Hypertext Document the Influence of Technology Is

¶ … Hypertext Document The influence of technology is everywhere. This is especially the case with regard to literature and the written word. Hypertext, as a means of displaying text and graphics, has developed with the growth of the Internet as a unique way of conveying information and knowledge interactively. The key aspect of hypertext is interaction. The fact that visual elements and images can also be included adds to the value and meaning of hypertext.

Hypertext documents are essentially non-linear, which means that one can easily move around the text from one related section to another. One does not have to follow a sequential or linear method of engaging the material as would be the case in any print media. With the click of a button one can view extra information or details of a text document or search for different areas within a site or area under review.

Hypertext documents need to be well designed so that the viewer or reader does not get lost or confused. Navigation and the way in which the document is constructed is a vital part in the evaluation of a hypertext site. The site under review works comparatively well in a technical sense; there are no major technical flaws and the site loads rapidly.

However, one flaw was a broken link in the Links section (British Women Romantic Poets Project, 1789-1832 (University of California- Davis); this may be due to a file that has recently been moved; which is a common occurrence in hypertext documents considering the flexible and rapidly changing nature of the web. Having said that, an indication of a site that is well-managed site is that the web links are regularly checked and either redirected or erased.

The fonts used and the display of the elements on this site were very readable and well arranged. An important part of a hypertext document is the navigation; and in this regard the site routing works reasonably well. However, the navigation process could have been made easier and more attractive. The navigation is facilitated essentially by means of a sidebar, which is effective in that the links are accessible throughout the document. The links are self-explanatory and concise with the logical index.

The value of hypertext is that it can provide links to a wide range of additional and supplementary information. This document is extended and enhanced by the use of hypertext links within the text to provide access to supplementary and explanatory information. As the intended target audience includes academics and scholars, the hypertext links are appropriate and well placed. The reference to different editions is also an aspect which adds to the academic depth of the document.

The content of the document certainly adds to the literature and does so in a way that is both informative and interesting. As mentioned, the content is considerably enhanced by the links to detailed and extra information. This aspect however was not very extensive. On a more critical note there were a number of aspects that could have been improved. The main criticism of the site is that it does not go far enough - particularly with regard to reviews and extra information.

An academic site of this nature should include more contemporary literary views, critiques and analyses of the literature. While there were some reviews these were limited; and there was no reference made to later critical articles. In essence the central problem is that the content, while excellent, is too limited. The central advantage of hypertext is that it provides easy opportunity to link to related information - even if only to other Web sites - a feature that was lacking on this site.

Some of the areas were disappointing - such as the related web sites which was also limited. Another criticism relates to the design of the site. Although graphics were used sparingly in some areas only, much more use could have been made of images to expand and enhance the content. This also leads to another observation - the rather dated format and style of the site. One feels that a site of this nature could have been enhanced by using more exciting technologies such as Flash.

While the navigation was comfortable and provided adequate access to data it could have been presented in a more accessible and contemporary fashion - for example, through the use of a drop-down box or DHTML interactive index. In conclusion, seen in terms of certain limitations of content, this site does provide an important and valuable resource for the study of the Romantic era. The subject matter is academically sound and important and forms part of the integral study.