Hypermedia, multimedia and hypertext: definitions and overview
| Date | 01 April 1993 |
| Published date | 01 April 1993 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb045243 |
| Pages | 259-268 |
| Author | Hester Bornman,S.H. von Solms |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Article
Hypermedia, multimedia
and hypertext: definitions
and overview
Hester Bornman
and S.H. von Solms
Rand Afrikaans
University,
Johannesburg,
South
Africa
Abstract: In this paper I will discuss definitions of
hypermedia, multimedia and
hypertext.
Hypertext is the grouping of relevant information in the
form of nodes. These nodes are then connected together
through links. In the case of hypertext the nodes contain text
or graphics.
Multimedia is the combining of different media types for
example
sound,
animation,
text,
graphics and video for the
presentation of information by making use of computers.
Hypermedia can be viewed as an extension of hypertext and
multimedia. It is based on the concept of hypertext that uses
nodes and links in the structuring of information in the
system.
In this case the nodes consist of all the different data
types that are mentioned
in
the multimedia definition above.
The
'node-and-link'
concept
is
used
in
organisation of the
information in hypermedia systems. The
'book'
metaphor is
an example of the way these systems are
implemented.
This
concept is explained and a few advantages and
disadvantages of making use of hypermedia systems are
discussed.
A new approach for
the
development of hypermedia
systems, namely the knowledge-based approach is now
looked
into.
Joel Peing-Ling Loo proposed
this
approach
because he thought that it is the most effective way for
handling this kind of technology. A semantic-based
hypermedia model
is
developed
in
this approach to
formulate solutions for the restrictions in presenting
information
authoring,
maintenance and
retrieval.
The knowledge-based presentation of information includes
the use of conventional data structures. These data
structures make use of frames (objects), slots and the
inheritance theory that is also used
in
expert systems.
Relations develop between the different objects as these
objects are included in the database. Relations can also
exist between frames by means of attributes that belong to
the frames.
1.
Definitions of hypertext, multimedia and hypermedia.
1.
1. Definitions for hypertext
A couple of definitions of each of the above are discussed
below.
1.
1. 1. A definition by Vannevar Bush (Bush 1945). Van-
nevar Bush had a vision of
a
system and he described it in his
article, 'As we may think', that was published in 1945 in the
Atlantic Monthly. His system was called Memex and Bush
described the Memex system shortly as follows:
'... a device in which an individual stores all his books,
records, and communications, and which is mechanized
so that it may be consulted with exceeding speed and
flexibility.'
For Bush, the essential characteristic of the Memex wasn't
only the amount of information that could be stored — it was
mainly the ability of the system to select relevant information
automatically and immediately by connecting the informa-
tion together. This connecting of information (also called ele-
ments) is done in the same way that the human brain connects
certain events with each other.
1.
1. 2. A definition by Ted Nelson (Nelson 1967). Ted Nel-
son's idea of hypertext was based on the way the human brain
functions, namely on associations. Information that
is
needed
at any
time is
connected
to
associations that exist
in the
human
mind about that certain subject. Relevant information can
thus be recalled when a certain event triggers certain associa-
tions in the brain. The information is thus connected in a net-
work of paths and associations.
1.
2. Multimedia
1.
2. 1. A Definition by Jacques Hugo (Hugo 1991).
Hugo's definition of multimedia is as follows:
'Media that can be called to the screen of a computer on
different times is still not multimedia. The idea of
multimedia
is
mainly to be able to put into practice the
different technologies at the same
time.
A typical example
of multimedia is when a graph can be displayed over a
three dimensional model while a tune is playing in the
background. If the computer played a tune off the
compact disc while a graph is displayed on the screen and
prerecorded video is shown then we can call the
application a full and equal multimedia application.'
According to Hugo the term multimedia suggests the con-
vergence of the technologies from
the
different industries into
a communication medium that presents the synthesis of inter-
The Electronic Library,
Vol.
11,
No.
4/5,
August/October 1993 259
To continue reading
Request your trial