http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/NODEORG.html (PC Press Internet CD, 03/1996)
 | - Principia Cybernetica Web - © |
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Author: Joslyn, Heylighen,
Date: Jan 19, 1994 (modified); Aug 1993 (created)
Parent Node(s):
Node Organization
The node is the elemental unit of the Principia Cybernetica network. It corresponds to a single hypertext "document" (in World-Wide Web terminology for hypertext), containing links to other documents. A node is the
most general entity of Principia Cybernetica, and everything is ultimately a node. The concept is similar to that of an object in
so-called ``object-oriented programming'. Objects can contain both data and programs or procedures, and react to 'messages' being sent to them by performing the associated commands. For the simplest type of objects, which contain no procedures (such as hypermedia documents), the only command understood is: show the data (text, graphics, ...) contained.
Each node is assigned at least one node type which represent
different semantic and pragmatic categories. Node types include not only
the more traditional elements of textual development (e.g. books,
chapters, paragraphs), but also more logical entities (e.g. definitions,
expositions, examples, refutations, bibliographic references, descriptions
of events), and non-textual entities (e.g. illustrations, diagrams, data
sets, sounds).
Standard Nodes
This most general description of a node, however, is not always the most
useful. Indeed, while a most general node type is allowed, most of the
textual development in the Principia Cybernetica network will take a similar form, described
by the standard node type. Standard nodes will be almost entirely
textual, containing the following components:
- Title:
- The English name for the node, perhaps multiple words or
a short phrase, e.g. ``Evolutionary Theory''.
- Filename:
- An internal code, a unique identifier perhaps selected
arbitrarily and limited because of computer implementation, e.g.
``EVOLTH''. On the WWW-server, the filename is complemented by a suffix like .HTML or .GIF in order to show the type of file. The filename with suffix forms the last part of the URL address of the node. (e.g. URL : http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/EVOLTH.html)
- Authors:
- List of identifiers of who has added to the node, with links to the author's node if one exists.
- Collab_Status:
- (not yet implemented) Logical flag indicating the ``collaborative
status'' of the node. There are three possible values: Consensus,
Individual(default for standard nodes), and Discussion(default for annotations).
- Date:
- At least the last revision date of the node, and, if different from the former, the date of creation. It could be
expanded to a rather complex structure detailing the revision history of
the node, including which authors changed or added which parts at which
times.
- Parent Node:
- A set of (name,type) pairs indicating which
nodes link to this node as "hierarchically superior", and in what semantic relation.
- Child Nodes:
- Similarly, a set of (name,type) pairs
indicating which nodes this node links to as "hierarchical inferiors", and in what semantic relation.
- Definition:
- Brief text offering a definition or description of
name in terms of other nodes. Short, without explication. May contain
embedded anchors to other nodes.
- Exposition:
- Unlimited length text containing a full
explication of the node. May contain embedded anchors to other nodes;
bibliographical and/or historical references; analogies; examples; graphical illustrations
or applications.