Facilitating navigation in hypertext

Traditional flat and relational database designs are not well suited for a poorly structured or a browsing style inquiry. An alternate database structure, hypertext, appears more suitable, but suffers from several problems associated with its flexibility. Two hypertext systems have been developed as test vehicles for examining user interface aids to help alleviate these problems. The first area of investigation involves the use of a 3D interactive graphic interface to address the user's need to know where they are, how they got there, and what information is nearby. The second research area focuses on the disruptions that result from transitions to data sets which did not contain the desired information. Varieties of previewing are being explored as possible ways to minimize the occurrence of this experience.<<ETX>>