Hypermedia
Definition and Overview
Hypermedia is a non-linear medium of information that includes graphics, audio, video, plain text, and hyperlinks. This term was first coined by Ted Nelson in 1965, who was a pioneer in information technology. Hypermedia is an extension of the term hypertext, in which graphics, audio, video, plain text, and hyperlinks intertwine to create a generally non-linear medium of information.
History
The concept of hypermedia is rooted in the research and development of hypertext, a system that allows the easy cross-referencing of documents. The term "hypertext" was coined by Ted Nelson in 1963, and the concept was further developed by researchers such as Douglas Engelbart, who demonstrated a hypertext system in his famous 1968 "Mother of All Demos".
The development of hypermedia systems was a significant focus of research in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with systems such as Intermedia, HyperCard, and NLS being created and studied. These systems allowed users to create, link, and share documents in a variety of formats, including text, images, and video.
Characteristics of Hypermedia
Hypermedia systems, being derived from hypertext systems, share many of the same characteristics. These include the following:
- Non-linearity: Hypermedia documents are not constrained to be read in a linear fashion, unlike a traditional book or document. Instead, they allow for the creation of rich, interconnected webs of information.
- Interactivity: Hypermedia systems allow for high levels of interactivity, with users able to choose their own path through the information.
- Integration: Hypermedia systems integrate a variety of media types into a single system, including text, images, audio, and video.
- Linking: Hypermedia systems use links to connect related pieces of information, allowing users to easily navigate between different parts of the system.
Applications of Hypermedia
Hypermedia systems have a wide range of applications, including:
- Education: Hypermedia systems can be used to create interactive educational materials, allowing students to explore topics at their own pace and in their own way.
- Information Systems: Hypermedia is used in a variety of information systems, including the World Wide Web, where it allows for the easy navigation and integration of a wide range of information.
- Multimedia: Hypermedia systems can be used to create rich multimedia experiences, integrating text, images, audio, and video in a single, interactive system.
- Virtual Reality: Hypermedia concepts are used in the creation of virtual reality experiences, where users can explore and interact with a virtual world.
Hypermedia and the World Wide Web
The World Wide Web is perhaps the most well-known example of a hypermedia system. It was created in 1991 by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN, and was designed to be a universal information space where anything could be linked to anything.
The web uses hypermedia to link documents, images, videos, and other types of media. These links are created using HTML, the standard markup language for creating web pages. HTML allows for the creation of hyperlinks, which are used to link to other web pages or media.
Future of Hypermedia
The future of hypermedia is likely to be shaped by advancements in technology and changes in the way we interact with information. Some potential future developments include:
- Semantic Web: The Semantic Web is a vision for the future of the web in which information is given well-defined meaning, enabling computers and people to work in cooperation. This could allow for more sophisticated linking and navigation of information.
- Virtual and Augmented Reality: As virtual and augmented reality technologies continue to advance, they could provide new ways to interact with hypermedia systems.
- Artificial Intelligence: AI technologies could be used to create more sophisticated hypermedia systems, capable of understanding and responding to user needs in more complex ways.