Electronic documents and the World Wide Web Electronic documents and the World Wide Web Darren S. Foltinek, Robert R. Stewart, and Don C. Lawton ABSTRACT This paper provides an overview of document information structure, describes the World Wide Web project, and then discusses how the Web technologies were used to implement an interactive electronic document. INTRODUCTION In any area of research, effective communication of results is always a challenge. The ability to independently verify published results, while very important, is currently quite difficult, especially in the field of exploration geophysics. Traditional means of publishing do not include any raw data, nor the software that was used to process, produce or visualize the data. An interactive document would come with both data and software, enabling the reader to easily reproduce results and run their own experiments. In writing this paper, we have used some terminology that may be unfamiliar to the reader. Please see the glossary at the end of the paper for clarification. DOCUMENT INFORMATION STRUCTURES In a traditional document such as a book or technical paper, information is presented in a linear, or sequential, order. The person reading the document usually starts at the beginning and proceeds through the information in the order in which the author indended. There are several advantages with a linear document; it can be easier to read and author because it is the traditional, and thus more comfortable, method. Since the order of presentation is determined by the author, the reader can be 'lead by the hand' through the material. It is presented in an order that the author feels is the most appropriate. The counterpoint to this advantage is that without knowing the level of background knowledge of the reader, it may be difficult to define a 'most appropriate' order of presentation. CREWES Research Report Volume 6 (1994) 20-1