Not many "online" books survive to see a second edition. This one, while not a journalism book, uniquely shows how to plan and script large-scale multimedia projects. Garrand (an information architect for Web projects) provides thorough insights to the demands of multimedia authoring.

The text addresses writing for online media (but not newswriting) throughout, and Garrand compares linear and nonlinear narrative structures and requirements in depth. Especially useful: Chapter 8, "Informational Multimedia and Web Architecture," about structure and linking; pages 94-112, about writing headlines, body text and links; Chapter 18, "Interactive Narrative and Linear Narrative." The case studies in Part III (pages 233-311) will engage more students than a text such as Janet Murray's first-rate (but demanding) "Hamlet on the Holodeck: The Future of Narrative in Cyberspace" (1997).

The case studies on the included CD-ROM are quite dated now, unfortunately. They do illustrate the principles of interactivity given in the text, but it would be wonderful to have more current examples.

Bottom line: A good resource for educators planning a course in which journalism students will create complex multilinear stories online; also a possible text for a student doing an independent study involving multimedia (such as creating a large story package in Flash).

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