QUOTABLE  FORMAT

The most important thing is to re-introduce the concept of deep quotability to hypertext, always part of the original hypertext project.

The first issue is the formats and delivery that can allow quotation from stored text.  I have worked out, with my colleagues at Keio University and the University of Southampton, delivery formats that allow quotation in any part.

Naturally they are completely incompatible with current Web browsers (strange hybrids of gaudiness and restriction based above all on hierarchical structure).  We hope to fix that.  Meanwhile, using these formats, it is currently possible to open quotations in a window, and we hope to have a browser plug-in one of these days that can assemble quoted portions taken from different documents.

To practice what I preach, I will be publishing mostly in text format from a quotable server.  It may not look as pretty as some stuff that's out there, but I prefer to offer this deeper functionality.

•