PackRat, I think the red exclamation point is a good idea. I have created two graphics, one red exclamation point graphic, and one blue question mark graphic. Here are links to both graphics: http://teledon.info/Jvoc/Exclaim1.png http://teledon.info/Jvoc/Quest1.png
The exclamation mark graphic should be be used to indicate required reading. If the reader doesn't understand the hyperlinked word or concept next to the red exclamation point graphic, they should follow the associated hyperlink (on both the word and the graphic). The hyperlinked text. will explain a concept that is critical to understand before proceeding further in the current text. The blue question mark graphic should be used to indicate words or concepts that provide useful information, but that are not immediately required to understand the current text. However, that information may become required at some other place in the text (at which point it will be marked with a red exclamation point). . An interesting example of the use of these graphics, is the word "Monadic" On the opening Vocabulary page the word "monadic" should have a blue question mark next to the word, as at that point (on the front page) it is not critical to understand what "monadic" means. However, on the Ceiling page, the word "monadic" needs a red exclamation point beside it, since on that page, it is critical to understand what monadic means in order to help make clear the reason why there are two different explanations under the Ceiling description. .. .Skip Cave . PackRat wrote: > Skip Cave wrote: > >> I had another idea - We could even have a couple of different levels >> of "what's this" links. Perhaps a "you need to know this" link in >> bold red font for critical concepts, and a "what's this" link in >> blue font for the nice-to-know stuff. Or if we really want to keep >> the text clutter to a minimum, a red question-mark graphic for "need >> to know" stuff, and a blue question-mark graphic for "nice to know" >> stuff. >> > > Perhaps a red exclamation point might be better than a question mark to > emphasize the critical nature of some concept. I agree, too, that > these need to be graphics or else a significant change in font size > (and perhaps font, too) and not just using the same font and changing > only the color of the character. > > By the way, the "... for dummies" series and similar series have > various kinds of visual markers for the beginner in terms of important > concepts or "for more info..." and the like. Perhaps some of these > could be developed into online equivalents... > > Harvey > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
