21 Hypertext pragmatics: Hypertext acts

By analogy with speech acts, writing acts text acts, hypertext acts can be defined. An example:

1. Search: by
   1. Address (URL in WWW)
   2. Browsing (link by link)
   3. Search machine

2. Interaction with query and other programmes (via HTML and CGI or Java), in order to conduct transations:
   1. Search databases
   2. Register information
   3. Commit to a course of action (e.g. conference registration, purchase)

3. Interaction as author vs. interaction as reader vs. interaction as server operator

Metaphors such as `querying' a database or an expert system have become technical terms in this area.

Assumptions about accuracy, truthfulness, reliability, safety, and privacy are involved.