Hypertext page design system

(source: my thesis- improving learning ability through hypertext system)

Scientific document has comprehensive page design systems by describing all page design elements, both textual and graphical, as well as guidelines for using the elements appropriately. It is recommended that page design elements visually reflect the hierarchical scheme site writing [Sano, 1996].

Figure 2.3 Page Design Level [Solli, 1998, p.10]

Page design system has three levels as described in Figure 2.3 [Solli, 1998]. Outline nodes will typically have the hypertext design look presented very strongly while second and third levels of the site carry over the same look for consistency and to assure users that they do not lost. In Figure 2.3, hypertext design at level 0 will be like outline any text and the hypertext system will allow the reader to read the text sequentially from the introduction, through the result / discussion, and then to the conclusion. In the text at level 0 there could also be some excerpts from sources, diagrams, illustrations and simple tables. Level 0 could also be viewed as a kind of an extended summary, and then level 1 could be the full text.

When the reader also chooses to investigate part of the text in more detail, read excerpts from sources, definition of terms, references, additional tables or tables of data that are sources of diagrams used at level 0, a link leads to level 1. The reader can, by investigating level 1, check the arguments or find other interpretations. In level 2 there could be tables of data, more sources or different transcriptions of sources, data files for download, and also software tools for analyzing the data files. In a hypertext system these levels can be linked and integrated and the reader can adjust how the text is read according to his/her wishes.

Solli [1998] also proposes a two-columns design in the main structure of the hypertext writing. The outline of the paper (headings) will reside in the constant column to the left of the screen. The order from top to bottom indicates the sequence between different parts of the hypertext. This indicates the main-structure of the text as the author sees it. The outline at the left should also give some picture of the size and composition of the text. Figure 2.4 proposes a conceptual design of hypertext structure.

Figure 2.4 Page Structure Design Of Hypertext Paper

References:

[Sano, 1996] Sano, D. 1996. Designing Large-Scale Web Sites: A Visual Design Methodology. New York: John-Wiley and Sons, Inc.

[Solli, 1998] Solli, A., 1998, Hypertext ‘papers’ on the Web: Students confronts the linear tradition?, The Journal of the Association for History and Computing, Vol.I, No.2, November.