An anatomy of anchors

While much attention is paid to defining and examining interactions with links, little is paid to the front end: the anchor. We examine what an anchor is, describe six anchor properties (density, location, function, decoration, format, and uniformity), and present examples of these properties. This paper describes the state-of-practice—anchors not as they may be or should be but as they are in 67 sites and works. Efferent (informational and promotional) and aesthetic (literary) works tend to use anchors in different ways. Anchor property combinations affect the way readers interpret content and navigate. Categories and Subject Descriptors H.5.4 [Hypertext/Hypermedia] Navigation, User Issues J.5 [Arts and Humanities] –Literature General Terms Management, Design, Theory. Keywords Anchor, link, navigation, taxonomy, design, literature, aesthetic, efferent, reading strategies, semiotics

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2004
• Where: HT
• Authors: Deena Larsen, Richard E. Higgason
• Keywords: Anchor, Anchor Properties, Anchor Property Combinations, HT 2004