A look at how linear test is transformed into hypertext
By Jules Herr, Greg Phoenix, and Bert Weidt
One of the main issues that has developed since As We May Think was written, is the debate of whether or not traditional linear print texts (books, etc.) can be "hypertexted" into hypertext on the web. When examining this issue, one might look at what Bush's As We May Think thoughts on the subject would be. Since his article was first on linear print text and then put into hypertext, would he really feel that his work on the web is really "hypertextual"?
As a group, we feel that Bush would have mixed feelings on the subject. Since As We May Think is linear in origin, in order to keep the article in a form such that its original message is not distorted, a limited amount of hypertexting can be done. This "restricted hypertext" is for all practical purposes linear (due to linear origin), but can still be considered hypertext, since the reader can still jump from link to link or section to section. Basically, we feel that Bush would consider his article on the web to be hypertextual in nature, but would not consider it to be "true hypertext".
Should hypertexting be used as a verb when it comes to transforming linear text to information on the web? We look at it this way. When you write something linearly, the word writing is a verb in the sense that you are engaging in the act of putting words on to paper. Thus, the word hypertexting is also a verb, since when you are putting a linear print text on the web, you are engaging in the act of transforming the information from one medium to another. We feel that hypertexting should be used like any other verb associated with text, such as typing, writing, printing, etc..
In sum, when reading Vannevar Bush's As We May Think, there are tons of separate issues and concepts that one can examine further to realize what a tremendous article this really is. We have looked at only a few of these topics, namely the Philosophical, and Technological aspects of the article, along with the issue of Hypertexting Dr. Bush raises. We feel that Vannevar Bush's As We May Think is an excellent example of brilliant foresight and imagination, and will continue be a valuable article in whatever medium it is written in.