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On Fri, 7 Jul 1995, Curt A. Monash wrote:

> Michael wrote a post pointing out that the Web was forbiddingly
> time-consuming, not just w.r.t. graphics/modem speed and other technology
> issues, but also w.r.t. the issue of finding information once you're logged
> on.
> 
> Right on.
> 
> He then suggested that automated agents were a big part of the solution.
> 
> That, I have a problem with.  The problem is (I think I've raised this
> before):

Just a clarification, Curt. I had another private note on this point. I 
was speaking about the next generation of intelligent agents (automated 
tools), which are likely to have more robust, more qualitative dimensions 
that what we see/have available now. They may be able to assist us in 
smart-filtering, smart-retrieval, and, in an automated way, evaluate 
information based on some key criteria we'd set/establish.

In no way was I suggesting that they can or will replace personal/human 
selection and quality-evaluations of content, and its value to a user or 
group of users. I think we need to think about a human-machine 
interactivity here, exploiting the power of the computer and programs to 
help, but with human decision-making always a part of the equation. 
Otherwise, we'd have Big Brother :).

> The traditional faster way is to pick a journalistic source and trust it. 

Agreed --though I'd say trusted "news" source, maybe the same thing.

[bunch snipped]

> If there isn't time in this impatient world to develop a story (and if it is
> to be laden with hyperlinks), how can the whole shebang be made INTERESTING?
> I have some ideas for how to make content especially interesting (no, I'm
> not prepared to spill EVERYTHING here), but I'd really, really appreciate
> helpful comments  pertaining to sheer wordsmithing.

Wordsmithing is important, IMO, for readers. Readers will always be 
attracted to good writing, makes the world go round. Someone was just 
writing on another list (or here?) about book buying up in recent years, 
especially among the under-30s crowd --a good sign, I'd say.

I happen to like Clarinews as a filtered, organized look at several good 
newsfeeds, good writing and reporting overall. Timely stuff. What 
intrigues me is could that be taken to another level, and have HTML-feed 
(or VRML) for some portions of it (features or columns). I pop open an 
email ('cause I subscribed to certain "topics"), save it as HTML, fire up 
the ole browser and I'm reading *and* exploring other links/contexts.

Michael

P. Michael McCulley / GENESIS Information Services / mcculley@netcom.com
      Home Page URL: ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/GI/GIS/genhome.html      
........................................................................
"I couldn't remember when I had been so disappointed.  Except perhaps
the time I found out that M&Ms really *do* melt in your hand ..."
		-- Peter Oakley


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