Hypertext in Context

Authored by
Cliff McKnight
Andrew Dillon and
John Richardson

The Cambridge Series on Electronic Publishing
Published by Cambridge University Press
1991
ISBN 0-521-37488-X
www.cambridge.org/uk
An electronic version of this book is available at: http://telecaster.lboro.ac.uk/HiC/HiC.html

From the Cover

Hypertext is the term coined for the electronic storage of data, whether it be textual or graphical, in such a way that the whole file transcends simple word processing and becomes more an "electronic concordance".

In this book the authors cut through the hype surrounding hypertext and evaluate the simple ideas that underly it. These ideals have led to a variety of claims for hypertext's potential, and the claims are considered here in such contexts as the development of a written tradition, the psychology of navigation, and the use of computers as educational aids. Only within context can the true worth of hypertext be assessed.

Consequently, software authors, publishers, psychologists and all in the information industry will turn to this volume for the advice they need in evaluating hypertext.

Contents

Chapter 1: How Did We Get Here?
Chapter 2: Linearity and Hypertext
Chapter 3: Users, Tasks, and Information
Chapter 4: Navigation Through Complex Information Spaces
Chapter 5: Creating Hypertext
Chapter 6: Hypertext, Learning and Education
Chapter 7: The Hypertext Database: A Case Study
Chapter 8: Where Do We Go From Here?

What reviewers said

"An excellent introduction to an area of increasing interest. Text and supporting material are easily readable, yet provide a solid and realistic background to hypertext."
Choice

"well researched and presents supporting information from psychological studies and actual physical experimentation. The review of research in human-computer interaction and cognition is impressive....well written and an excellent resource for further work in the area."
Computer

"...challenges several claims made about hypertext systems....should be read and thought about by hypertext researchers and designers."
Christopher Fox, Computing Reviews

"I would characterize the book as a collection of insightful essays on fundamental topics in hypertext. Readers who will benefit most from the book are those who already have quite a bit of knowledge about hypertext and the research that has been conducted. Although the book is highly readable and concise, a considerable amount of background knowledge is assumed."
Journal of the American Society of Information Science