Adaptable vs. Adaptive Hypermedia

Many hypermedia systems can be customized to some extent. Some of these customizations have no effect on the real or perceived content of nodes or the link structure. In an adaptable hypermedia system the user can perform customizations that do influence the presentation of information or the true or perceived link structure. Examples include: In an adaptable hypermedia system the user needs to set a number of variables explicitly through a questionnaire or initial "test". From this input the system deduced which stereotype applies to the user. Most adaptable hypermedia systems are able to handle only a small number of stereotypes. Also, once the stereotype of the user is determined it never changes unless the user takes an explicit action, possibly through the questionnaire again.

Most adaptive hypermedia systems are also adaptable. The user can initialize the user model through a questionnaire, and the system will monitor how the user's knowledge state, preferences, goals and experience evolve over time.