Defined scope
- Non-linear reading
- Linking
- Web pages
- Digital archives
- Knowledge Systems
CONCEPT
Hypertext
Hypertext is a system of non-linear text and media connected by links, allowing readers and machines to traverse knowledge through associations.
Hypertext is a foundational concept for the web, digital archives, knowledge graphs, digital gardens, public notes and Electronic Artefacts knowledge publishing.
active
research
EDITORIAL FRAME
What this entry establishes.
A concise view of its scope, position, limitations and supporting sources.
Editorial position
- Hypertext becomes more valuable when links carry semantic and editorial intent.
- Knowledge graphs extend hypertext by making the identity and type of links explicit.
Explicit limits
- A linear PDF with no meaningful internal or external links
- A navigation menu that does not change the structure of knowledge
Tags and disciplines
HypertextWebKnowledge SystemsDigital ArchivesInternet CultureWeb DevelopmentHistory of Technology
References behind this page
- As We May Think Vannevar Bush / The Atlantic / 1945-07-01
- Augmenting Human Intellect Douglas C. Engelbart / Doug Engelbart Institute / 1962-10-01
Definition
Hypertext is text and media organized through links rather than only sequence. It lets a reader move by association, reference, citation, concept, source or curiosity.
Scope
The concept includes linked documents, web pages, wikis, digital gardens, archive interfaces, annotation systems and semantic pages. It becomes especially important when a site is designed for exploration rather than chronological consumption.
Applications
Electronic Artefacts uses hypertext as the public surface of its knowledge graph. Every article, concept and project page should help readers move into adjacent questions.
Limitations
Links can also create noise. Hypertext requires editorial discipline: clear anchors, stable URLs, context around links and periodic pruning.
References
See Vannevar Bush, Douglas Engelbart, URI design, Linked Data and Knowledge Graph.
DOCUMENTED RELATIONSHIPS
Connected work and ideas.
Each link names the relationship between two entries and why it matters.
Hypertext and Augmented Knowledge Systems
Hypertext and Augmented Knowledge Systems documents hypertext as an architecture for linked public knowledge.
Personal Knowledge Systems and Digital Gardens
Personal Knowledge Systems and Digital Gardens uses hypertext as the linking model for public knowledge gardens.
How can software become explainable through its own knowledge graph?
The research question "How can software become explainable through its own knowledge graph?" applies Hypertext as part of its current model.
Knowledge Hub Second Wave
Hypertext is an explicit member of the Knowledge Hub Second Wave collection.
Record details Metadata, sharing and citation
Hypertext
Cite this page
Hypertext. 1.0.0. Electronic Artefacts, 2026-06-24. https://electronicartefacts.com/knowledge/concepts/hypertext/
Nearby relationships
4 public links connect this page to nearby projects, concepts and references.