by

Leo D. Geoffrion
John Danison
Computer Services
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

518-584-5000 (Ext. 2528)
MANAGER@SKIDMORE.BITNET

(If accepted, the presentation will be made by Leo D. Geoffrion.)

ABSTRACT

This project was launched to respond to the everyday need for a simple means to help novice users become acquainted with the many features of a microcomputer system. As with most colleges and universities, the school operates several public user rooms where students have access to micros for course assignments, projects, or other activities. Past experience has shown that extensive user guides or introductory workshops are not popular training resources for diverse practical reasons.

This project consists of about 2 Mbytes of HyperCard stackware that introduces novices to the Macintosh computer, the resources available at Skidmore College, and the techniques for using word processing, graphics, and communication software. The stacks are installed on a Macintosh that is dedicated to this project. After some cursory instruction on how to move the mouse and click selections, novices can explore freely the instructions on the user room resources, and how to run the major applications. Likewise, more experienced uses can access the stacks for tips on advanced features.

Hypertext principles are used throughout the stacks to give students considerable freedom to browse through the available information. Students can drift from topic to topic, access an on-line glossary of computer terms, and even jump between the tutorial and the application programs under study. Where linear lessons are presented, they are kept very brief and directed toward critical questions posed by most novice users.

The presentation will demonstrate the tutorial stacks, and discuss some of the adaptations needed to accommodate hypertext to the structure and limitations of HyperCard.