Life sciences on-line: A study in hypermedia application

The main objective was to determine the feasibility of using a computer-based interactive information recall module for the Life Sciences Project Division (LSPD) at NASA, Johnson Space Center. LSPD personnel prepare payload experiments to test and monitor physiological functions in zero gravity. Training refreshers and other types of online help are needed to support personnel in their tasks during mission testing and in flight. Results of a survey of other hypermedia and multimedia developers and lessons learned by the developer of the LSPD prototype module are presented. Related issues and future applications are also discussed and further hypermedia development within the LSPD is recommended

Encapsulation and information hiding as the keys to maintainable and reusable hypermedia applications.

This paper presents a solution to the maintenance problem in hypermedia by applying object-oriented techniques to both the hypermedia data model and the hypermedia system's actual implementation. First, the primary concepts of the 'MESH' (Maintainable, End user friendly, Structured Hypermedia) approach are discussed briefly. These consist of a conceptual data model, a navigation paradigm and an implementation framework. Thereafter, it is shown how the object-oriented concepts of encapsulation and information hiding result in a hypermedia system consisting of self-contained, independently coded nodes. Intra node maintenance is separated entirely from inter node maintenance: the hyperbase's link structure can be updated without affecting node content, whereas an individual node's multimedia content can be reorganized without necessitating updates to links or link anchors.Applications; Information; Data; Model; Structure;

On integrating hypermedia into decision support and other information systems

The goal of this research is to provide hypermedia functionality to all information systems that interact with people. Hypermedia is a concept involving access to information, embodying the notions of context-sensitive navigation, annotation and tailored presentation. This paper presents the architecture of a system-level hypermedia engine, designed both to manage full hypermedia functionality for an information system and to bind interface-oriented front-end systems with separate computation-oriented back-end systems. The engine dynamically superimposes a hypermedia representation over a back-end application's knowledge components and processes. The hypermedia engine generates this representation using bridge laws, which capture the internal structure of client systems. Users access the application through its hypermedia representation. The paper also describes a set of minimal requirements for integrating the hypermedia engine with an information system. These guidelines apply to all integration efforts, not just that described here. Information systems will require some supplementary routines for the engine to manage hypermedia functionality for them. The more sophisticated and cooperative the information system, the higher the level of hypermedia support the engine will provide.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

Hypermedia and the semantic web: a research agenda

Until recently, the Semantic Web was little more than a name for the next generation Web infrastructure as envisioned by its inventor, Tim Berners-Lee. Now, with the introduction of XML and RDF, and new developments such as RDF Schema and DAML+OIL, the Semantic Web is rapidly taking shape. In this paper, we first give an overview of the state-of-the-art in Semantic Web technology, the key relationships with traditional hypermedia research, and a comprehensive reference list to various sets of literature (Hypertext, Web and Semantic Web). The core of the paper presents a research agenda b

PROVIDING INFORMATION SYSTEMS WITH FULL HYPERMEDIA FUNCTIONALITY

The goal of this research is to provide hypermedia functionality to all information systems. In this paper I present the architecture of a system-level hypermedia engine, designed both to manage fill hypermedia functionality for an information system and to bind interface-oriented âfront-end" systems with separate computation-oriented "back-end "systems. The engine dynamically superimposes a hypermedia representation over a back-end application's knowledge components and processes. I then describe a set of minimal requirements for integrating the hypermedia engine. The more sophisticated and cooperative the information system, the higher the level of hypermedia support the engine will provide.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

HYPER MODEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

In this paper we study the integration of Model Management and Hypertext systems to produce a Hyper Model Management System (HMMS). Model Management Systems constitute a class of software that is designed to support the construction, storage, retrieval, and use of models in the context of decision support systems (DSS). Hypertext systems allow users to split information into data fragments which the user can browse to find information by taking non-linear paths in computer based texts. It has been suggested that DSSs should be conceived as environments which support decision making. We support the view that such environments can be readily provided for the subtask of model management by hypertext systems. The different kinds of model knowledge can be captured within different types of nodes and the relationships among these can be maintained by hypertext links. In this paper we describe some aspects of model management where hypertext will have a significant impact. However, plain hypertext is ineffective in dealing with the dynamic nature of information in model management tasks where data is revised, models executed, and reports are created on the fly. Dynamic domains require dynamic hypertexts. In this paper we also study the requirements for dynamic hypertexts. These can be satisfied within the class of generalized hypertext systems by using special hypertext nodes and links which we describe. We explore different architectures to integrate MMS and Hypertext systems to obtain HMMSs. This paper emphasizes the need for a shift to integrated Model Management environments and proposes hypertext as an integrating technology.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

Further on Down the Digital Road: narrative design and reading pleasure in five New Media Writing Prize narratives.

A review, supported by reader responses, of five highly regarded interactive digital narratives.The five selected pieces have all been winners or shortlisted for the interactional new Media Writing Prize. This paper discusses whether developments in narrative design, around interface, use of media, and narrative structures, have enhanced reader satisfaction. Issues identified in earlier reader-response studies are found to be still present, but several aspects present less obstruction for readers. Some indications are noted: writers may be using more familiar interface design conventions, narrative structures are becoming less fractured and hyper-link dependent; multi-media are better integrated into the narrative design