Authoring Hypertext

Writing hyperdocuments is a lot more difficult than writing text, because the author must make sure the reader is able to absorb the information in the text as well as in the structure of the hyperdocument, without encountering the difficulties described in the section on navigation.

Apart from writing hypertext there is a whole research area devoted to the conversion of text into hypertext. We describe authoring tools for this conversion and for the creation of new hypertextual material a number. The oldest hypertext system which emphasized the importance of authoring was the Symbolics Document Examiner, which had a special authoring environment: Concordia.

Shneiderman and Kearsley [SK89] give the following nine considerations for writing hypertext (beyond the usual concerns of good writing, such as the use of simple sentences, active voice, and no unnecessary jargon):

  1. Chunking: The information needs to be organized into small "chunks" that deal with one topic, theme, or idea. (Each chunk represents a node in the hyperdocument.)
  2. Interrelationships: Each document should contain links to other documents. Each link should serve a clear purpose.
  3. Consistency of document names: It is important to keep a list of names of nodes as they are created, in order to easily identify links as they are created. Synonyms are encouraged as long as they are kept track of.
  4. Master reference list: Create a master reference list (while writing) to ensure correct citations and to prevent redundant or missing citations.
  5. Simplicity in traversal: Navigation should be simple, intuitive, and consistent throughout the system.
  6. Screen design: Screens should be designed so they can be grasped perceptually. Visual layout is very important in screen design.
  7. Low cognitive load: Minimize the burden on the user's short-term memory. Do not require the user to remember things from one screen to another.
  8. Early reviews: Subject the hyperdocument to technical, legal and management reviews as early as possible. As the hyperdocument grows changes become more difficult to make.
  9. Maintain multiple perspectives: When authoring, try to balance the technical requirements of the system with the user's perspective and the organizational use of the hyperdocument.
Authoring can sometimes not be distinguished from reading. Many hypertexts are used for sharing messages and documents between a group of users. Such a hypertext is written and read by a group of users simultaneously. Such cooperative authoring requires special environments. Otherwise the users could suffer from disorientation when the information space changes behind their back because of the activities of other users.

Authoring in the World Wide Web or similar distributed hypertext systems requires special care, both in terms of performance and of user-comfort. In order to create Web-pages that are appealing to a wide audience, knowledge of HTML is not sufficient. The author must also master the creation of clickable images, forms and the use of Dynamic HTML.

To verify whether you know enough about authoring (a topic which is very important for completing the assignment) you must complete the test on authoring hypertext.