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From: glg@sfsup.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.society.futures
Subject: Re: Usenet in Hypertext form
Message-ID: <2343@sfsup.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 11-Nov-87 18:54:46 EST
Article-I.D.: sfsup.2343
Posted: Wed Nov 11 18:54:46 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 14-Nov-87 13:31:48 EST
References: <1058@ucsfcca.ucsf.edu> <8711022250.AA01367@bu-cs.BU.EDU>
Reply-To: glg@/guest4/glgUUCP (xmpj20000-G.Gleason)
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In article <8711022250.AA01367@bu-cs.BU.EDU> bzs@BU-CS.BU.EDU (Barry Shein) writes:
>Fascinating and wonderful idea.

I agree, when can we have it available ;-)

>I think the first thing to do may not be to really provide all the
>software etc to deal with hypertext but perhaps to decide what
>information needs to be stored and how and to provide the ability to
>ignore it until the systems are fully built.

Even before this we need to know what it should do and how it will be
used.  You may argue that we can't know that until there is some
experience using systems of this type, but experience on a partially
implemented, possibly hard to use system will not really help either.
We need to prototype, but not just mock-ups, a system that will be
used seriously by many people.  If the groundwork is solid, it can
evolve from there.

	[ suggestions about specifying a standard that can start
	  now to enter references into messages ]
>Anyone want to propose a suitable escape? \(link 777 (file "hypernet"))

I think this is premature.  Entering references in netnews articles does
not really address what is necessary to create and build references in
a hypertext system.  The essence of hypertext involves evolving
textual structures, you need to be able to add to items within the
data base (new references, etc.), not just to append articles with back
references.

>Suggestions? \(active "survey" label "hyper-escape" in-file "hquery")

I suggest that it is time to start working toward a fully developed
distributed hypertext system.  I got Computer Lib/Dream Machines back
in '77 not long after I learned of the existence of computers, but
I am not aware of any practical work that has been done on the
concept.  Is there any?  In any case, I am interested in contributing
my efforts to bringing it into reality.  If there is not already a
large body of work, I volunteer myself to lead/organize the effort.
If a significant effort already exists, I am interested in making
a contribution.

Here are my suggestion on some possible actions to get an effort
rolling:
1)  Find out what has been done.  Is there software that might be
adapted to the UNIX/USNET environment (this seems like a good
starting point, not a limiting consideration).
2)  Write a draft paper outlining the capabilities and requirments
for a hypertext system.  Includes the beginings of a phased plan to
bring it into reality, and an exploration of ways to organize,
finance, etc. the software developement.
3)  Present the paper at USENIX and other converences to build
widespread support and interest in the concept.
4)  Start a mailing list for people who want to contribute to this
effort.  I say mailing list because I think it should only be
exposed to those willing to contribute their efforts before it
is well developed.
5)  Add your own . . .

I have some idea of how to approach this, but I welcome any input.
If no one else volunteers to pick up the ball and run with it, I
will begin working on a draft paper soon, and send it to those
interested for comments (the mailing list mentioned would probably
be a good place to distribute it).  Send me mail at attunix!sfsup!glg
if you have suggestions, pointers to existing work, or even if you
think I'm crazy.

Gerry Gleason