Summary

Wright's review paper analyzes the relation between cognitive overhead and prostheses, ie the aids to perfom a task. She states that, when evaluating hypertext, these aids need to be included. Also, some evaluation issues, like adequacy of text, acceptability, adaptability and skills, are discussed. Reducing cognitive overhead, like in navigation, seems to be an important issue for hypertext to be useful.

Best Things

Hypertext aids were identified as major issue and properly explained.

Improvements

"Prostheses" was probably used as an eye-catcher, but the term seems a little bit inappropriate to me.

Question to Author

How well developed are the navigational aids for current hypertext system?

Article Questions

1. Why does hypertext introduce cognitive overhead?

2. What is meant by "prostheses" in this article?

My Opinion

Hypertext introduces additional cognitive overhead. Reducing this through aids is not only useful, but a major issue for hypertext.