Tag Archives: hypertext

Narrative

Michael Joy, the granddaddy of hypertext fictions, in 1987,  published what is recognised as the first major narrative of this genre, afternoon: a story, which he created with Jay Bolter using the software and hypertext application, Storyboard.

afternoon-1-web

Hypertext offers readers and authors the same type of freedom, in a far more seamless fashion. Furthermore, the idea of narrative in hypertext expands beyond the written text, incorporating visual or audio content that goes along with the fictional narrative.

Miichael Joy talks about how paragraphs on different pages could go with other paragraphs in other parts of the book. Douglas mentions how interactive storytelling meets a desire that many readers have – a desire for the inexhaustable story. A book no longer has to stay the same every time you open it up. Sounds cool to me. Imagine playing video games like God Father, Grand Theft Auto, you are able to choose your path and experience new plots every time you play.

( Agreeing with Tim‘s view on this. )

 

corazon_de_oro

On the other hand, I’ve been too familiar with linear structure which there’s beginning and ending , and an interesting body part betweens.

Overall, It was mentioned that hypertext is quite a unique technology, and therefore cannot be compared to print media. The hypertext narrative must be treated as its own entity. We just need to balance the two and treat them equally, as they are both close and useful to us these days.

 

 

 

Ideas from Hypertext

There are many arguments both for and against hypertext writing.

Supporters argue that hypertext more closely follows the associative paths of the human mind. Detractors offer the argument that the linearity of print follows time sequence and the flow of narrative.

the_hyperlink_war-460x307

 

“The hyperlink war – LAURA MILLER , THURSDAY, JUN 10, 2010 01:01 AM +1000 “.

http://www.salon.com/2010/06/09/links_2/

And yes I agree with both of them. Since now hypertext plays an important part in life, people are so used to it that they depend on it. Myself included, and also affected by its advantages. Seems like my writing skills and my grammar not only not improving but also getting worse because I depend on it to much. One click then I’m lost in the internet with so many un-related information that attracts me and totally forgot about what I was reading/writing.

Not only hypertext but also with other social media,smartphones, tablets, with just one click, touch, press , Im lost in the most amazing and informative world of the Internet. And by that I cant never get anything done. Like finishing this post. Meanwhile writing down what I’m supposed to research and write about, I have other tabs having music playing, sports, photos, etc.

I also find a funny example of life these days getting lost in all the distractions in life and cant never get things done.

http://youtu.be/ncIJlSAO1VY

But you cant get rid of it . The only thing you can do is to control and balance yourself.

Hypertext

This is the very first time I’ve actually learnt about the concept of hypertext rather than just knowing its definition as “text displayed on a computer display or other electronic device with references (hyperlinks) to other text which the reader can immediately access, or where text can be revealed progressively at multiple levels of detail”.

 

hand-cursor-clicking-a-link

As my understanding, a hyperlink is a reference to data that the reader can directly follow either by clicking or by hovering or that is followed automatically and Hypertext is text with hyperlinks. As I understand more about Hypertext by reading this article The history of Hypertext by Jakob Nielsen on February 1, 1995.

 

We can clearly see that nowadays, hyperlink has made life much easier and quicker with just one simple click on a blue underlined text. Even in this blog , hyperlink are used to link it back to my readings and to other referneces. How useful is that?

But, there comes an idea which states that Hyperlink break the traditional way of reading, non sequential, people can jump to anywhere, not follow a particular order like reading a book from start to end. Moreover, as it is now widely used around the world, accessible to everyone, privacy and security should be concerned. Nothing is really safe on the internet.