Objectives

This section presents a hypermedia model. The model is composed of elements from the Dexter hypertext reference model and the CMIF multimedia model. It incorporates facilities for multiple media that may be displayed through distinct channels, and allows for links and timing constraints between channel contents. Further, we discuss the nature of links.

Points to emphasize

Hints

The model sketched in this section provides the rudiments for an object model for hypermedia systems. You may encourage your students to work out the model in detail.

Questions

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  1. Describe the Dexter hypertext reference model.
  2. How would you characterize the CMIF multimedia model? }
  3. Give an outline of an integrated hypermedia model. What problems do you expect in the realization of your model?
  4. Discuss the nature of links. How are links related to active objects?

Comments

The Dexter hypertext reference model allows for many possible realizations. When developing a hypermedia system one should pay attention to the emerging standards for hypermedia document transfer and display, such as MIME and the HTML hypertext markup language.