Bad hypertextuality

One also has to consider a darker alternative to hypertextual writing.

If it is possible to imagine academic hypertext as an open system, one can also posit a hypertext project governed by arbitrary rules, hostile to innovation, and largely opaque to its users. Such a system, conceived perhaps on the model of the "learning machines" of previous decades, might present itself as a hypertextbook containing all the information a student 'really' needs to know. The student's paths through this information would be limited to a narrow range governed by binary evaluations: 'if the reader understands this concept then proceed to the next one; otherwise repeat.'

Such a system would be a monolith of integrated knowledge. Its navigators (if there were any) would not be trail blazers or generalists but park police and drill sergeants.
The system would not be hyper-"Text" in Roland Barthes' terms, but hyper-"work" -- a code of received knowledge designed to engrave its idea of order upon the reader.

Download ebooks on http://www.frenchtheory.com/ - See that post with different algorithms in metabole - See the journal French Metablog with today different posts -

PHONEREADER Library - - Jean-Philippe Pastor

Browsing a Bookstore

Independent ebook authors, and adventurous readers looking for their work, should without fail check out eBooks Just Published, a recent venture by Mark Gladding of Tumbywood software.

This site allows authors to submit announcements of their new work. The books are categorized according to genre, and readers can vote for their favourites.

Browsing eBooks Just Published feels a bit like browsing a book store - except that all the books on offer are electronic and, most importantly, DRM-free. The format allows each book to be presented in its best light, showing jacket art, blurb, and any other text the author feels appropriate, up to a limit of 400 words.

By subscribing to the RSS feed, readers can have details of new releases sent automatically to their email client.
I can attest that Mark is very helpful to authors like me, who are not particularly computer-savvy. He quickly resolved a problem I had with registering; from then on, the whole process was smooth and easy.
It’s a great idea and, so well executed that I think it will soon become an established feature of the ebook landscape. Thanks, Mark!

Editors note: Richard Herley is an English author and a frequent contributor to TeleRead. The above is from his blog: Richard Herley, An English Author’s Blog.

Download ebooks on http://www.frenchtheory.com/ - See that post with different algorithms in metabole - See the journal French Metablog with today different posts -

PHONEREADER Library - - Jean-Philippe Pastor

New Re-reading

Re-reading B.S. Johnson offers a thorough introduction to the innovative work of the controversial British writer acclaimed in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Growing academic interest and the republication of his major works have been reinforced by Jonathan Coe's award-winning biography "Like A Fiery Elephant" (2004). With a preface by Coe, this collection, co-edited by two leading Johnson scholars, offers an annotated bibliography, a chronology and original readings of the author and his work in fourteen new essays.

Visit Amazon for more details.

Download ebooks on http://www.frenchtheory.com/ - See that post with different algorithms in metabole - See the journal French Metablog with today different posts

-PHONEREADER Library - - Jean-Philippe Pastor

Political evaluations

One also has to consider a darker alternative to hypertextual writing.

If it is possible to imagine academic hypertext as an open system, one can also posit a hypertext project governed by arbitrary rules, hostile to innovation, and largely opaque to its users. Such a system, conceived perhaps on the model of the "learning machines" of previous decades, might present itself as a hypertextbook containing all the information a student 'really' needs to know. The student's paths through this information would be limited to a narrow range governed by binary evaluations: 'if the reader understands this concept then proceed to the next one; otherwise repeat.' Such a system would be a monolith of integrated knowledge. Its navigators (if there were any) would not be trail blazers or generalists but park police and drill sergeants.

The system would not be hyper-"Text" in Roland Barthes' terms, but hyper-"work" -- a code of received knowledge designed to engrave its idea of order upon the reader.

See that post with different algorithms in metabole

See the journal French Metablog with today different posts

Enter Hypertextual as a member

Hephaestus fashions strange creature

Zeus gave Talos 1 to Europa to be the warder of Crete, but this creature made of bronze was, according to some, the work of Hephaestus.

Curiously enough, some have represented Hephaestus as son of Talos 1, and Talos 1 as son of Cres. But, as it has been remarked:

"The legends of Greece generally have different forms, and this is particularly true of genealogy." [Pausanias, Description of Greece 8.53.5]

nload ebooks on http://www.frenchtheory.com/
See that post with different algorithms in metabole
See the journal French Metablog with today different posts

What is a text?

What is a text?

We often refer to a book as a text because it represents a wholeness, a complete story or a scientific report, for example. Texts are also often the start and completion of an argument. Since the focus of this work is on argumentation, I would like to pay special attention to text in terms of argument, and view text as the entity through which arguments are made, the means of presentation for the argument, if you will. (tformaro.com)

Download ebooks on http://www.frenchtheory.com/
See that post with different algorithms in metabole
See the journal French Metablog with today different posts

State of flux

Hypertextual strives for definition as comprehensive--even indispensable--but does not claim to be 'complete'.

It is in a constant state of flux, as its content is updated by not only myself, but by all who participate inside, adding comments, abstracts, and feeding the ongoing dialectic concerned with the possibilities and limitations of this relatively new textual medium.

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Rejoignez le journal de l'Hypertexte en anglais (posts du jour différents)
Envoyez vos textes à jp.pastor@phonereader.fr

Modalities of work in progress

Multimedia as a concept doesn't make sense to me because I have always been involved with electronics and redefinitions of modalities of work.

Ajay Naidu

Download ebooks on http://www.frenchtheory.com/

See that post with different algorithms in metabole

See the journal French Metablog with today different posts

Enter Hypertextual as a member

Textual domain

As yet, no boundless writing space exists, so I have had to try to create my own simulacrum of a textual domain.

I have tried to exploit hypertext's capaciousness by offering extended passages from some of authors I cite. The current state of copyright law, however, precludes posting works in their entirety (and frankly, scanning or typing that much stuff would have been too tedious and time-consuming anyway). I have, therefore, included less than 10% of any given work to comply with the "fair use" provisions of the law. Sometimes, all you will want is a standard bibliographical reference -- just enough to enable you can to get the book or article and read it in its entirety, without my noisome interjections, distracting comments, and distorting editorial decisions.

Simple references to page numbers will occur in the text and the full bibliographic information will occur on the list of works cited (a link should take you directly from an author's name to the bibliography).

Download ebooks on http://www.frenchtheory.com/

See that post with different algorithms in metabole

See the journal French Metablog with today different posts

Enter Hypertextual as a member