flame: choose _here_ to get information

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To: www-talk@nxoc01.cern.ch
Subject: flame: choose _here_ to get information 
From: Larry Masinter <masinter@parc.xerox.com>
Sender: Larry Masinter <masinter@parc.xerox.com>
Fake-Sender: masinter@parc.xerox.com
Message-id: <93Aug2.180258pdt.2794@golden.parc.xerox.com>
Date: 	Mon, 2 Aug 1993 18:02:50 PDT
Status: RO

This is just a little rant about two style issues in hypertext that
I'm seeing more of and don't like much.

The first is the _here_ syndrome, e.g.: 

	Information about Blah Blah Blah is available by clicking _here_.

where the word _here_ is the link. This style is really awkward; when
you click on 'here', you have to look around to make sure it is the
*right* here. Let me urge you, when you construct your HTML page, to
make sure that the thing-you-click is actually some kind of title for
what it is when you click there. E.g.  say

	Information about _Blah Blah Blah_ is now available.

And use:

	Information on _how to do searches_ is available.

instead of

	For information on how to do searches, choose _this link_.


================================================================
Not quite as bad, but still awkward is where someone will use a topic
word as a link, but it still talks about the links:

   Here are links to a _CREDITS_ page and _technical details_ ...

Instead, try to write something like

   Many thanks go to _various people_ for their contributions.
   _Technical details_ of this system are available now.

I.e., make your HTML page such that you can read it even if you don't
follow any links.