Hypermedia, multimedia and hypertext: definitions and overview

In this paper I will discuss definitions of hypermedia, multimedia and hypertext. Hypertext is the grouping of relevant information in the form of nodes. These nodes are then connected together through links. In the case of hypertext the nodes contain text or graphics. Multimedia is the combining of different media types for example sound, animation, text, graphics and video for the presentation of information by making use of computers. Hypermedia can be viewed as an extension of hypertext and multimedia. It is based on the concept of hypertext that uses nodes and links in the structuring of information in the system. In this case the nodes consist of all the different data types that are mentioned in the multimedia definition above. The ‘node‐and‐link’ concept is used in organisation of the information in hypermedia systems. The ‘book’ metaphor is an example of the way these systems are implemented. This concept is explained and a few advantages and disadvantages of making use of hypermedia systems are discussed. A new approach for the development of hypermedia systems, namely the knowledge‐based approach is now looked into. Joel Peing‐Ling Loo proposed this approach because he thought that it is the most effective way for handling this kind of technology. A semantic‐based hypermedia model is developed in this approach to formulate solutions for the restrictions in presenting information authoring, maintenance and retrieval. The knowledge‐based presentation of information includes the use of conventional data structures. These data structures make use of frames (objects), slots and the inheritance theory that is also used in expert systems. Relations develop between the different objects as these objects are included in the database. Relations can also exist between frames by means of attributes that belong to the frames.