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Software for LAN knowledge annealing

Our HyperRez program is an excellent way to run hypertext on a LAN.

With minimal cost and effort, using any ASCII file word processor you can quickly put on a LAN knowledge systems giving all hot-key access a company policy manual, phone numbers of employees, what to do in an emergency, how to run any program, or a guide to lunchtime eating.

Dynamic linking

To create an executive information system, have the company database every day write 10-250 reports using a separate ASCII filename for each separate report.

While the hypertext menu didn't change the contents of the file file changed daily.

At the press of a hot-key, each user could then instantly select, view, and print the latest data from the database.

Telephone annealing

Include a phone number to an answering machine on each screen so users can easily comment, suggest improvements, or add additional information.

If such changes are made daily, the system rapidly evolves to reflect the needs and knowledge of all LAN users.

Tools used

As the size of the system increases from 50 to 500-2000 files, the management of the system also grows in complexity but at a much faster rate, making conventional ASCII word processors soon unsuited for the task.

For that reason, serious developers use our hypertext word processor and the associated utilities which better manages the annealing of unlimited numbers of files.

Group annealing

After validating the concept, most annealing knowledge systems quickly move from a single person making the changes to a group of people who share similar needs, goals, and understandings of the annealing process. At this point, the group then makes a decision on the type of annealing system that best serves their needs.

If the system consists only of ASCII files, then HyperRez, HyperVIEW, or TransText are suitable runtime programs. To also add graphics, glossary, DOS/editor calls, and other hypertext features, on Novell systems systems use HyperLAN and on all other PC-LAN systems use Hynet-LAN.

Specifications of Hynet-LAN

Our newest LAN hypertext system, Hynet-LAN, extends the familiar hypertext capabilities of our shareware Hyplus program in the following ways:

Runs on any LAN -- Our shareware Hyplus program is not compatible with most LAN servers. Our Hyplus-LAN program runs only on Novell systems while Hynet-LAN runs on all LANs.

Integrates HOUDINI files -- In larger hypertext systems (5,000 plus files), we use HOUDINI to create all our classification menus. The reasons: 

        Good classification becomes metaphor (thought patterns
        adopted by users).

        Adding information shifts metaphor.

        HOUDINI easily manages and improves metaphor across tens
        of thousands of menus.
Hynet-LAN is our only LAN hypertext system integrating these important features of HOUDINI files.

Print graphics - Press P to print the displayed graphic file to any HP compatible laser or deskjet printer. Includes automatic dual image capability - one image for the screen (640 by 600 pixel image will display on any CGA, EGA, VGA, Hercules monitor) - one image to print (typically 2400 by 3000 pixels when scanned at 300 dpi). The screen image identifies the topic and the print image provides a full-fidelity hard copy.

Auto-link to programs - The new ALT-E command in Hynet-LAN looks at the highlighted hypertext jump, determines the file type, and then loads the associated program with that file. Allows instant hypertext links and process sequencing among Lotus, WordPerfect, Dbase, and files from other programs.

GOTO & simultaneous users - Press G to hypertext jump directly to any desired file. As for simultaneous users, Hynet-LAN provides unrestricted hypertext support to an unlimited number of users on a server.

Guidelines to annealing

The purpose of Hynet-LAN is to allow LAN workgroups to rapidly organize individual and collective knowledge. For building effective knowledge annealing systems, the general principles are: 
        Group sets community standards for screen formats.

        Leave questions (not opinions) in files created by others

        Every user must add a few initial question and answer
        screens to set the system's initial breadth and depth.
Following these modest guidelines, we've seen many LAN users rapidly create excellent hypertext technical support systems. With estimates of information being 60-80% of the value in most goods and services, systems that deliver the better technical information to your customers offers you a competitive advantage.

HyNet LAN offers more value

Looking at effective workgroup software, in comparison to Notes from Lotus ($62,000) or Knowledge Network ($200 to $400 per workstation), Hynet-LAN is an unbelievable bargain at $489.

Furthermore, these expensive competitors have yet to report of actual knowledge annealing successes or construction of sophisticated systems like those mentioned in this newsletter.

Where to start

To better understand the importance of Hynet-LAN, I recommend that you either order HOUDINI which includes a shareware version of Hynet-LAN (containing only the HOUDINI file link feature) or order Hynet-LAN itself.

As always, your satisfaction is guaranteed. Cost $489.

1991 PR Release - New hypertext programs for LAN systems

Today, MaxThink of Berkeley, California introduced for PC-based LAN systems four new hypertext programs named HyperRez, HyperView, Hyplus, and Hynet. These hypertext programs which offer workgroups rapid access to and easy organization of both textual and graphical information range in price from $9.95 to $489.

HyperRez is a 18K memory-resident hypertext system using the four arrow keys for rapid hypertext jumps among ASCII text and color-graphic files located on workstations or fileservers. As it also executes hypertext jumps displayed on the screen by other programs, HyperRez provides instant online documentation to programs or procedures. HyperRez costs $9.95.

HyperView is a 35K program also using the four arrow keys for rapid hypertext jumps among ASCII text and ASCII color-graphic files. Using any ASCII word processor, the non-memory resident HyperView program lets beginning computer users easily create, expand, and run, for example, effective telephone technical support systems on any PC-LAN system. HyperView costs $39.

Hyplus-LAN is a full-featured hypertext system for Novell LAN systems. Besides linking ASCII and ASCII color graphic files, Hyplus executes hypertext jumps that display PCX files, run programs, or dial a phone. In addition, Hyplus supports word lookup, word highlight, glossary jumps, bookmarks, cut/paste, action flags, and automatic path tracking. Hyplus-LAN costs $89 for four simultaneous users and $25 for each additional user.

Hynet offers the features of Hyplus-LAN to any PC LAN system for use by an unrestricted numbers of simultaneous users. Besides offering high-resolution laser printing of displayed graphic files, Hynet also includes additional menu formats, EMS memory overlay, and automatic hypertext jumps to a file or to the associated program loaded with that file. Cost is $489 and includes over 20 additional hypertext construction utilities.

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