english 651: writing hypertext
syllabus
schedule
resources
| bad design | cyborg text | mega-sites |
| best of web | graphics | poets/poetry |
| client pull | edge | prof. organizations |
| commentary/criticism | journals/webzines | texts |
| web design |
Resources
Bad Design
Adventures in the Great Out There
This may have looked groovy in 1995, but things change fast on the web. --mak
8/12/98
Lit-Web-Erature
Take a look at this site. Note the clutter and the time it takes to load.. --mak
8/12/98
Teaching Academic
Research on the WWW
In November, 1996, when I was first learning to write HTML and use the latest web editor,
I composed this native hypertext for a professional presentation/demonstration. My
intention was to revise the navigational links after the conference and post the web so
that a reader could progress logically through it and make sense. I never did the revision
or the posting. But it occurs to me now that you might benefit from seeing what a
"writer-based" web looks like. I think it very obviously raises some of the
issues involved in designing a hypertext for a reader. --ejc
9/4/98
Best of Web/Category Sites 
Wise Owl Site of the
Month
Although the focus of this "best of" site is not on hypertext documents
but web sites, it may be of interest to anyone whose focus is in pedagogy or classroom
support. --mak 9/16/98
What's Cool and What's New from Netscape
I skim these pages for new and interesting sites as if they were the daily newspaper.
This is how I disovered Ryman's "novel for the Internet," 253. --mak
9/16/98
Client Pull
Examples of pushed text we have looked in class are called, in HTML documentation, client pulls; the purpose of client pull code is to force the local system or client to request an update of information from the server after a fixed time. This appears to the reader as a push.
HTML definitions of server push and client pull center around whether or not the remote server maintains an ongoing connection with the client for constant or streaming updates (server push) or whether the client periodically requests updated information from the remote server (client pull). If you experience a site with a server push, you will probably notice that the status bar in the left hand corner of your browser doesn't settle down to "done" but continually gives percentages of info downloaded as long as data is pushed from the server.
Regarding reader interaction with hypertext, however, we have used push and pull differently.
From a reader's perspective, push describes ANY instance in which information comes to the reader without the reader's overt request. That is, the reader did not issue a mouse click, keyboard, or voice command to trigger a link to another lexia.
A client pull might be described then, from the hypertext writer's perspective, as an author pull rather than a reader pull; the author's code pulls even though the reader has done nothing to initiate the pull, other than open a lexia that contains pull code.
Automatically Load a Web Page
Quick clear explanations of using the refresh meta-tag or javascript to create a client
pull. --mak 10/25/98
Become a Meta-Master
Useful information on meta-tags, including the refresh tag used for client pulls. --mak
10/25/98
Cornish Slide Show
An example of client pull to display a slide show. --mak 10/25/98
Compleat
Web-ster
This 1996 text contains an explanation of client pulls you may find helpful. Be
forewarned that the links in the footer menu are dead .--mak 10/25/98
An Exploration of
Dynamic Web Documents
Netcape's guide to client pull. --mak 10/25/98
Framing a Text
Christy Sheffield Stanford discusses her use of client pulls on the second lexia of this
site. As a side issue, I find the multiple self-portraits linked to audio files
quite curious. --mak 10/25/98
Lyotard Auto-Differend
Page
For the more theoretically-minded among you, Alen Liu describes the Lyotard Auto-Differend
Page as "a technical experiment and a theoretical allegory. . .an attempt to
improvise a grammar of client-pull constructs or universes." Dated 95.
Please note possibility that "surprise" links to outside sources may be
dead. --mak 10/25/98
Simple Animations
for the WWW
Contains information on client pulls, server push, and animated gifs. --mak
10/25/98
The Sounds of Surprise
This page illustrates and explains how to use a client pull to play an unrequested sound
file. --mak 10/25/98
South Bank University of London, School of Architecture, Internetworking IT Unit provides two interesting demos of client pull. --mak 10/25/98
Commentary/Criticism
Artificial Memory: Mnemonic
Writing in the New Media
Tim McLaughlin
Culture and History as
Electronic Text: A Lexicon of Critical Questions
Detailed set of questions to help analyze web sites. Provides a "beginning of a
vocabulary for critically discussing how the design and execution of electronic
environments provide the context for the creation of cultural and
historical knowledge." Also contains links to examples of web site analyses by
students of Randy Bass at Georgetown. --ejc 8/13/98
Hyperfiction:
Beyond the Printed Page
Contains an annotated list of original hyperfictions and hypertheory, reviews, authors,
and other resources. Composed by students of George Dillon at the University of Washington
in spring 1998. --ejc 8/13/98
Rhetorics of the
Web: Implications for Teachers of Literacy
Doug Brent. A scholarly article with meta-text and a detailed index which is
organized thematically (background to writing on the web, and hypertext rhetoric and its
effects on readers, writers, and teachers). Well-organized and useful site. --ejc
8/12/98
Writer's
on Writing: Crafting Hypertext Fiction
"This site addresses the process of writing Hypertext fiction, as well as craft
issues specific to the form. The focus is writer-centered: I look to authors for
discussion of practical concerns, views, theories, and the all-enigmatic 'creative
process' as they relate specifically to the creation of hypertext fiction." --Vicki
Henriksen, The Ohio State University (3/98) --ejc 8/13/98
A Personal
Chronology of Literary Hypertext
Stuart Moulthrop's personal chronology show developments in technology since 1945 as well
as the print precursors to much literary hypertext. He reminds us that the Mac appeared in
1984, the WWW in 1990-91, and Netscape in 1994. Joyce's afternoon and other
hypertext authors and titles are listed in this clear chronology, which includes some
helpful annotations. --ejc 9/23/98
a cybertextual project by John Cayley
The hypercard stacks themselves must be downloaded and read on a MAC. A bit overwhelming to navigate. --mak 8/12/98
Graphics
Andy's Art Attack
Lots of free graphics and design tips. --mak 10/29/98
Edge
Word
Some hypertext, some art, some fiction, nonfiction, photography, and best of all a great
look. This is a terrific place to do design idea fieldwork. --mak
8/12/98
Push
Collage and text by Ian Cambell in Enterzone.
Where's the text? Touch (you don't need to click) the images except for the forward
button. If your browser is slow to load, you will see the text (acutally the names
of the combined image files. When faced with two "forward" buttons, the bottom
one will take you to a screen where you build your own collage.
--mak 8/12/98
10-6
Preview of an interactive environment which will accept one million on-line players.
10six is so real, it operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even when you're not
signed on! It's a world where weapons and equipment can be bought and sold like real
weapons and equipment, where four corporations struggle for planetary dominance, and you
struggle to
survive.
--mak 8/31/98
The Useum
THIS EXPERIMENTAL SITE WILL ONLY BE UP FOR A FEW MORE DAYS. TAKE A LOOK.
The Useum is a developmental project connecting people and cultural items from
institutional collections and contemporary practitioners. Its purpose is to test ways of
interacting with arts and culture online. It is a pilot site, online for only 100 days.
--mak 8/31/98
VolumeOne
This commercial site describes itself as "a visual communications studio dedicated to
the exploration of new narrative possibilities." The site mixes flash
animation, multimedia, and text. Some of the multimedia documents will be slow to
load. From Summer 98, #6, try "One Goes There, Yes" linked from the fourth
green button left of the central image. Also check out Spring 98, #5, choose
"The Blinders" number two on the menu.
--mak 8/31/98
Journals and Webzines
Postmodern Culture: Special Hypertext Issue
Feed Magazine
A web magazine on technoculture and other current issues since 1995; archive of journalism
and essays by some well known writers such as Carolyn Guyer and Sven Birkerts. The site
keeps asking you for a subscriber name and password, but you can click on cancel
and get into the site. --ejc 8/12/98
Hypertext Now
The current webzine on "serious hypertext" from Eastgate Systems. Topics include
the craft of hypertext, hypertext tools, hypertext patterns,
visually rich hypertext, notable hypertexts, and the web. This is a serious, well-designed
resource for writers and critics of hypertext. --ejc 8/13/98
CMC Magazine
John December's Computer-Mediated Communication Magazine reports about people,
events, technology, public policy, culture, practices, study, and applications related to
human communication and interaction in online environments. This has been a stable
high-quality journal that I have read for several years, but it hasn't been updated
recently. (I think December is working on his doctorate at RPI; maybe he's busy
elsewhere.) The June 1997 issue focused on Writing on the Web.
Also, check out the CMC editorial
policies and guidelines; they make up a whole style manual in themselves. --ejc 9/23/98
CWRL
An electronic journal of computer writing, rhetoric, and literature from the Computer
Writing and Research Labs at the University of Texas. --ejc 8/13/98
Kairos: A Journal for Teachers of Writing in
Webbed Environments
A progressive and innovative online forum for the exploration of writing, learning, and
teaching in hypertextual environments. Primarily for teachers, researchers, and tutors of
postsecondary writing. --ejc 8/12/98
Scroll
According to the editiors "SCROLL is Behaviour New Media's design-driven,
multimedia website showcasing contemporary culture online. This site is an area of
constant research and experimentation, where storytelling, design and technology
communicate alternative ideas." --mak 10/30/98
Mega-sites
Eastgate Systems
Current to a fault, although you may run across an occasional dead link. If you do,
write Mark Bernstein and let him know. This is, in effect, hypertext central and a
great starting place for exploration. There is more there than you might realize at
first. --mak 8/12/98
Hyperizons
Michael Shumate's site is an extensive list of things hypertext, but last updated in 97.
Some of the links here are dead, but the site is certainly worth exploring.
Be sure to look at the section What
I'm Onto. --mak 8/12/98
Word Circuits
Thin on content at this writing, but their directory is current and extensive. I
recommend you take a look and re-visit this site to see how it develops.
--mak 8/12/98
Voice of the Shuttle
Web Page for Humanities Research from Alan Liu at the University of California Santa
Barbara. A comprehensive, newly updated, multidisciplinary site with sections on hypertext
research and theory, cyberpunk fiction, computers and composition, cyberethics and
cyberlaw, among many others of interest to hypertext writers. --ejc
8/13/98
The
American Studies Web
Fully searchable reference and research guide from Randy Bass at Georgetown University.
Excellent section on Literature and Hypertext. --ejc
8/13/98
The
Electronic Labyrinth
A study of and guide to hypertext technology, published in 1995, "for creative
writers looking to move beyond traditional notions of linearity and univocity." Still useful material, despite the frustration of some
dead links. --ejc 8/13/98
Poets & Poetry
Ed Falco
Eastgate's bio page with a link to an interview with Falco from The BluePenny Quarterly.
B.C. Cohen Terminal
Wanderlust
When do you know a poem is over? When do you know that a poem is more than two lines
long and is about to "push" another centered two line stanza at you. Take
a look at these electronic texts and think about what aesthetic is governing form here.
Try "Crossing Brooklyn
Ferry"
(A hypertext by B.C. Cohen and including Whitman's text) and "Glamour."
You aren't warned that the site will push, so if you click too quickly, you miss text.
Where the Sea Stands Still
original Chinese poetic sequence by Yang Lian
cybertextual design and scripting by John Cayley
English translations by BRIAN HOLTON
additional calligraphy by Qu Leilei
additional visual material by Gao Xingjian & John Cayley
National Writing Project
The National Writing Project is a network of sites in which teachers in universities and
the schools join together to write and enhance their practices as teachers of writing.
Take a look at the design of this site as well as its content and organization.
Many of its links are of interest to writers of all plaids and stripes, not just to
teachers of writing. --ejc 9/1/98
Texts
This is not a comprehensive listing of hypertexts on the web. Be sure to look at Eastgate and other mega-sites for links to hypertext works.
Bigamy in the Desert
Christy Sheffield Sanford
The Color of
Television
Stuart Moulthrop and Sean Cohen
Eastgate's Listing of Hypertext on the Web
The Lacemaker
Marjorie Luesebrink
Light Assemblage
Tim McLaughlin
25 Ways to Close a Photograph
Tim McLaughlin
253
A novel for the Internet about the London Underground in seven cars and a crash.
Red Mona
Christy Sheffield Sanford
Design Resources
Somewhat slow to load because of its design, but full of well-organized
guidelines for the web designer/writer. From the communications design program at
the University of Baltimore. --ejc 8/13/98
High Five: Excellence in Design Site
From David Siegel. Weekly analyses of the design of award-winning sites of all kinds
since 1995. Well worth exploring. --ejc 8/13/98
Netscape
DevEdge Online Open Studio
--mak 8/31/98
Resources
for Writers of Web Documents
An annotated up-to-date (5/98) list of resources for hypertext writers whether novice or
advanced. This thorough and thoughtful site has been composed and maintained by
Sharon Cogdill at St. Cloud State University. --ejc 8/13/98
Silva Rhetoricae
Even if I weren't interested in rhetoric, I like the look of this site. The only
problem is that links outside the site open up within the central frame, a problem with
all framed sites, but otherwise, this is a nicely done guide.
--mak 9/16/98
Style Guides
From the HTML Writers Guild, an annotated list of style guides appropriate to a variety of
hypertexts. --ejc 8/13/98
Web Wonk: Tips for Writers and
Designers
Also from David Siegel. A site to look into once you have gotten somewhat familiar with
web design conventions. Not really for beginners. --ejc 8/13/98
Webmonkey
Easy-to-navigate 'zine for hip web design, from HotWired. May be a little too cool? hot?
with-it? for academic purposes. But it's worth taking a look at. --ejc
9/23/98
Yale Style Guide
From Patrick Lynch at the Center for Advanced Instructional Media. Covers design
philosophy and strategies, interface design, site design, page design, web graphics, web
animation and multimedia, and extensive bibliography. --ejc 8/13/98