Hypertext & Complexity LO5038

John Paul Fullerton (jpf6745@acs.tamu.edu)
Mon, 22 Jan 1996 13:08:00 +0000

Replying to LO5000 --

John said

> Since we have been using graphics of the type he mentions in the
> Interactive Management system for about 20 years or more, we have had lots
> of experience with using and interpreting graphics.

Could you recommend a general book that gives some guidance for the
topic? I benefitted from reviewing a book from two graphics designers
from Sun. Two ideas they mention is the use of developing graphics
with a visible or just understood partitioning background. I can't
think of the exact wording right now. The idea is that items within
the graphic should be presented using such limits as a button
separated from another button by half a button's width. The central
idea here is the grid that the graphic is designed on. I think they
use the term "program". The OTHER idea that I wanted to mention is
that they say something like perhaps ANY method of showing levels of
information might be beneficial. If round buttons mean action and
lines mean relation, that's one way. If blue means idea and green
means material, that's one way.

> Here are some of the things we have learned from repeated experience with
> these graphics:
>
> o From a cognitive or interpretive perspective, the number of words in a
> graphics box on a page that has many such boxes, should be approximately
> eight.

Maybe there's benefit in considering the benefit of one word or two,
if possible, and then a phrase if more information is needed.

> o Many people who see these graphics for the first time tend to think that
> every such graphic is a PERT chart. They really don't know how to read
> them, and should either have some training in how to read such diagrams,
> or should have someone experienced with them to read and interpret for
> them (after some "soak time" has elapsed).

I would be interested in references you think of as helpful for the
use of PERT charts or the other graphics that you mention. Concept
maps seem kind of neat to me; however, it seems to be difficult to
keep that simplicity and deal with much information.

--
Have a nice day
John Paul Fullerton
jpf6745@acs.tamu.edu