RE: Links vs Hypertext vs Hypertext Links

["Combs, Richard" <richard -dot- combs -at- Polycom -dot- com>]

Deborah Hemstreet wrote:
 
> If you see the phrase: "Click the hypertext link" - what do you think of?
> 
> Is there a difference between:
> 
> Links
> 
> vs
> 
> Hypertext
> 
> vs
> 
> Hypertext Links
> ????
> 
> Client advised "hypertext links" because the links are not "hard links"
> 
> Any thoughts?

Hard links? Is this person a programmer, by chance? 

You don't mention the context -- is the link to be clicked on a web page, in a PDF, or what? 

But regardless of the context, I can't imagine a scenario where a user is confused because you fail to specify that it's a _hypertext_ link. 

If the user has never used a browser and visited websites (know your audience), I doubt that adding the word "hypertext" will help. And anyone who knows the meaning of "hypertext" knows what's meant by "link."

Avoid the issue. If the link text is "Option 1," say "Click Option 1." 

You only need to use the word "link" if you need to tell readers to choose one of several. E.g., "Click the link that corresponds with the option you want." Again, adding "hypertext" adds no value. 


Richard G. Combs
Senior Technical Writer
Polycom, Inc.
richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom
303-223-5111
------
rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom
303-903-6372
------






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