Directory of Eliterature
This site has links and access to many different kinds of hypertext.
Here are a few more hypertext pieces for you to interact with, which we will be working with in class next Tuesday!
Hypertext Gardens
(Mark Berstein) --an hypertext essay on the role of navigation in hypertext.
In The Changing Room
(Jackie Craven)--hypertext fiction with 8 narrators, which you can choose whose point of view you would like to follow.
Rice
(geniwate)--won the trAce-Alt-x International Hypertext competiton.
Twelve Blue
(michael joyce)--this is by the author of "Afternoon". Twelve Blue uses a lot of common references, separate, interwoven narratives united by lots of links.
Random Paths
(Jody Zellen)--this link will take you to Hyper-X, the journal the work is featured in and then you will need to click on the work.
Apr 15, 2008
Apr 14, 2008
April 15, 2007 Lexia
Lexia to Perplexia is a good name for the website because I was pretty perplexed. I would totally agree with Talan in that the reader truly creates the experience. You have to interact with this website and follow your own path and produce your own narrative in order for it to be effective and it actually having a purpose for the reader. This pattern is so complicated with a tangle that is seemingly hard to get through and get back. Once you start clicking, you are unable to return to the orginal site that you started from (without pushing the back button). There were so many options and possibilities that it created a whole new definition of the reader. There is no navigation pattern, just tons of possibilities for people to experience.
I liked the Cracked Mirror and thought of its pattern as a cycle. The beginning page allows the reader to follow one of four paths but once path is exhausted, you would need to back track to previous pages in order to follow another track that will eventually end and so on. So it is a cycle pattern according to Mark Bernstein. Out of the four links, i liked this design the best. The broken glass really gave a certain tone to the page that stayed consistent with the poems. It was simple yet gets the point across to the reader. It also made it more genuine (not a cookie-cutter website), so I'm more inclined to believe this writer's work. The Navigation was difficult as one had to push the back button once the track ended to return ot the index page. However, it is difficult to have all the links there without distracting from the text.
In Life with Father, the pattern that I saw was a more tangled pattern. The sit had a variety of links but no clear direction on what links to start with or how to navigate within the links (some where just text, others were links to other sites, etc.). The link names do not convey any sequential order to the site, so the decision is entirely up to the reader as to which path to take and the sequence in which to take them. The design of this site was a bit confusing, but also simple and clean. There were very little distractions in the way of design elements or flashy extra things, so that the reader could concentrate on the content of the text and not the look of it.
I liked the Cracked Mirror and thought of its pattern as a cycle. The beginning page allows the reader to follow one of four paths but once path is exhausted, you would need to back track to previous pages in order to follow another track that will eventually end and so on. So it is a cycle pattern according to Mark Bernstein. Out of the four links, i liked this design the best. The broken glass really gave a certain tone to the page that stayed consistent with the poems. It was simple yet gets the point across to the reader. It also made it more genuine (not a cookie-cutter website), so I'm more inclined to believe this writer's work. The Navigation was difficult as one had to push the back button once the track ended to return ot the index page. However, it is difficult to have all the links there without distracting from the text.
In Life with Father, the pattern that I saw was a more tangled pattern. The sit had a variety of links but no clear direction on what links to start with or how to navigate within the links (some where just text, others were links to other sites, etc.). The link names do not convey any sequential order to the site, so the decision is entirely up to the reader as to which path to take and the sequence in which to take them. The design of this site was a bit confusing, but also simple and clean. There were very little distractions in the way of design elements or flashy extra things, so that the reader could concentrate on the content of the text and not the look of it.
Lexia to Perplexia, etc....
I found Lexia to Perplexia to be extremely confusing. I did not know what I was clicking or what I was supposed to click. It was all like a math equation, and I hate math. I didn't even know what it was saying or what it was supposed to be about. The links were not very apparent; it had me clicking all over the page trying to find the next link. It kept taking forever to download, and then I had no idea how to get back to the main index page. His interview did not help to explain anything more because he talked about how the user's engagement with the application was the narrative, and I had a terrible engagement with it and had no idea it was even telling a story or narrative.
Chasing our Tails followed the hypertext pattern of following different links depending on what word you chose. These types of hypertext patterns are interesting because there are so many options, but often times they just confuse me. I get lost in this tangled web of links. I have no idea what I have already read, what I haven't read, how to go back and see what I've covered. Overall, his piece was interesting because it had a simple design, which I liked. I think the complexity of links is enough complex, so having a simple design tones it down.
I really liked Cracked Mirror. I thought the concept was interesting because it was something different and unique. The index page was enough to hook me in. I loved the design...the cracked mirror was so intriguing and really drew me in as a reader. The design was consistent and the colors worked well with the writings. I really liked that the navigation was simple. There was one link on each page that you could follow. I like that much better than having to choose from a bunch of different links all on the same page in one sentence like Chasing our Tails. I really liked how she put her picture in the cracked mirror, I think that made it more personal and interesting.
I really liked the index of Life With Father. It was simple and easy to navigate. But once I starting to click the links, it overwhelmed me. Within each link there were to many links. It was hard to navigate with that many links. I didn't even know where to begin, there was just too much going on. the design was nice and consistent and really set the mood. I think it would've been better without all the extra links at the bottom. Also, once you clicked on a link, it turned black and almost blended in with the background, making it hard to see what it said. I really liked how the pictures made the meaning. I could really get a true sense of what the creator was trying to convey through the pictures. I liked that they were black and white and kind of sepia colored.
Chasing our Tails followed the hypertext pattern of following different links depending on what word you chose. These types of hypertext patterns are interesting because there are so many options, but often times they just confuse me. I get lost in this tangled web of links. I have no idea what I have already read, what I haven't read, how to go back and see what I've covered. Overall, his piece was interesting because it had a simple design, which I liked. I think the complexity of links is enough complex, so having a simple design tones it down.
I really liked Cracked Mirror. I thought the concept was interesting because it was something different and unique. The index page was enough to hook me in. I loved the design...the cracked mirror was so intriguing and really drew me in as a reader. The design was consistent and the colors worked well with the writings. I really liked that the navigation was simple. There was one link on each page that you could follow. I like that much better than having to choose from a bunch of different links all on the same page in one sentence like Chasing our Tails. I really liked how she put her picture in the cracked mirror, I think that made it more personal and interesting.
I really liked the index of Life With Father. It was simple and easy to navigate. But once I starting to click the links, it overwhelmed me. Within each link there were to many links. It was hard to navigate with that many links. I didn't even know where to begin, there was just too much going on. the design was nice and consistent and really set the mood. I think it would've been better without all the extra links at the bottom. Also, once you clicked on a link, it turned black and almost blended in with the background, making it hard to see what it said. I really liked how the pictures made the meaning. I could really get a true sense of what the creator was trying to convey through the pictures. I liked that they were black and white and kind of sepia colored.
Lexia and other sites
So I had some difficulties with the “Lexia” piece. I do not think it was working because I got to do about 2 pages and even that did not make any sense at all. When I read the interview I was even more confused. I got that it was interactive but I did not know if it was a story or showing different types of internet type behind the sense stuff. I wish it was a little clearer on where to go and what to do or even the language… the layout was interesting and different if I was even looking at the right one.
I thought that Chasing Our Tails was interesting but very dull at the same time. I liked that it was interactive but it made me not fully read what he was saying. The times I did read I was either confused or it just wasn’t interesting. I liked the idea of having the bottom toolbar. Though at first I wasn’t sure what it really was, after I started clicking on it I figure out it took you back to the pervious places. Overall, it was well done; simple and professional. It made you pick the section and think about what you were pick unlike other sites were it didn’t matter.
I really liked the Cracked Mirror. It was very interesting and kept you reading. I like how it was actually a cracked mirror and kept that image throughout the site. I wish there was more than just one way to click and go but I think it would be more confusing if there was. I also did not like the only way to go back was to use the back button because sometimes it would error out or you would just have too many pages to go back on before you got to the start. Overall, I liked how it was set up with the images and story line.
My favorite was the Life with Father. I really liked how the pictures were set up. They were not very clear and the colors were a little distorted. I like it helped to bring the words to life. Since it didn’t seem like a happy piece if the pictures were the correct way it would not have as much impact on the audience. I also liked how you had to completely scroll down before you got to the link to next page. It forced the reader to see and look at everything.
I thought that Chasing Our Tails was interesting but very dull at the same time. I liked that it was interactive but it made me not fully read what he was saying. The times I did read I was either confused or it just wasn’t interesting. I liked the idea of having the bottom toolbar. Though at first I wasn’t sure what it really was, after I started clicking on it I figure out it took you back to the pervious places. Overall, it was well done; simple and professional. It made you pick the section and think about what you were pick unlike other sites were it didn’t matter.
I really liked the Cracked Mirror. It was very interesting and kept you reading. I like how it was actually a cracked mirror and kept that image throughout the site. I wish there was more than just one way to click and go but I think it would be more confusing if there was. I also did not like the only way to go back was to use the back button because sometimes it would error out or you would just have too many pages to go back on before you got to the start. Overall, I liked how it was set up with the images and story line.
My favorite was the Life with Father. I really liked how the pictures were set up. They were not very clear and the colors were a little distorted. I like it helped to bring the words to life. Since it didn’t seem like a happy piece if the pictures were the correct way it would not have as much impact on the audience. I also liked how you had to completely scroll down before you got to the link to next page. It forced the reader to see and look at everything.
Lexia Interview and 3 websites
I thought that the Lexia to Perplexia website was really cool but I hard a hard time understanding the flow and point of it. The interview helped because Talan defined it in his own words and it made me see really how much people actually interact with computers. He called it the "deconstruction of internet attachment". It's like hes taking two steps backward to should the attachment while advancing (taking 2 steps forward) our understanding of the narrative in his website. Its interesting too that in this form of web, users literally can create a web narrative and get something totally from a web that someone looking at the same web will. I felt that the commentary throughout the web was supposed to help but I was more confused by the text on the page. Im sure if I knew the technical language he uses I would have an easier time with it. I never thought of the web being a place where you can bring out so many creative interests. For me, Im not that creative outside of doing some writing so I dont know if mine would be as effective or eclectic as his. He says how the actual development of something is easier to show on the web, but I felt that it is just as easy on paper. You can show progress over time by looking at 2 papers, or you can show progress of a project for example by collecting notes throughout the project. Of course though, it would be more organized online. I wondered about who his audience was because I didnt feel that I was part of the audience he was trying to reach simply because I have no understanding of the language he used on there. I thought it was interesting that he said users become protaganists in the story, but it was unclear as to how this happens. Hes right when he said that when we sit in front of a computer we situate ourselves and get ready to use the device. Although the web was cool to look at, it was confusing because the link to the next page always moved along the page and you had to search for it on every new page.
I thought that Chasing our Tails was pretty plain looking but I liked the reoccuring theme of circles and chasing something. On it, you really need to make a conscious decision about where you want to go next and what you will click on. The bottom of every page had the links from the first page so you didnt have to keep hitting "back". I felt that so much attention was put on the links that I didnt even pay attention to the text I was supposed to be reading. I caught some quotes that were interesting but I wasnt intrigued to read all if it. I liked the double narrative in the White Linen??? story you showed us in class, but didnt really like it as much here.
Cracked Mirror was definitely my favorite. The spash page was very interesing and the literal cracked mirror coincided with the title and her picture in the mirror coincided with the theme and subject throughout her poems. I loved that each poem was put on a broken piece of glass, and actually read every poem I clicked on. Her poems were actually fun to read and I enjoyed her style. I also enjoyed that the end poem "Me" I think it was, was on an unbroken mirror with her face in it.
Life With Father/The Place had an overwhelming splash page. The parts didnt seem to fit together so I didnt know where to start. As I went through the website, I was actually taken to pages that had to links on them and sort of were dead ends. I dont think it was intentional and if I was, it was unclear as to why. The background color definitely showed mood I think more so than the narrative form.
I thought that Chasing our Tails was pretty plain looking but I liked the reoccuring theme of circles and chasing something. On it, you really need to make a conscious decision about where you want to go next and what you will click on. The bottom of every page had the links from the first page so you didnt have to keep hitting "back". I felt that so much attention was put on the links that I didnt even pay attention to the text I was supposed to be reading. I caught some quotes that were interesting but I wasnt intrigued to read all if it. I liked the double narrative in the White Linen??? story you showed us in class, but didnt really like it as much here.
Cracked Mirror was definitely my favorite. The spash page was very interesing and the literal cracked mirror coincided with the title and her picture in the mirror coincided with the theme and subject throughout her poems. I loved that each poem was put on a broken piece of glass, and actually read every poem I clicked on. Her poems were actually fun to read and I enjoyed her style. I also enjoyed that the end poem "Me" I think it was, was on an unbroken mirror with her face in it.
Life With Father/The Place had an overwhelming splash page. The parts didnt seem to fit together so I didnt know where to start. As I went through the website, I was actually taken to pages that had to links on them and sort of were dead ends. I dont think it was intentional and if I was, it was unclear as to why. The background color definitely showed mood I think more so than the narrative form.
Apr 10, 2008
Tuesday's readings :)
For Tuesday, we will look at some hypertext pieces and apply the knowledge you gleaned from today's readings. I am providing links to four pieces here and one interview with an author. Read Lexia to Perplexia by Talon Memmott and the interview about his piece.
Chasing our Tails
Cracked Mirror
Life With Father (photo-essay/poetry, click the "life with father" link)
For these other three examples, look over all three to determine which hypertext patterns each follows. Also, determine the purpose, meaning/intent, author/reader control, navigation, design, sense of identity, use of images, etc. (Think about our web critique sheet :) )
Lexia to Perplexia is a bit abstract, so here are a couple other articles to help shed some light on the text before and after you interact with it. Here is the first article !
Here is another article by Thomas Dreher, entitled Talan Memmott's "Lexia to Perplexia" (how creative, yes?). Anyways, this one discusses how and why it was crafted the way in which it was.
April 10, 2008
Mariann Daniel
Electronic Word
The hypertext article, “Patterens of Hypertext” explains the the reader different types of patterns that the readers web site can take. I learned about these cycles’ names, such as the Cycle, Joyce cycles, Douglas cycles, a web ring, and a contour. Reading about these patterns allow me to see how I may structure my site that can take a fictional essay and split it in various ways. Within the Counterpoint, I learned that it is a type of cycle that made up of many small linear cycles. The Mirror world is two stories from different points of view, however the storyline is the same. This is probably the form that I will use for my fiction site if I decide to do that. I doubt that I would use a tangle because that would confuse my reader as it would me, about point and what happens. It is possible that I would use a sieve because I have a different thought about what I want to do for this topic that requires the reader to choose what types of books they read. I was thinking of doing something called My Bookself that lets people look through books I’ve read and my reviews about them, but it would require the person to say what type of books they would like. I would probably puts links to other sites that are simular or to author websites, thus creating a neighborhood.
The article, “Hypertext Narrative and Baseball”, did not help me understand anything. I liked “Patterens of Hypertext” a lot more. This is because I do not watch, nor to I play baseball, therefore the anology did not help me at all.
In the article “Beyond Usability and Design: The Narrative Web”, the author, Mark Berstein, compares the layout and context of a web page to a story or play. It allows one to understand that instead of telling someone what the site is going to do or what it is suppose to look like, the creator should show it. If the site is shown how the creator wants it, then there should be no reason to have to explain it. The article also allows me to understand that it is not always better to interact with my reader as much as I would have liked. This, while being compared to a slimy car salesman, is an interesting point that I had not previously have that would have alienated my reader rather than drawing him/her in. I learned how important a splash page really is. It can be compared to first a first impression. The web page is making its first impression to the reader by allowing the reader so see via splash page if this is going to be a funner site, a more professional site, or what the site’s context is as a whole.
In the end, the first and third article did help me a lot. I now know the options available to me through linking and orginizing. That should help create a more interactive and compelling web page.
Electronic Word
The hypertext article, “Patterens of Hypertext” explains the the reader different types of patterns that the readers web site can take. I learned about these cycles’ names, such as the Cycle, Joyce cycles, Douglas cycles, a web ring, and a contour. Reading about these patterns allow me to see how I may structure my site that can take a fictional essay and split it in various ways. Within the Counterpoint, I learned that it is a type of cycle that made up of many small linear cycles. The Mirror world is two stories from different points of view, however the storyline is the same. This is probably the form that I will use for my fiction site if I decide to do that. I doubt that I would use a tangle because that would confuse my reader as it would me, about point and what happens. It is possible that I would use a sieve because I have a different thought about what I want to do for this topic that requires the reader to choose what types of books they read. I was thinking of doing something called My Bookself that lets people look through books I’ve read and my reviews about them, but it would require the person to say what type of books they would like. I would probably puts links to other sites that are simular or to author websites, thus creating a neighborhood.
The article, “Hypertext Narrative and Baseball”, did not help me understand anything. I liked “Patterens of Hypertext” a lot more. This is because I do not watch, nor to I play baseball, therefore the anology did not help me at all.
In the article “Beyond Usability and Design: The Narrative Web”, the author, Mark Berstein, compares the layout and context of a web page to a story or play. It allows one to understand that instead of telling someone what the site is going to do or what it is suppose to look like, the creator should show it. If the site is shown how the creator wants it, then there should be no reason to have to explain it. The article also allows me to understand that it is not always better to interact with my reader as much as I would have liked. This, while being compared to a slimy car salesman, is an interesting point that I had not previously have that would have alienated my reader rather than drawing him/her in. I learned how important a splash page really is. It can be compared to first a first impression. The web page is making its first impression to the reader by allowing the reader so see via splash page if this is going to be a funner site, a more professional site, or what the site’s context is as a whole.
In the end, the first and third article did help me a lot. I now know the options available to me through linking and orginizing. That should help create a more interactive and compelling web page.
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