Overview:
The speaker showcased the ability to jump to specific locations within a file using the “jump to link” command. They also demonstrated how to open and modify files, as well as navigate through different levels of a file structure.

Navigating Files:
The speaker showed how to use the “jump to link” command to navigate to a specific location within a file, such as a reference or another file. They also explained that links can be used to execute commands, allowing users to quickly access relevant information.

Working with Files:
The speaker demonstrated how to open and modify files in the online system. They also showed how to create working copies of files, which allow users to make changes without affecting the original file.

File Structure:
The speaker displayed the structure of a file using a tree diagram. They explained that the tree represents the organization of the file’s content, with branches representing different sections or sub-statements. The speaker also showed how to navigate through the file structure using the “jump to item” command.

Statement Representation:
The speaker highlighted that each point in the file structure represents a statement, which can contain text, links, or sub-statements. They showed that statements can have multiple sub-statements, creating a hierarchical structure of information.

Introduction:
Doug Engelbart and Dave Evans showcase the capabilities of the NLS system as a tool for navigating and manipulating complex information structures.

NLS as a Tool for Navigation:
Engelbart emphasizes the significance of NLS as a tool that allows users to navigate and operate within complex information spaces. The system provides a graphical user interface with a mouse and a “control bug” for intuitive navigation and interaction. NLS enables users to create and modify files, insert links, and jump between different parts of the information space quickly.

Navigation and Movement between Files:
Engelbart demonstrates the process of navigating through multiple files using links. The navigation is real-time, allowing users to quickly move between different files and sections of information. Links can be created and used to connect related information, providing a flexible and efficient way to organize and access content.

NLS as an Information Space Vehicle:
Engelbart introduces the metaphor of NLS as an “information space vehicle” that allows users to operate within complex information domains. The system combines instrument and vehicle capabilities, enabling users to compose, study, and modify information. NLS aims to represent complex information structures that go beyond linear content and capture the interconnectedness of concepts and ideas.

Importance of Complex Information Structures:
Engelbart highlights the need to represent complex information structures accurately in the computer system. Concepts and ideas often form intricate networks or structures, and traditional linear representations may not suffice. NLS aims to capture these interrelationships and provide a tool for navigating and understanding complex information effectively.

Importance of Flexible Information Structures:
Flexible information structures are essential for navigating complex information quickly and flexibly. They allow users to view information in a way that satisfies their needs and helps them comprehend the organization and relationships between concepts. This flexibility is important for fostering new ways of working, thinking, and organizing information.

System Development and Management:
Information systems require operation, management, customers (users), and a development team. System development is particularly important for creating systems that are fast, flexible, and conceptually aligned with the way people work and think. The system development team also works on support systems for operating and managing information systems, especially in the context of system development.

Special Tools for Information Management:
Special tools exist to aid in finding and retrieving information, such as: Changing views, levels, and truncations. Jumping about. Freezing things while scanning through other structures.

Upcoming Demonstrations:
Three individuals will present working examples of how they use these tools in their files on system development, management, and information system upkeep. The first presenter, Bill Paxton, will demonstrate the use of system development tools.

File Structure:
The NLS program consists of multiple files, each containing small routines or procedures. Each procedure is analogous to a functional component in a vehicle, such as a pump or a meter. The files represent the first level of logical breakdown, while the procedures represent a finer breakdown to the functional level.

System Guide File:
A system guide file provides information about the files and procedures in the system. For each file, there is a branch with data about the file and a link to the file. Under each file branch, there are statements with the names of the procedures in that file, a brief description of their functions, and links to their documentation.

File Relationships and Categories:
The system guide file includes a map illustrating the logical relationships between the various files. Categories of procedures are defined, each with a keyword and a list of the procedures in that category. Categories can be manipulated to retrieve links to procedures that match specific categories.

Navigating the System Guide File:
The speaker demonstrates navigating the system guide file to access information about a specific file and its procedures. The system allows jumping from the map to branches for specific files and from there to statements about the procedures in those files.

Conclusion:
The NLS system provides tools and documentation to help users navigate and understand the complex structure of files and procedures within the program. The system guide file serves as a central repository of information about the various components of the system, facilitating efficient access and retrieval of relevant information.

Keyword System:
The system guide file categorizes procedures into various branches. Users can select keywords or category names to find relevant procedures. Keywords can be weighted to prioritize certain categories. The system then generates a menu of procedures based on the selected categories.

Browsing Procedures:
Users can browse through the procedures offered by the system. The order of the procedures is determined by their relevance, with the most relevant ones appearing at the top. Users can jump to a specific procedure by using the “jump to name” command.

Documentation and Interconnections:
Each procedure has documentation that provides information about its purpose and usage. Procedures are interconnected, and users can quickly navigate between related procedures using links. Users can also view the code for a procedure written in a programming language.

Programming Language:
The system uses a special-purpose programming language designed for system programming. The syntax of the programming language complies with the structure of the files. This allows users to easily collapse and expand levels in the files and navigate through the programming code.

Transition to the Next Application:
The presentation moves on to the next application, which focuses on system operation from the perspective of an information system. Mary Church will discuss how users can query a database to retrieve specific information.

Information Management:
The speaker introduces NLS as an information center for a network of computer installations, aiming to facilitate easy access to information. They receive documents, abstracts, and citation files containing details like title, author, source, and date.

Exploring Citations:
NLS allows users to navigate through citation lists, open documents, and view abstracts easily using structural commands. The hierarchical structure enables quick transitions between different types of information, such as titles, authors, and sources.

Gathering and Filtering Information:
Users can gather information from various perspectives, like authors, sources, or content. The speaker highlights the need for tools to manage the flow of information and address issues like transcription errors, installation responses, and recent submissions.

Content Analyzer:
To address these needs, NLS employs a tool called the content analyzer, which searches for specific phrases, characters, or words within statements. The speaker demonstrates how to use patterns, brackets, quotation marks, and a semicolon to compile a pattern for the content analyzer. The filter pattern can be turned on or off to search for the specified content within files.

User-Friendly Terminology:
The speaker emphasizes the importance of using user-friendly terminology to explain concepts like “compile” to non-technical users.

Content Analyzer Function:
The content analyzer uses directives in brackets, quotation marks, and semicolons to identify and extract patterns from text. It separates the pattern from the surrounding text based on these directives.

Compiler Function:
The compiler generates procedures that allow a user to search for specific patterns in text. Once compiled, the user can instruct a “stupid clerk” (a computer program) to perform the search.

Demonstration:
The speaker demonstrates the use of the content analyzer to find instances of the pattern “*?title” in a set of documents. The content analyzer identifies two documents with problems, and the speaker investigates the abstracts to verify the titles. After verifying the titles, the speaker removes the query remarks from the display.