MASH: A Framework for Adaptive Spatial Hypermedia

Spatial hypermedia provides opportunities for expression not possible in navigational hypertext. However, static spatial hypermedia, just like static traditional hypermedia, has a single presentation for all use contexts. We are exploring the use of multiple adaptation models to alter the presentation of spatial hypertext. Differences between navigational and spatial hypertext expression require developing additional principles that can guide the design of new adaptive spatial hypermedia systems. MASH (Multi-model Adaptive Spatial Hypermedia) is a theoretical framework to help guide the augmentation of spatial hypermedia to include dynamic and adaptive behaviors. The framework provides, in the form of a general architecture, guidelines for designing, analyzing and comparing spatial hypermedia systems. This architecture allows spatial hypermedia systems to be classified based on their generative, interactive, dynamic and adaptive functionality. The MASH framework also presents an ontology of the adaptation methods and techniques that can be used in spatial hypermedia. The theoretical work is then grounded by introducing WARP, a prototype that not only exemplifies this approach but also represents a first incursion into Web-based spatial hypermedia, distributed spatial hypermedia, access issues for Presentation Oriented Spatial Hypermedia (POSH) documents, and interoperability issues between spatial hypermedia systems.