The term ‘hypertext’ was coined by Ted Nelson in the 60’s. It is basically the idea that users don’t just have one option; there are many routes for them to take and create their own experience by choosing what they read themselves. Hypertext takes a non-linear approach. On the internet this refers to the various choices of alternate links we have the choice to click on to embark on our own personal cyber journey which may or may not ever be repeated exactly by other users, or even ourselves.
Personally, I know I have a set route when I look at this website. I first glance over all the top stories and perhaps read one or two of the main ones which I’ve been following or am just interested in. Then I will go to the ‘Strange News’ section as there’s usually something funny (and random!) on there. Then I will navigate to the Sky Showbiz section and have a browse there. This is my main journey, but all it takes is for me to see one hyperlink to a headline that sounds interesting and my journey is already altered.
When you connect to the homepage, there will be one top story which is given the most room and the biggest picture. There is only a snippet of information provided. To read the rest of the report, you have to click on the hyperlink entitled ‘More…’ and written in bold.
There are also hyperlinks to all the rest of the top stories with pictures attached to make it more appealing and likely that the viewer will click on and create their own experience of the website by making their own choices of where to go.
Hypertext on the homepage also includes links to pictures, videos, podcasts, all the different news sections (such as ‘Health’, ‘Weather’, ‘World News’) as well as hyperlinks to the Sky Sports website and Sky Showbiz.
In May 2007, after the disappearance of Madeleine McCann there was a hyperlink in the left hand navigation bar entitled ‘Madeleine’ to cope with the interest in the story and accommodate the volume of articles about the story. However, since about Sept/Oct and the decrease in media interest in the story, Sky News have removed this section. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I think it’s sad to see it disappear as it feels like they’ve given up hope on the story….so maybe they should have never created the link in the first place?
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2 comments:
Alyson,
I think you define the term hypertext effectively here. I also think it's interesting that human nature almost dictates that we have patterns and routines for things, and you mention your set routine when you look at the website. The 'Strange News' section would appeal to me! I think the point you make about the disappearance of information due to it being classed as 'old news' now, is indeed sad....but the very nature of 'news' is that it's current! I'm amazed sometimes at how quickly things seem to be passed over on TV and just never mentioned again! I found a Russian Submarine story years back now particularly harrowing, and it was really quickly quashed as the news moved on!
All the best
Emma
Yes, a lot of the Russian news is like that though isn't it. My sister used to work for RTV which is an english speaking news station in Moscow and a lot of the news is sensored so highly.
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