虛擬文本 Hypertext
One of the Internet's most distinctive characteristics is its quick reference system, also known as the hypertext. This reference system is built upon a new categorization of knowledge that is more convenient for people to digest different information in a more comprehensive way. In addition, the Internet quickens our search, making learning more convenient and easy. If knowledge is well organized and readily available on the Internet, it means we are more capable of cross-referencing the various sources. This contributes a lot to the re-structuring of our conceptions. In short, the Internet is creating a major change in human knowledge by reformulating them into another form.
Ironically, we scarcely see scholars citing sources and information from the Internet. Don't they surf the Internet to look for possible intellectual stimulation? If they do, why don't they cite the internet material in their papers as sources? True, the history of the Internet, compared with that of the books, is rather short. Perhaps that explains why people haven't developed a tradition to use the Internet as sources. Furthermore, intellectual property on the Internet is easily distributed and could travel far and wide beyond the original author's intention. To protect their own originality and thus authority, many scholars still keep to regular books and journals when they publish their work.
Will people cite various websites as sources for serious academic papers in the future? I don't know. Perhaps our generation will determine how things are to be done then.
One of the Internet's most distinctive characteristics is its quick reference system, also known as the hypertext. This reference system is built upon a new categorization of knowledge that is more convenient for people to digest different information in a more comprehensive way. In addition, the Internet quickens our search, making learning more convenient and easy. If knowledge is well organized and readily available on the Internet, it means we are more capable of cross-referencing the various sources. This contributes a lot to the re-structuring of our conceptions. In short, the Internet is creating a major change in human knowledge by reformulating them into another form.
Ironically, we scarcely see scholars citing sources and information from the Internet. Don't they surf the Internet to look for possible intellectual stimulation? If they do, why don't they cite the internet material in their papers as sources? True, the history of the Internet, compared with that of the books, is rather short. Perhaps that explains why people haven't developed a tradition to use the Internet as sources. Furthermore, intellectual property on the Internet is easily distributed and could travel far and wide beyond the original author's intention. To protect their own originality and thus authority, many scholars still keep to regular books and journals when they publish their work.
Will people cite various websites as sources for serious academic papers in the future? I don't know. Perhaps our generation will determine how things are to be done then.