Both approaches have advantages. In a multimedia biography, both are available, and readers can approach the material in whatever way is most useful and interesting at any given time, perhaps as a timeline, perhaps from the perspective of Abbott's family, perhaps even from the perspective of how the material was collected. Such timelines are interactive, giving readers access to related material. Interactive overviews keyed to the main areas in Abbott's life For example, a menu of Abbott's students, information about their connections with him and about their lives since many of them are interesting in their own right. We describe the process by which the author researched Abbott's life, a series of discoveries that makes an interesting story in its own right and highlights the modern legacies of Abbott's thought.
Readers can follow the same paths of discovery followed by the author.
Convenient, modular annotations of Flatland Readers can choose to observe only those notes that relate to areas of interest, such as mathematics or the role of the lower class. They can have an uninterrupted reading of the original text simply by choosing not to follow the links to any notes. Notes may be coded to indicate topics and level of background required, so teachers can choose appropriate material for their stud Flexibility for readers More broadly, readers can follow the biography in as straightforward or as haphazard a manner as they wish. Hypertext and multimedia allow readers to follow a path, part from it to follow new threads, and eventually return to the original r Author-guided tours Rather than leaving readers to make all their own mental connections, the author can provide narrated paths through the material, indicating important themes and subjects. There is a wealth of photographs of Abbott, his family and associates.