always takes you back to the Index pageThe concept of hypertext is simple: you can browse through networks of nodes which contain information, by following the links that connect these nodes. In the World Wide Web, you normally use a mouse to select and activate links. Typically, links are shown on your screen in some contrasting colour or as underlined text.
If you can read this piece of information, you are ready to browse through my entire work! Yes, just point and click, it is that simple!
While creating my thesis I have tried to keep Shneiderman's [1992] golden rules of hypertext in mind:
Shneiderman warns for too many links, too many long articles that make reading dull and noninteractive, long chains of links to reach certain articles, and inadequate overviews or tables of contents that make it difficult for you, the user, to determine what is actually contained in the hypertext system.
Just because a text has been broken into fragments and linked, does not insure that it will be effective or attractive.
I appreciate any comments on my work; after all, creating this thesis was a learning experience for me. Please use e-mail to contact me. Thanks in advance for your kind cooperation.
To assist you, the reader, in browsing through my thesis, I have used a number of symbols. These will be explained here. I recommend you use a graphical Web browser (e.g., NetScape, NCSA Mosaic, or <>WebExplorer). For those of you who only have access to a text mode browser, I have used so called ALT tags. Thus, instead of a figure you should see an informative line of text appear on your screen.
always takes you back to the Index page
instantly brings you to the Table of contents
Clicking the book takes you to the bibliography
If you do not want to spend too much time browsing through my work, or if you do not know where to start, you might like to follow the path that guides you through my thesis. In the end, you should have a good overview of my work.
The path is shown by John Cleese, who will be your silly walking guide.
takes you one page back.
takes you one page further.
However, feel free to move away from the path!
Throughout my thesis you will find lots of links which you may investigate. By following links you create your own path, a history of interaction. Most browsers will keep track of your journey through this area in hyperspace. To prevent you from getting lost in hyperspace, your Web client records all pages you have seen in a so called history list. The history list is available through the menu structure or may be accessed by selecting an icon in your browser window. From the history list, you may re-open a certain page by clicking its title.
By using the back and forward buttons of your browser you can move along the history list. By pressing the Home button (often visualised as a tiny house) you return to the starting point of your travels on the Web.
Interesting pages, which you probably want to visit again some time in the future, may be added to your personal Hotlist. Why not add the home page of my thesis for practice?
For more information, you can examine the section of my thesis on hypertext and hypermedia. For an in-depth on-line survey, I encourage you to take a hypermedia course. It is absolutely free, and available on-line. Enjoy!
Sjoerd Michels, Tilburg, The Netherlands