Why a HTML/WorldWideWeb/Internet document instead of class handouts or chapter assignments in a selected book? First of all, the cost of textbooks with good color illustrations has become prohibitive, and the process of creating such a textbook for a limited readership is intimidating. Besides, would a publisher be interested in a new edition every year based on the author's changing experience and every whim?
This kind of learning is hypertexted, allowing the student to wander through some of the material (with the change of hypertext reference colors serving as Ariadne's thread to indicate paths already travelled. A straight course is indicated, but the curious can explore some of the other links to information that is not required for a straightforward text but the author thought interesting enough to include.
For two years, I have examined various authoring programs and despaired because of their platform dependence and rapid obsolescence. HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is still young and simple as a formatting language but considerable effort is devoted to make browsers/readers for every platform-Macintosh, UNIX, and Windows (both 16- and 32-bit OS). HTML also is deliverable by Internet, a type of connectivity that is rapidly being embraced by university communities throughout the world. Great effort is being devoted to keeping HTML backward-compatible so that all existing work in HTML will be readable in the future.
This effort is a first edition, with inevitable flaws that will be regarded simply as growing pains by the kind reader and will be gently pointed out for correction in future editions.
Phillip Barak Madison, Wisconsin October 1995
As I review the foreword that I wrote in 1995 as part of a general review and rewrite of these pages, I am pleased to consider that the HTML medium has not only survived but conquered, and the effort expended has been worthwhile and appreciated. I thank all the many correspondents worldwide, not the least for the stream of corrections gently offered.
Phillip Barak Madison, Wisconsin 11 Jan 1999
This page was last modified by Phillip Barak, Univ. of Wisconsin, on 11 Jan 1999. All rights reserved.