true-structure-of-text
The natural, intrinsic organization of textual material that users should see and interact with, as opposed to conventional storage formats.
1 chapter across 1 book
The Report on Project Xanadu Concerning Word Processing, Electronic Publishing, Hypertext, Thinkertoys, Tomorrow's Intellectual Revolution, and Certain Other Topics Including Knowledge, Education and Freedom (1981)Ted Nelson
Chapter 2 of Ted Nelson's report proposes a universal electronic publishing system called the Arghive, emphasizing the need to represent and store the 'true' intrinsic structure of textual information rather than conventional, amalgamated formats. It outlines a design philosophy that prioritizes simplicity, user control, and faithful representation of interconnected documents, reflecting literature as an ongoing system of linked writings. The chapter also highlights the technical challenges overcome by the Project Xanadu team to enable efficient storage, retrieval, and delivery of complex document structures.