Schedule

• Submission deadline: 18 September 2003
• Publication date: November 2003

Scope

Submissions are sought for a special edition for the Hypermedia Systems theme of the Journal of Digital Information on visions of the future of 'common use' hypertext. This special edition is linked to a panel session at ACM Hypertext '03, where alternative digital futures incorporating hypertext as a primary mechanism will be discussed by a panel of experts.

The Web has been the dominant public perception of hypertext for over 10 years now. There are, of course, many other hypertext systems, that could augment, live alongside, or even completely replace the Web. The aim of this special issue, and of the related panel discussion, is to investigate the viability of these alternative systems, and to consider how their everyday use can simplify the processes of reading and writing, understanding and thinking in the working and recreational activities of large numbers of people.

Submissions to the special issue should firstly describe the system or concept that the author proposes for everyday hypertext use, and outline the benefits they will bring to large sections of the population, discussing where would they be deployed, how would they be used, and by whom. These systems or concepts could include complete alternative hypertext management systems, scenarios for using hypermedia in ways that have a radical effect on some everyday activity (such as reading, writing, learning, imagining) or could comprise supplementary technologies for the Web (such as addressing, searching, retrieving, authoring, or any other core technology of an everyday hypertext system).

The remainder of the paper should then address the more speculative questions such as: with virtually unlimited resources, how should the vision of interconnected information, embodied by the hypertext system or concept, be realised over the next ten years? What technologies would be used? Would they be built on any existing infrastructure, and how far back would there be any useful foundations for a useful point to start again? What long-term impact on work and recreation could be expected from these changes?

The primary characteristic of the system or concept in your submission should be that "one day, everyone will do it this way".

There is no fixed length for submissions. Papers will be reviewed by at least one member of the conference panel discussion group together with other selected referees. Authors of accepted papers will be able to modify their papers, with final versions of papers due on 6th November.

Submission

Authors should submit their papers electronically using the submission form. Selecting the title or editor for this issue from the Theme or Editor drop-down box will alert the editor to your submission automatically. Before submitting please take note of the journal's Guidelines for submission: notes for authors. Authors who wish to submit a paper with unusual features are requested to contact the Special issue Editor prior to submission.

The Journal of Digital Information is an electronic journal published only via the Web. JoDI is currently free to all users thanks to support from the British Computer Society and Oxford University Press.