A model-based approach to hypermedia design.

This paper introduces the MESH approach to hypermedia design, which combines established entity-relationship and object-oriented abstractions with proprietary concepts into a formal hypermedia data model. Uniform layout and link typing specifications can be attributed and inherited in a static node typing hierarchy, whereas both nodes and links can be submitted dynamically to multiple complementary classifications. In addition, the data model's support for a context-based navigation paradigm, as well as a platform-independent implementation framework, are briefly discussed.Data; Model; Specifications; Classification;

A Case Study in Hypermedia Design: CD-ROM Encyclopedias

The function of a design model in a hypermedia project is to provide a formal method for specifying the multimedia data objects that are to be stored and the screens and navigational paths that are to be provided to users. This formal expression provides a way to communicate design decisions and to automatically generate and maintain hypermedia applications. The RMM approach to hypermedia and WWW design [Isakowitz et al 95] has been successfully applied in a number of real world applications over the last few years. In this paper, we extend the RMM model in two ways. First, we develop an approach to handle the "unstructured" components of the hypermedia applications such as those on the World Wide Web (WWW). Second, we show how dynamic (program) elements can be represented in the model thus facilitating its application to a wider range of multimedia and especially, to Java applications. These extensions were developed as a result of an attempt to simulate the design of a commercial multimedia encyclopedia. The resulting design is used to illustrate the new HM design concepts.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

MESH: an object-oriented approach to hypermedia modeling and navigation.

This paper introduces the MESH approach to hypermedia modeling and navigation, which aims at relieving the typical drawbacks of poor maintainability and user disorientation. The framework builds upon two fundamental concepts. The data model combines established entity-relationship and object-oriented abstractions with proprietary concepts into a formal hypermedia data model. Uniform layout and link typing specifications can be attributed and inherited in a static node typing hierarchy, whereas both nodes and links can be submitted dynamically to multiple complementary classifications. In the context-based navigation paradigm, conventional navigation along static links is complemented by run-time generated guided tours, which are derived dynamically from the context of a user's information requirements. The result is a two-dimensional navigation paradigm, which reconciles complete navigational freedom and flexibility with a measure of linear guidance. These specifications are captured in a high-level, platform independent implementation framework.Data; Model; Specifications; Classification; Information; Requirements;

A comparison of the relationship management methodology and the extended business rules diagram method

This research is a comparative study of the Relationship Management Methodology and the extended Business Rules Diagram method, when applied to the development of a Web-based hypermedia system. The RMM method focuses almost exclusively on the design phase of Web-based hypermedia systems with insufficient emphasis placed on the requirement\u27s analysis phase. The extended BRD method has been proposed to address this issue and attempts to cover more fully the development life cycle of Web based hypermedia systems. A comparison of the main concepts, the phases of steps, as well as the modelling technique, notation and graphical representation is made between the two methods

DISTRIBUTED DESIGN OF HYPERMEDIA APPLICATIONS

Hypermedia technology is experiencing a rapid growth due, in large part, to the WWW. Many hypermedia applications, especially those on the WWW have a distributed design besides being physically spread among many servers. A distributed design is a design that varies, albeit slightly, from instance to instance. However, such design variances can lead to undesirable inconsistencies that can render a hypermedia application useless. This paper explores this problem and presents a solution based on a methodological approach to hypermedia design and construction. The methods are illustrated via a sample applicationInformation Systems Working Papers Serie

An investigation of web-based hypermedia design support: methods and tools

Since the Internet networking was first established, the World Wide Web (or WWW) provides a new opportunity to deliver information and to communicate with others. Therefore, many organisations and industries have joined this exciting technology to take advantage of the Web. In recent years, the opportunity has arisen for other tasks to be carried out on the Web apart from delivering information. As the Web applications and documents have become larger and more complex, they have experienced many design and development problems which often lead to very high maintenance cost. To improve the quality of Websites and the structure of information, the designers need structured design methods, guidelines, and tools to assist their work. Some researchers have proposed hypermedia design methods and guidelines, which contain development cycle with formal design techniques to assist the construction of Web page designs. To overcome the design and development problems, this research is carried out by surveying currently available design methods. It shows the ways to apply these methods for developing structured Web sites. The results of this research led to identifying the design stages involved in developing Web sites using hypermedia methods. It also presents a CASE tool to provide a development environment for producing Web pages based on hypermedia design stages. This encourages Web designers to apply structured hypermedia design methods to improve the quality of design and to reduce the maintenance cost. The thesis is relevant for end-users, Web designers from organisations, institutes, and institutes for those who want to apply structured hypermedia design methods for producing their Web documents

Modelling data intensive web sites with OntoWeaver

This paper illustrates the OntoWeaver modelling approach, which relies on a set of comprehensive site ontologies to model all aspects of data intensive web sites and thus offers high level support for the design and development of data-intensive web sites. In particular, the OntoWeaver site ontologies comprise two components: a site view ontology and a presentation ontology. The site view ontology provides meta-models to allow for the composition of sophisticated site views, which allow end users to navigate and manipulate the underlying domain databases. The presentation ontology abstracts the look and feel for site views and makes it possible for the visual appearance and layout to be specified at a high level of abstractio

Towards Modeling of DataWeb Applications - A Requirement\u27s Perspective

The web is more and more used as a platform for fullfledged, increasingly complex information systems, where a huge amount of change-intensive data is managed by underlying database systems. From a software engineering point of view, the development of such so called DataWeb applications requires proper modeling methods in order to ensure architectural soundness and maintainability. The goal of this paper is twofold. First, a framework of requirements, covering the design space of DataWeb modeling methods in terms of three orthogonal dimensions is suggested. Second, on the basis of this framework, eight representative modeling methods for DataWeb applications are surveyed and general shortcomings are identified pointing the way to nextgeneration modeling methods