Managing Software Projects in Spatial Hypertext : Experiences in Dogfooding Frank Shipman Department of Computer Science & Center for the Study of Digital Libraries Texas A&M University

What is Spatial Hypertext? Hypertext but spatial … so what is hypertext? Hypertext (or hypermedia) is: 1.systems that present the same text (media) in multiple contexts 2.systems that enable the communication of relationships between documents

Page-Based Hypertext Frank Shipman Dr. Shipman has been researching hypertext, computer-supported cooperative work, and intelligent user interfaces since 1987 at Baylor College of Medicine, University of Colorado, Xerox PARC, and now Texas A&M University. The field of hypertext includes computer scientists, literary theorists, and writers. The first ACM Hypertext Conference took place in 1987 … Texas A&M University, located in College Station, has 43,000 students …

Map-Based Hypertext Observations of Xerox NoteCards activities found heavy use of maps. Aquanet designed to make the map the primary interface (instead of browser) Late 80s – map-based hypertext –gIBIS, Aquanet, Sepia –Argumentation and knowledge building –Schemas as map legends

Map-Based Hypertext First ACM Hypertext Conference College Station Texas A&M University Xerox PARC University of Colorado Baylor College of Medicine Frank Shipman hypertext computer-supported cooperative work intelligent user interfaces

Spatial Hypertext Observations of Aquanet activities showed links implied rather than explicitly expressed. VIKI designed to support building and manipulating implicit spatial relations 1993 – first spatial hypertext –VIKI: a visual and kinesthetic analysis tool Emerged into research area: –HyperMap, CAOS, Manufactur, VKB, Tinderbox, ART, …

Spatial Hypertext First ACM Hypertext Conference College Station Texas A&M University Xerox PARC University of Colorado Baylor College of Medicine Frank Shipman hypertext computer-supported cooperative work intelligent user interfaces Frank Shipman hypertext Texas A&M University

1 st Generation Spatial Hypertext Support evolving interpretation through emergent visual languages Recognition of visual structure to aid expression Common tasks –Information collection, organization, and sharing (personal & collaborative) –Process of information triage

2 nd Generation Spatial Hypertext Support for longer-term and larger-scale tasks –Navigable history –Links between spatial hypertexts Support for presentation-oriented spatial hypertexts –Greater visual expressiveness, additional media –Spatial hypertext via http servers

Reflections: Why? Research software –Continual redesign based on interests –Success means evaluation prototypes –Real success keeps project alive forever Well matched to spatial hypertext –Allows continual evolution of ideas –No strict schedule to formalize –Informal group structure and interactions

Reflections: Why Not? System limitations: –Continuous structures not recognized –History too low level for some uses Applicability issues: –Single space will not scale –Not right for automating reports How unique is research software?

Summary Spatial hypertext enables emergent expression –Evolving visual languages –Analysis and organization tasks Features of spatial hypertexts –Implicit structure recognition –Navigable history, links through space and time –Publication-oriented spatial hypertexts Use in project management for developing research software –Good for continual redesign & reconceptualization –Poor for more demanding processes

Resources on Spatial Hypertext Many papers in ACM Digital Library Workshops on Spatial Hypertext – VKB updates available at: –