A component-based open hypermedia approach to integrating structure services

In this paper, we consider the issue of integrating different structure services within a component-based open hypermedia system. We do so by considering the task of collaborative editing, which calls for a variety of different structures traditionally supplied by different structure services. We discuss the nature of collaborative editing and how it can be supported by a combination of spatial and navigational hypermedia services. We then present a component-based open hypermedia system architecture and describe various methods of integrating different structure services provided within such an architecture. We show the advantages of integration within a component-based framework over other means of integration, highlighting some of the main advantages of the component-based approach to open hypermedia system design and implementation.