Several developers are experimenting with novel ways to organize and present information. Metacontent is one of the more interesting examples. This approach seeks to structure information through semantic webs -- a structure that is thought to parallel the organization of human memory.

In a semantic web, the paper page metaphor is replaced by an endless web of connections. The viewer starts at an initial term or concept and is presented with a variety of connections to related information. These connections do not necessarily correspond to the traditional structures found in a formal outline.

Some examples:

• On-Line Thesaurus. One of the leading developers of metacontent presentations, PlumbDesign offers a demonstration based on the familiar thesaurus of related terms.
  
  
• Smithsonian Institute. In this demonstration, the Smithsonian asked several of its curators to select Americana items that it found very interesting but that did not cleanly fit the traditional collection/presentation criteria. The result is a very intriguing exploration of everyday American artifacts.
  
  
• The Brain: This company is marketing a metacontent tool intended to replace the familiar microcomputer desktop. Their product manages web resources, personal files, and marginal notes as a single information environment.