Organizational Structures

Sequences:
Simplest and most familiar way to organize information. Straight sequence of pages -> -> ->. Sometimes can branch out into other sequences, but still a very linear model.

Hierarchies:
Best way to organize complex bodies of information. Usually begins with a home pages, and then goes on to subtopics. Heirarchies are very common, so the structure is usually very easy to understand. Simplest form is a star, where the home page is in the middle and then branches out to individual pages around it. A more complex hierarchy is more like a tree, where the single home page branches out into subpages, and then into more subpages. This form of organization is best for more complex websites.

Webs:
Web organization is a very free-flowing form of organization. Webpages are linked based on relevance to its ideas rather than logical organization. This allows for more free thought and flow through ideas. Although this is an advantage, this is actually a very impractical way to organize a website because users can’t understand it.

Hypertext
Involves two primary componenets: The items or chunks of information which are to be linked, and the links between those chunks. Hypertext chunks can be connected hierarchically, non-hierarchically, or both. This structure is very flexible, but it can also cause confusion and be too complex. It is easy for the user to get lost. Due to this, hypertext is rarely a good organizational structure for websites.

Relational Database Model:
Datebases allow you to repurpose the same content in multiple forms and formats for different audiences. This allows for better customization of content based on the needs of the user. However, databases must follow rigid rules. Also, it is not easy to included every single part of a webpage into a database. Due to all of this, the database model is good for parts of websites(groups of information within a larger site), but not good as the main organizational structure of a website.