#ALL – HYPERTEXT
16 messages in this thread
So has anyone given any thought to a hypertext section?
James:
>>So has anyone given any thought to a hypertext section?<<
What might that cover, from what perspective?
Rich Bowers
I thought something similar to the MAC Hypertext forum, but dedicated to OS/2,
Windows and DOS. I guess I might have more success in the other forum, and ask
them to setup a section for other platforms.
I was thinking about DTP, Hypertext and CD-ROM – paperless books, reference,
fiction, non-fiction, all hypertexted, within themselves and with each other.
Ambitious, yes, but possible. I really feel this is the next 'big thing'. It
would be worth having somewhere to follow the development…
James:
Geez, I thought hypertext was the word of the week years ago!
What's new in the field these days? Have we progressed beyond a fancy analog
to plain old random access?
Best – Rich Bowers
<<Have we progressed beyond a fancy analog to plain old random access?>>
I don't get'cha… You think hypertext is random access?
James:
>>I don't get'cha… You think hypertext is random access?<<
Well, as a matter of fact, yeah! I think most commercial implementations of
hypertext are little more than glorified random access. Obviously there are
some products than have gone a long way to elegantly connect pieces of info,
esp. different data formats in a multimedia way, like Hyperwriter, or the
Cognetics products. But the vast majority have implemented an embedded "find"
function and their sales stuff call it hypertext, because they think it sells
more product.
But I'm always eager to learn. What more sophisticated applications are out
there? What's new that's interesting to talk about in this area.
Best – Rich Bowers
Hey Rich,
I couldn't tell ya what's new since I'm just jumping in myself. But I have been
directed towards Hyperwriter and am interested in that… Mainly, I want to use
hypertext for brainstorming, where I'm on a certain idea track, but within that
track are many other idea thread, which spawn others. Also, I could hypertext
ideas to facts, articles or different pieces of info I may have on CDROM or in
downloaded articles.
When I brainstorm, I write all over the page, with notes in columns and upside
down, all having linkings to the current ideas and to other info outside the
doc.
So, is this random access?
James:
>>So, is this random access?<<
No, but it isn't classic or original hypertext either. Your assumption is that
there is software out there that can understand your ideas to connect them
together. There isn't. The packages like Hyperwriter, et al., use good ol'
file inversion to index each character string for later access (whiich is what
I mean by same-old same-old random access).
Have you heard of a product called "Idea Fisher." Your description of your
note-taking style reminded me of things I had heard about this package.
Best – Rich
There isn't software that does this?? It can't be all that hard. I haven't
heard of Idea Fisher but that's the type of thing.
What is used to design the OS/2 and Windows Help files. That's sort of like
what I want…
Also, I wouldn't expect the computer to automatically link my ideas. I'd have
to do that myself. I wouldn't trust it to do it the right way.
James:
>>What is used to design the OS/2 and Windows Help files.<<
I can't quote you product names but there are packages of this type available.
None of them are hypertext in any way that I would define it. With the
exception of OWL's Guide, which is a respectable hypertext processor and
packager, and is also used for help in some systems. Don't have their number
at hand, but I think their HQ is in Bellevue or Redmond WA.
Best – Rich
James,
Have you looked at Lotus' Smartext? It has some pretty impressive hypertext
linking capabilities, automated.
We VAR for them if we do the service bureau work of scanning and proofing the
data, and building the product, but if you'd like to see one of their demo
packages, give me a hollar. It's fully workable, but can't save … pain but
you'll be able to see it's hypertext automation ability.
Lisa
Hypertext is being used for online technical reference manuals for all
kinds of equipmemt. Novell uses Folio Views to produce their online help
system for their network products. Most of these applications are inside a
company or a product line. They are not intended to catch the eye of the
general public.
If you are into developing online reference (or help) systems this is a
good subject to explore. I have been involved in that lately. If you have any
ideas or experiences to share, I shall be all ears (or eyes or something).
Phil
Phil:
Thanks for the input. I am very familiar with applications and products you
mentioned and they only vaguely employ the techniques of the orignal concept of
hypertext. They take text, invert the character strings into a standard index,
and give you access by highlighting the word you want to gfollow through the
text, instead of typing it in a "find" box. In my view – as "hypertext" – this
is less high-tech than hype-tech. Few commercial products (and certainly not
the one you mentioned) even try to implement more functionality than the random
access techniques I first used in 1968. Hooray for progress!
Take care!
Rich Bowers
Hello, I have just joined this forum and it looks to be very exciting and
friendly. I must say that I am not going to touch the conversation on
hypertext. However, I am using TextWare 4.0 and 4.0 Lite. It will do all that
Folio does and there are not royalities after you buy the Lite (distribution)
package for 2500 dollars. That beats the heck out of paying royalities for
Folio!
I look forward to following the conversations and joining in.
Good Luck
Sounds like a good idea. The word should be spread that hypertext does not
imply or need Hypercard.
Lotus and Xerox have also developed good hypertext systems–do you know if they
have hypertext forums for these products?
I have no idea whether there are Xerox or Lotus forums. In, fact I didn't know
about these. Have you got any info?