approach to Hypermedia | | BIBAK | 25-37 | |
| J. J. Puttress; N. M. Guimaraes | |||
| Hypermedia systems are usually developed as a single, self-contained
application making the system specialized and difficult to retool for other
applications. Thus each system requires the redevelopment of hypermedia
storage and display capabilities. As long as developers need to write
underlying hypermedia mechanisms, it remains impractical to extend hypermedia
to many new domains.
Our effort focuses on developing a toolkit that can be used by developers to add hypermedia functionality to their tools, independent of their particular application or environment. By doing this we gain flexibility and provide a common framework allowing applications to share information and user interface capabilities. The toolkit provides a simple hypermedia data model and an object-oriented user interface. The data model stores the underlying hypermedia structure and the application's data. The user interface model separates the data and the view components of the objects, which permits the construction of interfaces independent of the final display platform. The combination of these two components provides a powerful toolkit capable of either adding a touch of hypermedia to an application or constructing a monolithic hypermedia system. We describe the constraints of our development environments, our toolkit, and some typical applications of the toolkit, as well as our future plans. Keywords: Hypermedia, User interface, CASE | |||
| Scenario-Based Hypermedia: A Model and a System | | BIBAK | 38-51 | |
| Ryuichi Ogawa; Hiroaki Harada; Asao Kaneko | |||
| This paper discusses an extended hypermedia model which presents data
according to timed scripts. The model is intended to expand the notion of
nodes and links, so that hypermedia systems can easily handle time-based,
media-composite data objects, including audio and video. It provides
script-based nodes to present text-graphic and audio-visual data synchronously,
and buttons to control the data sequence. Based on this model, a prototype
hypermedia system Videobook has been implemented and used experimentally. This
paper also discusses the authoring issues and educational applications
developed on Videobook. Keywords: Multimedia, Scene node, Trigger button, Script, Videobook | |||
| A Hypertext Model Supporting Query Mechanisms | | BIBAK | 52-66 | |
| Foto Afrati; Constantinos D. Koutras | |||
| A formal model of hypertext is described in this paper. The purpose is
two-fold: a) building on Garg's work ([Garg88]), to enhance his model so as to
express advanced features of hypertext systems (such as structured nodes,
scripts, typed and attributed links), and b) to demonstrate the expressive
power of the model by showing that several problems concerning knowledge
organization, browsing and navigation in the hyperspace, may have a simple
solution in the framework of the model, as a result of a powerful query
mechanism. The principles and fundamentals of the model are defined in detail,
while its power and simplicity is illustrated by presenting some simple
examples of information organization in hypertext fashion. Keywords: Hypertext, Node, Link, Script, Button, Region | |||
| A Logical Query Language for Hypertext Systems | | BIBAK | 67-80 | |
| Catriel Beeri; Yoram Kornatzky | |||
| The search capabilities of hypertext systems are currently limited to
retrieving collections of nodes and links based on predicates on their
attributes and contents. To support sophisticated applications and
user-tailored views of a hypertext document, we need a query language able to
retrieve parts of a hypertext based on a specification of their structure. We
present a logical query language permitting the formulation of such structural
queries over hypertext. While the language is propositional, it includes a
general notion of quantifier of the form appropriate for hypertext networks.
Quantifiers are used for expressing formulas of the form: "For most paths from
the current node, claim X holds". In particular, most quantified assertions in
natural language are directly represented in our logic. Formulas in the
language are used for a declarative definition of sophisticated user-tailored
views of a hypertext document. Keywords: Query languages, Views, Generalized quantifiers | |||
| A Model for Hypertext-Based Information Retrieval | | BIBAK | 81-94 | |
| Dario Lucarella | |||
| This paper approaches the problem of information retrieval from hypertext.
In this context, the retrieval process is regarded as a process of inference
that can be carried out either by the user exploring the hypertext network
(browsing), or by the system, exploiting the hypertext network as a knowledge
base (searching). That is the reason why a comprehensive model should take
into account both of the perspectives, combining effectively browsing and
searching in a unified framework. In the following, such a model is defined
and implementation issues are outlined for a hypertext-based information
retrieval system. Keywords: Hypertext models, Information retrieval, Knowledge-based systems,
Intelligent searching, Plausible reasoning | |||
| HyperBase: A Hypermedia Engine Based on a Relational Database Management System | | BIBAK | 95-108 | |
| Helge A. Schutt; Norbert A. Streitz | |||
| Hypertext systems are valuable tools for creating, (re-) structuring, and
presenting information bases. Until now, little has been done with respect to
the underlying data model and even less with respect to system support for such
a model. This leads to a significant mismatch between sophisticated
organizational structures at the user interface level and the actual storage of
persistent objects in simple file systems. Therefore, we have developed a
general data model for hypertext data and implemented that model with the help
of a database system. Here we exploit the fairly complex functionality of a
commercially available relational database management system to implement a
general purpose hypermedia engine which we call HyperBase. Keywords: Datamodels of hypertext, Hypertext abstract machines, DBMS support for
hypertext systems | |||
| Hyperindices: A Novel Aid for Searching in Hypermedia | | BIBAK | 109-122 | |
| Peter D. Bruza | |||
| In this article the formal basis of hyperindices is given. Hyperindices are
a new means for supporting effective search in hypermedia. The basis of the
hyperindex, the so called index expression, is treated in detail. It is shown
how the hyperindex can be constructed using the structural properties of the
index expression. The hyperindex is placed in a general framework for indexes
which features quantitative and qualitative criteria with which index
effectiveness can be judged. Keywords: Hypertext, Information retrieval, Indexing | |||
| Intelligent Hypertext for Normative Knowledge in Engineering | | BIBAK | 123-136 | |
| Daniel Schwabe; Bruno Feijo; Werther G. Krause | |||
| We present a system that combines hypertext with a semantic representation
of engineering norms. Since the representation is done via a Prolog encoding
of an And/Or Graph, it is possible to discuss the relation between the
execution of the (representation of the) norm and navigation in the hypertext.
The system incorporates an interpretation of the norm by experts, and it is
shown how this interpretation can be regarded also as an hyperview onto the
hypertext. Keywords: Norms, Prolog, Knowledge based systems | |||
| Author's Argumentation Assistant (AAA): A Hypertext-Based Authoring Tool for Argumentative Texts | | BIBAK | 137-151 | |
| Wolfgang Schuler; John B. Smith | |||
| We present the conceptualization and implementation of AAA, a prototype
authoring tool for creating argumentation-based hyperdocuments. AAA is part of
a more comprehensive effort of GMD-IPSI, where the hypertext authoring system
SEPIA (Structured Elicitation and Processing of Ideas for Authoring) is
developed. AAA will be used for writing and design experiments the results of
which will be used in the design of SEPIA. It is designed to support the
creation of argumentation patterns in accordance with the IBIS/PHI (Procedural
Hierarchical IBIS) model combined with a micro argumentation structure
according to Toulmin. For rapid prototyping purposes it has been implemented
as a hypertext system using the Writing Environment WE developed at UNC.
AAA uses a combination of different independent but cooperating modes of operation dedicated to different cognitive tasks of the argumentative writing process. The entire argumentation structure is represented as a layered network of typed nodes and links in which different layers correspond to different levels of abstraction. Keywords: Authoring system, Hypertext application, Argumentation model | |||
| PHIDIAS: Integrating CAD Graphics into Dynamic Hypertext | | BIBAK | 152-165 | |
| Raymond J. McCall; Patrick R. Bennett; Peter S. D'Oronzio; Jonathan L. Ostwald; Frank M., III Shipman; Nathan F. Wallace | |||
| PHIDIAS is a hypermedia system for supporting environmental design. It
embodies a theory of design as continual alternation between two complementary
activities: construction of solution form and argumentation about construction.
To support these activities it implements a number of advanced hypermedia
concepts. These include an applicative query language providing search by both
structure and content, virtual structures, composite graphic nodes, query-based
graphic clustering, and "triggered" queries which connect construction acts to
relevant sections of the argumentative network. PHIDIAS constitutes a new type
of integrated information environment for design. Keywords: Hypermedia, CAD, IBIS, Virtual structures | |||
| An Integrated Approach of Knowledge Acquisition by the Hypertext System CONCORDE | | BIBAK | 166-179 | |
| Martin Hofmann; Uwe Schreiweis; Horst Langendorfer | |||
| Knowledge acquisition is a crucial issue in developing expert systems. We
describe a particular prototype of a hypertext system called CONCORDE that is
able to support the entire process of knowledge acquisition. Since hypertext
can be seen as a special structuring of various information units plus a
fitting form of presentation, the data model of CONCORDE is discussed as well
as its graphical browser. Keywords: Knowledge acquisition, Typed links, CONCORDE | |||
| Hierarchy, Composition, Scripting Languages, and Translators for Structured Hypertext | | BIBAK | 180-193 | |
| P. David Stotts; Richard Furuta | |||
| In this paper we describe a hypertext translator-generator system that uses
XTed, the visual Petri net editor from the {Chi}Trellis hypertext system, to
specify the semantic component of a string-to-graph translation.
XTed-specified parsers convert general authoring notations into structured
{Chi}Trellis documents for browsing. The operative mechanism is termed a pair
grammar, in which a string grammar and a graph grammar are paired in a
one-to-one correspondence. When an XTed-specified parser reduces by one of its
string grammar productions, the corresponding production in its graph grammar
is used to generate a portion of the Petri net that implements that syntax.
The use of pair grammars in conjunction with the Trellis model results in a
general method of defining hypertext structure that is both hierarchical and
compositional. Keywords: Hierarchy, Graph grammar, Translation, Trellis, Petri nets | |||
| Links and Structures in Hypertext Databases for Law | | BIBAK | 194-211 | |
| Eve Wilson | |||
| This paper considers the need to automate the conversion of traditional
legal documents into an integrated hypertext database. It describes how this
has been done at the University of Kent at Canterbury by the Justus suite of
programs, which converts legal documents of diverse structures to run under the
Guide hypertext system. It discusses the types of links the system uses to
cater for: 1. linear and hierarchical structures; 2. directed graphs; 3.
annotational or associative links; 4. index or concept links.
It then discusses how these links can create different virtual structures for the document collection to give flexibility of access and navigation. Some of these mirror structures which exist in traditional paper systems; others are unique to computerised systems. Next it considers the use of embedded expert systems to steer variable paths through the documents. Finally it summarises the achievements so far, and the goals ahead. Keywords: Hypertext links, Hypertext structures, Information retrieval, Law | |||
| An Apprentice that Discovers Hypertext Links | | BIBAK | 212-223 | |
| Mark Bernstein | |||
| A simple apprentice that proposes new content links in hypertexts has been
added to the Hypergate hypertext environment, and its behaviour and performance
are evaluated under realistic conditions. Despite a fundamentally lexical
approach, the link apprentice finds a significant number of intriguing and
meaningful links very quickly and without substantial overhead. Keywords: Indexing, Authoring systems, Apprentices, Tours, Information retrieval | |||
| Towards an Aesthetics of Hypertext Systems. A Semiotic Approach | | BIBAK | 224-237 | |
| Peter B. Andersen | |||
| In hypertext the reader can choose between several reading paths, and this
is an essential characteristic of the medium. Composing paths that give
meaningful readings is an important task for the hypertext author, but so far
very little is known of the "rhetorics of paths". Based on the practical work
of evaluating hypertext exercises written by students, the paper gives examples
of errors of composition and sets up a conceptual framework, borrowed from
semiotics, for discussing aesthetic issues of hypertext design. The concepts
are intended to make it easier for the author to design the product from a
reader's point of view, and an authoring tool supporting these concepts is
sketched. Finally, the paper illustrates how insights from text stylistics and
film aesthetics can be usefully exploited in the field of hypertext. Keywords: Models of hypertext, Authoring systems, Models of reading and writing,
Aesthetics, Semiotics | |||
| Linking Considered Harmful | | BIBAK | 238-249 | |
| Laura De Young | |||
| Arbitrary linking of data in hypertext allows for great flexibility, but the
result is often hypertext in which users readily become disoriented. Where
possible, it is desirable to provide support for structuring hypertext in a way
that makes it easier to organize and understand. This can be done by
identifying the underlying structure of the ways specific sets of data are
related. Providing support for use of such structures in a hypertext system may
yield benefits similar to those found in using higher-level programming
constructs in programs. Keywords: Hypermedia, Structure, Disorientation | |||
| Interactive Text Processing by Inexperienced (Hyper-) Readers | | BIBAK | 250-360 | |
| Jean-Francois Rouet | |||
| This paper focuses on the development of cognitive strategies in secondary
school students, when learning to use electronic nonlinear documents. We study
the costs and benefits of learning through nonlinear texts, from a
psycholinguistic point of view. In the course of two experimental sessions,
148 11-12 and 13-14 year-old secondary school students were trained to use an
interactive text-presentation software. Parameters such as the expression of
relationships, selection marking, and pagination influenced both local and
global aspects of nonlinear reading. Training improved orientation strategies
at both academic levels. Implications of these results for the design of
instructional nonlinear documents are discussed. Keywords: Cognitive strategy, Instructional text, Interface organization, Orientation,
Training | |||
| Non-Intrusive Hypertext Anchors and Individual Colour Markings | | BIBAK | 261-273 | |
| W. J. Irler; G. Barbieri | |||
| One interface feature of the hypertext systems is the visualization of the
link anchors, often in form of buttons which invite to click on. This
functional information increases the cognitive load while reading a text on the
computer. Comprehension of the presented material competes with the
orientation in the hypertext. The paper treats the cognitive arguments, and
explores interface and back-end questions related to this problem. A browsing
model is developed which proposes a button-less screen, a click-anywhere
suggestion, and pop-up local maps as a selection and preview mechanism. Links
are finally activated by mouse movements towards a destination area, rather
than by still button pressing. As a way to individualize and re-structure the
visual aspect of the pages, the reader can permanently mark selected words with
colour. Marked words may be added to a keyword index which is linked back to
the text. An experimental implementation uses ToolBook, a scripted
construction set in MS-Windows 3.0. The design issues and some results are
described for an educational application concerning pendulums. Keywords: Invisible anchors, Text marking, Browsing model | |||
| SaTellite: Hypermedia Navigation by Affinity | | BIBA | 274-287 | |
| Xavier Pintado; Dennis Tsichritzis | |||
| SaTellite is an exploration tool for a hypermedia environment. Navigation
support is based on the concept of affinity between objects; that is, a
relationship with an associated intensity. The user is presented with a two
dimensional representation that provides a view of the hypermedia environment
where objects lying close together have some affinity in a sense defined by a
chosen measure. The system provides for multiple views by modifying the
underlying measure of affinity. SaTellite promotes hypermedia navigation by
context-dependent proximity.
Based on the affinity concept, we develop a dynamic layout algorithm for the display of views. Because the views are based on affinity information, the links of the hypergraph do not appear explicitly. | |||
| Browsing in Hyperdocuments with the Assistance of a Neural Network | | BIBAK | 288-297 | |
| Frederique Biennier; Michel Guivarch; Jean-Marie Pinon | |||
| The high degree of freedom a user has to browse through an hyperdocument
often makes him puzzled. His main problems are first the expression of his
informal need, sometimes using ideas associations, then finding the path in the
hyperspace to reach relevant information.
The guiding system proposed in this paper enriches the hyperdocument structure with undirect semantic links, i.e., associations between nodes according to their contents. Nodes' contents are connected to multimedia keywords called tags; direct and reverse associations between nodes and tags are embedded in a bidirectional neural network which allows inductive retrieval. One user controls the process thanks to some simple parameters: specialization level for selected nodes, precision of tags, inertia selector, tolerance functions for specialization and precision spreads. Upon request, the system dynamically raises a path that organizes the results of a query, contextual or not, adaptatively taking into account users' profile and special needs. Weights in the neural network may also be slightly corrected from experience, adapting the association capability to users on their average. Keywords: Semantic browsing, Neural network, Dynamic path | |||
| MICROCOSM: An Open Model for Hypermedia with Dynamic Linking | | BIBAK | 298-311 | |
| Andrew M. Fountain; Wendy Hall; Ian Heath; Hugh C. Davis | |||
| There are currently a number of commercially available hypertext and
hypermedia systems, of varying levels of sophistication and usability, but
there are still many problems to be resolved in the design of such systems. In
this paper, we itemise some of the major problems that we have identified as
possibly causing a barrier to the growth and development of hypermedia
applications outside the research community. A model of an open hypermedia
architecture with dynamic linking features is proposed that moves some way to
resolving these problems, and the first implementation of the system,
Microcosm, is presented and discussed. Keywords: Hypertext, Multimedia, Dynamic linking | |||
| Inside Macintosh as Hypertext | | BIBAK | 312-323 | |
| Brian L. Bechtel | |||
| SpInside Macintosh is a hypertext compact-disc version of Inside Macintosh,
the multi-volume programmer's reference work for the Macintosh family of
computers. SpInside Macintosh is implemented in HyperCard and distributed on
CD-ROM. We describe the design decisions and principles we followed in
creating SpInside Macintosh. We also give user feedback and a retrospective
critique of the design. Keywords: Inside Macintosh, CD-ROM, Hypertext | |||
| Hypertext from the Data Point of View: Paths and Links in the Perseus Project | | BIBAK | 324-336 | |
| Elli Mylonas; Sebastian Heath | |||
| The Perseus Project is building a system for studying Classical Greece,
incorporating into it several different types of source material. In order to
minimize system development time, and to make accessible to the users of the
system faster, it is being developed on Macintosh computers, using HyperCard.
This paper describes two navigational methods that have been created in
Perseus: generalized linking, and paths. They were chosen because they could
provide the most flexibility and the most functionality. Their implementation
is briefly described, as well. Keywords: Linking, Navigation, Path, Perseus project | |||
| How Should Hypermedia Authoring Systems for Computer Aided Instruction Look Like? | | BIB | 337-342 | |
| Peter A. Gloor; Michael R. Kibby; Ray McAleese; Max Mulhauser; Gerald C. Nelson; Daniel Russel | |||
| The Advantages of Hypertext for Large Information Spaces; Where Are the Big Systems? | | BIB | 343-346 | |
| Patricia Baird; Jacqueline Covo; Ben Shneiderman; Ian Williams; Renee Deter | |||
| Hypertext and Electronic Publishing | | BIBAK | 347-353 | |
| Richard Furuta; Heather Brown; Steven R. Newcomb; Roberto Minio; Vincent Quint; Roy Rada; Laurence A. Welsch | |||
| The underlying models of hypertext and of structured documents are quite
similar in many ways. The charter of this panel is to examine the similarities
and differences between the models and to consider the applicability of
document standards such as SGML, ODA, etc., to hypertext. Keywords: Hypertext models and standards, Structured document models and standards | |||
| What's Specific about User-Interfaces for Hypertext Systems? | | BIB | 354-361 | |
| Norbert A. Streitz; Janet Walker; John A. Waterworth; Patricia Wright; Randall H. Trigg | |||
| Hypertext and Information Retrieval: What are the Fundamental Concepts? | | BIBA | 362-366 | |
| W. Bruce Croft; Nicholas Belkin; Marie-France Bruandet; Rainer Kuhlen; Tim Oren | |||
| Both hypertext and information retrieval (IR) systems provide access to databases consisting primarily of text documents. Both types of systems structure the content of these documents and support interaction with the users in order to improve the effectiveness of retrieval. Despite these similarities, hypertext and IR are generally regarded as separate research areas, with some overlap, but essentially different research agendas. To clarify these differences as well as the areas of overlap, the members of this panel will attempt to define the fundamental concepts and the major research issues in each area, with special emphasis on their own research. | |||
| Strategic Issues in European Hypertext Research and Development | | BIB | 367-369 | |
| Flavio Argentesi; N. Streitz; R. Hansen; G. Degli Antoni; A. Cicu | |||