Secrets of Good Hypertext
"Secrets of Good Hypertext," an essay on how to compose good text that includes hyperlinks.
Comments
There's the thoughtful organization of ideas, there's the consideration of usage in a manuscript, and then there's super-dry old-lady pedantry.
I'm pretty sure his stuff is originally written in Russian. I've wondered whether the weird style is partially an artifact of translation.
Not the Russian excuse again! Jeff!
I must agree with Will here. Although in general the examples the author prefers are easier to read and offer slightly more context, the "wrong" examples are just fine.
That's where I've gotta break with you fine gentlemen. Some of his "wrong" example are actually R-O-N-G wrong in my book. Using "here" as a linking word in the contexts he discusses, for example, is just horrible.
The first two arguments contradict each other, though. The second lesson makes for easier reading, but is useless when taken out of context, and taking hyperlinked text out of context seems essential to the author. In fact, it has a very 1996 feeling to me, when this new-fangled hypertext stuff was only going to be used until you print stuff out and make it "real."
I agree that, in general, adding phrases like "at this link here" is pedestrian and inelegant, but this is prescriptivist hypergrammar we're being given here. I tolerate prescriptivist grammar when it's based on an informed knowledge of precedent that may not be readily available, not when it's just some dude telling me that his way is "right."
Honestly, if it had been written more speculatively or as some kind of analyses of observed practices rather than as a mandate, I might be more open to it. But the voice of the piece makes such a big deal out what is often just tomfoolery.
"Don't make me follow a link for one sentence," is fine advice. "Include all the relevant data for your argument," is just good writing. This guy can put his gavel away, though.