…this does not mean that you need to understand the intricacies of programming and other computer miscellanea (that would be like needing to know the intimate language and history of typography in order to read and write) but that an understanding of some general principals about the properties and qualities of these networks will allow you to successfully use them.
Adrian Miles, wherever you are right now, what type of coffee you are currently wanting to drink or how your morning was ruined by your dissimilar pair of socks, I would like to thank you for this great sentence about network literacy.
It alludes to the shenanigans of hypertext and frankly, after reading the very word hypertext, I had no idea what to do with myself. *rocks myself backwards and forwards*
I like the idea of not following orders to the extent of respecting authority, of course. But I like the idea of non-sequential things. And Latin being my most favourite subject, non-sequitur will forever be embedded somewhere in the deep recesses of my heart.
“Interwingled.” What a word. It’s almost as if J.K. Rowling conjured it from one of her pewter cauldrons of ingenious. Hypertext is basically writing/text that branches off allowing the reader for the best of readings on an interactive screen.
The world of paper, books and manuscripts can only offer you the choice of opening it, reading it, closing it and putting it back to the desired shelf or location it belongs. You can’t touch Augustus Waters’ name and suddenly a new page will magically transcribe itself on the spine of your paperback all beautified by Ansel Elgort’s gorgeous pout.
And that’s why the world of computer text systems come in a savvy, Sparrow-esque entree.
- Jumps around text
- Outlining and text expansion
- Ability for users to put separate notes onto linear documents
- Categorization of messages according to their “social-strategic type” (commitments, fulfilments, suggestions, inquiries, etc.)
I like this whole idea of hypertext. I mean, for crying out loud I’m using it right now. But I have another view in this matter. I shall elaborate after a glass of ink.