hypertext

Four bad links

False Twin Links
Two links with similar wording, so that it seems as if they would lead to the same thing -- but they don't.
(No click: "I've already been there.")
Non-Identical Twin Links
Two links with very different wording, so that it seems as if they would lead to two different things -- but instead, they go to exactly the same thing.
(Click: "Hey! I've already been here!")
Mystery Link
Obscure words (often just one word) or a cryptic image, so that the user doesn't know what to expect.
(No click: "Huh? I'm not going there.")
Trick Link
Text or an image that raises a false expectation or fails to indicate that something out of the ordinary will result.
(Click: "No! I didn't WANT to download a file!")

See also Ten link rules.

primary threads:

When hypertext is better

Components defined

Building hypertexts: Process

The control paradox

top page: Hypertext

references for hypertext
authors:
Mindy McAdams (author bio) mmcadams@well.com
Stephanie Berger (author bio) stephanie@berger.net