Sue Barnes, Marymount Manhattan College
Summary
Vannevar Bush first proposed the original concept for hypertext in 1945. He
wrote the article to address the problem of organising vast amounts of
information. Bush described a device called a "Memex" -- a device
which an individual stores all information and could be consulted at great speed
and flexibility. Ted Nelson, using Bush's idea of a Memex, coined the term,
"Hypertext".
Hypertext enables readers to select texts based on related topic
so that there will not be information overload. Hence readers are able to gain a
sense of greater control that will maintain their interest in the texts.
Hypertext provides multi-visions for readers instead of the single vision,
printed books tend to present. Hypertext provides readers with a more active
role, mentally. They have to be decisive about which information to use or not
to use. Howeer, some hypertext are meant to be 'read only', hence readers could
not incorporate their notes or modify the information easily.
Writers through graphics or hypermedia can make hypertexts
more interesting visually. Authors need to plan carefully about what to write to
include visual non-verbal navigation cues within the texts for the readers.
