Questions for Form C

Compare the usability of the following 3 hypertext systems that take different approaches to letting users pursue other links from previously visited nodes.
a)
System A, that allows unlimited Returns (i.e., following links in reverse direction)
b)
System B, like HyperCard, which provides a history option to show miniatures of the most recently visited nodes
c)
System C, that shows timestamps indicating last visit time of the user to a node, and accumulated time indicating time spent in the node

Give 2 pros and 2 cons for each of the three approaches. Indicate which you feel is best, and briefly explain why.

Which of the following may be helpful for hypertext users? Please briefly justify your answer.
a)
overview diagrams
b)
animations to go along with following links and with returning from a link jump
c)
footprints
d)
all of the above.
e)
exactly 2 out of choices a through c (which?).
f)
none of the above.

In Intermedia, what happens to links that have an anchor in a document when that document is deleted?

If Intermedia was ported to a Sun that supports Remote Procedure Call functions, and which also has an object-oriented DBMS (instead of C-Tree or a relational DBMS), what would be the effect? Specifically, please briefly discuss how porting Intermedia might be easier.

Intermedia enforces several policies regarding hypermedia:
a)
having markers for anchors
b)
having a representation of anchors and their extent
c)
keeping anchor and link data consistent at all times
d)
consistent commands for editing links, displaying link properties, and browsing links
e)
having cut/copy/paste operations for anchor/link data
f)
having active anchors

Please indicate for each of the above either (a) or (b): a) must be enforced by each application, or b) are enforced primarily in the Intermedia Layer rather than by the individual applications.


fox@cs.vt.edu
Tue Aug 30 03:45:05 EDT 1994