Multimedia, Interactive Multimedia, Hypertext and Hypermedia

Question 4 : Discuss the differences among multimedia, interactive multimedia hypertext and hypermedia.

Hypertext is an innovation to the paradigms of computing user interfaces that attempts to overcome the limitations of written text. Hypertext, instead of remaining static like traditional text, will dynamically "branch or perform on request" (Nelson 1970). Thus hypertext makes possible the organization of material in ways that partially overcome the linearity inherent in written text. The prefix hyper- (Modern Greek term for over or beyond) signifies the overcoming of such constraints. The most frequently discussed form of hypertext document contains automated cross-references to other documents called hyperlinks. Selecting a hyperlink causes the computer to load and display the linked document.

Documents referenced by hypertext can themselves be static (prepared and stored in advance) or dynamically generated (in response to user input). Therefore a well-constructed system using hypertext can encompass, incorporate or supersede other conventions of user-interface paradigms, such as menus and command lines, and can be used to access both static collections of cross-referenced documents and interactive applications. The documents and applications can be local or can come from anywhere with the assistance of a computer network like the Internet. The most famous implementation of hypertext is the World Wide Web.

The term "hypertext" is often used where the term hypermedia might seem appropriate; the two have always been synonymous but "hypertext" is grammatically simpler.

Hypermedia is a term created by Ted Nelson, and used in his 1965 article Complex information processing: a file structure for the complex, the changing and the indeterminate. It is used as a logical extension of the term hypertext, in which graphics, audio, video, plain text and hyperlinks intertwine to create a generally non-linear medium of information. This contrasts with the broader term multimedia, which may be used to describe non-interactive linear presentations as well as hypermedia. Hypermedia should not be confused with hyper graphics or super-writing which is not a related subject.

The World Wide Web is a classic example of hypermedia, whereas a non-interactive cinema presentation is an example of standard multimedia due to the absence of hyperlinks.

The first hypermedia system was the Aspen Movie Map, while the first truly universal hypermedia was Hypercard. Most modern hypermedia is delivered via electronic pages from a variety of systems. Audio hypermedia is emerging with voice command devices and voice browsing.

Question 5 : Your boss wants you to create a hypermedia system for Web visitors to find technical support information about your company. What are some of the implications in creating this system? Should you hand-build the links or use an automatic indexing system? Why?

Hypermedia is the use of text, data, graphics, audio and video as elements of an extended hypertext system in which all elements are linked, where the content is accessible via hyperlinks. This could help the user to understand more about the company because it allows to gather information in non-linear way which means that the users would have a choice as to what path the users want to takes in order to gather information.

With use of hypermedia, it restricts the slow speed and take times to load the site. For the question of should hand build the links or use an automatic indexing system, the answer is depends. However, I would like to recommend to use automatic indexing system because it able to enhance the usability of multimedia material after it is organized in a lesson structure. Moreover, it also allows the company to create different context-based presentations starting from the expected skills of target users. Besides that,  it also helps to create a through system without missing any procedures.