Fwd: question for the list (linear/non-linear)

[Jim Mack]

Just because someone tries to make a viewer's web experience of the web
linear doesn't change the fundamental nature of the web. The essence of
hyperlinking is non-linear access to resources.

In my classes, the most effective analogy for getting students to understand
the "structure" of the web is a "hairball." At first they say, "Ewwww..."
and then the light of understanding comes into their eyes. 8^)

You can't point to the beginning or end of a hairball, or mathematically
describe the relationships between the pieces that ultimately make it what
it is, but it hangs together persistently and works as what it is. Just like
the Web.

Just My Opinion,
Jim Mack

"Be grateful for luck. Pay the thunder no mind...listen to the birds. And
don't hate nobody." -Eubie Blake

Excerpt of original messages begins here----->

In my classes, I often talk about the non-linearity of the Web. I would
really like to hear the reasons for describing the Web as linear.

J...

Nicola Cecchino wrote:
>
> I'd say it's nonlinear....is a spider's web linear???
>
> Mr. Nicola J. Cecchino
> Edward G. Miner Library
> University of Rochester Medical Center
> cecc...@frontiernet.net
>
> On Tue, 4 May 1999, Georgiana VanSyckle wrote:
>
> > I have had a rather hot debate over whether the web is linear or
nonlinear
> > in its organization.
> >
> > I'd love to hear what you all think!
> > ;)
> >
> >
> > TIA
> > Georgiana Van Syckle
> > webmaster
> > State Library of Ohio
> > gvan...@winslo.state.oh.us
> >

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[John Cram]

Jim Mack wrote

> In my classes, the most effective analogy for getting students to understand
> the "structure" of the web is a "hairball." At first they say, "Ewwww..."
> and then the light of understanding comes into their eyes. 8^)

What is a hairball?

The only thing that sounds even distantly like 'hairball' that I
have ever heard is what a cat brings up.

This isn't meant to sound abusive, but unless the analogy is
universally applicable it doesn't help.

John Cram