Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!bbn!ileaf!io!carlos
From: carlos@io.UUCP (Carlos Smith x4433)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Thinker and HyperText for Amiga
Keywords: hypertext thinker
Message-ID: <1022@io.UUCP>
Date: 12 Apr 89 23:20:06 GMT
References: <672@wsu-cs.uucp>
Reply-To: carlos@zapp.UUCP (Carlos Smith x4433)
Distribution: na
Organization: Interleaf, Cambridge, MA
Lines: 67

In article <672@wsu-cs.uucp> jal@wsu-cs.uucp (Jason Leigh) writes:
>This is from a pamphlet I received from Poor Person Software who is
>selling this program:
>Thinker combines Hypertext, Hierarchical text, and Word Processing into
>an Idea Processor for creative people.
>The hypertext links are specified by enclosing < > symbols and sections
>are begun with a label delimited by ( ).

The latest version will allow "synonyms" to be defined in a label by 
separating multiple labels by commas.

>Access to sections is done by double clicking on a word, and sections 
>may expand out to be graphical in nature or may invoke some kind of
>tool or program.

The user may choose a new or an existing window for the section to open up in.
If it is an IFF file, it may be opened in its own screen. Any application
with an icon can be launched by clicking on its link.

>The system imports ASCII text files and writes out ASCII.  They do not
>mention if there is any way to combine the text and graphics into a
>complete document; 

No, it does not do this. It is not a desktop publishing program, its strength
is not in producing flat documents, rather it is very good for outlines and
multi-dimensional documents. There is no text formatting such as bold, italic
and font manipulation. For this one must import the text into their favorite
word processor.

>If anyone knows anything more about this product please let me know
>because as it is, the system doesn't look like one that is worth
>investing in.  

I like Thinker as far as it goes. It is the only product of its type for the
Amiga, and it is useful for simple Hypertext in its current form. The only 
products I am aware of that compete with it are "Flow" and "Outline". Flow
sells for $99 and is a one-dimensional outliner. Outline costs about the same
as Thinker, is also a simple outliner (too simple), and cannot even take
advantage of an interlace workbench screen. Its publishers also do not support
it and plan no updates.

I have switched from "Outline" to Thinker for outlining, because even as
an outliner it is better (allowing paragraphs under sections, for example, 
while outline requires each item to be limited to a single line). I am also
using it to develop simple Hypertext databases, and for idea organization. As
such, I find it excellent. I can refer to other sections and concepts from
anywhere within a document (whether I am using a hierarchical outline form or
am keeping it a collection of independant sections), and access them for 
reference or editing from anywhere in the document, or from outside the
document for that matter. If I wish to reference an illustration, I may do
so, and I can access it anytime by clicking on the link.

The user interface is interesting, making the best use of double-menu-click
requesters that I have seen (I assume that is what it is, since that is how
it is invoked). Most common browsing and editing tools are in this pop-up
menu, minimizing mouse motion.

In summary, I like Thinker and look forward to using it heavily. It is as
solid (or more) as many applications I have seen from much larger developers,
and is well-supported (for a one-man company). I had questions and suggestions
and the author returned my calls and was quite serious about responding to
questions, problems and ideas for enhancements. Finally, for the money it is
as good as or better than simple outliners, with much more functionality and
flexibility.-- 
			Carlos Smith
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