On the power of domain-specific hypertext environments
Walt Scacchi · Journal of the American Society for Information Science · 1989
What is the potential power of hypertext technology? This article examines this question and outlines the answer by focussing attention to a domain-specific view of hypertext environments. The author first defines what domain-specific hypertext environments (DSHE) represent. Next, the author examines DSHE for the domains of journal and book publishing, insurance policy management, and software engineering. Then the author describes in more detail the structure of information to evolve within a DSHE for software engineering in terms of document products, processing tasks and mechanisms, and workplace attributes. In turn, this examination provides the basis for identifying seven dimensions along which the power of DSHE can be defined, experienced, and accumulated. The author also addresses the organizational costs that may be borne to realize this power. The author concludes with observations as to the source of DSHE power as well as identifying topics for futher investigation. © 1989 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.